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Thinking about adding a French Bulldog to the family?
Frenchies are one of the cutest and cuddliest breeds of dog. However, they also come with a cost that will surprise most new owners. Between buying price, vet expenses, food…
Owning a Frenchie can be expensive.
The good news? With a little planning ahead, you'll be just fine. By knowing what to expect, you can budget accordingly and avoid future financial headaches. This guide covers the true cost of owning a Frenchie so there are no surprises down the line.
Start with the biggest shock…
Frenchies are not inexpensive. Not by any stretch of the imagination. The price of purchase will leave you winded. Between $1,500 and $4,500 you'll pay for a puppy from a reputable breeder and unique coloured Frenchies top $8,000.
But here's the thing – that's just day one.
Once your Frenchie is home, the real costs kick in:
Throw it all together and you could easily spend $5,000-$8,000 your first year just besides the cost of the puppy. This doesn't even factor in any unforeseen medical problems (which, as you are about to find out, are quite frequent with this breed).
Buyers often get so caught up in choosing their new puppy they forget to plan for life after puppyhood. Don't make such an expensive mistake.
Calculate your anticipated first year expenses BEFORE you decide. If they freak you out now - they'll freak you out later with a puppy in tow.
Now for the part most new Frenchie owners underestimate…
Frenchies suffer from many medical disorders. According to one large study, performed by the Royal Veterinary College, 72.4% of Frenchies have at least one recorded condition. They have breathing difficulties due to their squished faces, skin folds that become infected, and weak spines that experience serious conditions.
What does that mean for your wallet?
Expensive vet bills. This is when pet insurance reimbursement kicks in—having a solid pet insurance reimbursement policy reimburses you for a majority of the costs you incur on your Frenchie's veterinary care. Getting insurance for a Frenchie early ensures those reimbursements can start stacking up in your favor prior to any pre-existing condition waiting periods.
Some quick numbers to prep you for:
It is easier to prepare for these expenses in advance rather than after they occur. Much easier.
Here's the golden rule of Frenchie ownership: get pet insurance before you need it.
Pet insurance reimbursement is fairly straightforward. You pay the vet bill. You file a claim. The insurance company sends you back a percentage (typically 70%-90%) of the eligible expenses. When you have a breed as fragile as the Frenchie, that check can be life-altering.
Here's a real example…
Say your Frenchie requires $4,000 in emergency surgery to fix a slipped disc. You have a good policy and you will receive back 80% of that billed expense which equals $3,200 back in your pocket. If you do not have insurance you will be spending $4,000 out of pocket.
This is why pet insurance reimbursement is so important:
The caveat is that you have to enroll when your Frenchie is a puppy. Pre-existing conditions are almost never covered, so if you wait until your Frenchie is ill, you won't be reimbursed for those very bills.
Vet bills get most of the grief, but little monthly expenses sneak up on you as well.
Here's what you should be budgeting for each month:
Running the numbers, you're easily spending $200-$400 per month on routine costs to maintain your Frenchie's happiness and health. That doesn't even include emergency vet bills or miscellaneous purchases.
Most new Frenchie owners budget for the puppy price tag and completely overlook these recurring expenses. Reality then sets in around three months later and the budget flies out the window.
Even with pet insurance, you should still build an emergency fund for your Frenchie.
Here's why…
Most reimbursements work by you paying the vet bill up front. You must have money available to pay the vet before you get reimbursed. If your Frenchie requires $5,000 worth of emergency care today you need to have $5,000 today.
Try to save at least $2,000-$3,000 to start. If possible, contribute more each month. You will use this for your deductible, what your policy doesn't cover, and just to rest easy when something unforeseen occurs.
Consider it an insurance policy. You never want to need it, but you'll be very happy it exists when you do.
Automated transfers do this effortlessly. Put aside a little bit every week to automatically transfer into its own savings account. Leave it alone until you need it.
Getting a Frenchie is one of the best things you'll ever do. They are playful, affectionate, and fiercely loyal. But Frenchies are not an inexpensive breed to own – and being uninformed can cause serious financial hardship later on.
To quickly recap:
If you plan ahead, you can spend every moment with your Frenchie without financial stress ruining the experience. Spend a little time now to prevent a ton of headaches later.
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