! Please don’t fall for scams! No one is going to sell you a french bulldog for $600 or give it away free if you pay shipping! Don’t do it! I’m not going to say its impossible to get a french bulldog puppy from a reputable breeder for less than 2K, it can happen; however its highly unusual and not the norm. I would ask a lot of questions, see where the puppy has been raised and absolutely see the parents.
It is very expensive to raise a litter of French Bulldog puppies and if the price doesn’t reflect that, I would ask yourself, why?
With the rise in popularity of French Bulldogs there is and will continue to be a corresponding rise in unethical breeding practices of some “breeders”. Health and quality of life aren’t taken into consideration for the dogs they own or puppies they raise. Unsuspecting families are thinking they are getting a great deal from those breeders. Potential owners don’t understand why “that puppy” is so cheap and mine are more expensive. All breeding programs are not equal!
Cost Breakdown for 1 Litter:
Health Screening and Testing: Before breeding, it’s important to screen the parents for genetic health issues common in French Bulldogs. This can cost several hundred dollars, depending on the tests needed.
Breeding and Pregnancy Care: This includes stud fees (if using a stud dog), artificial insemination costs, progesterone tests, and prenatal care for the female. This can vary widely but may range from a few hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
Whelping Supplies: This includes items like a whelping box, bedding, heat lamp, scales, and other supplies needed for the birth and early care of the puppies.
Veterinary Care for Puppies: This includes initial health checks, vaccinations, deworming, and any other veterinary care needed for the litter. Costs can vary depending on the number of puppies and any health issues that arise.
Food and Supplements: High-quality puppy food and supplements for the mother can be a significant cost over the first few months of the puppies’ lives.
Registration and Microchipping: Registering the litter and microchipping the puppies can add to the overall cost.
Marketing and Advertising: If you advertise the puppies, are costs associated with this; such as creating ads, website fees, and so on.
Time and Effort: While not a direct monetary cost, raising a litter of puppies requires a significant investment of time and effort. This includes feeding, cleaning, socialization, and training.
- Yearly state licensing fees and cost of on site inspection by your licensed veterinarian.
Overall, the total cost of raising a litter of French Bulldogs can vary depending on a variety of factors, but it’s not uncommon for it to be several thousand dollars.
This does not take into account drive time and gas for breedings and multiple vet visits (at min. 5), cleaning supplies, blankets, supplements for mom, puppy pack and food to go home) the cost of buying and keeping puppy parents (food, yearly vaccines, flea and tick, toys, blankets, boarding when gone from the home for any length of time). You may buy or keep a breeding dog for two years and then you realize they aren’t breeding quality or unable to breed. You may breed and it not take or you only have 1 or 2 babies. You may breed and loose mom or puppies or both. There’s so much more…. Breeding is emotionally and financially taxing.
Of course there are also hours and hours of time put into giving attention to each puppy and to the mom, who is more needy while nursing. Giving quality time and attention to the puppies is what gives them the best chance at being well socialized and ready to thrive in a family home.
However for a lover of dogs, and especially for a lover of french bulldogs, all of this is well worth it to see a happy family take their new puppy home. It is even better when I get updates and pictures as the puppy grows. I am pleased to have made friends all over the country through my puppy breeding. I love doing it. I want te be sure that I provide healthy, well adjusted puppies to my families, and this takes time, money, and committment.