French Bulldog Buying Guide: Price + Tips in Looking for a Pup

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Does the cost of a French Bulldog intrigue you as a prospective pet parent? You might be wondering why they cost so much when there are a lot of healthier breeds compared to them. In fact, they are still highly desired in the dog community despite their history of several health concerns. Since 2017 up to now, they have been named the 4th most popular breed in the world, outranking the English Bulldog, their much larger counterpart.

It appears many people these days are more open-minded about owning a Bully breed but with special preferences to a compact one or something that can fit well in small units or apartments. The French bulldogs, being the smallest of all bullies, are best suited for that category. Also known as toy bulldogs, these dogs do not require a big house or a yard. They can easily adapt to small places and because of their size, you can easily carry them when outdoors. If you’re looking for a breed that can live comfortably regardless of the size of your house, a Frenchie is one of the best options.

French Bulldog Price

French bulldog puppies cost anywhere between $1,500 and $3,500. As you can see, not all Frenchies are priced the same. Several factors, such as the breed line and coat colors affect their value. The so-called “Rolls Royces” of Frenchies are the dogs produced from champion bloodlines, meaning the parents or grandparents met the standard for show or have won in previous competitions. Pups with extraordinary breeding history are usually priced higher. For these dogs, you normally have to pay $5,000 or more.

Color is another factor that affects a dog’s value. Frenchies come in an array of colors. You can see them in brindle, cream, fawn, and white among others. These are the standard colors of French Bulldogs. Apart from these, they may also come in rare colorings such as chocolate, blue, and Isabella.

Lilac or Isabella French Bulldogs are rare. These colors occur when there is dilution in the genes, which only happens naturally. Lilac is considered the rarest of all French Bulldog coat colors. In Canada, West Coast Frenchies are known as the original breeders of these dogs.

Like most Frenchies, they have the white markings on their chest but they have different eye colors. Hence, it’s normal to find them for whopping amounts. A lilac French Bulldog for sale costs $20,000 or more and some are even being sold for around $30,000.

While color is such a big factor, it’s worth noting that the quality of breeding matters more. A healthy Frenchie is value for money. When looking for Frenchies with rare colors, check first if they have the correct body structures or if they were reproduced according to standards.

Another factor that affects the prices of Frenchies is the supply and demand. If there’s a high demand for a certain coat color and many people are bidding for it, it’s just normal for breeders to charge for it a bit higher than usual. It may also take longer, because you have to be on the waiting list first. If you fit the breeder’s criteria, you might have a high chance of bringing home one of the puppies in the litter. It’s just normal for responsible breeders to get to know you better, so they can gauge if you can care for the dog or not.

Why Are Frenchies Expensive?

Reproducing them is costly because most of them are born via C-section. Based on studies, as much as 80% of Frenchies are born this way. A breeder might spend $2,000 to $7,000 for the operation alone. This is one of the factors why the French Bulldog price is on the higher end compared to that of many other breeds.

Apparently, the breeder should spend more if there are any birth complications.

Artificial insemination is another way to copulate two dogs if natural mating is not possible. This is done by injecting a male dog’s semen into the uterus of a female dog. The process is recommended to be done during the most fertile period of estrus.

In dogs, this normally happens more than a week after the heat season started and this can last from 2 weeks up to a month for each cycle. For this procedure, the breeder has to fork out $500 on average. It’s not an easy procedure and the success will depend on the ability of a breeder. Instilling frozen semen on the bitch is believed to be better than injecting fresh semen.

Where to Find Frenchies for Sale

Breeders – take note, not all breeders are created equal. If you’re eager to get a Frenchie from a breeder, secure a health certificate, health guarantee, and a written bill of sale. The bill of sale is a document that serves as your protection. It normally indicates details about the pup itself and the amount you paid. It should have the signature of both the seller and the buyer. A health certificate, on the other hand, is a document that shows if a dog is free from any inheritable disease. Genetic health tests cost $200-$700, one of the reasons why breeders charge high.

Shelters – these facilities are usually funded by the government, although it’s common to find privately run animal shelters these days. City governments often have animal control groups within their localities. They work by accepting animals taken to them or those that were captured by them while patrolling. More often than not, shelters become the second home to lost pets. Volunteers then work by finding the real owners and reuniting them with their dogs. If this cannot be done, shelters search for new parents for the homeless animals.

Rescue Groups – The French Bulldog Rescue Network is just one of the non-profit organizations that foster Frenchies throughout the United States and Canada. Unlike shelters, they are not run by the local government. All you have to do is check their website from time to time, so you can see if there are any Frenchies ready for adoption. They usually post on weekends and only receive applications through their listings. You can adopt as many dogs as you wish, given that you can support them well.

French Bulldogs for Sale Websites

Are you on a hunt for your new Frenchie? They are very popular so it’s going to be a walk in the park finding these dogs nowadays. Here are some of the websites where you can find these dogs ready for buying:

http://blue-frenchbulldogs.com/ – they have a wide range of French Bulldog colors, from solids like blue and tan to different patterns like brindle and chocolate. Their application process is pretty simple and the buyer gets to choose between picking up and having the pet delivered to their home. While this is convenient, it’s always advisable to visit the kennel to see both the parent dogs.

http://www.jellybelliesfrenchbulldogs.com/ – the breeder states they breed for health, temperament, and type. These are the most important factors in raising well-bred pups. The average price of dogs from this breeder is $4,000-$4,500. They ensure all the puppies undergo health testing first.

http://www.frenchbulldog.com/miradon/ – Paula Kaufman, DVM owns this website. Her interest with dogs started way back in the ‘60s when she discovered the world of dog shows. Like any other responsible breeder, Ms. Kaufman prioritizes the health and temperament of her Frenchies.

What You Need to Know About Frenchies

Is the French Bulldog the perfect breed for you? Beside the French Bulldog cost, here are some basic facts about them that will help you decide if they are the perfect match:

They are the best for you if you want a pet that doesn’t need a lot of physical activities. If you’re the kind of pet parent who does not have a lot of time for exercise, the Frenchie may be the best dog for you. A short walk each day will be enough to exercise their joints. An hour of exercise per day divided in several sessions is ideal for an adult French Bulldog, given that it does not have any existing health condition.

They are not picky eaters but they may need a special diet because of allergies. They love meat, but sadly enough, many of them suffer from itching after eating certain types of meat. They can also be extremely itchy after consuming corn and wheat. When feeding Frenchies, it is a good idea to schedule feedings and to check the label of the dog food every time. It’s also important to offer new food gradually to prevent stomach problems that are pretty common among French Bulldogs

They are not suited for places with extreme weather conditions. Like all breeds with short noses, Frenchies find it challenging to live in places with extreme weather conditions like countries that are very humid and very cold. These dogs can easily overheat hence, it will be much better for them to stay indoors most of the time. Physical activities should be limited to walking because running easily tires them out. In places where winter is long and bleak, the Frenchie may need extra protection.

They are known for being clingy. Some dogs cannot endure being left alone, and French Bulldogs are one of those breeds. A lot of Frenchies are not independent enough and are often surprisingly needy. They can be overly attached, that they seem to worry when their owner leaves them for a period of time. To you, the Frenchie may appear clingy but it’s just their way of showing you that you are their “hooman.” If a Frenchie keeps following you wherever you go, it might have started to like you and your presence. They are like shadows who like to be where their people are. This is normal among Frenchies, as long as it’s not too much. It’s not so secret that clingy behavior may lead to separation anxiety, which can be a problem if not addressed early.

They are couch potatoes. You might have heard that Frenchies can be super lazy and that’s somehow true, although it does not apply to every French Bulldog. Some of them are surprisingly active but most of them do not have much energy for play. Still, that does not mean they can’t be fun.

Frenchies Health Concerns

The most common problems seen among French Bulldogs are ear infection, hip dysplasia, cancer, and neurological disorders. Diarrhea and conjunctivitis are also among their typical disorders. The median lifespan of this breed is 10 years. This is not that low, because the average life expectancy of canines, in general, is 10-13 years.

Similar to most breeds, the leading cause of death among Frenchies is cancer. The specific types of cancer diagnosed in them are brain tumor and lymphoma. Brachycephalic breeds or short-nosed dogs are susceptible to mast cancer cells. One study found that around 72% of French Bulldogs acquired at least one of these genetic disorders throughout their lifetime.

A French Bulldog for sale should be at an appropriate age prior to adoption. You can bring them home in their 8th week. Some puppies may be ready for adoption at around seven weeks, given that they don’t have any existing health problems. Having an idea about the breed’s current health condition gives the owner a clearer understanding on how the issues can be addressed. Most of these conditions are not really life-threatening, except for cancer.

What to Do Before Adopting a Frenchie

With the help of the Internet, finding Frenchies for sale is a piece of cake nowadays. You will be able to find hundreds or even thousands of listings for this breed alone. But to avoid problems later on, practice extra caution when negotiating with breeders online.

Getting to see the pup’s parents is important. A breeder who will not agree on seeing the parent dogs is a red flag. If they are not hiding anything, they will not be afraid to have visitors around the facilities. Obviously, puppy mills don’t welcome visitors because they have poor facilities. These are the breeders who only care about producing more and more puppies so they can get more money.

Friends and family members who own dogs may have ideas of good breeders nearby. Other than pet parents or vets you know, organizations like the American Kennel Club have their list of recommended breeders. Getting recommendations from the AKC or any other club can be a good idea especially for newbies who don’t know where to start.

Conclusion

Doing your research before adopting a Frenchie makes it easier to find your perfect match. It also helps you differentiate the good breeders from the bad ones. As much as possible, stay away from puppy mills or people who are obviously after profits. This increases your chances of getting a well-bred Frenchie. Remember that there are other places where you can get your Frenchie aside from breeders. Getting a dog from animal rescues and shelters will cost you less. Other than that, you’re helping a dog by giving it a second chance at life.

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