Australian Shepherd Care Guide: The Cowboy’s Favorite Breed
Breeds / 2024
The French Bulldog is a fancy and funny friend to have around.
Interestingly they are not french at all and were bred in England using English Bulldogs.
Due to their size they gained a surge of popularity in Paris and other big cities and they represented wealth and high status.
Even today this breed is still a major financial commitment – there is a reason that this breed is still associated with the wealthy.
However with careful financial planning it is possible to fit a Frenchie into your life.
Keep reading to learn how much they cost to buy and how to budget for your French Bulldog…
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The price of your French Bulldog pup will depend on two crucial things:
A purebred Frenchie with all of their paperwork will cost anywhere between $1500 and $2000.
While this is quite expensive compared to other dog breeds it gives you peace of mind.
Breeding high quality pups (from a strong bloodline) correctly is expensive.
If you bargain hunt for a puppy, you might get one of a lower quality. Poorly bred puppies can grow up to have more health problems. While trying to save money you might end up paying much more in the long term in health care.
Puppies are much more sought after than adult dogs.
So if you are looking to adopt an adult French Bulldog expect to pay around $250 in adoption fees.
Not only are you giving a loving home to an older dog in need you are also saving a lot of money. However you need to remember that when adopting the dog’s pedigree is not a guarantee. Also as you do not know their background they may have behavior problems and poor socialization experience.
In addition to rescue dogs you can also buy adult dogs sold for the purpose of breeding or showing – they will be very expensive.
These dogs can cost anywhere from $5000-$10,000 depending on their pedigree and lineage.
Generally French Bulldogs are not used as service dogs however they can be used as therapy dogs or emotional support animals.
Rather than being trained for a specific task (such as sniffer dog) an emotional support animal is socialized to be the most loving companion they can can be.
Given the specialist training that goes into these pups you will likely have to pay at least $5000 for one.
There are several factors that influence the cost of buying your puppy.
Some of the biggest factors include their age, appearance and pedigree.
You should be familiar with these factors so that you will be able to plan accordingly while you shop for your new pup.
A dog’s age will impact the price.
Dogs are most sought after between 8 and 12 weeks old so they will be the most expensive option. Their demand begins to drop significantly after this period, so older pups will be cheaper.
Their fur color also impacts the price a lot.
The French Bulldog has only three typical coat colors: white, fawn, and brindle. However breeders sometimes breed pups outside of the breed standard and market them as rare – colors include bluish grey, black, and lilac grey.
These rarer colors can make the pup even more expensive.
Generally females are more in demand than male pups, so they will be more expensive. Frenchie fans also prefer the smaller and cuter females.
If you are looking to save money and are not fused about the gender then a male is your best bet.
They will be around 30% cheaper than their female counterpart.
A pup’s lineage and bloodline can make a huge impact on the price of the pup.
Whilst this is not hugely important to the typical pet owner it is something you should be aware of if you are looking for a show quality dog.
A show dog from a lineage of show winners will cost at least $10,000. While looking for one of these show quality dogs keep an eye out for scams. Always verify the paperwork and if something sounds too good to be true – it probably is!
Again for the average owner this is not something you should consider. Remember that show grade dogs are no healthier than pet grade.
As this breed is well known among city folk they will likely be more expensive in the areas that cater to this demographic.
You will be shelling out big bucks for a big city pup!
Also as breeding rules and regulations differ from state to state – certain states will be more expensive as the pup’s price tag will be inflated to compensate for the more restrictive rules.
So it can sometimes be cheaper to find these pups in certain states. Just make sure the travel cost doesn’t exceed the saving!
When you buy a pedigree puppy these dogs must come with certain certificates and warranties. These papers can indicate the breeder quality as well as the pedigree of the dog (which can be important in the long run).
The same dog without certification could be up to 50% cheaper.
If you are not interested in showing your pup then you do not have to worry as much about your pup’s paperwork.
Just remember to trust your gut feeling and inspect the breeder properly.
Finding a reputable breeder is very important as French Bulldogs do have certain health risks.
The best way to find a good breeder is to search the French Bulldog Club of America (FBDCA). Their website has a list of high quality breeders that should follow ethical breeding practices. In addition the American Kennel Club also maintain a database of breeders in the AKC Puppyfinder. Any breeder that is AKC approval should follow a higher care standard.
When you find a breeder make sure to check them for AKC or FBDCA certification.
In addition you should look for reviews and personally visit the breeder to inspect them.
The expense of owning a French Bulldog does not stop at buying them.
You must also consider the annual costs of caring for your furry friend.
Long term ownership costs include feeding, training expenses, veterinary care, toys and any extra luxuries you need to keep your pup happy around the house.
You will need to put aside a budget for your dog’s care expenses every year. Also remember that these costs will change as your dog ages.
The cost of training your new puppy depends on the intensity of your training methods. Will you be training your puppy at home, or enrolling them in obedience school?
For this breed it is recommended that you do a little bit of both so that your dog can learn to feel comfortable around strangers and other dogs.
A typical 6-week training class will cost around $150. This breed is very easy to train so the majority of training can be done at home to reduce costs. You will need to shop for toys that can be used during training keep your pup engaged.
For all of the pampering that Frenchies need their grooming costs will be the lowest on the list.
French Bulldogs have very short fur that only needs brushing once a week.
You can use ordinary brushes and currycombs purchased from a regular pet shop – most of these run as low as $15. You can save money by trimming your own dog’s nails every 2 weeks, or you can let a professional do the job. A nail trim at a groomer will cost around $25.
Unfortunately these pooches are prone to some rather severe health problems.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome (BAS) and other respiratory problems are among the most common, but hip dysplasia and spinal problems can occur as well.
Many of these conditions can only be corrected by surgery which can cost $1000+. If surgery is not an option you will have to invest in lifelong treatment that can run into the thousands.
For this reason it is a good idea to have an insurance plan.
Expect to pay $50 to $70 for an average insurance premium for the French Bulldog – this can increase depending on their age and previous health complications.
Whilst it might be tempting to run out to the supermarket and buy the cheapest kibble this might not be the best option for your pooch.
Many cheap brands replace quality nutrition with calorie dense fillers and additives.
Quality dog food will be more expensive (around $1 for 1lb) but it will be worth it to keep your furry friend healthy.
You can reduce their feed bill through bulk buying at least a 30 pound bag. For a dog that eats a little over one cup a day, this should last at least 3 months.
Keeping a dog healthy and happy goes far beyond food and medical care. These pampered pups need so much more than just the bare necessities.
Your pooch will appreciate a dog bed, blankets and toys that can take a bit of rough handling.
They will also need a designated den where they can feel safe while you are away from home. This den should have blankets, toys and other comforts of home. Their outdoor play area must be fenced in to prevent escape attempts and you will also need a collar and lead for walking them.
Also remember that certain municipalities require pet dogs to be registered and licensed.
All of these costs must be factored into your dog’s annual budget. Extras can easily add an additional $150 to $250 per year.
The French Bulldog breed gained mainstream popularity in France in the late 19th and early 20th century.
To this day they are still associated with celebrities and wealthy city folk.
Whilst the lovable Frenchie is now available to everyone it is still quite an expensive breed to keep.
Their price tag still represents a pet that is popular with the upper class.
You should never decide to adopt a dog on a whim and you should be prepared for a 10 to 13 year commitment.
A French Bulldog may have an expensive price tag but the unconditional love they give is priceless.
It is one of the most worthy investments that you will ever make…