Wouf wouf.
November 12, 2014 12:06 PM Subscribe
Inspired by this post on the blue, I was wondering if MeFites who have gotten their beloved French bulldogs from good breeders would care to share some info.
I hope one day to own a French bulldog and I want to make sure I get my pup from a good, ethical breeder.
If anyone would care to share details about breeders they have trusted, I would be grateful. Thanks.
I hope one day to own a French bulldog and I want to make sure I get my pup from a good, ethical breeder.
If anyone would care to share details about breeders they have trusted, I would be grateful. Thanks.
Ok I'm sharing some friends experiences , not mine here. One thing to consider when buying a dog from a breed with known health issues like a French bulldog is that even ethical breeders will have a certain number of pups with health issues, most of which aren't apparent until 6-12 months of age. At which point the "health guarantee" is NOT paying vet bills, corrective surgery etc, it's that they will take the puppy back and give you a new one. How many people do you think give back the dog they've had for a year? None that I know ever have.
I know several people with lovely healthy French bulldogs and they are delightful but it's something you have to think about when going with a purebred bracheophilic dog.
posted by fshgrl at 12:56 PM on November 12, 2014 [5 favorites]
I know several people with lovely healthy French bulldogs and they are delightful but it's something you have to think about when going with a purebred bracheophilic dog.
posted by fshgrl at 12:56 PM on November 12, 2014 [5 favorites]
Many good breeders do not require you to return a dog if there is a genetic health problem. If a genetic defect were to show up, I don't require people to return a puppy, just that they provide proof of spay/neuter, and I will either give them another puppy when I have one available or help pay for treatment of the condition up to the puppy's purchase price. They are of course welcome to return the dog, but that's true for any dog I have ever bred, I am responsible for them until the day they die, and they must come back to me if the owner cannot keep them, period.
You want the breeder to provide proof of health testing (and any breeder who says they have no problems in their lines either isn't telling the truth or hasn't been breeding for very long), you want them to require you to sign a contract, you want them to grill you, you want them to want to get to know you, you want them to require that you return the dog if you can't keep it at ANY point in its life.
I know two people who have Frenchies from this breeder and they are very happy with them. Otherwise, start with the National Breed Club.
posted by biscotti at 1:44 PM on November 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
You want the breeder to provide proof of health testing (and any breeder who says they have no problems in their lines either isn't telling the truth or hasn't been breeding for very long), you want them to require you to sign a contract, you want them to grill you, you want them to want to get to know you, you want them to require that you return the dog if you can't keep it at ANY point in its life.
I know two people who have Frenchies from this breeder and they are very happy with them. Otherwise, start with the National Breed Club.
posted by biscotti at 1:44 PM on November 12, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fshgrl has it. It's just not ethical to buy a bulldog. You're just continuing to perpetuate the problems, because it's all about the money, not the health of the animal breeders are selling.
Finding a nice crossbred doggy that doesn't have the health issues will mean giving up the multiple deformities that people seem to think are "cute". If you must have a purebred FB, then rescue is the way to go.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:47 PM on November 12, 2014 [8 favorites]
Finding a nice crossbred doggy that doesn't have the health issues will mean giving up the multiple deformities that people seem to think are "cute". If you must have a purebred FB, then rescue is the way to go.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:47 PM on November 12, 2014 [8 favorites]
All ethical breeders follow roughly the same code, regardless of breed. One of the best books on this subject that I have seen is this one, which is older, and only costs a cent on Amazon. The points biscotti highlighted above are outlined in detail and explain the reasoning behind each. I would look to the breed club for better breed descriptions than the book, however.
Breeders of breeds like french and english bulldogs and german shepherds, which have a myriad of health problems, fall into a tricky grey area concerning ethical, so it's good you're starting the research now. More than most other breeds, I would make sure the breeder you choose focuses on improving their stock to conform to the breed standard while doing all they can to lessen the health risks. You want breeders who mention that their goal is to make the breed better, both in looks and in health.
posted by umwhat at 2:05 PM on November 12, 2014
Breeders of breeds like french and english bulldogs and german shepherds, which have a myriad of health problems, fall into a tricky grey area concerning ethical, so it's good you're starting the research now. More than most other breeds, I would make sure the breeder you choose focuses on improving their stock to conform to the breed standard while doing all they can to lessen the health risks. You want breeders who mention that their goal is to make the breed better, both in looks and in health.
posted by umwhat at 2:05 PM on November 12, 2014
//and I will either give them another puppy when I have one available
Which is how my friend ended up with two dogs with very $$ medical problems, one of which died very young. And that breeder was a good one, lots of good references and breed awards, she just got unlucky. It's awesome that you will basically refund the cost of the puppy to apply to medical bills, a lot of breeders don't. It's just something to consider when you buy a dog from breeds with a % incidence of medical issues. No one is going to give back a dog they're attached to, I know I couldn't.
posted by fshgrl at 4:07 PM on November 12, 2014
Which is how my friend ended up with two dogs with very $$ medical problems, one of which died very young. And that breeder was a good one, lots of good references and breed awards, she just got unlucky. It's awesome that you will basically refund the cost of the puppy to apply to medical bills, a lot of breeders don't. It's just something to consider when you buy a dog from breeds with a % incidence of medical issues. No one is going to give back a dog they're attached to, I know I couldn't.
posted by fshgrl at 4:07 PM on November 12, 2014
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posted by melissasaurus at 12:12 PM on November 12, 2014 [7 favorites]