Why You Should Buy French Bulldog Puppies
With their crinkly bodies and funny faces, French Bulldogs make great companions for single people, families with kids, or couples. They're not high energy dogs and require only a few walks a day and a few outdoor walks to keep them happy.
If you are able, talk to the parents of the puppy. This will give you insight into the parents' appearance, health, and their temperament.
AKC Registration
You can only register an Frenchie with the AKC in the event that the breeder has registered both of its parents and it is recognized by the AKC as a parent club. This process creates a pedigree that reveals the dog's genetic lineage and can be useful for breeding. The AKC keeps records of dogs to prevent inbreeding. This could lead to health issues such as heart and skeletal defects.
The AKC sends the "litter package" to the breeder when the litter is born. The package includes a puppy registration form and information on the dam and sire. Both puppies must be AKC registered. Breeders must also provide an AKC with unique name for each puppy, which adheres to AKC names guidelines.
The AKC issues a Certificate of Registration to the breeder once all pups are registered. This document contains the registration numbers of the litter as well as an explanation of each puppy. This can be helpful for identifying characteristics and determining the dog's potential. It also shows that the puppy's microchip and can aid in locating lost pets.
The majority of breeders provide their puppies with full AKC registration. You do not need to purchase this kind of registration for your Frenchie when you plan to keep it as your pet or to take part in AKC conformation competitions, which require full AKC registration. There are extra fees associated with buying a full-registration puppy, and many breeders offer it only for those who plan to breed their dogs. A puppy with full papers may be shown in all AKC venues, however it does not guarantee that the dog will do well or that it will meet the standards for the breed.
Health Tests
Responsible breeding practices include genetic health testing. By screening puppies and parents for hereditary disorders breeders can drastically reduce the risk of passing these diseases on to their children. The top breeders of french bulldogs perform DNA testing to identify hereditary disorders and mutations that could affect the breed. Examples include degenerative myelopathy, hyperuricosuria, as well as hereditary cataracts that are juvenile in nature. Breeders can decrease the risk of hereditary disease in the future generations by selectively breeding carriers or clearing of these conditions.
The best french bulldogs breeders also conduct a variety of tests to ensure that their puppies live a long and healthy life. These tests help them detect common problems like patellar laxation and cleft palate and tracheal collapsing which are more common in brachycephalic dogs. In addition, they conduct orthopedic evaluations to assess the skeletal issues like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Other tests include PennHIP which tests the elasticity of the hip joint and is especially useful in Frenchies.
These health tests and clearances are vital to ensure that a puppy is healthy and ready for its new home. They also show the breeder's commitment to responsible breeding.
A French Bulldog that is seeking an health clearance of four panels must be negative for four of the most prevalent hereditary disorders in the breed. These include DM (degenerative myelopathy) and HUF (hyperuricosuria), and JHC (juvenile hereditary cataracts). To allow a French Bulldog to qualify for a 6-panel clearance, they need to undergo additional hereditary diseases testing including cardiac evaluation and respiratory function grading.
Veterinarian Fees
French Bulldog puppies can be adorable, loving, and lovable pets. However, they are expensive to buy. The initial cost of a Frenchie is only a small part of the story. Pet owners will also incur additional costs throughout the dog's life, including food, veterinary costs, supplies, and insurance.
The cost of a veterinarian for Frenchies vary depending on your location and quality of care you receive. You should be prepared to pay for a complete physical exam, routine vaccinations deworming protocols and heartworm prevention drugs. Your doctor may suggest screening for hip dysplasia or abnormal vertebrae, as well as Obstructive Respiratory Syndrome.
These tests are often performed by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, which is an eye specialist. These tests are costly, but are necessary to ensure that your puppy is healthy and has a good eye.
Another major expense for Frenchies is artificial insemination. Due to their size and structure male Frenchies have a difficult time getting females to reproduce naturally. To overcome this breeders use artificial insemination to fertilize the eggs. This process requires a semen sample taken from the male and insertion into the female. Artificial insemination cost can range between $500 and $2,000 based on the breeder's quality and the quality of parents.
Reputable breeders invest in the health of their puppies. They will do everything to make sure the puppies are healthy and well-adjusted, and they will screen for genetic issues that are common. When you visit a breeder, be sure to look for clean and comfortable facilities as well as socialized dogs that are happy and confident. Observe how the breeder interacts both with the parents as well as the puppies. This will give you an idea of how your French Bulldog will be with people and other dogs.
Insurance
Frenchies are extremely playful and affectionate, however, they also are susceptible to a myriad of health conditions. From respiratory issues like brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and tracheal collapse, to back injuries resulting from overexertion birthing complications, skin issues, and more, taking care of the puppies can quickly become expensive. This is why many pet owners choose to purchase insurance for their pets to cover an important portion of vet expenses, so they can focus on their pet's health and well-being without worrying about costs.
While recommended you read of pet insurance can vary significantly, some companies provide various options to can be adapted to any budget. LendEDU's independent reviews have provided affordable plans for all breeds, including options that offer full coverage for all types of accidents and illnesses. Some plans include a preventive health add-on to cover regular vet visits.
It's important to remember that all policies come with a waiting period before coverage begins, so the earlier you start enrolling, the more favorable. For accidents, this generally is 0 to 15 days and for illnesses generally, it's 14 days. Certain insurers may also require longer waiting times for orthopedic conditions such as elbow dysplasia or hip dysplasia or cranial ligament injuries.
As you evaluate your options, think about the medical requirements specific to your new family member. For example, if you reside in an area with poor air quality and air pollution, your Frenchie could be more susceptible to respiratory problems. If your French Bulldog has an allergy history, it's best to choose a plan with a generous amount of coverage for allergies-related claims. Also, you should ensure that your chosen policy covers surgeries related to respiratory issues as well as spinal issues, as these procedures can be extremely expensive.
Training
Frenchies are a pleasure to be around with a big heart and will appreciate positive reinforcement in training. They enjoy participating in activities that bring them to the center of attention, so teaching recall and basic obedience is the best method to spend time with your puppy. Attending trainer moderated puppy play groups is a good way for your Frenchie to learn to read other dogs and meet new people and pets in a controlled setting.
These dogs do not need much exercise; a short daily walk and their normal inside activities will give them all the exercise they need. It is recommended to stay away from exercising in hot weather as these puppies are brachycephalic, and they cannot breathe as easily as other breeds.
Early on, establish a routine to help your dog get used to sleeping inside a cage. This will help them feel safe and allow you the freedom to move about your day without worrying about them. Crate training taps into the natural instinct to denning and provides them the security of a secure and safe space to recharge and relax between training sessions and playtime.
Encourage your puppy to chew on toys instead of shoes or other items that aren't appropriate. If they begin chewing on something that isn't appropriate, stop them, and then give them a chew toy that is acceptable. Reward them when they do the right thing to encourage them to do the same. It's also important to clean their wrinkles often as they can harbor bacteria and dirt that can cause irritation and infection.