New french bulldog puppy.

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m3jappa

Original Poster:

6,391 posts

217 months

Wednesday 29th August 2018
quotequote all
After a few years of various bad experiences of dogs (last last one had a brain tumour among other things, last one ended up venomously defending our home for our daughter and biting people frown ) i am ready to take on another dog.

This time it needs to be small and low maintenance, not much chance of any aggression what so ever. easy going, good with kids, doesnt need to be run for several miles a day and wants to be a nice little family pet.

I have almost begrudgingly narrowed it down to a french bulldog. I say begrudgingly because they are such a fashionable dog at the moment and i know they are being overbred and bred by many purely for money!

I will be buying one for my mum as well after she recently lost her 15/16 yr old staffie. so ideally i would like a brother and sister.

My problem is how do i buy one? i have looked online and so many breeders seem to be selling all the designer colours, i have read these aren't really the dogs to buy for health, there are also enormous price differences ranging from under 1k to over 6k! ideally id like 2 fawn puppies, even maybe brindle or pied but i like the look of fawn.

i have joined a facebook group as well but im confused, theres lots of talk of testing, on websites like pets4homes theres talk of testing but facebook vendors talk about 'silver' standard testing, infact theres seems to be so many codes i dont know wtf they all mean.

I am also worried about puppy farms. how can i ensure i am buying a good dog from someone decent? i once found a french bulldog, and via other people found the owner, i am almost certain it was from a puppy farm, the woman was a and she really wasn't bothered or grateful we found her dog, it had also been recently bred from frown

And yes we could rescue, but with a 2 year old all the rescues i look at seem reluctant, with most saying suitable for older kids only, i suppose they need to cover themselves. our first 2 dogs were rescues and were ok, although they weren't rescued from a dog home so to speak. Our last dog was a staff cross, possibly crossed with a ridgeback and even though he was a pup when we got him he ended up very dangerous, he took it upon himself to protect the home to the extent of wanting to kill people! no rescue centre would take him, i couldn't give him away as i thought if he was like that with us soppy owners wtf would he have been like if someone wanted him to be a weapon! i laid on the floor in the vets with him, crying my eyes out and he was pts frown it was a very very traumatic experience i dont ever want to repeat, i help animals not kill them frown

Anyone on here know about frenchies?

InitialDave

11,856 posts

118 months

Wednesday 29th August 2018
quotequote all
m3jappa said:
This time it needs to be small and low maintenance, not much chance of any aggression what so ever. easy going, good with kids, doesnt need to be run for several miles a day and wants to be a nice little family pet.
Can't help with Frenchies, but a Norfolk/Norwich terrier may be a good fit for you.

camshafted

938 posts

164 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
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Please do a lot of research and careful consideration if you want a pair of French bulldogs.

They are now the most popular breed in the UK on the back of a number of celebs getting them.

As a result there is a huge problem with poorly-bred Frenchies being born in the UK or smuggled in from Eastern Europe.

They are flat nosed / brachycephalic dogs and as a result are plagued by various health conditions.

People decided they want one, pay thousands and then can't afford costly vet treatment. This leads to them ending up with the rescue centres. Battersea and others have warned of the rise in Frenchies arriving and needing major treatment.

Some run or play for long because they struggle to breathe, their skin folds are prone to infection and they are also susceptible to eye problems

They are lovely little dogs but they have a lot of problems because of the craze sweeping the UK. Unscrupulous breeders are awful. Good luck with the search.



Nezquick

1,453 posts

125 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
m3jappa said:
After a few years of various bad experiences of dogs (last last one had a brain tumour among other things, last one ended up venomously defending our home for our daughter and biting people frown ) i am ready to take on another dog.

This time it needs to be small and low maintenance, not much chance of any aggression what so ever. easy going, good with kids, doesnt need to be run for several miles a day and wants to be a nice little family pet.

I have almost begrudgingly narrowed it down to a french bulldog. I say begrudgingly because they are such a fashionable dog at the moment and i know they are being overbred and bred by many purely for money!

I will be buying one for my mum as well after she recently lost her 15/16 yr old staffie. so ideally i would like a brother and sister.

My problem is how do i buy one? i have looked online and so many breeders seem to be selling all the designer colours, i have read these aren't really the dogs to buy for health, there are also enormous price differences ranging from under 1k to over 6k! ideally id like 2 fawn puppies, even maybe brindle or pied but i like the look of fawn.

i have joined a facebook group as well but im confused, theres lots of talk of testing, on websites like pets4homes theres talk of testing but facebook vendors talk about 'silver' standard testing, infact theres seems to be so many codes i dont know wtf they all mean.

I am also worried about puppy farms. how can i ensure i am buying a good dog from someone decent? i once found a french bulldog, and via other people found the owner, i am almost certain it was from a puppy farm, the woman was a and she really wasn't bothered or grateful we found her dog, it had also been recently bred from frown

And yes we could rescue, but with a 2 year old all the rescues i look at seem reluctant, with most saying suitable for older kids only, i suppose they need to cover themselves. our first 2 dogs were rescues and were ok, although they weren't rescued from a dog home so to speak. Our last dog was a staff cross, possibly crossed with a ridgeback and even though he was a pup when we got him he ended up very dangerous, he took it upon himself to protect the home to the extent of wanting to kill people! no rescue centre would take him, i couldn't give him away as i thought if he was like that with us soppy owners wtf would he have been like if someone wanted him to be a weapon! i laid on the floor in the vets with him, crying my eyes out and he was pts frown it was a very very traumatic experience i dont ever want to repeat, i help animals not kill them frown

Anyone on here know about frenchies?
Where are you based?

I know an excellent breeder in the North West who specialises in French Bulldogs (and has recently also moved into miniature dachsunds). I know him well, have been to his house to see how/where they are bred and can certainly vouch for him. He breeds the rarer colours too.

Be warned though, his pups will be expensive given the pedigree and their background.

PM me if you want his details.

peekay74

448 posts

223 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
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I know of three people who have bought Frnchies in the last couple of years. All of them are sort of disappointed! Whilst they love the dogs they haven’t turned out to be the loving family pets they hoped for. It may be purely a coincidence but none seem overly happy around younger kids ...

hondafanatic

4,969 posts

200 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
peekay74 said:
I know of three people who have bought Frnchies in the last couple of years. All of them are sort of disappointed! Whilst they love the dogs they haven’t turned out to be the loving family pets they hoped for. It may be purely a coincidence but none seem overly happy around younger kids ...
I could believe that...mine, six months old, is very jealous of the older lab the minute she’s given attention. Not in a biting aggressive way...he just tries to shimmy her out of the way with his bum so he gets a pet. I can’t speak for the entire breed as this is the first I’ve had so it might just be mine.

The negatives are few although it’s been a lot easier to train him as he copies the older lab. He can take random dislikes to male dogs and just bark (screech) at them and once he’s set at barking at something it turns into a frenzied fit that sound like he’s being waterboarded.

Positives are that being a smaller dog he’s easy to handle and doesn’t need massive walks. He’s very funny, lots of characteristics that make me laugh...he plays brilliantly with our 9 yo and 11 yo who can take him for walks etc where as the lab is too strong for them.

Ours was bought via a friend’s dad who breeds them in the Liverpool area although he’s stopped now as the gene pool is too narrow in the area. He’s a very meticulous guy who has to see where his pups are going to live and turns down many people.

Dog insurance is stupidly expensive for Frenchies and they are pinched from gardens.

He wasn’t my choice...in fact I didn’t know we were getting another dog until the littlest jumped out of the car holding a fawn ball of something in her arms...but I like him and would have another.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
You obviously want to do things properly and that is excellent.

But can I give you one piece of advice.

FBD's are rarely low maintenance. We are now doing about 4 airway surgeries a month mainly on frenchies (some pugs) just so they can breathe better. We have a lot of frenchies around our area so that probably explains the increase but this was not an op I ever really saw until about 4 years ago.

They are quite a strong willed breed as well. I rarely see an aggressive one though.

We see a few with cruciate issues and the usual skin and diet issues, eyes and ears but again probably just because there are so many around,I couldn't say these are always breed specific issues.

It looks like someone has already given you info on a good breeder which is useful. There are a lot of backyard breeders around who are doing it for money rather than a genuine passion for the breed.

I am completely bias but I will always suggest looking at whippets, I find they can be an excellent family dog smile.

Batleyred

689 posts

118 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
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I have a few frenchies and have had for many years but do your research well.

Best thing to do is to read this link and speak to a lot of owners.

http://www.frenchbulldogclubofengland.org.uk/healt...

Piha

7,150 posts

91 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
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Probably not want to hear but surely rescues are the best breed?

This lot do a great deal of good work that many of the larger dog rescue charities would give up on or refuse to take on.

http://rescueremediesdogrescue.co.uk/viewforum.php...

krunchkin

2,209 posts

140 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
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Or, and I’m just throwing this out there, why not think twice about buying breeds of dog that have terrible genetic mutations that cause them untold misery just because they’re trendy?

Batleyred

689 posts

118 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
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krunchkin said:
Or, and I’m just throwing this out there, why not think twice about buying breeds of dog that have terrible genetic mutations that cause them untold misery just because they’re trendy?
They are not at all, why scare people ? Have you had a bad experience ? The link i posted will help with all the crap you have just said. Before frenchies were popular would you have said such advice on a breed ? I do very much doubt it IMO.

As any breed research correctly and all should be fine.


krunchkin

2,209 posts

140 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
Batleyred said:
krunchkin said:
Or, and I’m just throwing this out there, why not think twice about buying breeds of dog that have terrible genetic mutations that cause them untold misery just because they’re trendy?
They are not at all, why scare people ? Have you had a bad experience ? The link i posted will help with all the crap you have just said. Before frenchies were popular would you have said such advice on a breed ? I do very much doubt it IMO.

As any breed research correctly and all should be fine.
I think you’ll find any vet worth their salt would disagree

Batleyred

689 posts

118 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
krunchkin said:
I think you’ll find any vet worth their salt would disagree
I very much doubt it

HTP99

22,443 posts

139 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
peekay74 said:
I know of three people who have bought Frnchies in the last couple of years. All of them are sort of disappointed! Whilst they love the dogs they haven’t turned out to be the loving family pets they hoped for. It may be purely a coincidence but none seem overly happy around younger kids ...
My Frenchie; Daisy, is absolutely lovely, yes she is a typical Bull Dog; in your face, crashes about with not a care in the world and has no concept of the word subtle but she is absolutely and totally loving, she adores people and in particular children; being so gentle with them, she does not have a bad bone in her body.

She is now coming up to 6 years old, we have had her for 5 years having re-homed her at a year old, she was purchased in Spain from a market, so her history isn't really known but I guess she didn't have the best start in her life, she is actually an albino (confirmed this year when she went to an eye specialist) and deaf, this makes her very wary of other dogs and she can sometimes react in a seemingly aggressive manner if a dog creeps up on her.

We have had no real health issues with her yet, she has very light cataracts but they aren't an issue for her, the vet has said she is the healthiest Frenchie that they look after, I am also very anal about what she eats, over the years she has become less tolerant to hot and humid weather so we have to be very careful when taking her out for a walk, even when it doesn't actually seem particularly warm or humid, she can come back gasping and breathing very heavily.

In typical Bull Dog fashion she has become very lazy; she does love a walk and is always up for one, however she also loves her sleep and is also becoming increasingly difficult to awake in the morning, sometimes she'll just look at you as if to say "ps off I'm sleeping".

She snores (which I really like) and they can fart very badly but it can be controlled by diet.

I will say though that after having the 2 Terriers that we now have, I wouldn't have another Frenchie or dog of that ilk, we used to have a Pug too; the Terriers have made me realise the limitations of a brachycephalic breed, I would much rather get out for the day or a long walk which she cannot do and we find sometimes that we have to do a bit of juggling to accommodate the different dogs needs, which is fine and we are more than willing to do as that is what we have taken on, it can just be a bit of a pain sometimes.




Edited by HTP99 on Thursday 30th August 18:00

Glasgowrob

3,232 posts

120 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
quotequote all
Great breee but like everything do your home work

Have you considered a rescue?

Phoenix french bulldog rescue is one I'm involved with and we currently have dozens of Frenchie looking for homes


Failing that do your home work find a reputable breeder and enjoy what will be a great companion. Be aware though they are very social dogs please don't get one if your not able to be with him or her most of the time


And insurance pick s plan then double the max payout they can generate some serious vet bills my youngest came to us as she was born with a cleft palate she also has had 2 lots of spinal surgery she's over 10k in vetbills in the last 12 months

So either insure to the hilt or sharpen up that goatee


P700DEE

1,107 posts

229 months

Thursday 30th August 2018
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I have some lovely Frenchies on my books at Barking Mad but your criteria of low maintenance and non aggressive does not say Frenchie to me. They are expensive to buy , most have issues related to breed, so are not cheap to insure and can be very expensive if not insured. As bulldogs they do not come over to everyone as non aggressive as they like to charge at you and can show their teeth. I would be looking at less fashionable , traditional small dogs like Border terrier. If you like cuddly very affectionate dogs, try Bishon Frieze, stzu and cross breeds. Also avoid JRD. True non aggressive dogs are by training, it is how they are treated , trained and looked after that makes the biggest difference in aggression.

RobXjcoupe

3,151 posts

90 months

Friday 31st August 2018
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Consider a Boston Terrier perhaps? The bodyguard in the first picture is optional wink

camshafted

938 posts

164 months

Friday 31st August 2018
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Please have a read of this, from Battersea, if you are considering a Frenchie.

https://www.battersea.org.uk/about-us/press/press-...

In the next few years I can only see rescue centres being bombarded with them and families left heartbroken because they can't afford vet bills.

Glasgowrob

3,232 posts

120 months

Friday 31st August 2018
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as previously said please consider adoption


https://www.phoenixfrenchbulldogrescue.org/



Batleyred

689 posts

118 months

Friday 31st August 2018
quotequote all
I have owned french bulldogs for a number of years and the amount of scare mongering is insane and not justified IMO. There are problems but just like most breeds. Touch wood i have not even had a vet bill for any of them and countless other owners i know as well.

What is a worry is the frenchie bandwagon everyone jumped on, i see so many adults for sale i would say a rescue would be a good option. Next breed to be hit is Pomaranians (sp) and mini daschunds.