Before You Buy a French Bulldog

If you're considering getting a French Bulldog for a pet or incorporating them into your breeding program, it's crucial that you consider a number of aspects. Pet owners can consider color and coat preference, personality, and temperament.

Breeders must, on contrary, consider things like inbreeding, health testing, and genetic testing.

How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It's no surprise that Frenchies are the most loved dog breed. They are fun-loving, mellow dogs that love to please and can easily adapt to different environments. They are great companions for people and families of all ages, even children. It is crucial to choose a breeder with a good reputation before purchasing a French Bulldog.

Asking friends and family members who have Frenchies for recommendations or asking your veterinarian to recommend a breeder who they have worked with previously is the best way to get started. You can also look for breeders with good reviews on social media and review websites. It is essential to visit prospective breeders in person when you've narrowed down your choices. This will give you an opportunity to meet the parents of the puppies, look the places they live and play, as well as observe the conditions in which they are kept.

A good breeder will be happy to welcome you into their facility and be delighted to show you around. They should be willing to answer any questions you may have about Frenchies and their breeding program. They should be able to provide you with complete information regarding the health background of the puppies as well as their lineage. You should also receive an agreement detailing the terms of purchase.

You should also be able to meet the mother of the litter (dam) and the father of the pups. They must appear healthy and active. Their coats should also be free of odor and clean. kaufen französische bulldogge should also give you information on the puppies' AKC registration, and their pedigree with three generations.

The popularity of French Bulldogs has drawn bad breeders, who are more concerned about profits than the wellbeing of the puppies. They may inbreed the dogs creating genetic disorders and breathing problems or create puppy mills with a high number of puppies where the animals are not properly taken care of. These conditions can result in problems with behavior and reduce life expectancy of the puppies. The small breed's short back legs as well as its curled tails also expose them to many issues, including back pain arthritis in joints and slipped discs.

Health Tests for Health

Health testing is an important procedure that allows you to determine the genetics of dogs and how they may impact its overall health. In breeding programs, it's common to screen for specific conditions that could be passed down to the next generation. At Johnson House Frenchies, we run a variety of health tests for our puppies as part of our efforts to raise healthy dogs.

The tests we use to evaluate our puppies are based on genotypic and phenotypic testing. Genotypic tests examine the dog's DNA to determine if there's a mutation that causes disease. The testing process involves physical examinations as well as diagnostic tools like xrays or echocardiograms.

Genetically-based health tests are an essential element of responsible breeding. The majority of reputable breeders utilize them to ensure high-quality in their breeding selection. However, it is essential to recognize that not all genetics-based health tests are created to be the same. It is essential to find an animal testing lab that is able to recognize the breed specific tests for French bulldogs and can provide accurate results.

There are numerous genetics-based labs offering tests for a range of illnesses that affect the breed. The most reputable will provide the results of these tests to OFA who maintains databases for every breed-specific test.

These OFA databases permit pet owners to search for the status of a dog's health testing and see the health history of all its relatives. This allows pet owners to make informed breeding decisions in light of the health of the dog's siblings, aunts, and uncles, as well as its ancestors.

It is essential to locate a breeder who only uses accredited laboratories of OFA for genetic health tests. This is the best way to ensure accuracy and avoid false health claims.

There are a number of health panels for French bulldogs. These include the OFA Health Clear Panel as well as the 6-panel guarantee. These tests include a variety of genetics-based health tests that are specific to the French bulldog breed, and can reduce the cost. A result of "clear" means that a dog doesn't have the mutation responsible for the disease, thus decreasing the risk of passing on the mutation to their offspring. A "carrier" result means the dog has a single copy of the mutation but does not exhibit any symptoms of the disease, and a result of "at-risk" indicates that the dog is more likely to develop the disease.

Socialization

French Bulldogs are pack animals that thrive in a symbiosis and require proper socialization to become docile, well-mannered companions. This is an essential process that begins as early as the time of birth. Socialization is the process of getting your puppy exposed to different people, places and things from an early age to help build their confidence and resiliency. This involves interactions with people of all ages, with other dogs, and a variety of experiences like taking a ride in the car, being washed and even using a vacuum cleaner.

Frenchies are playful, affectionate and loyal companions that have strong bonds with their families. They can also be stubborn, which requires patience and consistent training methods to harness their determination and create obedient, responsive dogs.


While it is essential to socialize your Frenchie early but don't expose them potentially harmful or scary experiences until they are vaccinated and ready for these kinds of interactions. It is equally important not to reward their expressions of fear, because this could lead them to develop phobias that will last for a lifetime.

Socialization should take place in a safe, controlled environment regularly to ensure that your dog is comfortable in new situations. This could be as simple as going to a new park each week or the introduction of them to different family members and their friends. it should include short walks along the sidewalks around your neighborhood or trips to the pet shop and visits to your veterinarian for shots and grooming.

It is also important to expose your pup to other sounds and sights. They should also be exposed to the kinds of activities they are likely to engage in throughout their lives, such as playing in a safe area without a leash, or taking a ride in a vehicle. This will help them become more adaptable, confident, and resilient in all situations.

Many people view Frenchies only as lap dogs. However, they are very active, social, and fun-loving. They are able to be involved in agility, obedience, Rally, or field work. They can be fantastic therapy dogs and can even help people recover from surgery or illness.

Training

Frenchies are low-maintenance however they still require regular exercise and mental stimulation. They love to spend time playing with their owners as well as other dogs. While they don't have the desire to be a superb watchdog, they can respond well to obedience training and be keen on learning new tricks and commands. The breed can also be prone to be somewhat stubborn, so patience is crucial when it is time to train.

Like all dogs, Frenchies need regular grooming to maintain their coat and skin healthy. They should be groomed regularly to prevent the accumulation of dirt and oil, as well as to get rid of loose hairs. Their signature wrinkles will need a little extra care to prevent them from becoming infected and it is recommended to give them a daily 3-5 minute rubdown using a scentless baby wipe.

It is crucial to teach your Frenchie how to retain information. This will help them avoid potential dangers in situations. This is especially true in the event that you intend to take your Frenchie for excursions or hikes that they may be inclined to wander and explore. Instructing them to return when called will ensure their safety if they get lost or run through traffic.

Frenchies can be stubborn, so it is important to employ positive reinforcement when teaching them. This will teach them that obeying your commands is the best way to gain food or toys, as well as attention. Avoid harsh punishments as they may be resistant to training. This could result in behavioral issues in the future.

It is important to start puppy training as soon as you bring your Frenchie home. Most breeders already have potty-trained their puppies. It is beneficial to establish the schedule for feeding time, playtime, and training sessions and adhere to it consistently. This will help your French Bulldog develop a strong base of basic obedience, and will make them easier to train in the future.