Frequently Asked Questions

Education is key. As a reputable breeder we feel it's our responsibility to share as much information as we can and prepare our new puppy owners for their new Frenchie. As much as we would like every owner to be prepared for every situation, we understand that won't always be the case, and we're always here to help and are available to contact at any time.

Why do French Bulldogs cost so much?

Let me just say that a French Bulldog is not for everyone. That's not to say we wouldn't want everyone to experience this wonderful breed, but there is a lot that goes into the breeding process that justifies the prices. If the first question you ask is how much, then this probably isn't the breed for you.

In order to breed top quality dogs, doing so is not cheap. There is a great deal of time, research, effort, and expenses involved in producing and raising litters. A reputable breeder prepares their female for breeding with health screening, pre-breeding testing, ovulation testing, (usually) artificial insemination, and all of which require multiple veterinarian visits for each step. In addition to these costs, if an outside stud is used a fee is paid which can be just as high as the puppies they are producing.

After about a month, ultrasounds and x-rays are taken to confirm the pregnancy, after which we will spend another five weeks closely monitoring our female and setting up her nursery in our home with all of the necessary tools and medical supplies. Some of those supplies include a puppy incubator to ensure oxygen levels to all puppies after birth. Also included are plenty of towels, bottles, blankets, heating pads, milk replacements, puppy weight scale, etc.

With the bulldog breed in general, the heads are too big when they are born that they are a risk to the mother and themselves at birth. A reputable breeder always performs a scheduled C-section to ensure the health of the litter and the mother. Natural birth is a risk to all, and can also be extremely stressful for the mother. They will always require assistance from humans during labor, as they have short flat faces and cannot tear the sacks by themselves. Countless hours are spent in delivering and raising the puppies, simply from inexperience and that some females will not have anything to do with their own litters. Constant supervision each and every day for the next few weeks to ensure everyone is feeding and the mother does not accidentally roll over on any pups. During the first eight weeks, puppies are typically checked multiple times by a veterinarian for overall health, shots, deworming, etc.  Needless to say, the entire process is stressful and costly.

Why buy from a breeder?

We agree wholeheartedly that people should look into adopting or rescuing a pet before seriously considering buying from a breeder. Maybe that's because we actually care about ALL puppies and where they may end up. For multiple reasons however, you're more than likely never going to find this breed in a shelter. You can find multiple rescue groups online, but most of those puppies were not bred to improve the breed. They come with many more health, faults and socialization issues than having a puppy from a reputable breeder. We are firm believers that you really do get what you pay for. 

So if not an adoption or rescue, why not a puppy store? Most of the puppies that are sold in stores are not AKC certified so you may not even be getting a French Bulldog to start. You also don't get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your puppy is covered by a health guarantee. Even if you find a pet store that does sell AKC puppies, think about why they ended up there? Dog store owners who sell French Bulldogs will tell you that they get their dogs from a few different breeders in the area, but refuse to discuss any more details. In reality, they are just dogs that those breeders simply couldn't sell, or are over breeding and could care less where the puppies end up just to make a profit. The same puppies are not likely to have been health tested as thoroughly as a reputable breeder would. Unfortunately a lot of people buy on impulse and do not ask many of the questions that they should before purchasing. By purchasing from the right breeder, you will know that everything has been done to ensure their health and longevity, and that every penny you spend is exactly what you get. 

Contract and Pricing

When you do decide to choose a puppy from us, a formal contract will be written up and signed by both parties. All of our puppies are sold with a limited (pet only) registration. We do not place puppies into breeding homes unless we personally know the breeder or have performed a check to verify that the breeder is responsible, ethical, and reputable. We have the right to refuse a sale to anyone if we do not feel it is a proper fit. In order to secure your puppy pick we require a deposit. The deposit is a commitment from you to pay for and take delivery of your puppy in a timely manner when they are ready for their new home. Puppies will be ready at eight to ten weeks unless other arrangements have been made prior. Deposits are non-refundable unless a litter is not produced. However, if you are unable to complete your original payment we will allow you to use that deposit towards another puppy within the next two years from a future litter. Puppy nannies are available and prices will vary depending on the availability of flights. The prices will cover cost of the flight, approved pet carrier, puppy nanny fees (if applicable), health certificate, and transportation to the airport. If your puppy is flying with a puppy nanny, payment is required to be paid in full two weeks prior to shipment.

Health Guarantee

We put an emphasis on familiarity with health issues and providing the best quality French Bulldog that we possibly can. This is why all of our adults have been health tested to exceed the CHIC (Canine Health Information Center) French Bulldog testing requirements as set by the FBCA (French Bulldog Club of America). All of our puppies are covered by a one year health guarantee.

Part of our extensive health testing that we do on our dogs includes but is not limited to hip dysplasia, an eye examination, patellar luxation, subaortic stensosis, cardiomyopathy, autoimmune thyroiditis, and juvenile cataracts. We feel confident that our puppies leave our home in the best condition to their new owners which is why we stand behind our health guarantee and are willing to take back any puppies that do not fulfill that agreement.

If you did not already know, the airway for French Bulldogs is compacted and they may develop an inability to effectively regulate temperature. While some breeds may suffer from some degree of heat, for Frenchies it can be fatal. It's extremely important that they be protected from high temperatures at all times, and that they always have access to fresh water and shade.  French bulldogs can also suffer from an assortment of back and spinal diseases, most of which are a result from the creation of the breed  by using smaller dwarf bulldogs. 

French Bulldogs may also have a tendency towards eye issues. Cherry eye or averted third eyelid, has been known to occur but is more common in English Bulldogs and Pugs. Juvenile cataracts, corneal ulcers, retinal fold dysplasia, and glaucoma are also conditions that have been known to affect French Bulldogs. Proper screening of prospective breeding candidates can help eliminate instances of these diseases in offspring. The skin folds under the eyes should be cleaned regularly and kept dry to avoid tear staining, though it is common on lighter colored dogs.

We feel that it is very important to have a veterinarian that specializes in bulldog breeds. If any health conditions arise in the future it is important to keep in contact with us and also to discuss these issues with your vet. We are always here for support, advice and to share the knowledge we have gained over the last 20 years in having this breed.