French bulldogs are an adorable, extremely lovable breed that have been bred for hundreds of years for the capacity to make wonderful companion dogs. Bred from English bulldogs, The American Kennel Club has noted a marked increase in French bulldog populations, skyrocketing them into the status of one of the most popular dog breeds—beautiful dogs known for their flat face and big personalities. If you’ve ever met a Frenchie, you understand how easy it is to fall in love with this spirited pup.
However, if you’re looking for a Frenchie breeder and considering adopting your own French bulldog pup, it’s important to make sure you opt for a reputable breeder capable of producing puppies of good quality. While Frenchies have become associated with their iconic flat face, this does pose some health issues for them when bred irresponsibly—and there are other health risks associated with pregnant French bulldog mothers who are reputed to have a hard time giving birth naturally.
In this article, we will discuss everything prospective Frenchie owners need to know about selecting the right pup—from common problems during birthing to other health concerns Frenchies are prone to having. This way, you can select a Frenchie breeder with confidence, knowing you’re grabbing a companion who will live a happy and healthy life of good quality for years to come!
So…Can French Bulldogs Have Puppies Naturally?
One of the most commonly asked questions about pregnant French bulldogs is whether or not the mother can give birth the natural way, or if a specialized breeding process is involved. If you’re hoping to pick up a French bulldog out of a litter of puppies, you will want to find a French bulldog breeder that is aware of the possible complications that can come along with the husbandry of this breed.
One trait associated with the female French bulldog, especially in purebred dogs that have been bred for aesthetic traits rather than health and vigor, is narrow hips and a small pelvis that not only makes the physical process of mating difficult, but makes giving birth complicated as well.
In fact, only about 20% of all French bulldog puppy litters are born naturally and without the aid of a caesarean section—and these are only the most carefully selected specimens from a responsible breeder.
Because the small pelvis is a common problem that makes not only for a difficult birth but also a hard time mating, many breeders rely on artificial insemination to impregnate the female.
In fact, Frenchies are known for having large heads and a narrow birth canal—conditions for a difficult birth that so frequently require human intervention by way of surgeries and c sections. This is the safest way to deliver not only healthy pups, but to prevent unnecessary death of the mother as well.
Are French Bulldogs Prone to Health Issues?
The health risks associated with French bulldogs go beyond the breeding and birthing process, unfortunately. One of the main reasons for this is actually due to its recent explosion of popularity, which has caused increased demand for the puppies and negligent breeding practices.
In pursuit of the “perfect” French bulldog, breeders may have inadvertently ended up producing puppies that have the flat face we all know and love, but at the price of birth defects and ever-increasing vet bills as they age. Other common health issues rampant in breeders who shoot for physical looks over health range from allergies and hip dysplasia to tracheal collapse, elongated soft palate or cleft palate syndrome, and more.
Do French Bulldogs Have Breathing Issues?
Aside from what is genetically likely to be a difficult birth, Frenchies tend toward other health issues that require special care and regular visits to the vet. The most notorious of these is respiratory problems that can cause everything from slow suffocation during daily life to a proclivity towards heat stress in warm conditions.
This is because French bulldogs, along with pugs, English bulldogs, boxers, and more are known as Brachycephalic breeds. This phrase refers the shape of their large heads and short snouts. We will further expand upon the implications of this in the next section.
What Is “BOAS” and What Does It Have to Do With Frenchies?
If you are planning on becoming a French bulldog owner, you need to be aware of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, or BOAS. Unfortunately, of all the different breeds known for their short snouts, French bulldogs are particularly prone to BOAS, which can cause them to literally slowly suffocate due to excessively small nostrils.
However, if you regularly take your pup to an experienced veterinarian, you will be able to manage your dog’s potential breathing issues—from medication and exercise regimens to major surgery for opening up the airways for your pooch to help them literally breathe a little easier.
How Much Are French Bulldog Puppies?
Of course, one of the main questions people want to know when they are considering adding a Frenchie puppy to their “pack” is just how much these adorable pups cost. As for the average French bulldog litter, most puppies cost between $1,500-$3,000 up front, not including any veterinary expenses or transportation fees associated with the delegating the litter of puppies to their forever homes.
How Many French Bulldog Puppies in a Litter?
After a pregnancy gestation period of roughly 63 days, most pregnant French bulldog mothers give birth via c section to a number of puppies ranging from two to four healthy pups. At most, Frenchies will give birth to around seven puppies; however, it should be noted that–while incredibly rare—one French bulldog mother in Kentucky gave birth to a remarkable 13 puppies at once!
Why Are My French Bulldog Puppies’ Ears Floppy?
You’ve likely noticed that a mature French bulldog sports upright ears that are always cocked and at attention—but at a young age, they’ve got floppy, flappy ears. Some people think that this is due to the breeding process, and others think this has to do with the pup’s years of age.
Somewhat surprisingly, the answer has less to do with muscle development and more to do with teething—as a young Frenchie puppy that is still in the teething stage needs all its bodily calcium consumption for growing teeth rather than erecting their ears. This is one of the main reasons that determines whether or not a puppy’s ears stick up or not, droop from time to time, or never stand up at all.
Where to Buy French Bulldog Puppies
As you’ve learned over the course of this article, the Frenchie breeder you decide to go with when picking your pooch plays an important role not only in the financial cost of keeping your furry friend in good health, but of their quality of life as well.
If you’re looking for purebred French bulldogs, you can’t go wrong with looking at the database provided by American Kennel Club. Using their puppy finder function, prospective dog parents can search by breed, gender, distance, and zip code and browse through different breeders and plan for an upcoming litter of puppies.
While there are many people who are breeding French bulldogs today in pursuit of the short and iconic snout we have all come to love, the important thing you can do when it comes time to adopt is to have the conversation with a prospective breeder about their practice.
Do they use artificial insemination to impregnate the mother? Are they selecting for healthy qualities like wider pelvises, fewer breathing problems, less allergies, and more? Do they work with a reputable veterinarian during the birthing process to ensure they are covered in the instance of birth complications and able to provide the mother with a c section surgery, if necessary?
Remember, asking these questions up front is not only the ethically sound option, but it will also like you save you endless money, time, and heartache down the line—not to mention discomfort in your canine companion.
Why Are French Bulldogs So Popular?
Descended from English bulldogs, French bulldogs are known to be loyal and attentive companions, and even make sensible guard dogs when it comes to alerting their owner of unwanted activity.
Combine this with their irresistibly cute snoot, perky ears, stocky build, small, almost pocket-sized frame, and extremely loud, energetic personality, and you can easily see why this particular breed is popular in small apartments and larger living accommodations as well.
Particularly for more senior dog owners looking for companionship, a French bulldog can make an excellent friend for life—provided you have no trouble footing the bill and providing them with constant reinforcement of the rules.
Conclusion
If you plan on adding a French bulldog to your family, remember that proper, consistent training in the early stages of its development will make for easier, better home dynamics as time wears on. Frenchies are intelligent and emotionally sensitive animals—but they do thrive with routine. The more structure you can provide your furry friend, the more responsive they are likely to be to your training efforts—no matter how stubborn your pup!
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