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Breeds, training, health, food and names
Comical, affectionate and happy in a flat, the Frenchie became one of Britain’s favourite dogs in record time. It is also a breed with real breathing problems, and a magnet for puppy farmers. Here is what a good French Bulldog costs, what to ask the breeder and how to keep yours healthy.
The Frenchie in one line: a small, sociable, low-exercise dog, ideal for town life, but with a short nose that can make breathing, heat and exercise hard. Choose a breeder who health-tests for breathing, walk away from “rare colours” and very cheap puppies, and insure from day one.
A clown with a big personality in a small body. Frenchies are people dogs: they follow you from room to room, love a sofa and get on with most dogs and children. They bark little, which makes them good neighbours.
They can be stubborn. Short, fun training sessions with food rewards work far better than repetition, and toilet training needs patience.
Prices have come down since the lockdown boom, when puppies changed hands for several thousand pounds. According to Pets4Homes, a Royal Kennel Club registered puppy now averages more than £1,600, and prices vary widely with the breeder and the region.
Be wary at both ends. A very cheap puppy often means no health testing, a puppy farm or an imported pup with a fake story. At the other end, “rare colours” such as merle, blue or lilac are sold at a premium, but they are not recognised in the breed standard and some, like merle, are linked to health problems.
The real cost comes later. Insurance for a Frenchie is among the most expensive of any breed, precisely because of breathing, skin, eye and spine problems. Budget for it before you buy.
Like all flat-faced breeds, the French Bulldog can suffer from BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome): narrow nostrils, a long soft palate and a narrow windpipe that make breathing hard work. Snoring and noisy breathing are not “cute”, they are signs of it. Affected dogs struggle with exercise and overheat dangerously in summer.
The Respiratory Function Grading scheme, run by the Royal Kennel Club and the University of Cambridge, grades dogs from 0 (no signs) to 3 (severe). By the end of 2024, 1,831 French Bulldogs had been tested: 46% were grade 0, 38% grade 1, 14% grade 2 and 2% grade 3. Ask the breeder for both parents’ grades: you want 0 or 1.
Other common problems: skin fold infections, allergies, eye problems, spinal issues (hemivertebrae) and difficult births, as many litters are delivered by caesarean. A large VetCompass study by the Royal Veterinary College found a short average life expectancy in UK Frenchies, partly because so many are young, but it is a warning worth hearing.
Walk early and late in summer, carry water and never leave them in a car. Keep them slim, extra weight makes breathing worse. Use a harness rather than a collar to protect the throat. Clean skin folds a couple of times a week.
No. There have been calls to restrict breeding of flat-faced dogs, but owning one is perfectly legal.
Yes for temperament, as long as you are ready for the vet bills and the summer precautions.
No. Short, regular walks and play are enough, and long or hot walks are a risk.
Sources: Royal Kennel Club and University of Cambridge, Respiratory Function Grading annual report 2024, Pets4Homes, the French Bulldog in the UK, Defra, Lucy’s Law comes into force (2020)
