Before You Buy a French Bulldog
If you're considering getting the idea of a French Bulldog for a pet or adding them to your breeding program it's important to think about a range of aspects. For example pet owners can concentrate on coat and color preferences, temperament and personality.
Breeders must, on the contrary, take into consideration things like inbreeding, health testing, and genetic testing.
Choosing a Reputable Breeder
Frenchies are the most sought-after breed of dog in America, and it's no surprise why. They are friendly, playful dogs who are eager to please. They also adjust well to different lifestyles. They are great companions for all ages and families, including children. It's important that you find a reputable breeder before purchasing a French Bulldog.
Niedlich Französische Bulldoggen Welpen to begin is to ask for recommendations from people you know who own Frenchies or ask your veterinarian to suggest a reliable breeder they have worked with in the past. You can also look for breeders who have a good reputation on social media and online review sites. Once you have a list of potential breeders, it's important to visit them in person. This will give you an opportunity to meet the parents of the puppies, look the places they live and play, and observe the conditions under the conditions they're kept.
A reputable breeder will meet you and show you the facilities they have. They should be willing to answer any questions you might have about Frenchies and their breeding program. They should be capable of providing you with specific information regarding the health history of the puppies and lineage, as well as provide you with an agreement in writing that outlines the terms of your purchase.
You should be able meet the mother (dam) of the litter and the father of the litter. They should look healthy and active. Their coats should also be clean and odor-free. A reputable breeder should be capable of providing details about the puppies' AKC registration and their 3-generation pedigree.
The popularity of the French Bulldog has drawn in bad breeders who focus on making money rather than the welfare of their pups. They could breed the dogs which can cause genetic disorders and breathing problems, or create puppy mills with a high number of puppies in which the animals are poorly taken care of. These conditions can cause problems with behavior and lower the life expectancy of puppies. The small breed's short back legs and curled tails also expose them to a variety of issues, such as spine pain, arthritis in the joints, and slipped discs.
Health Tests
Health testing is an important procedure that allows you to determine the genetics of the dog and the way they impact the overall health of the dog. It is a common practice in breeding programs to screen for specific conditions that can 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 effort to produce healthy dogs.
We use both genotypic as well as Phenotypic tests to assess the health of our puppies. Genotypic tests test the dog's DNA to determine if the dog has an illness-causing mutation. Phenotypic tests include physical examinations and diagnostic tools like echocardiograms and x-rays as well as eye exams.
Genetics-based health tests are a crucial element of responsible breeding and the majority of breeders who are reputable employ them to check the quality of their breeding breeds. It is important to know that not all genetics-based health tests are created equal. It is essential to find a lab that can recognize the breed-specific tests specific to French bulldogs and will provide exact results.
Several genetics-based laboratories provide testing for various diseases that affect breeds. The most reputable labs will forward the results to OFA which maintains databases on every breed.
These OFA databases allow pet owners to look up a dog's test results and look up the health history of the dog's relatives. This lets the owner make informed decisions about breeding in light of the health of the dog's aunts, siblings, and uncles as well as the ancestors of the dog.
It is crucial to locate a breeder who only uses OFA-recognized laboratories for genetic health tests. This is the best method to ensure accuracy and avoid false health claims.
There are several health panels that are 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 also reduce the cost. A "clear" result means that the dog does not carry the mutation that causes a specific disease. This decreases the likelihood that the mutation could be passed on to offspring. A "carrier" result means the dog is carrying one copy of the mutation, but does not show any symptoms of the disease. Likewise, the result of "at-risk" indicates that the dog is likely to develop the disease.
Socialization
French Bulldogs are pack animals that thrive in a symbiosis and require proper socialization to become gentle, well-mannered pets. This is an important process that starts at the age of. Socialization involves the dog being exposed to various people, places and things at a young age in order to build their confidence and resilience. This includes interactions with people of all ages, dogs, and a variety of experiences like riding in the car, getting bathed and even using a vacuum.
Frenchies are affectionate, loyal and playful pets that build strong bonds with their families. They can also be stubborn, and require 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 at a young age but don't expose them frightening or potentially harmful experiences until they are fully vaccine-free and prepared for these types of interactions. It is also important to not reward their fearful expressions in order to prevent them to develop fears for the rest of their lives.
Socialization should be done in a controlled, safe environment and on an ongoing basis to ensure that your dog continues to become comfortable in new environments. It's as simple as taking your dog to a different place every week or introducing him to new family members and friends.
Your pup should also be exposed different sounds surroundings, sights and sounds in addition to the types of activities they'll take part in throughout their lives such as playing off-lead in a secure area or taking a ride in the car. This will help them become more flexible, confident, and resilient in any situation.
While many people think of Frenchies as purely lap dogs, they are actually active, sociable and fun-loving 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 surgery or other illnesses.
Training
Frenchies are not very demanding however they still require daily exercise and mental stimulation. They enjoy playing with their owners and other dogs. Although they don't have the desire to be a great watchdog, they respond well to obedience training and will be eager to learn new tricks and commands. This breed can be a bit stubborn so patience is essential when training.
Like all dogs, Frenchies need regular grooming to keep their coats and skin healthy. Regularly brushing will help to prevent the accumulation of oil and dirt as well as removing hairs that have fallen out. To keep their signature wrinkles from becoming infected it is essential to give them a few extra minutes of care with a non-scented baby wipe.
Recall training is a crucial skill to teach your Frenchie as it can help them avoid dangerous or unsafe situations. This is particularly true when you plan to take your Frenchie for an excursion or hike in which they are inclined to explore and wander. Additionally, teaching them to come when called can save their lives should they ever become lost or run into traffic.
Frenchies can be stubborn It is therefore important to employ positive reinforcement when training them. This will teach them that following your instructions is the best way to gain food or toys, as well as attention. Be careful not to use harsh methods of discipline because this could make them more resistant to training and could cause behavioral problems down the road.
While most Frenchies are potty-trained by their breeders, it's crucial to start puppy training when you bring them home. It is helpful to establish a schedule for feeding time, playtime, and training sessions and adhere to it consistently. This will help your French Bulldog develop a strong base of basic obedience, and make it easier to train in the future.