French Bulldog Questions

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/14/09 at 11:58pm

Does anyone here have one? I've been quite seriously thinking about getting one for a while now and was wondering if someone could recommend a reputable breeder in the NYC area. Looking online it's so hard to tell who's trustworthy and who's not.

Also if anyone does have one, are they actually as wonderful as I think they are? I've dog sat for one a few times now and the time I've spent with her has just been really incredible.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 9:02am

My little monster is half-Frenchie. I don't have any breeder recommendations, but I'd say if you're serious about a specific breed, look into a rescue organization before you spend the money at a breeder.

Another thing to keep in mind that purebreds (or even half-breds like mine) can come with a lot of problems you wouldn't find in your run of the mill mutt. French bulldogs are prone to a lot of skin problems, so be prepared for many trips to the vet and a lot of money being spent on medicines.

They're very loyal breeds, though. You just have to get used to the constant grunting/snorting and farting. :)
Updated On: 4/15/09 at 09:02 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 12:52pm

I think the constant grunting, snoring and farting is ridiculously cute, personally. :)

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 12:58pm

As do I, but some people find it a turnoff.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 1:02pm

"I think the constant grunting, snoring and farting is ridiculously cute, personally. :)"


That's one of the reasons I married my husband.

[Sandy in Sable]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 5:29pm

I have friends with Frenchies, they are very sweet wonderful companion dogs but the breeding pool has certainly suffered since they became an "It" dog in the late '90s. Try a FB rescue or the FB club of America for reputable breeders. It pays to pay up front by going to a breeder instead of getting a less expensive puppy mill pup at a pet shop.

Some things to know, which may be pluses or minuses for you:

-they do not care for long walks/exercise, so if jogging or even walking briskly through the city with your pup is something you're looking forward to, they are not for you; and they'd rather not play fetch in the park

-if you live in a walk up, they can get kinda heavy and don't always do stairs well, especially as they get older

-extra care must be taken to NOT let them get fat

-they have difficulty giving birth, but I don't think you plan on breeding them anyway

-they will snore loudly and fart in your face which may turn from cute to frustrating *very* quickly as they'll never say "Excuse me"

-this isn't something that happens every day or anything, but in some extreme cases of excitement/over heating, their eyeballs can pop out (!); I met a lady with a few FBs and one had its eye removed because it had this problem chronically (Pekinese especially have this problem)
Updated On: 4/15/09 at 05:29 PM

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 6:00pm

If you go to a breeder, definitely research things to ask them. If they have no idea what you are talking about, chances are, they are not a reputable breeder. You also have to be careful with breeders who know something is wrong with their dogs, but don't tell you.

And, the other thing to remember is that a higher quality dog will cost more than a lower quality one. I'm talking about breed standards. Show dogs are usually the best you can get. But, if you just want one for a pet, then you probably don't need to get a perfect one. Just make sure it is healthy.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 6:04pm

[danmag]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 6:42pm

"in some exteme cases of excitement/over heating, their eyeballs can pop out"

That is CRAZY!! Phyllis, you better keep that Kringas cool and calm!

[wink]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:35pm

Try this website:

kijiji.com

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/15/09 at 11:40pm

There's no keeping Kringas calm, danmag. He DOES get googly-eyed when he gets wound up.

We only had an overheating scare once. Last time this guy I was dating and I went to down to Wicker Park in his a/c-less Jeep. We took Kringas and walked around down there for a while. On the way back he got so hot and lethargic and I started freaking out, but I got him under some cool water just rinsed him off until his temperature was back to normal. I felt so bad for him!