Making the decision to add a French Bulldog to your family is an exciting one, but there are some important steps you should take to make sure you are fully prepared to care for your sweet new companion.
These are our top tips for people who want to get a Frenchie:
We’re sharing with you some necessary tips a potential Frenchie owner should consider, before they bring home Fido!
Research Your Breeder
Before choosing a breeder to get your puppy from, be sure to do a good amount of research. It is important to make sure your breeder is responsible, knowledgeable and gives their animals proper care.
A good breeder will be able to provide plenty of information about the puppies, their parents, and the french bulldog breed in general. They will also show genuine care for the puppies and will take the time to figure out if you are the right fit.
Be sure to ask lots of questions and don’t be afraid to ask for references! Buying from an unethical breeder means your frenchie is at a higher risk for health issues down the road.
Get Pet Insurance
Because of their short head and snout, frenchies are prone to health problems. Buying a pet insurance policy will help to offset the costs associated with treating them when the need arises. Because of the sensitivity of this breed, we highly recommend getting a policy right away and not waiting until they are advanced in age. You never know when health issues might pop up and insurance has saved us tens of thousands (you read that right) in out of pocket expenses.
Frenchies are also one of the most expensive breeds to buy, which means they are one of the breeds most commonly stolen. While it hurts our hearts to even consider this, some pet insurance policies do also cover the unfortunate event of theft, should it occur.
Be Fully Educated on the Breed
French Bulldogs are some of the most affectionate, loyal companions you could ever find. They make wonderful guard dogs, love their people, are great with families or single people, and don’t need a lot of space to be happy (which makes them fantastic apartment dogs!).
That being said, they also come with a whole list of potential health conditions that they are much more susceptible to than other dogs. To be a responsible frenchie owner, it is important that you do your research before deciding if a frenchie is right for you.
Prep Your House
Much like preparing to bring a new baby home, you’ll need to get your home ready for your charming new pal! Puppy-proofing your home is important to keeping your frenchie safe, and keeping your house in order.
Remove Potential Hazards
Low hanging electrical cords, easily breakable items and small trinkets that could pose a choking hazard should be stored away and beyond your frenchie’s access.
Put Up Gates
Frenchies are prone to hip dysplasia, making stairs dangerous for them. Good old fashioned baby gates work wonders for containing your pup and keeping them out of areas you don’t want them to go.
Install Puppy Ramps
Jumping up and down off of the couch, the bed, or other furniture is just too risky for our frenchie friends. Try installing ramps to give your frenchie access to all their favorite places, preventing injury and promoting snuggle-time!
Now that we've shared our top tips, we'd love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell us your best advice for a new frenchie owner!