It’s no secret French bulldogs are taking over the world. These bat-eared, compact, and unrealistically cute dogs have exploded in popularity in recent years, and for good reason! They are loving, friendly, and the typical French bulldog temperament is every dog lover’s dream. So, how much would it cost to have a Frenchie at home? Let’s find out! When it comes to owning a French bulldog, you need to consider two main costs: the cost of
acquiring the puppy, and the cost to raise and take care of it annually.
The cost of getting a Frenchie
The costs of getting a Frenchie might be little as $1,500 up to $10,000 depending on the color and breeder. Keep in mind that there are also yearly costs that include:
- Food: $300–$700
- Vet Checkups and Vaccinations: $100–$600
- Pet Insurance: $500–$1,200
- Grooming: $100–$300
- Toys and Accessories: $50–$200
So the lowest price point for the annual costs would start around $1,050 up to around $3,000 per year
What determines the French bulldog price range?
Generally, there are two main factors that influence the price of a French bulldog puppy – the market value of the pup and the amount of money the breeder had to spend on bringing the puppy into the world.
If you decide to get your Frenchie from a responsible and reputable breeder, you need to know that their operating costs can be steep, and they won’t cut corners to produce healthy puppies. So, how much does raising a French bulldog puppy would cost their breeder?
There are several average costs that responsible breeders wouldn’t avoid:
- Stud service: around $1,000 to $5,000
- Ultrasound: $50 per test
- Pregnancy dog food: $100
- Since french bulldogs can’t naturally whelp, a C-section delivery is necessary: $600
- to $3,800
- Whelping equipment: between $1,000 and $2,000 per litter
- Registration with the AKC (American Kennel Club): $50
- Genetic health testing: it can be anywhere between $130 and $800 per dog
- X-rays: $85
- Coat color testing: $150 per color test
- Progesterone testing: $160 per test
- Reproductive physicals: $700
- New puppy supplies (and food): anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000 per year
- Advertising: $500 to $1,000 per litter
Since it can be really difficult to tell a reputable breeder from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder, it is best to visit the kennel yourself, see the conditions for the pups, meet the parent dogs, and take a look around for any red flags. If an in-person visit is not possible, you can try contacting the AKC and calling local veterinarians.
Don’t forget to search online and check out what previous buyers are saying for this breeder.
What protections to look for
Of course, different dog owners have different priorities when it comes to screening a breeder/puppy, but the main things you need to check are:
- proof of AKC registration
- proof that the pup has gone through the required vaccinations and vet treatments
- provision of ID tags
- evidence of microchipping
- an initial guarantee of health (it usually spans between 1 and 2 years)
What do French bulldog puppies cost?
If you have chosen a responsible breeder to get your Frenchie from, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000 for a puppy. Yes, there is a big cost difference in the French bulldog price range, but that can easily be explained by certain common factors:
- Coat color
- Puppy treatment
- How much it cost the breeder to produce that particular litter
- The pedigree and show/award lineage of the puppy
- The gender of the puppy
- Breeding rights
- Whether the puppy is a “pet” or a “show” quality dog
The cost of raising a French bulldog
No two dogs and dog owners are alike, which means the cost to take care of your French bulldog won’t be the same as the next person. Some estimates show that dog owners can spend as much as $180 per month on their dogs, but that typically doesn’t include activities like frequent grooming, specialized vet treatments, and emergency situations. If you love spoiling your pup with new toys and accessories, you need to account for that in your budget as well.
As is with owning any type of dog, you need to be aware of the health costs you may incur. Every breed comes with its own set of possible health complications and, lucky for you, if bred well, Frenchies generally enjoy good health. Some common special health costs may include:
- Skin infection (pyoderma): around $130
- Conjunctivitis: between $50 and $150
- Ear infection (otitis externa): $170
- Upper respiratory tract infection: around $275
- Malformed or too small nostrils (stenotic nares): corrective surgery ranges between $1,500 and $3,000
As you can see, being a proud French bulldog owner is quite the investment and one that requires your long-term commitment. Frenchies come in many colors and, fortunately, their temperament makes them the perfect dog. They will give you that unconditional love, daily joy, and lasting companionship we all need in our lives. Couldn’t you want that?