French Bulldog FAQs 

5. Are French Bulldogs Good Urban Dwellers?
6. Are French Bulldogs Good With Children?
7. Are French Bulldogs Good With Other Pets?
8. What Are Some French Bulldog Negatives?
9. Overheating?
10. Why Use a Responsible Breeder?
11. Steps to Consider When Purchasing Your 1st French Bulldog
12. French Bulldog Health


HOW DO I FIND MY NEW FRENCH BULLDOG?

Start here:

FBDCA (French Bulldog Club of America)
http://www.frenchbull...

FBDCA Breeder List
http://www.frenchbull...

FBRN Rescue
http://www.FBRN.org...

All about Frenchies
http://www.frenchbull...

FBDCA Frenchie FAQ
http://www.frenchbull...

HOW MUCH DO FRENCH BULLDOGS COST?

Rescue dogs: a fee to cover vet bills incurred by the rescue and lots of love and understanding.
QUALITY AKC breeder show quality dog: $3,500 to $5,000 or more.
QUALITY AKC breeder, pet quality dog: $2,000 to $3,500.
"Backyard" breeder", unknown quality dog: $1,000 to $2,000.

Puppy Mill, unknown quality dog: $800 to $1,800.

Rescue Dogs are a wonderful way to acquire a French Bulldog. If your love for dogs and French Bulldogs is great, you should definitely register yourself with the local French Bulldog rescue. You may have to be very patient since there is no schedule for French Bulldog rescues. And you may need to invest extra love in your rescue if it has special needs. Please beware if you have other pets at home or children, rescue Frenchies may not be compatible with everyone in your family.

Show Quality Dogs are the best puppies in a breeder's litter. The puppy exhibits great potential to achieve its AKC championship if someone invests the time, money, and energy to 'finish' it.

If you choose a Show Quality Dog and intend to show it to its championship, you cannot spay or neuter the dog. Dogs in competition must be in-tact. If you choose this option, a responsible breeder is very likely to ask you to co-own the dog. This is a good sign. This means the breeder is trying to preserve its bloodlines and discourage sub-standard breeding. Co-ownership means that one person cannot register the dog's litters or offspring with the AKC, two people must sign and register the litter, you and the breeder. If you have the dog spayed or neutered, the co-ownership is usually immediately terminated.

Pet Quality Dogs are the other puppies in a breeder's litter. Pet dogs are often missing one or more traits that ensure its championship. Ask the breeder why the puppy is considered a pet.  Pet Quality Dogs almost always require spay or neutering within the 1st year of ownership. This means the breeder does not want to continue the traits of this dog in its kennel and is happy to sell the puppy to you.

The price of Show Quality Dogs and Pet Quality Dogs is often determined by the dog?s pedigree. If both of the dog?s parents were champions, the puppies will be more expensive than if only one parent were a champion. And four champion grandparents are better than three.

Backyard Breeders often include AKC papers, but it is difficult to find information on the kennel or the dogs pedigree. These kennels often breed many varieties of dog breeds, not just French Bulldogs. Since French Bulldog breeding is really not a part-time job, the quality of the breedings will suffer. No health testing and prospective owners should scrutinize every inch of the transaction and take their new puppy to a DVM for an immediate examination.

Puppy Mill Dogs are the most unfortunate French Bulldogs. Bitches are bred back-to-back-to-back, often to death. Not many human women want to conceive every time they are able, it is neither healthy for the baby nor for the mother. And since the French Bulldog breeding stock is low and limited, litter sizes are small, and litter delivery is expensive, every Frenchie bitch in a puppy mill is bred back-to-back-to-back.

More frequently, puppy mill dogs are imported to the US from other countries. Though many great dogs come from outside the US, the growth of puppy mills and exporters to the US continues to grow and choke the French Bulldog rescue systems. In addition to physical health problems from bad breeding and poor environments, imported dogs appear to have a greater aggression rate than US bred dogs. It is likely that this is because they are not socialized with people and other dogs early in their lives, they are crated on trucks and ships like cattle to faraway markets.


WHAT TYPE OF FRENCH BULLDOGS ARE THERE?

French Bulldog Colors

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE FRENCH BULLDOG MARKET?

In 2002, the AKC lists 975 registered litters and 2,938 registered offspring (puppies) for French Bulldogs in the ENTIRE US! In the same year the AKC lists 1,316 French Bulldog breeders.

So about 75% of the registered breeders are having a litter with about three puppies each year. Less than 3,000 French Bulldog puppies entering the market each year is a small drop in the bucket compared to most other popular US dog breeds.

French Bulldog litters are difficult and expensive for breeders. Dogs and bitches are screened for their eyes, spine, and hips before mating. Dogs are often tested for motility. Bitches are often progesterone tested before they come into heat. Bitches are often artificially inseminated, and often deliver with cesarean section.

Breeding French Bulldogs is not a money-making endeavor. Many people that offer to sell you their puppy are barely breaking even (unless they are a puppy mill). Even with sky-high puppy prices and waiting lists, I do not know any French Bulldog breeders driving Porsches these days.
 

ARE FRENCH BULLDOGS GOOD URBAN DWELLERS?

Definitely! Their size is perfect for apartments and they do not require wide open spaces. They are short-haired and single-coated and do not shed as much as other dogs (or even cats). Their energy level and exercise requirements are far less than other breeds. Frenchies like being with their owners, regardless of the space or circumstance.

Older Frenchies may have a difficult time going up and down stairs due to arthritis.


ARE FRENCH BULLDOGS GOOD WITH CHILDREN?

Mostly, yes. No dog should be unsupervised around infants and toddlers who poke and pull them, including Frenchies.

Generally, Frenchies like anyone who pets them or shows them affection. Sometimes Frenchies will gravitate to adults because they know that adults pet and scratch them better than children.

If the child is old enough to show them affection then the Frenchie will become a close friend and guardian.

Frenchies will follow children dropping food all day long.


ARE FRENCH BULLDOGS GOOD WITH OTHER PETS?

Sometimes. Most Female Frenchies have type-A, leader-of-the-pack attitudes with both humans and animals. They love this role and always aspire to be the best.

Frenchies love chasing cats! but if your cat does not like being chased by a snorting clown, your cat may never come out of the closet. If your cat has its front claws, you should not get a Frenchie!

Most pet integrations are naturally minimized if the new dog is a puppy. If it is not a puppy, carefully evaluate your home and its members, and your ability to train and coach the entire family.

If you have other pets, try to arrange a meet-&-greet with the new Frenchie and your family. Nose-to-nose. A responsible breeder will not refuse to help you. A responsible breeder will do everything they can to ensure their Frenchie finds the perfect home.

Some responsible breeders may exclude you from buying one of their Frenchies because of your family, children, and pets. Do not be insulted. The breeder actually does know best.


WHAT ARE SOME FRENCH BULLDOG NEGATIVES?

? Frenchies snore.

? Frenchies look sturdy but have delicate bone structure.

? Frenchies have frequent gas.
? Frenchies sink in the water (and quickly drown).
? Frenchies overheat VERY easily! THIS CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.
? Frenchies sometimes have expensive medical needs.
? Frenchies can be bossy with other dogs, especially in their home.
? Frenchies can suffer from separation anxiety.

If you are looking for a dog to play for hours in the park, run with, play and swim at the beach, and take everywhere you go, a French Bulldog is NOT FOR YOU. Get a lab.

If you travel a lot or work long hours, get a plant not a French Bulldog.


OVERHEATING

Frenchies cute squashed faces actually make it very difficult for them to regulate their body heat. In 70 degree weather they must be carefully monitored while outdoors. In 80 degree weather they may only be good for 15 minutes outdoors. In 90 degree weather they may only be good for 10 minutes outdoors. Some Frenchies living in warm locals benefit from throat and nares surgery to increase their air flow and ability to cool down.

Frenchies should NEVER be left inside a car! Sure, everybody says that about dogs in general, but Frenchies are especially sensitive and intolerant of heat.

When Frenchies seriously overheat they can quickly die. They have a soft palate which swells when they are suffering from severe heat exhaustion. Their saliva turns very thick. If they are not cooled down quickly they can asphyxiate (choke). In addition to water they may need ice cubes, or ice cubes rubbed on their belly, or quickly stuck into a cold shower.


WHY USE A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER?

Responsible breeders focus is on reproducing the positive health and character traits of the breed and its bloodlines. Their motivation is love of the breed.

See http://www.akc.org/br... for great info on how breeders practice responsibility.

Many responsible breeders offer a health guarantee of some sort for their dogs. You should ALWAYS ask for a health guarantee. Frenchies should come with a health guarantee in writing.  Would you buy a $2,000 kick-ass TV and not expect to receive a product guarantee of some sort?

Many responsible breeders also encourage (or insist) that you return your Frenchie to them for ANY reason if you cannot care for your it. You may not get any money back unless it is a puppy, but rest assured your Frenchie will have a loving home.

A good breeder will share plenty of info about their kennel and breeding practices. A good breeder will share its puppies' Sire and Dam pedigrees. If your Frenchies bloodlines had hip or eye problems in the past, your breeder will know if your new puppy is prone to similar traits.


STEPS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING YOUR 1ST FRENCH BULLDOG?

1. RESEARCH.  The FBDCA and AKC sites are good places to start.

2. Firmly decide that a French Bulldog is right for you and your household. Evaluate your lifestyle, work habits, travel schedule, and house-mates.

3. Go to a dog show near you.  Meet breeders, handlers, and lovers of Frenchies to gather inormation.

Search here: http://www.akc.org/ev...

4. Register with the FB Rescue Network if you are committed to a rescue dog. http://www.FBRN.org...

5. Speak with French Bulldog breeders by phone and in person. Most responsible breeders will blow you off if they believe you are not serious or committed to this decision. Be prepared.

Responsible French Bulldog breeders receive TONS of daily phone call and email inquiries about litters and puppies. It may seem snobbish, but their scrutiny often avoids unfortunate circumstances with poorly prepared owners.

6. You may be required to pay a deposit for a future litter or puppy, or to fil out an adoption questionnaire to get on a waiting list. YES, this is becoming more frequent as Frenchie supply continues to outpace demand.

EXERCISE CAUTION with deposits! What if you deposit $750 for a new Pet Quality puppy within six months, and the breeder?s new litter is all Show Quality puppies? The $1,500 Frenchie you deposited was not born and the Show Quality puppies are all over $3000!

7. Visit the breeder?s kennel. You are a fool to purchase a Frenchie without witnessing how it is raised and socialized.

Do your best to choose a breeder and kennel within 4-5 hours drive from your home. You should avoid shipping your Frenchie by airplane if possible. Go to the kennel once to inspect the litter and parents. Go to the kennel a second time to execute the transaction and pick up the puppy. Do not do both in the first trip because you will be blinded by extreme cuteness and you will certainly cave and take a puppy home, good or bad.