The allure of French Bulldogs is undeniable—those expressive eyes, adorable snorts, and unwavering loyalty make them one of the most beloved canine companions. As you consider welcoming a French Bulldog into your life, a question that naturally arises is, “How much do Frenchies cost?” 

 

Beyond the initial appeal, understanding the financial investment required is crucial for responsible ownership.

 

In this blog, we will peel back the layers and decode the true cost of bringing a French Bulldog into your home, shedding light on the factors that contribute to the overall price and offering insights into the commitment you’re about to make.

Frenchies’ Cost

 

If you wonder how much Frenchies cost, continue reading. 

 

Despite being a pricey breed, the price of a French Bulldog puppy will vary depending on the parents, the breeder’s reputation, the region, the color, and several other factors. 

 

These puppies are some of the priciest canines you can purchase, with high-quality standard colored Frenchies costing $3000 and up.  Frenchies also come in several stunning, rare colors, and they typically cost a good bit more, due to the high cost of obtaining the rare recessive genes, which create these colors, into a breeding program. 

 

You may see French Bulldogs advertised for lower prices, but be very wary.  With the new found popularity of the Frenchie, many backyard breeders (BYBs), puppy mills, and scammers have entered the market, in an effort to make a quick buck. 

 

If they have any dogs at all, they will breed what they have, with little regard to health, conformation, size, temperament, or properly matching males and females.  If you buy a puppy from one of these entities, you may get lucky, but chances are you will not, and when there are issues, there will be no one there to help you. 

 

Also, remember that pet ownership entails additional expenses, including shelter, food, training, toys, and veterinarian fees. 

Should You Buy A Frenchie Puppy Or An Older Dog?

 

Because of breeding costs and demand, purchasing a puppy will cost significantly more than obtaining an older dog, because most people prefer puppies. Having a puppy allows you to socialize and train your pet early on, preventing the development of negative behaviors. It also allows you to enjoy the love and funny antics of a developing puppy that is destined to become your lifelong companion.  

 

But older dogs, especially those that are retired from reputable breeding programs, might already be crate trained, housebroken, and have obedience skills, and will not have the health and behavioral problems normally associated with Frenchies found in shelters.  They are also generally available for a fraction of the price of a similar puppy, often between $500 and $1000.  

 

BlueHaven retires their females after they have had an average of three litters, and they are generally between 3 and 4 years of age, so they still have many good years ahead of them.  Other reputable breeders do similarly.  Males are normally retired from breeding programs at a much older age, and often they are available free of charge to good homes.

Are Small Frenchies More Expensive Than Large Ones?

 

The French Bulldog is a dwarf (chondrodystrophic) breed, so any attempts to further downsize them could lead to significant health issues.  Standard Frenchies are typically 16 pounds to 28 pounds, and they will vary within that range, even within the same litters.  

 

Occasionally, a standard Frenchie will weigh under 16 pounds, but they should be carefully monitored for health issues, and a reputable breeder would never breed them in an effort to obtain even smaller puppies.  

 

Some breeders (we won’t call them reputable) offer “teacup” or “miniature” Frenchies.  This is not a separate breed, but Frenchies that have been downsized by breeding very small Frenchies together.  Some might be healthy, but there will be a much higher percentage of health issues with them than with standard size Frenchies.     

 

Reputable breeders, like BlueHaven, will not intentionally breed for smaller than standard Frenchies.  Occasionally, one will show up in a litter, but extreme care needs to be taken to ensure that these puppies are healthy and will represent the breed well.  Some of them are healthy in all regards and make excellent pets, but most have issues of one sort or another.  

 

Breeders having extremely small Frenchies will probably ask more for them, but a smart buyer will exercise extreme caution. 

How To Find A Reputable French Bulldog Breeder?

 

As with many sizable investments, one of the best ways to find a reputable breeder is through word of mouth.  If people in your sphere of influence, or even a Frenchie owner you bump into walking down the street, have had a good experience with a breeder, chances are you will as well.

 

The internet is also a good place to look.  Reputable breeders will normally have well developed websites, loaded with good information and pictures of current and past Frenchies.  Reading Google reviews and reviews from other services can also be helpful.  

 

The following are some things you should consider when looking for a reputable breeder:

 

1. Should have several years of breeding experience 
2. Should specialize exclusively in Frenchies
3. Should have consistently good reviews from past clients
4. Should be very professional and responsive to your communication efforts
5. Should have a good selection of high-quality males and female which are all AKC registered and DNA tested
6. Should be happy to meet with you if you live in their area and show you some of their dogs and facilities
7. Should be happy to provide references if requested
8. Should provide a strong guarantee for congenital issues
9. Should ensure all puppies are thoroughly checked by a qualified vet
10.  Should be well organized and demonstrate that they are well versed in all things Frenchie

 

French Bulldog Pricing : Factors to Consider

Why is it the case that Frenchies do cost more than almost all other purebred dogs?  There are a lot of valid reasons, as we have come to understand at BlueHaven.   

 

1. Frenchies rarely breed naturally due to their narrow hips that makes mounting difficult.  This results in the need for expensive artificial insemination (AI), coupled with progesterone testing to ensure a high success rate (between 75% and 90%).
2. Frenchies tend to have relatively small litters averaging less than 4 live births per litter, and litters of one or two are common.
3. C-sections are required, for the safety of the mom and babies, because the relatively large heads and shoulders of the babies are larger than the birth canal of the typical mom.  This is a very costly procedure, especially at the ER vet in the middle of the night.
4. Newborn puppies take a great deal of hands-on care.  They must be fed every 3 hours around the clock, and they should not be left with mom for the first few days, or she might inadvertently roll over and smother one.  It often takes them a week or more before they can latch on by themselves and safely be left with mom, but continuous care is needed until they are weaned from mom at around 6 weeks.  
5. Vet bills, medicines, vaccinations, food, shelter, toys, play areas, etc. add to the cost of breeding these wonderful dogs, over and above the fact that this is a very time consuming and laborious labor of love.

Even with these wonderful dogs selling in the thousands of dollars, even for standard colors, the AKC says that a reputable breeder will do well to break even.  Reputable breeders, like BlueHaven, don’t expect to get rich breeding these wonderful dogs, but they don’t want to go broke either.

There are puppy mills, backyard breeders,  and other disreputable breeders out there that may offer to sell you a Frenchie a little cheaper (unfortunately, even many pet shops buy their dogs from puppy mills, where the dogs are repeatedly bred, poorly socialized if at all, and rarely see the outside of a cage), but as with everything in life, you get what you pay for.  And, of course, scamming has reached epidemic proportions, especially involving this very special breed.  Buyers beware!

The reason that blues, chocolates, and lilacs (and even more so, the rare pure coats and tan points) are more expensive than standard color Frenchies is that there is a very high demand for these colors (because they are so beautiful and unique), and they are relatively rare because they are created by recessive genes, which are naturally occurring but not common in Frenchies, which means that they must be inherited from both mom and dad.  Most reputable breeders have spent a fortune obtaining these rare recessive genes in their breeding programs.

As a side note from BlueHaven, based on our research and our own experiences, there are no inherent health problems associated with these rare colors, regardless of what some individuals might say, who are prejudiced against them (we also wonder if they are prejudiced against blue eyed and blonde or red-haired people).

 

The supply and demand, and consequently the prices of Frenchie puppies, are influenced by your location, the demand in your area, the number of breeders, and the number of available puppies. Reputable Frenchie breeders, like BlueHaven, welcome clients to come to their facilities to meet them and some of their dogs.  

 

However, due to a lack of high-quality breeders in many parts of the country, there are no reputable breeders nearby for many clients.  Most reputable breeders, like BlueHaven, will make arrangements to deliver puppies to most areas of the country for reasonable rates.   

How Much Are Vet Expenses For A French Bulldog?

 

Vet expenses will vary greatly from one part of the country, depending on the cost of living in that area, the number of qualified vets, the demand for services, etc.  

 

Fortunately, for many Frenchie owners, vet expenses are little more than yearly boosters for DAPP and Bordetella and every two or three year rabies shots.

 

However, Frenchies, because they are both a dwarf (chondrodystrophic) and flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed, are susceptible to a number of potential health issues.  

 

Surgeries for the most common Frenchie issues, i.e., cherry eye, entropion, stenotic nares, elongated palates, luxating patellas, and spinal issues are generally very successfully repaired through surgery, and most won’t break the bank, although insurance should definitely be considered to lessen the financial burden.  Some reputable breeders, like BlueHaven, will also help if one of these surgeries is needed.

Conclusion

 

Decoding the cost of French Bulldogs reveals a multifaceted journey that goes beyond the price tag and delves into the responsibilities and joys of pet ownership. 

 

From the initial purchase price, influenced by factors like breeder reputation and lineage, to the ongoing expenses for health care, food, grooming, and training, owning a French Bulldog involves a financial and emotional commitment, but with immeasurable rewards.

 

Remember that while the monetary investment is significant, the priceless experiences, companionship, and love you will share with your French Bulldog will make every dollar and effort worth it. 

  

BlueHaven French Bulldogs offers a breeding program that brings you the finest Frenchie companions in all their glorious colors and patterns. If you are looking for a reputable and trusted breeder who can help you understand, not only how much Frenchies cost, but also how much joy Frenchies can bring into any family situation, we would love to help. Visit our official website, bluehavenfrenchbulldogs.com, to learn more.