Bringing a new French Bulldog puppy home is an exciting experience, given its cute looks and pleasant temperament. However, many unscrupulous breeders are out there, increasing the risk of getting an unfit Frenchie.
This article will give you some important questions to ask your French Bulldog breeder to ensure you get a high-quality dog.
Read on for this and more.
10 Questions to Ask a Potential French Bulldog Breeder
Here are the top 10 questions you should ask your potential French Bulldog breeder.
Are the puppies up-to-date on vaccinations?
Ask the breeder if the puppies have received all the relevant vaccinations. Puppies should be vaccinated at least once against common diseases like parvovirus, canine parainfluenza, Distemper, leptospirosis, and rabies. Ensure the breeder has taken the puppies for vaccinations and request the paperwork.
A responsible breeder should be able to provide a copy of the vaccination certificate as proof and knows exactly when the next shots are scheduled.
Walk away if the breeder fails to provide the paperwork as evidence that they administered the vaccines. This will equip you with accurate medical and help you know what shots your Frenchie will need next after bringing it home.
How many litters are present, and what’s the breeding frequency?
To determine if the puppies are given the optimal care and attention they need, you’ll need to ask the breeder how many litters they raise in a year. It takes a lot of time and effort for a breeder to raise and care for puppies.
A good breeder raises only one or two litters a year to ensure the puppies get all the care and handling they need for a happy and healthy life.
If a breeder takes care of several litters at once, they will start taking shortcuts and cannot provide the Frenchie with the prime attention they need. Additionally, allowing a female Frenchie to have up to two litters per year gives them enough time to recover fully.
How long have you been breeding, and what’s your experience with Frenchies?
You’ll need to find out if the breeder has sufficient experience in breeding this dog breed. This will enable you to gauge the breeder’s knowledge of this specific breed.
They should be fully aware of the Frenchies’ needs, strengths, weaknesses, dietary requirements, medical issues, and other needs.
The breeder should be able to answer all the questions that you might have about French Bulldogs and guide you on how to raise them effectively. You can also ask if the breeder is involved in French Bulldog organizations, breed clubs, or canine sports.
Can I meet the Puppy’s parents?
While meeting both parents may not be possible, the mother dog should always be there. Meeting the Puppy’s parents will help you understand how the dog will behave and what to expect. You’ll learn about their temperament, look, and health status. The parent’s behavior will give you important insights about what type of dog your Frenchie puppy will grow into.
If the parents are well-behaved, your Puppy will likely behave well too. If the breeder doesn’t allow you to see the parents stay away, which could indicate an irresponsible breeder.
What is the age of Frenchie’s parents?
It’s essential to find out the age of your Frenchie puppy. This is because most genetic health conditions do not manifest until Frenchies are at least three years of age.
You wouldn’t know what conditions your Puppy may have inherited if it was born by Frenchies younger than three years old. It’s, therefore, best to go for a Frenchie puppy whose parents are above this age to be on the safer side.
Have the Puppy’s parents undergone health tests, and are the official documents available?
Frenchies are prone to various health conditions they can genetically transfer to the puppies. These conditions include Cataracts, elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, hip dysplasia, and tracheal stenosis.
It’s thus important to find out about the parent’s health status when getting a Frenchie.
Ask the breeder if tests have been performed on your Puppy’s parents and verify this information by requesting health clearance certificates. This will give you insights into any likely health problems in the future. A responsible breeder will have the parents tested for the common conditions and be willing to provide copies of the results.
Where does the litter live?
It’s important to find out where the puppies have been living. The ideal location will be a household environment. Find out if the puppies have been around people or other dogs and if they are comfortable with a domestic environment.
If the puppies live in the basement, garage, or bar, they probably do not interact with people, which causes them to be shy or aggressive when around people. You do not want to take home a dog with this personality as it can be quite difficult to socialize with it. Socializing a puppy early will help it adapt quickly to a new environment.
Does the breeder provide a health guarantee?
Find out if the breeder offers any guarantee for their puppies. A breeder must offer a guarantee against congenital and genetic conditions. What will happen if the Puppy develops a serious health condition?
While not all disorders can be predicted and prevented, a good breeder will remain present in the lives of the dogs they produce and assist in case of any problem.
Can I talk to a former customer?
If this wasn’t their first litter, ask to speak to someone who previously purchased a puppy from the breeder. Chances are you will be satisfied with the breeder and the Puppy if their previous clients are happy about both.
A good breeder has a reference list and will gladly let you talk with people who purchased a French Bulldog puppy from them. If the breeder is unwilling to provide this reference, look away, as they could be hiding something. You can also use social media to contact a person who has used the breeder you are interested in.
Is a sales contract available?
Enquire if the breeder has a clear sales contract that spells out the expectations of the parties to the transaction. A purchase contract will act as proof of purchase and show that you are the real owner of the Frenchie and not a foster parent.
Besides, a responsible breeder would want to ensure that their puppies are going to a good home with people who know what to expect and are ready for it. Go through the sales contract thoroughly and discuss all the terms therein. A good contract can help avoid misunderstandings.
What did I wish I Knew Before Getting a French Bulldog?
French Bulldogs are cute and make excellent companions. However, there are a few things that you should know about the breed before getting one. These include:
- They are prone to various health issues: Frenchies are prone to many possible health issues being a brachycephalic dog breed. Although this doesn’t necessarily mean your dog will have them, remembering them is important. Some issues include elongated soft palate, allergies and sensitivities, stenotic nares, patellar luxation, heat stress, and entropion.
- Frenchies are highly intelligent but can be very stubborn: While they are smart dogs, they also have an independent streak, making training them challenging.
- It’s an expensive breed: A Frenchie is not among the most affordable breeds you’ll get. Given their popularity, you’ll need to part with a good amount of money. Plus, Frenchies are prone to health issues, which can cost you a lot regarding vet care.
What Should I Look for in a French Bulldog Puppy?
These are some of the things you should look for in a French Bulldog Puppy before getting one home:
- Reputable breeder: Ensure you buy from a breeder with a good reputation to get the best Puppy free from potential issues.
- Health status: Find the health condition of the French Bulldog puppy you want to get and go for one whose health is in perfect condition.
- Socialization: Go for a well-socialized puppy, as it can adapt to a new environment easily.
How do you know if a French Bulldog is purebred?
You can know if a French Bulldog is purebred by looking at its overall appearance, unique features, and temperament. Besides its small size with a weight below 30 lbs, a purebred French Bulldog has remarkably large bat-like ears, a hallmark of its pure genes.
Purebred Frenchies also have short tails, either screwed or straight, plus dark, nearly black eyes. A real Frenchie has a lively and playful temperament.
How can you tell a good quality French Bulldog?
You can tell a good quality French Bulldog by looking at the kind of breeder. A responsible Frenchie breeder does everything to produce the highest-quality dogs possible. Go for a reputable breeder to ensure you get a quality French Bulldog.
How many puppies can a French Bulldog have?
A French Bulldog typically has between 2-4 puppies in a litter. However, it’s common for some to have a larger litter size, sometimes up to 7 puppies.
What makes a French Bulldog more expensive
The popularity of French Bulldogs makes their demand so high, pushing their price very high. Additionally, their breeding costs are high as they often need c-sections and artificial insemination.
Are female Frenchies more expensive?
Yes, female Frenchies are more expensive than their male counterparts because you can choose to breed them.
What determines the price of a French Bulldog?
The price of a French Bulldog is dependent on various factors like age, gender, coat color, pedigree, breeder, and location of the dog. Generally, you can expect to pay anything between $1500 to $ 8000+
Bottom Line
Picking the right French Bulldog breeder is important to ensure you bring home the best Puppy possible. Thus, you should ensure the breeder you opt for is responsible enough and cares for their dogs. By asking the above questions, you can identify a good and responsible breeder who will make a valuable resource throughout your dog’s life.