French Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. According to the American Kennel Club, French Bulldog is the second most registered dog breed in the United States. The breed is well-loved all over the world because of its human-oriented temperament. It is a companion breed that is perfectly fit to be a pet. French bulldogs are intelligent and can be easily trained in a fun way.
What’s The Standard Price For French Bulldogs?
The price of a French bulldog is dependent on where you live. For instance, the price of a French bulldog tends to vary by state in America. In California, the price of a French bulldog is significantly higher than average. And in Alabama, the price of a French bulldog is significantly lower than average. The reason for the price variation is due to the popularity of the breed in these states. French bulldogs are very popular in California, and the high demand for them drives up the price.
A French bulldog puppy from a reliable breeder will cost between $1,500 and $4,500. Older French bulldogs are less expensive than the puppies and can be purchased for as low as $1000. Purchasing a French bulldog for a price less than the industrial average can be really tricky and should best be avoided. If you find a French bulldog puppy for less than $1,500 outside of the shelter and rescue system, It’s probably too good to be true.
Why Are Frenchies So Expensive?
It’s Costly To Breed Them
The cost of breeding a French bulldog is a key part of what makes having them expensive. It can cost as much as $7000 on average to breed a purebred French bulldog. Apart from the basic necessities needed by French bulldogs to survive, French bulldogs have complicated health issues that skyrocket breeding costs. They have unique health problems that are not common to other dog breeds.
They Come With Unique Health Problems
French bulldogs have unique health problems that necessitate the need for special care. For one, they have a flat, brachycephalic face that makes breathing difficult and makes them susceptible to allergies. Their facial structure affects the way their jaw forms, and the short snout on their face means their eyes can not be protected from danger. Also, the flatness of their face and the shortness of their snout leave flaps of skin that can serve as breeding grounds for the growth of bacteria.
French bulldogs have narrow hips, which make reproduction difficult. As a result of this physical impediment, many French bulldogs find it difficult to reproduce. The difficulty of natural reproduction means many breeders must pay for artificial insemination. A veterinarian will artificially impregnate a female Frenchie with the sperm of a male Frenchie. The small hips that make reproduction difficult for French bulldogs also make giving birth difficult. Doctors typically perform a C-section to make sure the mother and puppies are safe.
French bulldogs may also be prone to hip dysplasia, kneecap shits, and heat stress. These health issues make rearing a French bulldog costly. Responsible breeders must do everything possible to control these conditions. Constant checks by the vet, genetic testing, and constant alertness to both developing puppies and older breeds are necessary things needed to successfully breed a French bulldog.
They Are Super Popular
French bulldogs have distinct features that make them easily recognizable and likable. These distinct features make them unique and attractive to people. And we both know humans do not mind spending on things that attract them. The French bulldog has a lovable temperament. They are low-energy, fun, and can be easily trained.
Also, French bulldogs are adaptable. They can cohabitate with other breeds and adapt to various circumstances. They show little aggression, which means they can get along easily with other dog breeds. They also have tendencies to be stubborn if pushed. But French bulldogs love it best when they are living with humans.
Their adaptability and low energy are perfectly suitable for humans. They can adjust to a variety of lifestyles that larger, high-energy dogs may not be able to accommodate. Because of their small size and low energy, French bulldogs can live comfortably in an apartment in an urban setting. Their ability to adapt to new settings means they can adjust when things get a little crowdy with more humans and more pets.
According to a study carried out by researchers, Frenchies are one of the top ten most popular dog breeds in the world. They rank 2nd place in the list of most registered dogs in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Their human-oriented features make them desirable pets across the globe.
Different Colors, Different Prices
French bulldogs come in a blend of diverse colors. They can be in the form of “brindle & white” or “fawn & white” but Frenchies with solid colors are also available. The AKC, breeders, judges, and clubs all recognize nine standard colors of the French Bulldog. Brindle, brindle and white, fawn, fawn and white, cream, fawn brindle, white, white and brindle, and white and fawn are the nine. The AKC considers “ticked” to be the standard marking of a French Bulldog.
Colors influence the price of a bulldog. Specific colors that are appealing but genetically rare can increase the price of Frenchie. For instance, a brindle or black puppy will typically cost less, but rarer colors like platinum and blue fawn may cost significantly more. How expensive a rare color is depends on the demand for that color. In cases where demand is high for a French bulldog with a rare color, the price can be worth three times the average.
Purebred Vs Mixed Frenchies Prices
Though French bulldogs originate from a crossbred of Bulldogs and Terriers, mixing Frenchies with other breeds is uncommon today. A French bulldog is typically purebred and when mixed with other breeds, it ceases to be a French bulldog. Despite the rarity of mixed Frenchies, there have been recent attempts at mixing Frenchies with other dog breeds. Here are some of the ones discovered:
- French Pitbull: a French bulldog mixed with a Pitbull
- French Bullboxer: a French bulldog mixed with a Boxer dog.
- French Bull-Aussie: a French bulldog mixed with a Bull-Aussie (a Bull-Aussie is a mix of English bulldog and Australian Shepherd)
- French Boodle: a French bulldog mixed with an English bulldog
- French Bullbrador: a French bulldog mixed with a Labrador
- French Bullhuahua: a French bulldog mixed with a Chihuahua
- Frug: a French bulldog mixed with a pug
- Frenchton: a French bulldog mixed with a Pomeranian
- French Bullweiler: a French bulldog mixed with a Rottweiler
- French Chowdog: a French bulldog mixed with a Chow Chow
A purebred is usually more expensive than a mixed breed and in the case of Frenchies, it’s not different. There are a couple of reasons why a purebred is more expensive than a mixed breed. For starters, mixed-breed Frenchies are healthier than purebred Frenchies. Purebred dogs, in general, have a small gene pool and are at risk of passing genetic disorders down from generation to generation.
Therefore, pet owners spend much more on purebreds than they do with mixed breeds. Also, the popularity of Frenchies hinges on their distinctive appearances and characteristics. Mixing them with other breeds alters these qualities.
The average price of a purebred French bulldog is significantly higher than that of a mixed-breed French bulldog. When you consider the breeding costs needed throughout their lifespan, the cost difference is quite wide.
Deciding Between An Older Frenchie Or A Puppy
Deciding between an older Frenchie and a puppy is quite simple. Older Frenchies are typically less expensive than puppies but there are things you need to be aware of before getting one. Frenchies generally have complicated health issues that increase the costs of raising them. Getting an older Frenchie could shoot up this cost if you do not follow the right process.
Two things to consider when getting an older Frenchie are the health information and the place where you will be getting it. The place plays a role in the long-term costs you will end up spending on the Frenchie. Buying an older Frenchie from a random individual or entity increases the risk of getting a Frenchie with much more complicated health issues. Getting a Frenchie with much more complicated health issues than usual increases your long-term costs.
The average cost of a puppy ranges from $1,500 to 4,500. An older Frenchie is significantly less expensive. You can get an older Frenchie for $1000 and even below. The long-term costs for the two types vary and as explained before, they depend on your decision-making process.
Should I Buy From A Breeder Or Adopt?
There are plenty of Frenchies with dog rescue organizations. Frenchies are surrendered to rescue shelters for various reasons. Some pet owners get tired of frequent health issues and choose to surrender their Frenchies. Behavioral issues like housebreaking and aggression also lead many pet owners into surrendering their Frenchies. Some Frenchies find themselves in rescue homes because of unfortunate circumstances like changes in environment or family circumstances on the part of their owners.
Adopting from rescue organizations is a safer decision than buying from breeders. There are so many illegal breeders out there and getting Frenchies, who are already prone to health issues, from these breeders is dangerous. However, if you can ensure the legitimacy of the breeder, then it is safe to buy from a breeder as well.
The best age to adopt a Frenchie is within eight to twelve weeks. At that age, it would have spent enough time with its mother while still being young enough to be trained by you.
How Much Does It Cost To Maintain A Healthy French Bulldog?
Food Expenses
Food expenses are constant costs that will span through the lifespan of a Frenchie. A French bulldog needs to consume about 30 calories for every pound of body weight. Depending on the size of your dog, you should expect to spend between $25 and $60 monthly. Also, puppy food is a bit more expensive than adult food. As a result of their need for high protein content, Frenchies should consume puppy food until they are about 9 to 12 months old.
Vet Expenses
The medical expenses required to properly care for French bulldogs are more expensive than the ones for many other dog breeds. Their susceptibility to health problems makes visits to vet doctors frequent. Veterinary costs for Frenchies can get as high as $155 but with insurance, they can be significantly lower.
Investing In Pet Insurance
The aim of pet insurance is to minimize the overall cost of veterinary expenses. Insurance means you do not get found wanting when your pet requires medical treatment. Insuring your Frenchie is a smart decision because insurance covers every health issue, theft, and loss. The insurance cost can be as low as $10 per month and as high as $100 per month depending on various reasons. But it is definitely more economical than pure Veterinary costs.
Some of the best insurance companies that you can check out for free are:
- Petplan: widely available in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada
- Figo: available in the United States
- Healthy Paws: available in the United States
- American Kennel Club Pet Healthcare: United States
- Trupanion: Europe, Canada, and United States
Final Thoughts
French bulldogs are a very expensive dog breed due to positive and negative features that make them unique. Their cute looks and cool temperament make them a very popular dog breed. In both the United States and the United Kingdom, they are the 2nd most popular dog breed. And they rank well generally in terms of likability among dog breeds all over the world.
Nonetheless, the bodily features that make them cute also make them susceptible to health issues. Their susceptibility to health dangers like allergies and conjunctivitis makes them a very expensive breed.
To curb the cost of breeding a Frenchie, opting for insurance is very advisable. Insurance significantly cuts the medical costs of breeding a French bulldog throughout its lifespan. Another way to cut the cost of breeding a Frenchie is to consider adopting instead of buying from breeders. And when you do choose to buy from breeders, you should ensure you are buying from a legal breeder.
Ultimately, Frenchies are a great dog breed that every dog lover should consider rearing. To know more or get access to specific information about French bulldogs, reach out to us
