Prospective French Bulldog Owner Archives

What is the difference between congenital and genetic issues in French Bulldogs?

Many people do not know the difference between congenital and genetic issues in French Bulldogs. I would say even many breeders out there do not even know the difference between the two words. We want to help you understand the difference. Often having a good set of knowledge will help you better manage your mind if you face either issue.

So what is the difference between the two? Glad you asked. Genetic means it was passed on from the parents. Some things are dominant meaning they only need one copy to display the characteristic. Others are recessive meaning they receive one copy from the mom and one copy from the dad for a total of two copies to display the characteristic. Coat color examples for this are merle coloring. In order to express merle the puppy needs only one copy of the gene to do so. If they are not merle then they do not carry the gene. In order to be blue the pup much carry two copies of the blue gene to express this characteristic. In breeding when concerned with health, you are mostly concerned with the recessive characteristics that could pop up in your Frenchie puppies. There are 5 of the most common things that can be passed down among Frenchie’s. We are currently working on having testing done on each of our Frenchie’s and awaiting the first set of results from our males.

That being said we have found in the 20+ years we’ve had Frenchie’s that there are more congenital issues (although still rare) then genetic. Congenital means they were born with it and it wasn’t passed down from the parents. Think about thalidomide and how women experiencing nausea who took this had babies with missing limbs. Missing limbs were not passed down from the parents but there was a transcription error in the formation of the baby. Most congenital issues are caused by abnormal genetic coding when building the body in utero such as single gene defects and chromosomal abnormalities. Other ways they can inherit congenital characteristics is via environmental teratogens (chemical exposure) and micronutrient deficiencies (think cleft palate). Technically, a genetic issue they puppy would be born with but I want for you to just understand that there is a difference. Congenital defects are not passed down from parents and may be detected at different times in a pups life. It may be seen at birth, as a young pup, as an adult, in older age, or may never be detected. Some congenital issues can be seen in the heart, gi tract, urinary tract, etc…

Now you know the difference between genetic and congenital characteristics. DNA testing can help with some of the issues a Frenchie could display but that does not mean your Frenchie will not have a congenital issue that pops up later in life. Loving a Frenchie, a kid, a spouse always comes with a little risk. I’ve always viewed it as at least I had the opportunity to love this person, kiddo, or pet and it is a reminder to love each one just a little more each day because these are things out of our control. Here are a few things we do to keep our pups as healthy as possible: 1. We give multivitamins to all of our Frenchie’s to make sure mom isn’t deficient in anything even before she is pregnant. 2. Each Frenchie gets a cup of cooked fresh food daily instead of just giving kibble. 3. Our males have been genetically tested and we are next working on our females to ensure they are properly matched. 4. We proved a 2 year health guarantee on genetics and congenital defects. 5. We use “clean” cleaning products to prevent the momma being exposed to harmful chemicals.

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How to avoid French Bulldog Puppy Scams.

I can’t tell you the numerous times I’ve been told about French Bulldog puppy scams. There was a complete litter that we placed that each person told me their story of being scammed. As many of you are aware, scamming is abundant in the Frenchie world. Most of you only purchase a puppy a few times in your life and they prey on people who are unsuspecting and who fall in love with a puppy. I realize not all of you will choose us as a breeder but I’m going to give you a few tips to avoid being scammed yourself and to treat real breeders with courtesy and respect.

Never ever give a deposit for a puppy that cannot be reversed.

Scammers will only have you pay in ways that can’t be reversed such as cashiers checks, money orders, bank transfers, money wires, Venmo, Cash App, etc… I’m going to say this again. NEVER EVER give someone money that can’t be reversed. A professional breeder will have taken the time to set up a secure way for you to pay. We use Stripe which is an online secure portal for credit card transactions. We do not receive your credit card information but use Stripe to process your payment. Also, our deposits are only $300 and the remainder is paid at pickup.

If the price seems too good to be true it probably is.

I hear it over and over again that the price for a Frenchie was $800 and the person ended up being scammed. I continue to speak with people about Frenchies who said they were interested in another puppy for $800. I do my due diligence and let people know it is likely a scam. Unfortunately, I never know if most listen to me or not.

Choose a breeder that’s bred for several years.

Unprofessionalism abounds in the breeding world. Many people will just try it once, a few times, or even continue breeding without developing themselves professionally. I hear often that they saw the puppy, gave a deposit, and then were ghosted before the puppy was able to be picked up. My prediction is something happened to the puppy as there is a high mortality rate in Frenchie puppies compared to other breeds. The breeder likely decided to duck and hide instead of talking with the client. We have 20 years experience in breeding Frenchies and 20+ more years with other breeds and are used to handling the hard stuff. We also have a few litters each month as well so if something does happen we are usually able to provide you with another puppy. Remember puppies are not bicycles. They are biological systems that are not always predictable.

Avoid French Bulldog Puppy Scams: Ask to meet the puppy live via FaceTime or Zoom.

Many breeders will not do in person meetings for you to meet the puppy as it’s a crazy world out there and you never know what you are exposing your pups to when bringing in strangers. Scammers do steal pics and videos to make websites seem legitimate. You will even see our puppies pics on their websites. They have been stolen and there’s not much we can do it about it. We recommend that you ask to meet the puppy live virtually via FaceTime or Zoom so you will at least know that the puppy exists.

Bringing in a Frenchie baby is an exciting time in your life. We just recommend you recognize the warning signs of scammers such as non-reversible payments, too good of a price, not being able to meet the puppy virtually, and even lack of professionalism in communication of breeders.

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If I live out of state, how will I receive my Frenchie?

Many people ask, “If I live out of state, how will I receive my Frenchie?” We realize you need to figure out the logistics and some of you don’t have time to make a long trip happen. Let’s go over all of the options you have for receiving your little one.

Pick-up in Colorado Springs

This option is free of charge and we can arrange pick up at either location. Puppies are always with one of us so no strangers in transporting. You are given the address a few days before your arrival.

Meet you at the Colorado Springs airport.

This option is free of charge as well. Confirm your flight plans with us to make sure we can meet you there at the time of arrival. Please note the location of the airport. The Denver airport require transportation fees which must be prearranged before booking.

Use of a flight nanny.

A flight nanny can bring your Frenchie to the nearest major airport within the 48 states. Fees for this are typically $800. Your baby will ride in luxury under the seat in the cabin area of the plane. Typically I, Amanda, will bring your baby to you. Arrangements must be made ahead of time and paid ($300) before booking the flight. We allow puppies to be flown at 12 weeks old or later. We can also fly to Alaska and Canada at higher rates.

Drive Part Way

Our Frenchie Care Specialist has some availability to meet you part way. She will travel up to 3 hours one way. The fee for this is $350.

Specials on transportation

Sometimes we run specials on transportation if we know we are going to be going there anyway. Don’t count on this but feel free to ask.

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Will my Frenchie come with a health guarantee?

As a potential Frenchie owner you may be wondering, “Will my Frenchie come with a health guarantee? The answer is yes. We provide a two year health guarantee on genetics. Before you pick up your puppy we will email your health guarantee which also serves as a receipt as well. You will e-sign it before pickup and a copy will be emailed to you as well.

Before leaving us your puppy will be checked out by the vet and will have a clean bill of health. Part of the health guarantee states you have 48 hours to take your puppy to the vet for a puppy wellness checkup (96 hours if picking up on the weekend). This is important to make sure your vet agrees with our vet. If something were to appear in the check-up, you are to contact us immediately so we can deal with the issue immediately.

You will have access to the health guarantee in The Prep for Your French Bulldog course. In one video we review the health guarantee in depth and you have a pdf version accessible to review as well. If you have questions, please ask.

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Do French Bulldogs slobber, snore, and make funny noises?

When determining the best breed to add to your family you may ask, “Do French Bulldogs slobber, snore, and make funny noises? These are legitimate questions as you will be spending much time with them and dedicating over a decade of your life committed to your Frenchie baby.

Do French Bulldogs Slobber?

Overall French Bulldogs do not slobber a lot like other breed such as English Bulldogs or Mastiffs. They can have moisture around their mouth, but you won’t be covered in drool. After eating, I do notice some moisture on their cute little chops but a quick wiping off with a washcloth is all that’s needed to accept their Frenchie snuggles.

Do French Bulldogs snore and make funny noises?

French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed thus have cute, short little snouts. With these short snouts they do not breathe as efficiently through their noses as longer nosed breeds. You will find they will breathe more through their mouths than these other breeds and can produce some unusual noises like noisy breathing and snorting even when at rest. We find these noises as endearing and cute and are not bothersome at all.

Most Frenchies do snore. Some snore a little and some snore more than others. I actually find the snoring of Frenchies quite comforting. In fact, I’ve always said I sleep better with the sound of little dogs that sound like little piglets snoring in the background. Put a human snorer in the room and I can’t sleep a wink. Overall, I’d say they snore but it’s not annoying.

When should I notify the vet?

Excessive noises coming from your Frenchie may be due to overexertion and will need to rest up a bit. I find if I take my Frenchie on a walk when it’s too hot (over 72 degrees) that they make excessive noises panting to cool themselves off. Watch your Frenchie carefully in the heat and keep him cool. Almost all Frenchies reverse sneeze at some point in their life. If it becomes excessive, contact your vet that has experience dealing with brachycephalic breeds as he may have too narrow of nostrils or weak flaps that close upon breathing (stenotic nares), and/or excessively elongated soft palate. Both are related to brachycephalic airway syndrome and may require a simple surgery to correct.

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Do French Bulldogs shed?

Do French Bulldogs shed? I have received this questions numerous times. Yes, they do shed but typically not as much as other shedding dogs. There are dogs who are hypoallergenic that have more human like hair and tend to not shed like bichons, poodles, etc… We’ve all seen the opposite end of the spectrum with dogs who shed piles of hair everywhere. Frenchies are short haired and single coated and I would say that you won’t find as much hair around the home as those other breeds.

We also find that cream Frenchies usually have the thickest and shed more. The lilacs tend to have a smoother coat and shed less. All of the other colors tend to be in between. Remember this is a basic trend we’ve seen and may not always be the case. Yes French Bulldogs shed some but really are about as good as it gets for minimal shedding for a dog who has fur.

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Education

Are French Bulldogs Sociable?

Many people ask, “Are French Bulldogs sociable?” I would say 100% yes. They love people and aim to please. When you get a new French Bulldog puppy anything that you want them to be around when they are older make sure to expose them young. If you are more of an extrovert and want your Frenchie used to going to dog parks, outdoor dining, etc… then get them used to going with you early. I recommend waiting until they have their full series of shots (around 16 weeks old) before taking them to areas where they are exposed to other dogs that you don’t know the history of.

Also, I have noticed that your Frenchie picks up on your feelings during the experience. Such as if you are nervous about flying with them, they will be nervous and act up. Always check yourself when taking your Frenchie to a new location/experience to make sure you are calm for your little one.

If for some reason your Frenchie starts acting unsatisfactorily in any social situation, nip it in the bud at as young of an age as possible. Take a training class to help you correct it if you do not have the skill set to correct it yourself. I learned from my first dog as an adult to never allow a little puppy to act out in any way that will not be cute when older and bigger.

Overall Frenchies are very social and want to be a part of the family. They love being involved and a part of the action. When exposed early they do well in social situations but often adjust well at older ages as well.

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Do French Bulldogs Get Along with Other Pets?

We get this questions often, “Do French Bulldogs get along with other pets?” The answer is most of the time yes. Frenchies are really adaptable and when introduced to other puppies do very well. They are very loving and accepting when introduced as puppies (around 10 weeks old). When you introduce them young they usually are accepting of cats as well.

We obviously have several Frenchies. I have 5 personally. The only issue we have found is sometimes two intact females may not like each other especially when they are in heat or expecting. When we have two females that don’t like each other we have to keep them separated. If the whole clan of pets are spayed or neutered we don’t really find issues.

Below are several pics of our Frenchie puppies who have been placed with pet siblings.

Overall, if you do adopt a little Frenchie to bring into your home the likelihood of them happily joining and getting along with your other pets is high.

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Do French Bulldogs Require a Lot of Daily Care?

Many people ask before committing, “Do French Bulldogs require a lot of daily care? The quick answer is they don’t require much.

Grooming:

Many breeds require quite a bit of grooming and frequent grooming visits. Some Frenchies have thicker coats and will require more brushing to prevent shedding. We recommend bathing no more than once a month (unless obvious necessity) and trimming nails monthly as well. You may also need to clean between their wrinkles on their nose and their tail pocket. Some owners choose to take their Frenchies to the groomer for their monthly spa day.

Teeth:

Keeping your Frenchies teeth clean is an important part of their overall health. Get a doggie toothpaste and toothbrush that goes over your finger. Start training them as soon as you get them home to get them used to this daily habit. Have your Frenchies teeth cleaned around 3 years old and then go with your veterinarians recommendations.

Walking:

Frenchies do not require a lot of walking. A quick jaunt around the block or playing in the yard is often enough for them. Most of them can go on a walk. I walk mine 2 miles many days of the week. My last Frenchie couldn’t make it around the block. Each one is different so watch them carefully for overheating. I do not recommend walking them over 72 degrees but always watch your Frenchie and make sure they are safe on their walks. Some owners buy their Frenchie a stroller so they can join them on longer walks.

Feeding:

Puppies need to be fed more often than adults. We recommend starting at 4 times per day, then three times, and then two times per day.

Overall French Bulldogs do not require a lot of daily care dedicated entirely for them but you will find yourself spending all your free time with them just because you can.

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Does a male or female French Bulldog make a better pet?

I am asked this question often, “Does a male or female French Bulldog make a better pet?” I say both. French Bulldog male and females have beautiful personalities. We have several of each and love each ones own unique personality. They are considered the clown dog and are all goofy in their own way. Just as people have differing personalities so do Frenchies. Some are shy. Others outgoing. Some are bossy. Others are laid back. Some are bold. Others are cautious. Some are calm. Others are excitable. Part of the personality is given at birth and part is developed by the environment in your home. Every Frenchie is unique and special and to me it’s easy to love them all.

Males do tend to be larger than their female litters mates and typically have larger heads. This isn’t always the case as some of our girls at first glance you’d think they were males with their larger heads. I always say all shapes and sizes of Frenchies are beautiful!

Frenchies love people and get along great with other pets except two of our girls that just don’t like it when the other one is allowed to eat. But typically these behaviors are avoided if you spay/neuter your Frenchies. Females do tend to have mood swings and be territorial around their heat cycles. Males may act territorial, mark territory, and display humping behaviors if left in tact. To avoid these behaviors we recommend spaying or neutering your Frenchie.

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Education

Availability vs. Pick-up Date of my Frenchie: What’s the difference?

We get this question all of the time, “ What will be the pick-up date of my Frenchie?” Picking up your Frenchie baby is a very exciting event and one we know you want/need to plan for. In an effort to help you know an approximate date of pick-up, we have added an availability date. This is the date that your puppy turns 10-12 weeks old. We prefer to place our Frenchies in homes at 10-12 weeks old vs 8 weeks as we have found they transition much better. Now that being said some need additional time just like human babies to mature. We always reserve the right to change the date as to what is in the best interest of the puppy. With 40 years of experience in raising various breeds (20 of those years being Frenchies), we have a pretty good eye for the puppies who need extra time to blossom. It is our responsibility to you and the Frenchies to make the transition as smooth as possible. We are not placing bicycles in homes. We are placing live little beings and we cannot predict what biological systems will do one to two weeks ahead of time with 100% accuracy. If we say your puppy isn’t ready, we ask that you trust us and make the appropriate adjustments. Yes, we know understand you may be disappointed as the Frenchie might be a present or you might have taken time off from work and your work will not adjust your time off.

Definitions of the availability and pick-up date of my Frenchie.

Availability date: The date the Frenchie turns 10-12 weeks old.

Pick-up date: The date you will pick up your puppy.

What is the difference between the availability date and pick-up date of my Frenchie?

In an effort to communicate approximate pick-up date we have added the availability date on each puppy’s page. This helped decrease the flood of questions on when they would be available but it created some confusion as to exact pick-up dates. Typically the pick-up date will be around the availability date within 3-10 days. We usually know the date 7-10 days in advance and we realize for the planners out there this will be the most challenging part of the process for you. Please realize we are working with biological systems. There are several reasons why the date can change.

Your puppy is on the smaller side and needs more time to grow and blossom.
Your puppy may develop the sniffles. Changes in weather can cause upper respiratory issues and we will want to be sure that’s all it is.
The vet may recommend the puppy remain with us extra time.

Please be open to pick up dates as we do our best to provide them as soon as possible. Feel free to reach out but realize I might not have an answer for you right away as there are several variables to consider. Typically I will text you as soon as I know a date and make arrangements for time of pick-up. You will have your Frenchie baby but just realize we will have to work together on a date to make the transition as smooth as possible.

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Why do I need to take my French Bulldog puppy to the vet?

In case you were wondering we are so strict about taking your French Bulldog puppy to the vet within 48 hours of pick-up, we will discuss it here. Our puppies are first seen by the vet on their first day of life when they are born via c-section. We then have them checked out again between 7-8 weeks old. After they pass their puppy wellness check, then you are able to pick-up your Frenchie at 10 weeks old in Colorado. You are then required to maintain the health guarantee to take your puppy to the vet within 48 hours. If it is the weekend, you have an additional 48 hours to do so. Taking your puppy to your vet is an important step to make sure your vet agrees or disagrees with our vet.

We receive this question often, “I can’t get my Frenchie into the vet until a time outside the time frame can I still pick him up?” We completely understand how much you want to have your baby home with you as soon as you can possibly get your hands on him. There are two main reasons why we cannot approve this.

The longer you have a puppy in your home, the more attached you become and the harder it will be to return if your vet does find an issue that would require returning.
If you wait outside the time allotted and your puppy comes down with an illness caused by a virus or bacteria we will not know if the exposure came from us or when the baby was in your possession. We will likely presume the latter.

What should I do if I can’t my French Bulldog puppy to a vet appointment within the allotted time frame?

Yes, we understand that sometimes it is only a week out when you know the date of pick-up and this can be tricky. Here are a few options for you if your vet doesn’t have a time available within the 48 hour time window.

Reschedule pick-up date.
Find another vet that does have an available appointment. You can then return to your regular vet for follow-ups. You can also ask to be on the waitlist for your regular vet just in case an opening occurs.

Please let us know ahead of time if you are needing to reschedule your pick-up date. We are typically flexible in our schedules for pick-ups and are happy to schedule a time that works within the guidelines of the health guarantee.

What if I live out of town?

If you are driving from out of town, you may want to consider taking your puppy to a local vet in Colorado Springs before returning home. We have had families go to Petsmart vet before returning home and we’ve had them drive back home to see their regular vet. It’s completely up to you, but keep in mind that you are responsible for the return of the puppy if required. Fortunately, we do not have many returns. These are just things we want for you to be aware of.

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Education