French Bulldog

Like every breed, the French Bulldog is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Use positive, reward-based training from an early age.
• Set clear, consistent boundaries from day one, with everyone in the household following the same rules.
• Socialise them widely with people, dogs, sounds and experiences while young.
• Use games, food and enrichment to keep them interested.

• Children

  Often good with children, with supervision.

• Other dogs

  Usually sociable with other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Often adapts to flats and smaller homes.

• Garden

  A garden is not essential.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Often suits first-time owners.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)

  Excess soft tissue and narrow nostrils obstruct breathing, which can reduce the ability to exercise or cause severe breathing difficulty. The Royal Kennel Club strongly recommends parents are graded under the KC Respiratory Function Grading scheme before breeding.

• Hereditary cataracts and other eye problems

  Hereditary cataracts cloud the lens and can lead to blindness, and a DNA test (HC-HSF4-2) is available. Prominent eyes are also at higher risk of injury and ulcers. Eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme is recommended.

• Skin fold dermatitis

  The skin in the facial wrinkles can become inflamed, sore or infected.

• Intervertebral disc disease

  The cushioning discs between the bones of the spine bulge or burst and press on nerves.

• Patellar luxation

  The kneecaps slip temporarily out of place.

• Dental problems

  Shorter jaws can leave teeth crowded, which can cause dental and gum problems.

• Hyperuricosuria

  Stones or crystals can form in the urine, causing infections, difficulty passing urine or blood in the urine.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a French Bulldog home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a French Bulldog home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the French Bulldog suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

French Bulldogs do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.