Before You Buy a French Bulldog
If you're considering getting the idea of a French Bulldog for a pet or incorporating them into your breeding program, it's crucial to think about a range of aspects. For instance pet owners can concentrate on color and coat preferences, personality and temperament.
Breeders however, must consider things like inbreeding and health testing.
How to Select a Breeder who is Reputable
Frenchies are the most popular breed of dog in America, and it's no wonder why. They are mellow, fun-loving dogs who love to please and are able to adapt to different lifestyles. They are great companions for families and people of all ages, including children. However, before you purchase a French bulldog, it's important to locate a reliable breeder.
Asking your friends who have Frenchies for suggestions or asking your vet to recommend a breeder who they have worked with previously is the best way to get started. You can also search for breeders with a good reputation via social media and review websites. It is essential to visit prospective breeders in person once you have a shortlist. This will give you an opportunity to meet the parents of the puppies, look the places they live and play, as well as observe the conditions under which they live.
A good breeder will welcome you into their facility and be happy to show you around. They should be able to answer your questions regarding Frenchies and their breeding program. They should be able provide you with detailed information on the health background of the puppies as well as their lineage. You should also be provided with an agreement detailing the conditions of the purchase.
You are also expected to meet the mother of the litter (dam) and the biological father of the pups. They should be healthy and active and their coats must be clean and free of smell. A reputable breeder should be able to provide you with details about the puppies' AKC registration and their three-generation pedigree.
The popularity of the French Bulldog has drawn in bad breeders who concentrate on profit rather than the welfare of their puppies. Inbreeding can cause breathing problems and genetic problems in dogs. They can also result in overcrowded puppy farms where the animals receive inadequate care. These conditions can cause behavioral problems and reduce the lifespan of puppies. The small breed's short back legs and curled tail can expose them to various issues, such as spine pain arthritis in joints and discs that are slipping.
Health Tests for Health
Health testing is an important procedure that allows you to determine the genetics of a dog and how they affect the overall health of a dog. In breeding programs, it's common to test for specific conditions that could pass to the next generation. At Johnson House Frenchies, we conduct many different health tests for our puppies as part of our effort to raise healthy dogs.
The tests we employ to assess our puppies include both genotypic and phenotypic tests. Genotypic tests analyze the dog's DNA to determine if there is a mutation that causes diseases. Phenotypic testing involves physical examinations as well as diagnostic tools like x-rays or echocardiograms.
Genetics-based health tests are an essential element of responsible breeding and the majority of breeders who are reputable employ them to check the quality of their breeding breeds. However, it is important to understand that not all tests based on genetics are to be the same. It is essential to locate a lab who will accurately provide results and recognizes the breed-specific tests that are available for French Bulldogs.
There are several genetics-based labs offering tests for a range of illnesses that affect the breed. The most reliable ones will send the results of these tests to OFA which keeps databases for each breed-specific test.
These OFA databases enable pet owners to search a dog's health status and see the health history of their relatives. This lets the owner make informed breeding decisions in light of the health of a dog's siblings, aunts and uncles, as well as its ancestors.
It is also important to look for breeders that only use OFA recognized laboratories to carry out the genetic health tests. This is the most effective method to ensure the authenticity of the results as well as to avoid false health claims.
There are kaufen französische bulldogge that are suitable for French bulldogs. They include the OFA Health Clear Panel and the 6-panel guarantee. These tests are a combination of a number of genetics-based health tests that are specific to the breed and cut down the cost of individual genetics-based tests. A result of "clear" means that a dog doesn't have the mutation for a particular disease, thereby decreasing the risk of passing the mutation on to the offspring of that mutation. A "carrier" result indicates that the dog has one copy of the mutation but does not exhibit any symptoms of the disease, and a result of "at-risk" indicates the dog is likely to develop the disease.
Socialization
French Bulldogs are pack-animals that thrive in a hierarchical environment. They require socialization to become docile and well-mannered. This is a critical process that begins as early as birth. Socialization is the process of the exposure of your dog to a variety of objects, people, and places at a young age to increase their confidence and build up their resilience. This involves interactions with people of all ages, other dogs and various experiences such as riding in the car, being cleaned and even using a vacuum.
Frenchies are loyal, affectionate and playful companions who form strong bonds with their families. They can also be stubborn, which requires patience and consistent training techniques to increase their determination and produce friendly, well-behaved dogs.
While it is important to make friends with your Frenchie early, don't expose them to frightening or potentially harmful experiences until they are fully immunised and prepared for these types of interactions. It is equally important to not encourage their expressions of fear because they could develop phobias that can last a lifetime.
Socialization should occur in a controlled, safe environment regularly to ensure that your dog is at ease in new environments. It could be as easy as going to a new park each week or introductions to other family members and friends, and it should include short walks along the sidewalks around your neighborhood and trips to the pet store and visits to your veterinarian for grooming and shots.
Your puppy must also be exposed to different sounds and sights and also the types of activities they'll engage in throughout their lives, such as playing off-lead in a safe area or taking a ride in the car. This will help them become more flexible, confident, and resilient in any circumstance.
While many people think of Frenchies as just lap dogs, they are actually active, sociable and fun dogs that are easily involved in agility classes, obedience classes, Rally or field work. They also make excellent therapy dogs and even assist people recover from surgeries or other ailments.
Training
While Frenchies are fairly low-maintenance dogs, they do require some daily exercise and mental stimulation. These playful puppies enjoy playing with their owners and other dogs. While they don't have the desire to be a good watchdog, they can respond well to obedience training and be keen on learning new tricks and commands. The breed is also somewhat stubborn, so patience is essential when training.
As with all dogs, Frenchies require regular grooming to ensure a healthy skin and coat. Regularly brushing them will help stop the accumulation of dirt and oil, and also remove hairs that have fallen out. To prevent their signature wrinkles from becoming infected it is essential to give them an additional 3-5 minutes of attention with baby wipes that are not scented.
Recall training is an important skill to teach your Frenchie, as this can help them avoid dangerous or hazardous situations. This is especially important in the event that you intend to take your Frenchie for an excursion or hike in which they are inclined to wander and explore. Additionally teaching them to return when they are called could save their lives in the event that they get lost or encounter traffic.
Frenchies aren't always easy to handle, so it's important to use positive reinforcement in training them. This will teach them that obeying your commands is the best way to gain food, toys, or attention. Be careful not to use harsh methods of discipline, because this could make them more resistant to training and could cause behavior problems later on.
It is important to start puppy training as soon as you bring your Frenchie home. Most breeders will already have them potty-trained. Establish a schedule for feeding and playing and follow it. This will aid your French Bulldog develop a strong base of basic obedience and make it easier to train in the future.