What to Look for When Searching for a French Bulldog Puppy From a Reputable Breeder

French Bulldog puppies are one of the cutest breeds you’re likely to see. Their sweet faces with their doe-eyed expression are hard to resist. French Bulldog puppies have become extremely popular in recent years. While the selection of puppies on offer is now much greater, the need for potential owners of this breed to be very careful of who they buy from has increased as there has been an up-turn in ‘hobby’ breeders just looking to make fast money from poorly bred puppies.

One of the best places to look for a healthy French Bulldog puppy to buy from a reputable breeder is frenchieforsale.com. This helpful and comprehensive website has plenty of puppy listings for you to look through.

If you’re looking for help and advice, you’re in the right place! Our article will help you find out all you need to know about what to look for and the questions to ask when looking to buy a French Bulldog puppy from a reputable breeder.

Breed traits 

The French Bulldog breed is also commonly known by the names Frenchie, Frog Dog or Clown Dog. They generally have a lifespan of between 10 to 14 years. 

French Bulldogs are exceptionally playful and good-natured dogs that easily adapt to different lifestyles and home environments. Frenchies crave lots of attention and like nothing more than to spend time with their owners. One of their most endearing traits is their willingness to please. Although they can be stubborn, when carefully handled, Frenchies can be taught to do some amazing things.

French Bulldogs are known to be intelligent with a mischievous and playful streak in them. They may become a little possessive and protective of owners and will occasionally need a gentle reminder about who is the alpha dog in a household. They are generally very good around children and are reasonably easy to train due to their desire to receive praise from their owners.

An ideal French bulldog should be small and compact with large bat-shaped ears along with a thick bone structure. 

Known health issues

French Bulldogs are known to suffer from more than the average amount of health conditions which is why it is extremely important to only purchase healthy puppies from reputable breeders. 

The known health conditions for French Bulldogs can include:

• Deafness in one or both ears – more likely in puppies who have pied or white coats
• Degenerative Myleopathy – a condition of the spinal cord that causes a progressive weakening and loss of coordination in the dog’s hind legs
• Hereditary Cataracts –  an eye condition that causes the lens of the eye to become opaque and cloudy that can result in total blindness
• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) – French Bulldogs can experience trouble breathing, especially when the weather is hot.

Top tips for Choosing right French Bulldog puppy

French bulldogs puppies who have been bred as pets are simple to find. However, care should be taken to check the health of the puppy before agreeing to purchase. Make sure you cover each of the check points below which show what you can expect from a reputable breeder:

1. Look for a breeder who is a member of one of the National breeding clubs or the American Canine Association. You can always contact a French bulldog breeders club and ask them for recommendations.
2. Ask to see documentation which proves the puppy has been checked for hereditary health conditions.
3. Make sure you view the puppy with its mother, litter mates and, if possible, the father.
4. Interact with the puppy you like and see how well it handles human contact 
5. Ask to see the breeders licences if they claim to have them
6. Ask to see the documents which prove the puppy has been vaccinated
7. Check whether the breeder offers ongoing support in case of any issues
8. Ask if the puppy has been well socialised and exposed to normal household noises such as the hoover. 

Here are some helpful tips that will help you choose a healthy Frenchie puppy:

1. Choose a reputable breeder – Make sure that they have a good supply of sires and dams and do not frequently intermingle bloodlines from the same family group, this can increase the likelihood of genetic conditions in the puppies. 
2. Socialisation – different puppies will have different tolerance levels when it comes to human contact. Look for the puppy that is most comfortable and friendly around you.
3. Ask your breeder – which puppy would they choose as this is likely to be the pick of the litter.
4. Warranty – A reputable dog breeder will often agree to give you a warranty or at least ongoing support in case of any issues.Of course, the breeder cannot be held responsible if your new puppy falls sick due to something you do. However, if the root cause of the sickness is a genetic disorder then the dealer should take responsibility for this. 
5. Registration – A reputable breeder should provide you with a pedigree certificate which proves the puppy’s bloodlines. You should also be given registration papers or transfer of ownership papers. If the breeder is unwilling to provide you with papers or certificates it might be the case that the puppy was poorly bred.

Physical attributes 

A healthy French bulldog puppy is easy to spot if you know what you are looking for. Here are some of the things to take a close look at that will help you determine whether the puppy you are about to buy is healthy or not:

1. Eyes: Should be bright and clear
2. Ears: Should be clean and free of discharge, odor and redness
3. Nose: Should be clean, without discharge or sores
4. Mouth: Should smell fresh, gums should be pale pink
5. Coat: Should be shiny and clean
6. Weight: Active, playful puppies are rarely overweight

When you take your new French Bulldog puppy home

If you are lucky enough to find a puppy which you decide to take home, there are a few simple things to remember to help it settle in. 

Your new puppy will need some time to feel comfortable in its new surroundings. Try and keep things calm and quiet for the first few days; this can be difficult as you are sure to have lots of friends and family who want to come and visit your new addition. Be patient and don’t be alarmed if your new French Bulldog puppy seems uncomfortable or whines a bit while it settles in. A reputable breeder will probably offer a blanket which smells like its litter mates to place in your puppy’s new bed.

Ask for written instructions on the care, feeding, grooming and training of your new French Bulldog puppy from the breeder. Follow the instructions carefully, you should find your new puppy settles in quickly with no problems. It’s a good idea to take your new puppy for a visit to your own vet to discuss a schedule for ongoing vaccinations and to have him or her checked over to ensure you have indeed bought a healthy pup. 

Most importantly make sure that you shower your new family member with lots of love and affection. Your French Bulldog puppy is now a member of your family and you should take lots of time to enjoy each other!