Before You Buy a French Bulldog
If you're thinking about a French Bulldog as a pet or are planning to include them in your breeding program, it's crucial to take into consideration a variety of aspects. For instance pet owners can concentrate on coat and color preferences, personality and temperament.
Breeders on the other hand, must consider things like inbreeding and health testing.
How to Select a Reputable Breeder
Frenchies are the most loved breed of dog in America and it's no surprise why. They are gentle, fun-loving dogs who love to please. They also adapt well to different lifestyles. They make excellent family members for families and individuals of all ages, even children. It's important that you find a reputable breeder before buying the French Bulldog.
The best place to start is to ask for recommendations from friends who own Frenchies or asking your vet to suggest a reliable breeder they've worked with in the past. You can also look for breeders who have a good reputation through social media and review sites. It's important to visit potential breeders in person once you've made a list. This will give you an opportunity to meet the parents of the puppies, see the places they live and play, and observe the conditions in which they are kept.
A reputable breeder will greet you and show you around their facility. They should be willing to answer any questions you might have about the Frenchies and their breeding program. They should be able to provide you with complete information regarding the health history of the puppies and lineage, as well as give you a written contract outlining the terms of your purchase.
You must also be able to meet the mother of the litter (dam) and the father of the puppies. They should be healthy and active and their coats should be clean and free of odor. A reputable breeder will give you information on the puppies' AKC registration, and their three-generation pedigree.
The popularity of French Bulldogs has drawn breeders who are more concerned with profits than the wellbeing of the puppies. Inbreeding can cause breathing problems and genetic disorders in the dogs. They can also result in overcrowded puppy farms where the animals receive poor care. These conditions can cause problems with behavior and lower the lifespan of puppies. The small breed's short back legs as well as its curled tail can expose them to many issues, including back pain, arthritis in the joints and discs that are slipping.
Health Tests
Health testing is a crucial procedure that allows you to determine the genetics of the dog and the way they impact its overall health. It is a routine procedure in breeding programs to test for specific conditions that can be passed on to the next generation. At Johnson House Frenchies, we perform a variety of health checks for our puppies as part of our efforts to breed healthy dogs.
We use both genotypic and Phenotypic tests to assess the health of our puppies. Genotypic tests test the dog's DNA to determine if it has a disease-causing mutation. The tests are based on physical examinations and diagnostic tools, such as echocardiograms and x-rays as well as eye examinations.
Genetics-based health tests are an essential element of responsible breeding and the majority of breeders who are reputable utilize them to ensure the quality of their breeding breeds. It is crucial to understand that not all genetics based health tests are created equal. It is essential to find a lab that can recognize the breed specific tests for French bulldogs and provides precise results.
Many genetics-based laboratories offer testing for various diseases that affect breeds. The most reputable labs will transmit the results to OFA which keeps databases of each breed.
These OFA databases allow pet owners to look for a dog's status in testing and see the health history of all its relatives. This lets owners make informed choices regarding breeding based on the health history of their dog's siblings and aunts and uncles, as well as its ancestors.
It is also important to find a breeder that only uses OFA recognized laboratories to carry out the genetic health tests. This is the best way to ensure accuracy and avoid false health claims.
There are several health panels available for French bulldogs. These include the OFA Health Clear Panel and the 6-panel guarantee. These tests bundle together a variety of genetics-based health tests that are specific to the breed and reduce the cost of individual genetics-based tests. A result of "clear" means that a dog does not have the mutation for a particular disease, thereby decreasing the likelihood of passing that mutation to the offspring of that mutation. A "copyright result" signifies that the dog is carrying an identical copy of the mutation, but doesn't show any signs of illness. A result of "at risk" indicates that the dog is at risk of developing the disease.
Socialization
French Bulldogs are pack animals that thrive in a hierarchy environment. They require socialization to become docile and well-mannered. This is a critical process that starts at birth. Socialization involves the exposure of your dog to various objects, people, and places from a young age in order to build their confidence and build up their resilience. This includes interactions with people of all ages, other dogs and various experiences such as riding in the car, getting cleaned and even using a vacuum cleaner.
Frenchies are affectionate, loyal and playful pets that build strong bonds with their families. They can also be stubborn, which requires patience and consistent training methods to increase their determination and produce obedient, responsive dogs.
While it is important to socialize your Frenchie at an early age, don't expose them to terrifying or dangerous experiences until they are fully vaccinated and prepared for these types of interactions. It is equally important to not reward their expressions of fear because this could cause them to develop phobias that can last a lifetime.
Socialization should be done in a controlled, safe environment and on a regular basis to ensure that your dog can become comfortable in new environments. It could be as easy as taking them to a new park each week or introductions to other family members and friends. it should include short walks on the sidewalks in your neighborhood and trips to the pet shop and visits to your vet for grooming and shots.
You should also expose your dog to different sounds, sights, and environments. They should also be exposed the types of activities that they will likely do throughout their lives, like playing in a secure space without a leash, or taking rides in the car. This will ensure that they are adaptable and confident to any circumstance that may come their way.
Many people view Frenchies only as lap dogs. They are very active, social and fun-loving. They can easily be involved in agility, obedience, Rally, or field work. They are excellent therapy dogs and can even help people recover from illness or surgery.
Training
Frenchies are low-maintenance, but they still need regular exercise and mental stimulation. These sociable pups enjoy spending time with their humans and are happy to play with them or other dogs in the yard. While they lack the drive to be a good watchdog, they will be able to respond well to obedience training and be eager to learn new tricks and commands. This breed can also be prone to be a bit stubborn, so patience is essential when it comes to training.
Like all dogs, Frenchies require regular grooming to maintain a healthy skin and coat. They should be groomed regularly to avoid the buildup of oil and dirt and also to get rid of loose hairs. To prevent their signature wrinkles from getting infected it is crucial to give them a few extra minutes of care with baby wipes that are not scented.
It is essential to teach your Frenchie how to remember information. This will help them avoid potential dangers in situations. This is particularly true when you plan to take your Frenchie for excursions or hikes that they may be inclined to wander and explore. Additionally teaching them to return when they are asked can save their lives should they ever become lost or run into traffic.
Frenchies aren't always easy to handle, so it is important to employ positive reinforcement when training them. This will help them learn that more info responding to your needs is the best way to earn rewards like food, toys, and attention. Avoid harsh methods of punishment because they can be resistant to training. This could result in issues with behavior in the future.
It is crucial to begin puppy training as soon as you bring your Frenchie home. Most breeders already have potty-trained their puppies. Set a schedule for feeding and playing and follow it. This will help your French Bulldog develop a strong base of basic obedience and make it easier to train in the future.