French Bulldogs (also known as “Frenchies”) are a playful, intelligent, and diverse breed of bulldog that originated in England as a sporting dog.
But they eventually found their way over to France where they gained a reputation of being a companion breed.
They can trace their lineage directly to the mighty Bullenbeisser (fighting German Bulldog) which is now an extinct breed that descended from the British Mastiff family.
It was only a matter of time until the breed crossed over to America which helped to increase its popularity and eventually solidified its position today as one of the top ten most popular dogs in the U.S.A.
Contents
One-Time Expenses When Purchasing a French Bulldog
Due to the increasing demand for this particular breed of bulldog, the pups can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 if bought from a registered breeder.
You can find registered Frenchy pups for sale at the American Kennel Club marketplace.
Another option is for you to rescue or adopt a French Bulldog from a local shelter. There are millions of purebred homeless dogs across the country that are waiting for a loving owner to become their best pal.
Rescuing a Frenchy from its lonely life at a shelter can still be pretty costly. It can start at around $160 to $623, depending on the pound.
You can do a breed search at Adopt-A-Pet.
Besides the fees to acquire this dog breed, here are the some of the costs you need to spend on upfront:
- Registration Fees
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dogs founded in 1884. It is the recognized expert for all health, breed, and dog information. AKC has many services available for dog owners to take advantage of; Training Programs, a Rescue Network, Veterinary Network, Pet Insurance, and more.
You can register your dog at AKC online for only $30, although more comprehensive packages are available, which can cost up to $79.99.
- Transportation Costs
Due to a long history of breeders experimenting with crossing genes, the French Bulldogs do, unfortunately, have many weaknesses which can manifest in a number of ways. They’re brachycephalic dogs (with flat, wide heads) which mean they have difficulty breathing in tight, enclosed spaces, and thus cannot be transported in the cargo holds of planes.
Many airlines already have very strict rules in place regarding this. If you’re sending your doggo on a trip, you may have to pay extra to set up some special arrangements. This could end up costing you anywhere from $120 to $500, depending on the distance.
Alternatively, if your pet is under 25 pounds and you don’t mind accompanying it, you can just let it sit on your lap while on the airplane. Check with your airline on what’s allowed before making any decisions.
- Shelter Costs
French Bulldogs enjoy bonding with humans, so a cage is probably not the best place for them. If the need arises, however, they should be able to fit comfortably in a 30” dog crate which you can buy for around $35 to $400 depending on whether it’s high or low-end.
Price Inclusions
If you were wondering why the French Bulldog price for a pup can go up to $5,000 or potentially more, the reason might be that certain services or products are already included in the price. Here’s a list of some of the most common:
- Health Guarantee
Most verified breeders include a health guarantee wherein the dam or sire of a litter of pups (and even the pups themselves) have undergone health and genetic tests to determine whether there are any problems, illnesses, or defects.
A health guarantee gives you an assurance that the dog you’re buying is free of any imperfections that may cause issues down the road. Many reputable breeders routinely shoulder the cost of these health tests and it may reflect in the overall price of the pups.
Health and genetic tests can go from $40 to $120 per dog on the average and include Hip Evaluations, Patella Evaluations, Ophthalmologist Evaluations, and Cardiac Exams.
- Microchip
For tracking your dog’s whereabouts, a Microchip is usually inserted between the dog’s shoulder blades via a quick and easy implantation method. The dogs usually feel little pain during the procedure – it’s similar to getting a vaccine shot.
It can be detected with a scanner and will help you locate your lost loved one much faster. Many breeders will opt to chip their dogs before selling so the price may reflect on the total bill. Microchips cost around $30 to $80 each.
It’s worth noting that some clinics in certain states offer free micro-chipping.
- Neutering/Spaying
If you opted to adopt a homeless French Bulldog, you’d most likely find that the shelter has already fixed the dog, free of charge. However, the charge for this service can go from $60 to $120 in some vet clinics and facilities.
Some of the benefits of neutering/spaying include reduced pet population, less aggression from males, better behavior, and health benefits for males and females.
Recurring Expenses When Purchasing a French Bulldog
As it is bound to happen with any pet, you will end up spending extra for other services/products that your furry friend will need throughout the course of its life. Here’s a list of some to keep in mind as you budget and plan:
- Dog Food
Another unfortunate quality that the French Bulldogs possess are their proneness to obesity. Therefore, bones and other scraps that are high in fat should be avoided in favor of high-quality dog foods. They do also frequently develop allergies to different types of food so consult the breeder regarding the best thing for them to consume.
A 26-pound bag can cost anywhere from $57 to $90 and should last for at least two months. It’s essential to establish a routine with the puppy regarding its feeding schedule. You should try to feed it with the same amount of food every day at the same time.
Puppies should have a meal 3-4 times a day but this will change to only 3 times a day once they reach 6 months old. And watch out for the treats – you may toss one to your doggo every so often but keep it in moderation.
- Pet Grooming
Most owners handle the pet grooming services themselves. But if you’re short on time, certified dog stylists will save the day. Services range from simple grooming to bathing, to nail-cutting, and more.
The cost of these services is about $50 to $150 each.
- Clothes
Frenchies have a single short coat of hair. Therefore, extreme heat or cold can be detrimental to their health. To avoid possible pneumonia, you can opt to get your pet a few changes of clothes.
There are hoodies, jackets, shirts, and coats available to keep your dog snuggly and warm. These can cost anywhere from $12 to $60.
- Full Veterinarian Examinations
Being the proud owner of an adorable French Bulldog puppy means being responsible to ensure its well-being. As such, your pet will inevitably become sick throughout the course of its life and will require professional attention.
Such professional veterinarian services may occur annually or as needed and can cost from $150 to $225. Veterinarians can be scheduled online or over the phone and can even do home visits.
- Vaccinations
Most pets benefit greatly from vaccinations and the French Bulldog is no exception. In fact, vaccinations may be more important for Frenchies than any other breed; the reason being their low immune system and a multitude of possible physical disabilities which can lead to complications.
DHPP is a 5-way vaccination responsible for preventing distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parainfluenza, and parvovirus – and the average cost is around $120 to $150.
These will usually be administered over a 16-week period in batches. A rabies vaccination costs about $25 to $30. Some dogs will need to be administered with vaccinations multiple times over the course of 1-3 years; factors that influence the frequency include location and your dog’s specific risk.
Factors That Can Drive Up the Price of a French Bulldog
The actual price will vary depending on a variety of factors such as the reputation of the breeder, the rarity/popularity of the pup’s coat color, and whether or not the required standardized health testing and other vaccinations are included.
Some breeders associate rare coat colors with higher prices as they are more sought after and harder to find. So these variants can drive pricing up into the 5-figure range.
Rare colors include purple/lilac (“unicorn” colors), black and tan, and blue. However, these “rare” colors are not officially recognized by most Kennel clubs around the world so you won’t find these breeds available from registered sellers.
Although the health factor does not directly affect the price of French Bulldogs, it is very essential to know that this may affect your budget later on. That said, they cannot jump / jump too high or too often. Doing so may lead to back surgery, may need airway surgery, and may have food allergies.
Aside from these, below are some of the health risks associated with their breed:
- Prone to back, disk, and spinal diseases and disorders.
- Prone to eye issues – cherry eye(treatment cost $1000+), glaucoma, corneal ulcers, and juvenile cataracts, just to name a few.
- Patellar Luxation – dislocation of the kneecap in dogs
Extra Care Tips for French Bulldog Owners
The French Bulldogs grow to an average height of 11-13 inches and weigh just under 28 pounds. They’re the perfect breed to act as a companion since they don’t bark or howl often, are very playful, crave human attention, and interact well with children, people, and families.
Frenchies have a life expectancy of 10-12 years and seeing as they are one of the most popular breeds in the country today, they’re also some of the rarest and most sought-after. With great power comes great responsibility, and it falls upon you to take care of your little friend as best as you can.
That being said, here are some extra tips to help you accomplish this goal:
- Be cautious when leaving them in an enclosed area. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation and the temperature is just right. Storage bins, car trunks, and basements are no-nos.
- They are more fragile than they look – French Bulldogs are meant to be quiet, calm, and playful companions – not the type of dog you can wrestle with or have participate in strenuous activities.
- Most require little exercise so, only a short daily walk will suffice. Any more might be enough to strain and risk permanent injury to their legs.
- Precise temperature needs to be maintained if keeping the dog indoors (Frenchies can become too cold or too warm). Remember, their coat is very thin and not enough to provide sufficient protection from the extremities of nature.
- They experience separation anxiety if left alone too long. This is the most important aspect to attend to while the dog is still young. Your friendly pet may become destructive as a result if they are not provided enough attention. Spend enough time each day playing with your buddy and they will maintain their cute and calm demeanor.
- They should always have access to fresh water and shade. As mentioned earlier, if the temperature reaches a certain point and the French Bulldog does not have an adequate supply of fresh drinking water to stabilize their body temperature, it can lead to dehydration and possibly, death.
- French Bulldogs cannot swim so they must not be left near a large body of water (bathtub, swimming pool, etc.). Their bodies were simply not made to swim, and with a small compact stature and short legs that lack enough kicking power, they’ll sink like a rock in a meter of water. You can still let them cool off in a kiddie pool, though.
Buyer’s Guide
Check the AKC marketplace for registered sellers with certificates who are licensed breeders. Here are some additional tips to help you choose the newest addition to your family:
- Visit the breeder’s home or kennel. Observe if the area is clean, free of odor, and well-maintained.
- Inspect the puppy’s parents. Look for signs of malnutrition, mistreatment, etc.
- Ask for proof of health screenings such as OFA and CERF certificates.
- Create and maintain a good connection with the breeder which you have chosen.
- Don’t leave without the documentation of the dog’s pedigree. The papers should have the AKC logo and the words “American Kennel Club” on it.
In Summary
Owning a French Bulldog is not easy (or any pet for that matter), and it takes a certain degree of patience, love, as well as finances and time.
If you’ve made up your mind and decided to buy your very own Frenchie, you’ve made a good choice. It’s currently sitting at the #6 rank on AKC’s Breed Popularity and it’s not difficult to see why.
Even celebrities love them! Big names such as Hugh Jackman, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio, Reese Witherspoon, and even Dwayne Johnson have been seen spending time with their furry little sidekicks in public areas. They sure know how to pick a breed.
