Tips on finding the right breeder

[Brainrad22]

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of searching for a breeder. I am a bit overwhelmed as there are a ton of breeders out there. Seems with the rapid increase in popularity there are endless breeders. I want to make sure i am finding a reputable breeder who cares most about breeding healthy dogs. I prefer having a french bulldog that is on a the larger end.

I got my first french bulldog 6 years ago from a local breeder. Admittedly did not do much research at the time but was fortunate to have a great french bulldog. Unfortunately we lost him last year.

Any tips are appreciated. I am moving to the midwest and would be willing to travel to find the right breeder.

 

[Rusty’s Owner]

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of searching for a breeder. I am a bit overwhelmed as there are a ton of breeders out there. Seems with the rapid increase in popularity there are endless breeders. I want to make sure i am finding a reputable breeder who cares most about breeding healthy dogs. I prefer having a french bulldog that is on a the larger end.

I got my first french bulldog 6 years ago from a local breeder. Admittedly did not do much research at the time but was fortunate to have a great french bulldog. Unfortunately we lost him last year.

Any tips are appreciated. I am moving to the midwest and would be willing to travel to find the right breeder.

I highly recommend avoiding exotic Colors(Merle)stick to Fawn, Brindle, Black, Blue/grey, lilac and cream for Colors.

One big thing to look for is are you able to meet the parents of the puppies?
When looking for a frenchie puppy, I contacted a couple breeders, one was getting back to me quick, once I asked if I can meet the parents, I never got a response. Turns out they are a puppy mill and get puppies from all over. I didnt get a pup from them for that reason.

Some breeders are like a puppy mill and just care about $$ unfortunately.

The parents should be health tested also and you should get the proof if possible.

The other thing I will be doing going forward, and I recommend you do too is ask the breeder for the parents Medical Records.
When I asked for the parents medical records she already rehomed his parents and didn’t give me their medical records. IF they are a good breeder and the dogs are 100% healthy they should have no issue giving the medical records of the parents, if not they are trying to hide something.


When I contacted the breeder I got Rusty from, I was able to meet his parents, which ‘looked’ healthy, and I was told no health issues. Rusty has many health issues(they have been fixed thru diet and supplements for the most of the health issues).

The person who recommended the breeder has Rusty’s half brother and sister. They have allergies, had their Nostrils opened, and one of them has a ‘wavy’ spine, and the other has back leg/potential spine issue.

Rusty has IVDD, Epilepsy, had surgery for elongated soft palate and nostrils opened, SEVERE allergies(food and environmental), also had a eyelid tumour removed 2 years ago(was benign and apparently common), ingrown eyelashes and urine crystals as a puppy(has been fixed thru diet and supplements). Head tremors, vomits foam if he doesn’t have a snack @10:30 before bed.
His allergies started at age 5 months, also around the time of rabies vaccine.
And now nasal congestion.

But it costed SO much $$$$ in vet bills and specialists to find what exactly was causing these issues which required testing. Thankfully I have pet insurance which I highly recommend getting.


Rusty is such a amazing dog, he is 4 years now, he is the perfect size and is overall just a amazing special dog with a great incredible personality. Although he is high maintenance, I couldn’t get a better looking Frenchie, I wanted a small frenchie and he is small, the perfect size I wanted.

I do everything with him and for him and I always will.

All those health issues thankfully have been manageable and some have gone away with premium good diet and supplements.

He came home on not great food also which didn’t help his immune system.

When you get a puppy, I HIGHLY recommend getting them on a premium food ASAP especially while they are puppies. Some breeders put them on Royal Canin, Hills or Purina cause they get $$ savings or a deal. Those foods cause health issues in all dog breeds.

Sorry for the long response but I thought this info would be helpful to you when looking for a Frenchie pup.

 

[Brainrad22]

I highly recommend avoiding exotic Colors(Merle)stick to Fawn, Brindle, Black, Blue/grey, lilac and cream for Colors.

I’ve heard this before. And plan on sticking fawn, blue, lilac, not interested in Merle. What other colors are considered exotic? I actually thought lilac was.

Some breeders are like a puppy mill and just care about $$ unfortunately.

The parents should be health tested also and you should get the proof if possible.

Are you aware of any specific tests to ask for? I contacted a breeder who told me some testing can’t be done until 2 years of age.

The other thing I will be doing going forward, and I recommend you do too is ask the breeder for the parents Medical Records.
When I asked for the parents medical records she already rehomed his parents and didn’t give me their medical records. IF they are a good breeder and the dogs are 100% healthy they should have no issue giving the medical records of the parents, if not they are trying to hide something.

Would have never thought of this. Thanks for the tip.

When I contacted the breeder I got Rusty from, I was able to meet his parents, which ‘looked’ healthy, and I was told no health issues. Rusty has many health issues(they have been fixed thru diet and supplements for the most of the health issues).

The person who recommended the breeder has Rusty’s half brother and sister. They have allergies, had their Nostrils opened, and one of them has a ‘wavy’ spine, and the other has back leg/potential spine issue.

Rusty has IVDD, Epilepsy, had surgery for elongated soft palate and nostrils opened, SEVERE allergies(food and environmental), also had a eyelid tumour removed 2 years ago(was benign and apparently common), ingrown eyelashes and urine crystals as a puppy(has been fixed thru diet and supplements). Head tremors, vomits foam if he doesn’t have a snack @10:30 before bed.
His allergies started at age 5 months, also around the time of rabies vaccine.
And now nasal congestion.

But it costed SO much $$$$ in vet bills and specialists to find what exactly was causing these issues which required testing. Thankfully I have pet insurance which I highly recommend getting.


Rusty is such a amazing dog, he is 4 years now, he is the perfect size and is overall just a amazing special dog with a great incredible personality. Although he is high maintenance, I couldn’t get a better looking Frenchie, I wanted a small frenchie and he is small, the perfect size I wanted.

I do everything with him and for him and I always will.

All those health issues thankfully have been manageable and some have gone away with premium good diet and supplements.

He came home on not great food also which didn’t help his immune system.

When you get a puppy, I HIGHLY recommend getting them on a premium food ASAP especially while they are puppies. Some breeders put them on Royal Canin, Hills or Purina cause they get $$ savings or a deal. Those foods cause health issues in all dog breeds.

Sorry for the long response but I thought this info would be helpful to you when looking for a Frenchie pup.

Thanks for the response. This is extremely helpful!

 

[Cbrugs]

Lilac, black/tan, blue...those are all exotic colors as well and I would advise to stick to the AKC recognized standard colors.

Acceptable colors: white, cream, fawn (ranging from light fawn to a red fawn), or any combinations of the foregoing. Markings and patterns are: brindle, piebald, black masks, black shadings, and white markings. Ticking is acceptable but not desired. Brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely shows through (“black brindle”). Only a trace of the background color is necessary; in a brindle piebald, a trace of the brindle patterning in any patch is sufficient. All other colors, markings or patterns are a disqualification. Disqualifying colors and patterns include, but are not limited to, solid black, black and tan, black and white, white with black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle. Black means black without a trace of brindle.

The best way to find a responsible and ethical breeder is either going to your local French Bulldog Club or the French Bulldog Club of America. Both of those should have a breeder referral resource in looking for a puppy. AKC now accepts non-standard colors in their marketplace so I don't suggest using them.

Responsible breeders will do the OFA recommended tests for the breed so that is something you want to look for as well.

 

[joeponds]

Lilac, black/tan, blue...those are all exotic colors as well and I would advise to stick to the AKC recognized standard colors.

Acceptable colors: white, cream, fawn (ranging from light fawn to a red fawn), or any combinations of the foregoing. Markings and patterns are: brindle, piebald, black masks, black shadings, and white markings. Ticking is acceptable but not desired. Brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely shows through (“black brindle”). Only a trace of the background color is necessary; in a brindle piebald, a trace of the brindle patterning in any patch is sufficient. All other colors, markings or patterns are a disqualification. Disqualifying colors and patterns include, but are not limited to, solid black, black and tan, black and white, white with black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle. Black means black without a trace of brindle.

The best way to find a responsible and ethical breeder is either going to your local French Bulldog Club or the French Bulldog Club of America. Both of those should have a breeder referral resource in looking for a puppy. AKC now accepts non-standard colors in their marketplace so I don't suggest using them.

Responsible breeders will do the OFA recommended tests for the breed so that is something you want to look for as well.

Blue is now a recognized by the AKC I just registered my pup this week as Blue.. Actually he's a Blue & Tan but only blues permitted.

 

[Cbrugs]

Blue is now a recognized by the AKC I just registered my pup this week as Blue.. Actually he's a Blue & Tan but only blues permitted.

AKC registers all kinds of colors now because they are in it for money. I’m not referencing what you can register with AKC, I’m talking about the accepted colors per the French Bulldog Standard. There is a difference.

 

[Brainrad22]

Great News everyone. Found a pup. Will post pics when i get him in june. Thanks again for the advice.