Purchasing a Frenchie is an exciting experience.
However, it can quickly become your worst nightmare if you fall into scammers’ hands.
Here are important tips on how to avoid Frenchie puppy scams.
Take time to research your breeder.
The first step in ensuring you don’t get scammed is thoroughly researching your French Bulldog breeder. Any reputable breeder will have an online presence and clear contact information, complete with customer testimonials. It will also be registered with kennel clubs or other relevant organizations.
Google your breeder’s name and contact details and check for reviews, feedback, and warnings. Victims of Frenchie scams often go to the internet and report the scammer on Google Maps to warn others.
Responsible breeders will want to show how happy their puppies’ family is. As such, they are proud to display the quality of their litter and want customers to appreciate their work. Don’t decide in a rush.
Stick to traceable payment methods.
Scammers will often ask you to pay in untraceable ways, making it hard to reverse. They will want you to make wire transfers, bank transfers, money orders, cash apps, and other untraceable means. It’s best to stick with traceable payment methods.
A reputable breeder will take time to set up a secure payment method. They allow you to pay via checks, credit cards, or other recognized apps.
Request for a picture of the puppy
A picture is worth 1,000 words. The best way to know if a puppy exists is by requesting to see it’s picture. However, beware that scammers can steal and use pictures on their websites. It’s, therefore, crucial to check out the authenticity of the photo your breeder will send.
The best way to check for the legitimacy of a photo is by using Google’s reverse-image search. Simply drag and drop the photo into Google’s search bar, and Google will pull out any duplicates. The absence of copies is a good sign.
Request to meet the puppy’s parents
Bringing a new puppy home is a lifetime commitment you should not take lightly. It’s thus important to find out everything about the puppy before making any payment. Insist on meeting your puppy’s parents or at least its mother.
This will give you insights into the kind of dog your puppy will be. Your puppy is unlikely to have any health issues if the parents are healthy. Pay special attention to the dam’s condition and ensure she’s clean, healthy, and happy. Survey the area where the puppies have been raised and ensure it’s clean and odor-free.
Ask for comprehensive health checks and certifications
Responsible breeders are keen on the health of their dogs. As such, they regularly screen their dogs for any genetic health issues that may affect Frenchies. It’s important to ask for detailed health check records and certification for the puppy and its parents.
Get to know when the puppy got its first health check, flea and deworming treatment, and the relevant vaccinations.
Any reputable breeder will not hesitate to provide health documentation from a licensed vet for their pups. You can also check out certifications from relevant institutions to ensure the dog’s overall health.
Be wary of pricing that seems too good to be true.
French Bulldogs are an expensive breed that takes time, effort, and resources. You can expect to pay at least $2500 for a purebred Frenchie and up to $10,000 for rare and exotic colors. It probably isn’t if the deal seems too good to be true.
Low prices may indicate a possible scam or a breeder not keen on their dog’s health. Ask yourself why a breeder will be willing to accept only a fraction of a puppy’s price when he can easily get more. Take extremely low prices for Frenchies as a red flag.
Ask all the relevant questions.
Knowing everything about the Frenchie puppy before committing your funds is important. This will help you assess if you are getting the right puppy that’s unlikely to have any future issues. Ask all the relevant questions, including those that seem obvious.
Ask about the puppy’s age, the breeding process, the litter size, the age and health condition of the puppy’s parents, the vaccination and immunization schedules, and any health issues they may have. A genuine and reputable will have all the information about his puppies at his fingertips.
Take your puppy for a vet examination.
Nothing can be more heartbreaking than getting your Frenchie and bringing it home only to realize it’s sick or not your desired breed. It’s thus crucial to get yourself acquainted with the French Bulldog breed standards before meeting your puppy and its mother.
Don’t hesitate to ask for the puppy’s and its parents’ documentation. Ensure you don’t commit any funds until you have verified the authenticity of the documents. Request the breeder to accompany you to a vet to verify the puppy’s health. Ensure the puppy is healthy before you bring it to your home. You can also undertake a DNA test before taking it home.
Don’t rush the process.
Don’t make a decision to get a Frenchie based on impulse. A scammer will aim to grab cash from you as quickly as possible. They will thus try to instill a sense of urgency by using phrases such as only one remaining in to persuade you to make payments immediately.
Due to their responsible breeding practices and restrictions on the amount of litters they produce, genuine breeders frequently have waitlists. If a breeder is putting pressure on you to make a quick decision or claim to have many litters available, that’s a warning sign.
Final Thoughts
Because of their lovable nature, adorable looks, and rising popularity, Frenchies are high targets for scammers. The good news is that you can avoid falling prey to these scams by taking the necessary precautions. Follow these tips and reap the rewards of owning a Frenchie.