We are excited to be introducing our new website, and we hope all of you that have been following us for some time will like it, as well as first time visitors to our site. We have gotten a lot of feedback over the years that our website has been easy to navigate and full of helpful information. We have worked hard with our excellent IT friends to maintain those things that clients seem to like, while at the same time introduce new technology, that will help make our website more prominent, and provide even more information and a better experience in the process. We are also always open to new ideas and suggestions. We appreciate the feedback we receive from our clients and site visitors regarding our website, and we would be happy to hear any helpful suggestions that you may have.
We also want to talk a little about something that most of you may now be aware of. Over the past several years, the French Bulldog has been gaining in popularity, and for very good reasons. When we first started breeding Frenchies, there were not a lot of breeders out there, and most of them had been at it for quite a while and were very conscientious. At that time there were quite a few high-quality Frenchies that were available, and we were able to obtain several to get our breeding business started. When we bred our first Frenchies, the French Bulldog was nowhere to be seen on the top 10 list of most popular breeds in America. About a decade ago, this wonderful breed cracked the top 10 list for the first time, and they have been climbing the list ever since. Last year (2021), they climbed to 2nd on the list, behind only the Labrador Retriever, who has been at the top of the list for over three decades. In 2022, the Frenchie reached the summit, becoming the most popular dog breed in the U.S., based on AKC data, and for very good reasons. A stunning cream male Frenchie even won the 2022 Westminster Best of Show award. These are the most wonderful companion dogs imaginable.
However, their popularity has created some problems as well. Because the French Bulldog is both a chondrodystrophic (dwarf) and brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed, they are susceptible to several health issues, especially if they are not well-bred. Their newfound popularity has brought a lot of new breeders into the market, and many of them can only be generously referred to as “backyard breeders”. Many have entered the market to “make a fast buck”, and their main considerations are not necessarily for the health and welfare of the breed. From personal experience, we know it takes a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work, years of experience, and wonderful dogs, that have been selected from “the best-of-the-best”, in order to improve the breed and provide the greatest opportunity for puppies to live long and healthy lives.
We made a commitment many years ago to only breed very sweet and healthy dogs, with no significant health issues, to include no allergies, no joint issues, and no significant brachycephalic issues. The result is that we have had very few health issues with our Frenchies. Regardless of the quality of the dogs you breed, and how well matched they are, occasionally an issue will occur. If it does, you want to make sure you are dealing with a reputable breeder with a track record, who will be there and who will treat you fairly. If you deal with any other type of breeder, you are rolling the dice. You may get lucky, but chances are, you will not, and if you don’t, there may not be anyone around to help.
It is very sad to say, but many of the Frenchies we see these days are not representative of the AKC French Bulldog breed standard. French Bulldog “breeders” that have only a few females, and maybe one or two males, have very limited options when breeding. Sometimes, they will get lucky and have good dogs that are well matched, and some good puppies will be the result. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, and inferior puppies that are not in line with the French Bulldog AKC standard, or that have significant health issues, will be the result.
Please DO consider the French Bulldog for your next pet, because, if you get a well-bred Frenchie, you will never have a more wonderful companion. If you decide to buy a French Bulldog from us, we would love to work with you. There are other good breeders out there, and if you decide to go elsewhere, please do your homework and know that you are working with a reputable breeder, who not only produces high-quality puppies, but who will also stand behind them if an issue does arise.
Good luck and best wishes,
Bick Sr. and the BlueHaven family
