Before You Buy a French Bulldog
If you're thinking of getting a French Bulldog as a pet or are planning to include them in your breeding program, it's crucial to think about a range of aspects. For example, pet owners can focus on color and coat preferences, temperament and personality.
Breeders should, on the contrary, take into consideration things like inbreeding, health testing, and genetic testing.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
It's no surprise that Frenchies are America's most popular dog breed. They are mellow, fun-loving dogs that love to please and adapt well in many different lifestyles. They make excellent family members for families and individuals of all ages, including children. However, before you purchase a French bulldog, you need to locate a reliable breeder.
Asking friends and family members who have Frenchies for suggestions or asking your vet to recommend a breeder they have worked with previously is the best way to get started. You can also look for breeders who have a good reputation through social media and review websites. Once you have a list of potential breeders, it is important to visit them in person. This will give you an opportunity to meet the parents of the puppies, look where they live and play, and also observe the conditions in the conditions they're kept.
A good breeder will be happy to welcome you into their facility and be delighted to show you around. They should be happy to answer your questions regarding 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 an agreement in writing that outlines the terms of your purchase.
You should be able to meet the mother (dam) of the litter and the father of the litter. They must appear healthy and active. Their coats should also be free of odor and clean. A reputable breeder should be in a position to provide details regarding the puppies' AKC registration and their 3-generation pedigree.
The popularity of the French Bulldog has drawn in bad breeders who concentrate on the profit and not the welfare of their puppies. Inbreeding can cause breathing problems and genetic disorders in the dogs. They may also create overcrowded puppy farms where the animals are treated poorly. These conditions can cause behavioral problems and reduced life expectancy for puppies. The short back legs of the small breed and their curly tails put them at risk of a variety of issues, including spine arthritis, pain and slipped disks.
Health Tests for Health
Health testing is a procedure that helps determine the genetics of an animal and how it could affect the overall health of the animal. It is a routine procedure in breeding programs to screen for specific diseases that could be passed on to the next generation. As part of our commitment to producing healthy dogs Johnson House Frenchies conducts many different health tests on our puppies.
We use both genotypic as well as Phenotypic tests to evaluate the health of our puppies. Genotypic tests test the dog's DNA to determine if it has an underlying mutation that causes disease. Phenotypic tests include physical examinations and diagnostic tools, such as echocardiograms, x-rays, and eye examinations.
Genetically-based health testing is a crucial component of responsible breeding. The majority of breeders with a reputation for quality use them to ensure quality in their breeding animals. It is essential to realize that not all genetics based health tests are created equal. It is vital to find an animal testing lab that is able to recognize the breed-specific tests for French bulldogs and can provide accurate results.
Many genetics-based laboratories provide testing for various conditions that affect a breed. The most reliable labs forward the results to OFA which maintains databases on every breed.
These OFA databases allow pet owners to look for the status of a dog's health testing and view the health history of all its relatives. This allows pet owners to make informed breeding decisions based on the health of a dog's siblings, aunts and uncles, as well as its ancestors.
It is also essential to choose breeders that use OFA accredited laboratories to conduct the genetic health tests. This is the best method to ensure the authenticity of the results and to stop false health claims.
There are a variety of health panels for French bulldogs, such as the OFA Health Clear panel and the 6-panel health guarantee. These tests combine a number of genetics-based health tests that are specific to the breed, and can cut down the cost of individual genetic tests. A "clear" result means that the dog does not carry the mutation that causes a specific disease. This lowers the chance that the mutation could be passed on to offspring. A "carrier result" signifies that the dog is carrying a copy of the mutation but does not display any symptoms of disease. 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 interaction to become docile and well-mannered. This is a critical process that starts at the age of. Socialization is the process of getting your puppy exposed to different individuals, places and things at an early age to build their confidence and strength. This involves interactions with people of all ages, other dogs, and a variety of experiences like taking a ride in the car, getting bathed and even using a vacuum.
Frenchies are affectionate, loyal and playful dogs that form strong bonds with their families. They can also be stubborn, and require patience and consistent training techniques to increase their determination and produce obedient, responsive dogs.
It is essential to interact with an Frenchie at an early age. However, don't expose them to any potentially harmful or frightening experiences until they are fully vaccinated. It is also crucial to not reward their expressions of fear, as this can cause them to develop phobias later in life.
Socialization should take place in a secure, controlled environment and on an ongoing basis to ensure that your dog continues to develop a sense of security in new environments. It could be as simple as taking your dog to a different park every week or introducing him to new family members and acquaintances.
Your puppy should also be exposed other noises and sights and also the types of activities they will likely take part in throughout their lives such as playing off-lead in a safe space or taking a ride in the car. This will help ensure that they are adaptable, confident and resilient to any circumstance that may come their way.
While many people think of Frenchies as lap dogs, they're actually active, sociable and fun dogs that can easily be involved in obedience classes, agility, Rally or field work. They can also be fantastic therapy dogs and even assist people recover from illnesses or surgeries.
Training
Frenchies are not very demanding However, they require daily exercise and mental stimulation. These sociable pups are a joy to be with their human family and will play happily with them or other dogs in the yard. While they don't have the motivation to be a great watchdog, they will respond well to obedience training and will be keen on learning new tricks and commands. The breed can also be prone to be somewhat stubborn, so patience is key when it comes to training.
Like all dogs, Frenchies need regular grooming to keep their skin and coat healthy. They should be brushed regularly to prevent the accumulation of dirt and oil and also to remove hairs that are loose. The wrinkles that are characteristic of them will require some extra attention to avoid them becoming infected and it is advised to give them a daily rubdown using a scentless baby wipe.
It is important to teach your Frenchie how to recall information. This will allow them to avoid dangerous situations. This is especially true when you plan to take them on hikes or other activities where they are inclined to wander off and explore. Making them return when called can ensure their safety in the event that they wander off or run through traffic.
Frenchies can be stubborn, so it's crucial to use positive reinforcement in training them. This will help them learn that responding to your demands is the best way to earn rewards like food and toys as well as your attention. Be sure to avoid using harsh methods of discipline as this will only cause them to be resistant to learning and could lead to issues with behavior later on.
Although Welpen Französische Bulldogge Kaufen of Frenchies are potty-trained by their breeders, it's important to begin puppy training when you bring them home. Create a schedule of feeding as well as playing and training and stick to it. This will aid your French Bulldog develop a strong base of basic obedience, and will make them easier to train in the future.