Why Are French Bulldogs So Expensive? 5 Vet-Verified Reasons

French Bulldogs are some of the most sought after dogs that exist, and are now one of the most popular dogs in the world. With their adorable bat ears, stocky bodies, and squished faces, they certainly are adorable, and their personalities usually match!

If you have had your heart set on a Frenchie but had a heart attack when you found out how much a puppy costs, you might wonder why in the world they're so expensive. It might seem like breeders are just being greedy, but there are some solid reasons why Frenchies are more expensive than many other dog breeds, and we’re going to explore those reasons in this article.

The 5 Reasons French Bulldogs Are So Expensive

1. French Bulldogs Sometimes Require Artificial Insemination

Many Frenchies can get pregnant on their own, but their body shape can make it difficult for them to do so. This is a much more common problem in English Bulldogs.

A male will have trouble mounting a female due to his stature and her frame. Because of the difficulty, French Bulldogs are often unsuccessful when they attempt to mate naturally. To ensure successful mating, veterinarians often perform artificial insemination. They will take a semen specimen from the stud and insert it into the female, fertilizing her eggs.

Artificial insemination is a pretty costly procedure, and each dog has to undergo health fand fertility testing before the procedure can even begin, which can carry its own costs.

The semen price alone ranges between $500 to $2,000 depending on the quality and markings of the mail. For artificial insemination procedure cost, you're looking at anywhere between $200 and $500, and even more in some cases.

Additionally, AI pregnancies often result in smaller litters, so there are fewer pups to share the costs over!

2. French Bulldog Females Require C-Sections

Because French Bulldog puppies have such large skulls and the females have such narrow birth canals, it can be very difficult for them to pass through the female’s body naturally, causing all sorts of complications during delivery, including the death of puppies or the mother.

To alleviate any risk, French Bulldogs almost always need a C-section to deliver their puppies.

On average, a cesarean section for dogs costs between $1,500 and $3,000. Ultimately, if a dog has undergone artificial insemination along with the cesarean section, you're looking at well over $7,000 just to have one litter of puppies, which may only contain 1-3 pups! Because of this, breeders have to break even somehow.

Therefore, each one of the puppies will be sold at a significantly higher price than dogs who are able to reproduce naturally.

3. French Bulldogs Are Highly Sought After

French Bulldogs are a very popular breed! So popular that some people stay on waiting lists for years to get a hold of one, particularly if they are after a more unusual color.

Plus, their size is also an appealing factor, being able to meet most apartment complex, condo, and other shared living space limitations. While Frenchies can get up to 35 pounds, they generally top out between 20 and 28 pounds.

And just like anything that is in demand, the asking price will always go up.

4. French Bulldogs Are Priced Based on Markings and Color

If you see a Frenchie that costs one price, and another that is a few thousand cheaper, you might wonder what the difference is. Quite often, the price of Frenchies are based on their markings. For example, a rare color French Bulldog costs an average of $5,000 or more, while some have sold for as much as $10,000 on occasion! It takes extensive selective breeding to get these desired colors, which is why the breeder compensates so much with price.

Some rare colors include:

• Lilac
• Blue
• Merle
• Black brindle
• Blue and tan
• Chocolate and tan

5. French Bulldogs Require Extensive Vetting

French Bulldogs have a higher number of health issues than regular dogs. There are several reasons for this, including their brachycephalic facial structure. These dogs can suffer from a number of health conditions, many of which are due to the fact that they have been intensively bred for appearance rather than health or function.

Some issues French Bulldogs can face include:

• Respiratory Problems

French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning that it increases their risk of breathing problems and heat intolerance. The most common cause of respiratory issues with the French Bulldog is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

Ways that you can help reduce breathing issues is to keep your French Bulldog at a healthy weight, don't use collars that press on the neck, and reduce any risk of something obstructing the airway.

• Joint Issues

Because French Bulldogs have compact body structures and angular legs, it can lead to joint issues later in life. A very common joint issue Frenchies can have is called hip dysplasia which results in the joints not fitting in the sockets properly, creating lots of pain.

They also suffer with vertebral and spinal problems.

• Skin Allergies

French Bulldogs are very prone to skin allergies which may be triggered by the environment, their food, or both. You might find yourself going through food trials or skin testing to find out what exactly is triggering your dog’s skin allergies.

Because of these issues, vet bills tend to be higher with dogs of specialized breeds. If you are concerned with whether you can afford vet care, this is likely not a dog that you need to bring home.

The 5 Fun Facts About Frenchies

There are tons of interesting and fun facts about Frenchies! These dogs won’t be for everyone, but they’re certainly a canine anyone can appreciate. Let’s talk about a few things you might not know about the French bulldog.

1. Frenchies Are Terrible Swimmers

Bulldogs are simply not equipped to be good in the water. With their rigid body and facial structures, they don’t make very good candidates for being strong in the water.

2. Frenchies’ Cute Snoring Isn’t Good

Even though it is super adorable that a Frenchie is constantly snorting and making all sorts of interesting noises while they sleep, it isn’t great. This feature is very common among brachycephalic dogs and is an indication of the obstruction to their airways.

3. Frenchies Can Make Great Watch Dogs

French Bulldogs make fantastic watch dogs. They notice every last little thing, and will alert you accordingly. They might not be the roughest and toughest of the bunch, capable of taking down an intruder, but they can certainly notify you of any odd goings on around the home.

4. Frenchies Aren’t from France

Contrary to the name, French Bulldogs are not from France. They actually had their humble beginning in ancient Greece by mixing dogs like the Pug with various terriers.

By the mid 1860s, miniature Bulldogs weighed around 16 to 27 pounds and were most commonly found around England. However, they eventually made their way to France where they were popular among society women. This is how they gained popularity, and their name as well.

5. Frenchies Are Very Emotionally Sensitive

French bulldogs are highly sensitive. They are very in tune with human emotions and get their feelings hurt quite easily. If you raise your voice in any way, you could expect them to be pretty hurt by the entire situation.

This situation does not just apply to them feeling like they have been wronged. They are just as emotionally sensitive when it comes to giving lots of love and affection. These are some of the most snuggly, cuddly dogs, and they will enjoy every moment spent with their people!

Conclusion

So now you know that the high price of French Bulldogs is due to more than just profit-making. Since these dogs do not reproduce well naturally, they require the constant help of veterinarians throughout the insemination and birthing process.

Next time you see a French Bulldog for sale, know that the price is reflected in the overall veterinary care required before they come to you. Also be aware that, whilst adorable, the Frenchie is also likely to continue to require veterinary care once they come to you as well.

Do your research and find breeders that are focusing on bringing healthier physical characteristics back into the breed, rather than rare colors and markings. The healthier the dog, the less expensive the pups will eventually become, as they will require less financial input.

And if you really want to add a Frenchie to your family without it costing the earth, why not look into animal rescue for a Frenchie in need of a loving home, for a much smaller adoption fee?

• See Also: Why Are French Bulldogs So Popular? 10 Main Reasons

Featured Image Credit: Lined Photo, Shutterstock