Before You Buy a French Bulldog
If you're considering getting having a French Bulldog for a pet, or adding them to your breeding program, it's vital that you consider a number of factors. For example pet owners can concentrate on color and coat preferences, temperament and personality.
Breeders on the other hand should take into consideration things like health testing and inbreeding.
Selecting a Breeder who is reputable
It's no surprise that Frenchies are the most loved dog breed. They are fun-loving, mellow dogs that are devoted to pleasing and can easily adapt to different environments. They are great companions for all ages and families even children. It is crucial to find a reputable breeder before buying the French Bulldog.
The best place to start is by asking for referrals from friends who own Frenchies or ask your veterinarian to recommend a breeder they've worked with in the past. You can also search for breeders with a good reputation on social media and review websites. Once you have a list of potential breeders, you should visit them in person. This will give you an opportunity to meet the parents of the puppies, observe where they live and play, as well as observe the conditions under which they live.
A good breeder will warmly welcome you into their facility and will be more than happy to show you around. They should be able to answer any questions you may have about Frenchies and their breeding program. They should be able provide you with specific information about the health background of the puppies as well as their lineage. You should also receive a contract detailing the terms of the purchase.
You should be able meet the mother (dam) of the litter and the father who is biological. They should appear healthy and active and their coats must be clean and free of odor. A reputable breeder should be in a position to provide information on the puppies' AKC registration and their 3-generation pedigree.
The popularity of the French Bulldog has drawn in bad breeders who focus on the profit and not the wellbeing of their pups. Inbreeding can cause breathing problems and genetic disorders in dogs. They could also lead to overcrowded puppy farms in which the animals receive inadequate care. These conditions can lead to behavioral problems and reduced life expectancy in the puppies. The short back legs of the small breed and their curly tails can put them at risk of a number issues, including spine pain, arthritis and discs that have slipped.
Health Tests for Health
Health testing is an important process that helps identify the genetics of the dog and how they may impact the overall health of the dog. It is a standard practice in breeding programs to test for specific diseases that could be passed on to the next generation. At Johnson House Frenchies, we run a variety of health tests for our puppies as part of our commitment to raise healthy dogs.
We employ both genotypic and Phenotypic tests to evaluate the health of our puppies. Genotypic tests analyze the dog's DNA to determine if it is carrying an underlying mutation that causes disease. Phenotypic testing involves physical examinations and diagnostic tools like x-rays or echocardiograms.
Genetically-based health testing is an essential element of responsible breeding. The majority of breeders with a reputation for quality employ them to ensure the highest quality in their breeding animals. However, it is essential to realize that not all tests based on genetics are in the same way. It is crucial to find an lab that can accurately give results and recognize the breed-specific tests for French Bulldogs.
Several genetics-based laboratories offer testing for various conditions that affect a breed. The most reputable will provide the results of these tests to OFA, which maintains databases for every breed-specific test.
These OFA databases permit pet owners to search for the status of a dog's health testing and view the health history of all of its relatives. This allows the owner to make informed decisions about breeding by analyzing the health of a dog's aunts, siblings, and uncles, as well as its ancestors.
It is also essential to look for breeders that use OFA recognized laboratories to carry out the genetic health tests. This is the best method to ensure accuracy and stop false health claims.
There are many health panels available for French bulldogs, including the OFA Health Clear panel and the 6-panel health guarantee. These tests include a variety of genetics-based health tests that are specific to the French bulldog breed, and reduce the cost. A result of "clear" means that a dog does not have the mutation for an illness, thereby decreasing the chance of passing on the mutation to the offspring of that mutation. A "copyright result" signifies that the dog is carrying a copy of the mutation however, get more info it does not show 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 crucial process that begins at the time of birth. Socialization involves the exposure of your dog to various things, places and people at an early age to increase their confidence and build up their resilience. This includes interactions with dogs of all ages and people, as well as other dogs.
Frenchies are playful, affectionate and loyal dogs who form strong bonds with their families. They can be stubborn and require patience and constant methods to train them, making them obedient and receptive.
It is essential to interact with a Frenchie at an early age. However, don't expose them to potentially dangerous or frightening situations until they have been fully vaccine-free. It is also important to not reward their fearful expressions which could cause them to develop fears for the rest of their lives.
Socialization should take place in a safe, controlled environment regularly to ensure that your dog is comfortable in new situations. It could be as simple as taking your dog to a different park every week or welcoming him to new family members and other pet owners.
It is also important to expose your puppy to other sounds and sights. They should also be exposed to the types of activities that they are likely to engage in throughout their life such as playing in a secure area without a leash, or taking a ride in a vehicle. This will help ensure that they are adaptable, confident and resilient to any situation that comes their way.
While many people think of Frenchies as purely lap dogs, they're actually active, sociable and fun-loving dogs that can easily be involved in obedience classes, agility, Rally or field work. They can also make wonderful therapy dogs and even help people recover from illnesses or surgeries.
Training
Frenchies are not very demanding However, they require regular exercise and mental stimulation. They love to spend time with their humans and are happy to play with them or other dogs in the yard. They might not be able to be a good guard dog, but they will respond well when taught new commands and tricks. This breed is also known to be a bit stubborn, so patience is essential when it comes to training.
As with all dogs, Frenchies require regular grooming in order to maintain a healthy skin and coat. Regularly brushing them will help prevent the accumulation of dirt and oil, as well as removing any loose hairs. To prevent their signature wrinkles from forming, it is important to give them an additional 3-5 minutes of attention using a non-scented baby wipe.
Recall training is a crucial ability to teach your Frenchie as it can help them avoid dangerous or hazardous situations. This is especially true when you plan to take your Frenchie on an excursion or hike, where they might be inclined to explore and wander. Also, teaching them to come when they are asked can help them if they ever get lost or run into traffic.
Frenchies can be stubborn so it's crucial to use positive reinforcement in training them. This will teach them that following your instructions is the best way to earn food, toys, or attention. Avoid harsh methods of punishment because they can resist training. This could lead to issues with behavior in the future.
It is important to start puppy training as soon as you bring your Frenchie home. The majority of breeders already have them potty-trained. Create a schedule of feeding and playing and follow it. This will help your French Bulldog develop a strong base of basic obedience, and will make them easier to train in the future.