French Bulldogs are proven as excellent house companions for those looking for a more calm and manageable pet. French bulldogs do require an added level of commitment on the part of owners, though, as they are a dog breed that has specific health and maintenance needs.
Health Considerations And The French Bulldog
A well-bred French Bulldog coming from a reputable breeder is your best bet for a healthy dog; nevertheless, there can never be an absolute guarantee that your French Bulldog will not suffer from some of the signature health problems of the breed.
All French Bulldogs are subject to heat-related distress due their short breathing passages and inability to regulate body temperature
All French Bulldogs are vulnerable to cold
French Bulldogs may suffer from a genetic bleeding syndrome, Von Willebrand's Disease
French Bulldogs may develop thyroid conditions
Soft, elongated, or cleft palates sometimes plague French Bulldogs
Back and spinal problems may present, resulting from the breed's dwarf ancestry
French Bulldogs have difficulty breeding and delivering pups, often requiring artificial insemination and delivery by Cesarean Section
This list of health concerns is daunting, certainly; not all French Bulldogs will develop these problems, however, and despite this list, the French Bulldog is considered the most healthy of the bulldog breeds.
Tipping The Odds For A Healthy Pet
Many of the diseases that plague the French Bulldog are hereditary and/or congenital in nature. As a result, if you have reliable information on each parent dog and their ancestral line, you have better odds of getting a dog that will have minimal health problems. All reputable breeders are aware of the health of their breeding stock and can provide this information. Good breeders choose the healthiest stock for breeding, and will not breed dogs with significant health issues that will be passed along.
Reputable breeders also have a number of genetic tests available to them which can prevent some hereditary health conditions; it is important to discuss genetic testing with a breeder prior to committing to his or her animal. Genetic testing increases the cost of French Bulldog pups, but the cost of buying a healthy pup to begin with will greatly reduce future veterinary bills.
That being said, it is important to know that not all French Bulldog health conditions can be predicted based on the health and testing of the parents. Even with the healthiest and strongest ancestral lineage, a dog can present with some of these common French Bulldog health concerns. Any potential French Bulldog owner must be prepared both emotionally and financially to deal with the veterinarian care their dog may need.
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