Like many people in the dog lovers community, I have been guilty making assumptions about the French Bulldog. Due to their name and physical similarities to breeds like the American Bulldog and Boxers, Frenchies are sometimes considered aggressive and dangerous. This couldn’t further from the truth with these sweet doggies. It is no wonder they are so popular as family pets all over the world.
French bulldogs cost around $1,500 to $5,000. This is not only because they are popular and cute pets, but also because they are rare since their body structure does not allow them to reproduce naturally. So more costly artificial insemination methods are required to breed them, hence driving up prices. Expect maintenance cost to be around $150 a month.
Despite being so expensive, Frenchies are still a hit. They are particularly popular among celebrities. What exactly is it that is so special about these dogs? Are they really worth the hype and the high price tag? Let’s take a look.
Why Is The French Bulldog So Expensive?
Considering their size, French Bulldogs are actually very expensive.
A French Bulldog puppy will cost you $1,500 to $5,000 from most breeders.
In places where the breed is not very common or where the dogs have been bred from prized bloodlines, it could cost you up to $10,000.
Here are some of the main reasons why this is the case.
French Bulldogs Are Expensive To Breed
To be fair, breeding purebred French Bulldogs is not very cheap or easy for the professional breeders. Stud fees are some of the highest costs especially if you want a Frenchie with a relatively healthy ancestry.
Their pregnancies and deliveries are also usually very complicated with the female Frenchie requiring a lot of extra care and support. With all this effort and investment required, it comes as no surprise that the dogs themselves are so pricey.
French Bulldogs Have Small Litter Sizes
On average, a French Bulldog will only have 3 puppies in a litter.
Considering all the effort that goes into getting the dogs pregnant and ensuring safe delivery, this is a very low litter size. It also means the supply does not always meet the demand thus the high price tag.
French Bulldogs Are Great Companion Pets
Frenchies are also expensive because they are worth it. French Bulldogs are great for first time owners and are also good family pets. It is therefore safe to say that they are actually worth the price you have to pay for them.
Special Features
Special features in these dogs also drive up the prices. Colors like Isabella or Lilac that are rare are especially expensive and could go for thousands of dollars per puppy.
How Long Does A French Bulldog Live?
French Bulldogs have a lifespan of 11 to 13 years which, though decent for dogs in general, is a bit short compared to other small dog breeds.
French Bulldogs are typically healthy dogs save for a few structural complications. Here are some of the health issues that affect not only the longevity but also the quality of these doggies’ lives.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
This is a condition where the dog has major problems breathing especially when stressed or when exercising. It is as a result of their short snouts and definitely makes life harder for these little dogs.
Temperature Regulation Problems
This is another complication of their brachycephalic facial structure. It is particularly problematic during hot weather so you have to find ways to help them cool down. Just make sure to avoid swimming as the chest-heavy build of the French Bulldog makes them bad swimmers.
Delivery Complications
Most French Bulldogs cannot actually give birth on their own. Cesarean sections are often required to ensure the safety of both the mother and their little ones.
Patella Luxation
There is a common stereotype in the dog lovers’ community that stairs are bad for French Bulldogs. This may be a bit of an exaggeration but is not entirely without basis. This is because of skeletal issues like patella luxation that make climbing up stairs very difficult and painful for the doggy.
Food Intolerance
French Bulldogs fart a lot due to a number of food allergies. These include intolerance to things like dairy, gluten, eggs, and some meats including beef.
How To Take Care Of French Bulldogs?
French Bulldogs are a bit high maintenance. It may only cost you about $190 for monthly maintenance which is relatively cheap. However, the actual effort required to keep them happy and healthy is a bit more than most owners are prepared for.
Here is all you need to know before buying a French Bulldog to avoid getting caught off guard by the cost.
Keep French Bulldogs Cool During The Summer
As already mentioned, these dogs are not very good at temperature control. Their brachycephalic nature makes it difficult for them to lose heat like other dogs by panting.
You should therefore invest in things like outdoor, shaded kennels or dog carriers to help them keep cool as they enjoy the outdoors during summer.
Keep French Bulldogs Cozy During The Winter
Their thin coats expose them to cold weather and leaves them at risk of issues like colds or even hypothermia in very severe winters. For this, a comfortable bed with a cozy dog blanket will go a long way. You could also get your Frenchie dog clothes for the extra layer of protection.
Invest In A Healthy Diet
Frenchies need a lot of nutritional support to keep them strong and healthy. Pet Plate is by far the best option if you want to get the best quality and quantity for your doggy’s very specific needs. They use details like the dog’s age, gender, and underlying health issues to curate the best menu for optimum nutritional benefit.
You should also include multivitamin supplements as a part of their diet. This helps boost a number of functions including immunity, healing, and energy levels.
For example, add in glucosamine supplements in their meals to improve their joints health and combat joint related problems like Patella Luxation as they grow older.
Are French Bulldogs Aggressive? Temperament Of French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are very similar in appearance to breeds like American Bulldogs, Pitbulls, and Boxers. These are dog breeds known for their inclination to aggressive behaviors.
It is therefore a common misconception the Frenchies are also aggressive. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Here are some of their personality traits for some perspective.
Gentle
French Bulldogs are super gentle dogs that are not known to be aggressive. So no, you cannot get a French Bulldog for protection purposes. They are simply too mild-mannered and sweet for the job. However, this trait makes them great dogs for homes with children.
Affectionate
French Bulldogs are highly affectionate dogs that are big into cuddling. They tend to form very strong bonds and may display clingy behavior especially towards human companions who feed or play with them a lot.
Needy
French Bulldogs are not the type of dog that you leave alone for too long. They are happiest when there is someone around to play with them, preferably their human best friends. However, they will be ok with pet-sitters or even in the company of other pets.
Leaving them all alone on the other hand is never a good idea as they very easily develop separation anxiety.
Clever
French Bulldogs may not be the smartest of all dog breeds but they are clever enough to train and live with peacefully. Unfortunately, they tend to be very stubborn which could make training a bit difficult.
It will cost you about $500 for professional training of the puppy Frenchie. However, with patience and the right tools you could do it yourself. For this, we recommend Brain Training for Dogs for tips and tricks to help you successfully train your pooch.
Do French Bulldogs Shed? Grooming Tips For French Bulldogs
Maintenance of a French Bulldog in terms of grooming is actually quite easy.
Getting it done professionally could cost you $30 to $40 per session. You could also do it yourself with nothing more than the initial investment in high quality tools. If you choose to take this approach, here are some grooming tips that will come in handy.
Brush Them Once A Week
French Bulldogs have short, smooth coats that do not shed too much. The length of the fur also means that tangling is not very likely. You could therefore get away with brushing the dog’s coat once or twice a week.
Wash Them Once Every 2 Months
French Bulldogs are typically not stinky dogs. You can therefore wash them once a month or even more depending on their activity levels as well as skin health. This interval keeps them fresh and clean without stripping them of skin and fur oils.
Wipe Between The Skin Folds
One of the most adorable features on a Frenchie is the series of skin folds especially on their faces. Unfortunately, these cute folds often harbor germs and fungi which could cause irritation or even serious infections.
To avoid such eventualities, make sure to wipe between these folds at least once or twice every month. You could use a doggy wet wipe or just a clean cloth with warm water. Just make sure to leave the folds dry when you are done.
Wipe Their Bums After Potty Breaks
Unfortunately for Frenchies, they cannot actually reach their behinds to clean themselves after emptying their bowels. You may therefore have to wipe your French Bulldog’s bum once every day or two to prevent accumulation of dirt and feces which could block anal ducts.
Related Questions
What Is A Fluffy Frenchie? Fluffy Frenchie is a nickname given to long-haired French Bulldogs. They get this unique trait as a result of a recessive genetic mutation. This makes them super rare. If you want something different without having to search the ends of the earth for a fluffy Frenchie, you should consider going for rare colors like solid black or Isabella.
Why Are Merle Frenchies Bad? The Merle trait is a coat marking trait as a result of presence of the Merle gene. While these Frenchies are devastatingly cute and super unique, their beauty comes at a great price to their health. This is because the Merle gene also affects the development and functioning of the eye and ear. It could therefore lead to blindness or even hearing loss which makes life very hard for the Frenchie.
Are Blue French Bulldogs Rare? Blue French Bulldogs are quite rare. Their coats are not blue in the conventional sky or sea blue sense. They have more of a rich greyish-bluish-black to them. This glossy coat, though incredibly hard to come by, is the most popular and intentionally sought after by Frenchy enthusiasts.
