French Bulldog puppies for sale

Dogs Australia’s breed standard gives an ideal weight of 12.5 kg for males and 11 kg for females, and no height. It says soundness is not to be sacrificed to smallness. Ask how big both parents grew.

It depends on the dog. Dogs Victoria says French Bulldogs are great with families, and that they can be very possessive about their people, food and toys. It says young children and pets should always be supervised when together. Meet the mother to see her temperament.

Sources differ. A 2024 study of about 585,000 UK dogs’ records found a median lifespan of 9.8 years for French Bulldogs, against 12.5 years for all the dogs in the study. Dogs Victoria gives an average life span of 11 to 14 years. Every dog is different.

Yes. Dogs NSW says the breed sheds twice a year. It says ears and nails need care every week, and that wrinkles and folds around the face and tail should be checked and kept clean and dry.

Dogs Australia’s breed standard lists three correct colours: brindle, fawn and pied, which is mostly white with brindle or fawn patches. It calls all other colours highly undesirable.

Dogs Australia’s registration rules say French Bulldogs in colours that vary markedly from the breed standard’s can be registered on its Limited Register alone, flagged “not to be upgraded”. That register is for dogs that can’t be entered in conformation shows and aren’t to be used for breeding. Ask which register the puppy will be on.

The RSPCA says BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) is commonly seen in flat-faced dogs, and names the French Bulldog among the breeds affected. It calls BOAS a lifelong disorder that often gets worse over time. Signs include noisy breathing and snoring, difficulty breathing, trouble with exercise, coughing and gagging. The RSPCA says snuffling, snoring and snorting are signs that breathing is very difficult and distressing for the dog.

It’s a vet’s grade of how a dog breathes, from 0 to 3, under the Respiratory Function Grading scheme of the UK’s Royal Kennel Club and the University of Cambridge. Grades 0 and 1 mean a dog is clinically unaffected by BOAS, and grades 2 and 3 mean it’s affected. Dogs can be graded from 12 months old. The Royal Kennel Club says buyers should make sure both parents have been tested, and that a puppy from two unaffected parents can still have BOAS. Dogs Australia is rolling the scheme out here.

Dogs Victoria says the breed may be susceptible to breathing issues (BOAS), spinal deformities and heart issues, and that these can be vet checked. It says to see proof of DNA health testing, and of x-ray scoring for the spine and hips, before you buy.

A 2021 Royal Veterinary College study compared UK vet records from 2016 for 2,781 French Bulldogs and 21,850 other dogs. French Bulldogs had higher odds of 20 of the 43 common disorders it looked at, and lower odds of 11. Their odds were highest for narrowed nostrils, BOAS, ear discharge, skin fold dermatitis and difficulty giving birth. The disorders they were less likely to have included lameness and obesity.

Dogs Australia’s buying advice strongly recommends that its registered breeders test their breeding French Bulldogs with hip x-rays for scoring, spine x-rays for hemivertebrae (a spine defect), and DNA tests for hereditary cataracts and urinary stones. It says a breathing-grade system is in progress for Dogs Australia. Ask to see both parents’ results.

Take care on warm days. The RSPCA says flat-faced breeds have a reduced capacity to cool down by panting, and that heatstroke can develop even in cooler weather when other risk factors are present. It says to exercise a dog at the coolest times of day, give it a cool, shaded area with good ventilation, and never leave it in a vehicle. Heatstroke is an emergency. The RSPCA’s first aid is to apply room-temperature or cool water to the dog’s fur or skin, and to see a vet immediately.

The breed bodies differ. Dogs NSW says French Bulldogs suit most situations, including inner city living. Dogs Victoria says they’re best in homes with a backyard. Dogs NSW also says the breed needs plenty of companionship, isn’t suited to outdoor life or a kennel, and needs care in summer, when the risk of overheating is higher.

No. The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) says all dog breeds cause allergies, though some shed less dander. If allergies are the worry, an allergy specialist can test for a pet allergy before you commit.

We show a price range once 8 listings from 3 sellers have asked a price. Size, colour and health testing drive the price.

Every seller passes an ID check before their first listing, and each listing shows its checks and their dates. Then meet the seller and the animal in person before you pay anything, including a deposit. For a breeder’s puppy or kitten, meet its mother too. Ask for the vet check and get papers at handover.

Victorian source numbers are checked on the Pet Exchange Register.

How to check a seller’s number