As one of the most popular breeds in Western culture, French Bulldogs are seen as more of an upper-class breed of dog. Breeders, veterinarians, and pet accessory salesmen know this and usually have no trouble taking advantage of the fact. Frenchies might be cute and make for great companions but they are known to have a fair amount of health problems, which can become quite costly.
On top of the actual cost of buying a Frenchie, the vet bills, visits to the pooch parlour, doggie toys, and food can all add up very quickly. Per year you can easily spend between $700 and $3,000 or more on your special little friend. That estimate doesn’t even include the additional costs that might come with trainers and pet sitters.
What are some of the basic things to consider when taking care of a French Bulldog?
Depending on your dog’s genes and their typical daily routine, the condition of their health can vary quite a bit. A lot of the time the animals found in pet shops aren’t looked after very well and are therefore more susceptible to developing health problems. Different vets will also charge different prices, so the average medical bills for your Frenchie each year will be largely based on where you live.
Because French Bulldogs are prone to a variety of health issues, you can expect to be visiting the vet at least a couple times a year, even if it’s just for a scheduled check-up. There’s a good chance that your Frenchie could end up suffering from allergies and respiratory problems so you might have to be prepared to pay for the necessary medication.
Again, depending on where you live, you’ll probably be required to make sure that your dog gets all their shots. Depending on where you go, each shot can cost a minimum of $10, although some animal shelters might charge less. The four major vaccines that you’ll need for your dog are Hepatitis, Rabies, Canine Distemper, and Canine Parvovirus. You’ll likely be encouraged to get a few others in addition to these main four vaccines. This could include Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough, Lyme virus, Bordetella Bronchiseptica, Heartworm, Coronavirus, and Leptospirosis.
You’re also going to want to provide your pooch with plenty of entertainment, especially if you don’t have the time to give them the attention they need. Buying lots of toys and chewable goodies for your dog will add to the annual costs, but it’s an important part of maintaining a healthy mind-set for them. You might also want to look into giving your hound some professional training so that they don’t become too much of a handful. Once again, based on where you live and who you go to, the price of training can range from $30 to $80 per class.
Feeding your Frenchie
We all want to give our pets the best but it’s not always practical financially speaking. You may not always be able to afford everything your dog needs, but one of the most important aspects of good pet maintenance is making sure you provide them with decent food.
The saying, “you are what you eat” is more true than most people realize. Premium dog food should be packed with a higher quality of ingredients to give your pooch the right amount of nutrients that they need. However, this will undoubtedly come at a higher price than a regular or a lower grade dog food. You can expect to fork out $30 to $50 each month for your Frenchie’s daily meals, not including any extra treats you might buy for them as well. Because smaller dogs have higher metabolisms, it’s not unusual for them to eat quite a bit despite their small stature.
Growing popularity
If you’re going to buy a French Bulldog from a reputable breeder, you could be looking at a price of $1,500 to $3,500 or more. This is because in addition to their popularity, breeding a French Bulldog can cost around $7,000. As Frenchies normally have very narrow hips, it can be challenging for them to give birth naturally. As a result, artificial insemination and caesarean sections are commonplace when breeding such little dogs, so these costs have to be factored in when selling off a litter.
You can of course get a mixed Frenchie at a cheaper price, as many breeders cross-breed French Bulldogs with several other types of dogs to get a more tailored kind of Frenchie. On the other hand, ensuring that you get a purebred will come at a higher price. A purebred French Bulldog will set you back anywhere from $1,500 to upwards $8,000.
Some breeders will take advantage of that fact that their Frenchie pups have a rare colour and will happily charge you more. The most common colours you’ll find are the black, the white, and the fawn Frenchies, while the more unusual ones are chocolate, lilac, and blue. Having a rare colour doesn’t really make a French Bulldog more special (or any dog for that matter) but don’t be surprised if a breeder or pet shop expects you to pay a significant amount more than a regular coloured Frenchie.
Closing thoughts
A French Bulldog definitely isn’t the cheapest or easiest dog breed to deal with but they can be very fun and loyal friends that will become a valued member of the family. Their health issues can be challenging and their need for attention might be a bit draining if you’re not prepared to handle it, but if you know what you’re getting into, it’s certainly worth it. Yes they can be pretty expensive to look after properly, but can you really put a price on such a special friendship? In spite of the costs associated with raising a Frenchie, the love and joy that they’ll bring into your world will make it worthwhile. You just need to be ready for the likelihood that taking care of your Frenchie will essentially be like taking care of a child.
