If you are looking for a frenchie also consider pugs.....having been involved in the pedigree dog world.....I would be cautious with french bulldogs...there arent many of them in the country and this can mean that without nice fresh genes to breed with there can be a bit of doubling up which isnt always good. So I guess what I am saying is you really need to know about reading a pedigree etc to really know what you are buying.
I cant say for sure but i do remember someone telling me a few years ago about frenchies having a genetic disorder with their spines....so it might be a good idea to google french bulldogs/genetic issues genetic diseases etc just so youc an be really informed (not saying other dogs dont ahve issues too...but I seem to remember being talked out of getting one by friends in the 'know')
Pugs on the other hand are a well established breed and are a similar size and look to a french bulldog. You will find it easier to get one and because there are plenty around they are 'less likely' to be so closely bred if that makes sense.
Make sure you go with someone who is part of a club....make sure they are part of a network eg if they dont have a pup can recommend you to someone else....if they are isolated and breeding on their own and arent connected to other breeders this is never a good sign that they are doing the right thing. Also find out through the club or Dogs Victoria if there is any health screening that should be being done and if the breeder says to you....'oh i dont need to do any health screening because I know my dogs are all healthy' what they are really saying is..'i dont want to do any health screening because if i find my dogs test positive for any genetic ilness I wont be able to use them for breeding and this means I wont be able to realise any $$' and they are therefore only in it for the money and so you should give them a wide berth. Make sure you actually view originals of any health screening certificates. If there are eye issues in the breed a good breeder will ahve your pup tested before you purchase for example and will take time to explain everything to you in detail.
Make sure you see the whole litter and the mother who should look in good condition and not emaciated in any way. If she looks thin she isnt being fed properly no matter what the breeder says. Ask also if you can see dad.....even a breeder who has gone out to a stud dog shouldnt have a problem with giving you the contact details to the person who owns the stud dog.
Make sure you look at the whole litter and never ever pick the weakest looking one because you feel sorry for it......
Pedigree means pedigree with pedigree papers. Never accept the statement 'oh they are pedigree but we just couldnt get the papers. What this means is either the dogs arent pedigee or they dont want to pay the fees to dogs victoria to register the puppies or they dont want to abide by dogs victoria regulations such as not breeding a bitch every season because it exhausts the bitch but doesnt worry the breeder because they want the dollars !!.
Hope this helps.....and never ever buy from a pet shop as the puppies come out of puppy mills and the conditions the bitches are in that produce the puppies are dispicable....all you are doing if you buy from a pet shop is supporting scumbags who exploit dogs in order to make money and the horror some of those bithes go through in the puppy mills is absolutely terrible.....if the bitch is not in good condition do not presume the puppies will be ok remember if the bitch is in poor condition how can she 'cook' healthy pups
Good luck, ifyou have any more questions or are unsure or want me to look at anything eg pedigrees etc just PM me Im in victoria and I have some contacts in the dog world so might be able to check things out for you on the quiet.
Kind Regards
Elizabeth
BRITISH is the only way with Bulldogs accept NO immitations that is except my Pug Diva !!!!!!!
Busby my British Bulldog died 7 years ago aged 9 & My Pug is pictured munching pies with me at Yatala Pies !!!!!!
Bet you love your pug
We have Staffies and have bred them in the past, but I have had a bit of bad luck and had to have my bitch desexed and so we are just waiting and will be starting on pugs.
I do agree you need to be careful about the choice of bulldog. I have to admit with all the recent press it has put me off going on with my staffies and thats why I am going to be going down the pug pathway...I am thinking that I will be breeding black pugs........
Elizabeth
