French Bulldogs, commonly known as the Frenchies, are one of the most popular dog breeds around the world, with plenty of people choosing them as their furry companions.
And it’s easy to see why! French Bulldogs are pretty cute and are considered to be what is known as a “fashionable” choice of dog.
In fact, most of the popularity of this breed is due to celebrities and TV advertising, as they seem to favor the Frenchie due to its carefully bred appearance, therefore considered to be designer amongst all dogs.
Read also: French Bulldog breed profile: Personality, Care, Diet & More
But before you go ahead and get a French Bulldog for yourself, you might want to consider the cost of one.
Different breeds rank differently on the average expense, and French Bulldogs are definitely amongst the priciest of all. Not only are they quite expensive to buy, but you then also have to consider all of the maintenance costs of owning and taking care of a French Bulldog!
So if you want to know exactly how much it costs to own a French Bulldog, so that you’re well informed before you make your final decision, keep on reading. We’ll tell you everything you need to know on the matter!
The Average Cost Of Buying A French Bulldog
In order to own a French Bulldog, you first need to get one, so let’s start by taking a look at the average cost of buying a Frenchie dog.
On average, buying a French Bulldog puppy will cost you between $2500 and $4000, which certainly isn’t cheap.
However, the exact estimated cost of buying a French Bulldog will depend on a series of different factors, mainly being where you are buying the Frenchie from.
Here are the different ways to source a French Bulldog, and the average cost for each:
From A Rescue Or Adoption Center
This is the cheapest way to get a French Bulldog (unless someone is giving one to you for free, of course), and it is also one of the best ones, as it means that you will be giving a French Bulldog in need a loving home that is very much needed.
When adopting a French Bulldog, or any other dog, the norm is that all you have to pay are the transaction and adoption fees, which are usually just a few hundred dollars, depending on the place you are adopting from.
From Someone Whose French Bulldog Has Had Puppies Or A Common Breeder
This is the most common way in which people will buy a French Bulldog, as it is the cheapest way of buying a “brand new puppy”. On average, it will cost between $1000 to $2000, sometimes a little more, and you can usually search for these through adverts and websites.
From A Trusted Breeder Registered With The AKC
This is the best way to buy a new French Bulldog puppy, in a trusted and reliable way.
The AKC (the American Kennel Club), requires breeders to be properly registered and licensed, as well as perform the proper DNA tests and health checks so that everything is in order.
However, breeders registered with the AKC will be the priciest of all, and it won’t be cheap to acquire a French Bulldog.
Within the AKC, there are three main types of breeders that you can find (with information available on the AKC website):
Breeders Of Merit
These are breeders that hold a place of merit within the AKC, always performing the right health checks, and committing fully to the purity and potential of the breed.
To be considered within this category, the breeder in question must be a member of an AKC club and participate in sporting events with French Bulldogs of their litters.
They must also be able to prove that at least four dogs from their litters have won titles within official competitions, as proof that they breed the best French Bulldogs.
This category usually has the most expensive Frenchie bulldogs, but there aren’t that many available.
Bred With H.E.A.R.T
These are breeders that adhere to the H.E.A.R.T requirements stated by the AKC (health, education, accountability, responsibility, and tradition).
This means that the breeders participate in educational courses and conferences provided by the AKC, in order to learn more about the breed and uphold its standards. They also meet more specific health tests in order to ensure their litters are up to standard.
Puppies in this category cost an average of around $4500.
Club Members
These are breeders fully dedicated to the preservation and advancement of the dog breed, fully involved with the AKC.
Puppies in this category have an average cost of $3000.
The Average Cost Of Maintaining A French Bulldog (Annually)
Once you have bought a French Bulldog, you might think that you’re over and done with the expense, but that’s not true at all. Because once you own a French Bulldog, you will have constant annual expenses related to the maintenance and care of your dog!
The average yearly maintenance cost of a French Bulldog is around $2000.
Of course, the actual maintenance costs will depend on how you care for your French Bulldog, and the kind of life you lead, as well as the location you are in, the nature and health of your dog, and more.
The Different Costs Of Owning A French Bulldog
Since the exact costs of owning a French Bulldog very much depend on many different factors, we’ve decided to compile a list of the main and most basic costs of maintaining a French Bulldog, so that you are aware of them:
Food And Treats
There are many different food options for your dog, from the cheapest dog food available to expensive raw diets. Make sure the food is right for your dog, and always make sure they’re not eating something bad for their health!
As for treats, they are needed to reinforce good behavior, for training, and just as a reward because you love your dog.
On average, food and treats will cost around $500 every year.
Pet Insurance
Some people don’t think they need pet insurance but trust us, you should absolutely ensure your French Bulldog is insured. If your dog has an injury or health condition, and you’re not insured, vet bills will be way more expensive!
On average, pet insurance will cost around $200 a year.
Toys, Collars, Bedding, Etc
Your French Bulldog will need collars and leads for going on walks, as well as a comfy bed, some toys to play with, and all other essentials that a happy dog requires!
On average, this will cost you around $100 a year.
Vet Bills
We can’t really place an estimated cost on vet bills, as they completely depend on your dog.
Some people go years without needing the vet, and some are constantly having to go to the vet for different issues. What we will say is that if your pet is insured the vet bills will be a lot cheaper, as most things will be covered.
Also, the most common vet bills will be during the first year, to get your dog microchipped, sprayed, vaccinated, and the likes.
Dog Services
Dog services are any sort of service that you require in order to take care of your dog. Whether it’s paying for some dog training, or dog sitting, or paying in order to have your dog travel with you. These completely depend on your choices and lifestyle, and the prices vary depending on the service and the company supplying said service.
Other Costs
There are always extra costs when it comes to maintaining a dog, some of them unexpected and out of the blue. From flea treatments to buying your dog very specific items, you should always have a little bit of a buffer for these costs.
Common And Worst-Case scenario medical costs for a French Bulldog:
One of the biggest possible expenses, when owning a dog, is the vet bills. And with French Bulldogs, these vet bills can be incredibly expensive, as they can suffer from many different health conditions and problems.
Just so that you are aware, here are some of the most common medical costs with a French Bulldog, and some of the worst-case medical scenarios, and what it would cost:
Common Medical Conditions
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
- Conjunctivitis
- Ear infections
- Diarrhea
- Skinfold dermatitis
Common Medical Costs
- Specialized food: average of $60 per bag
- Annual medical check-up: average of $200
- Fecal test: average of $25
- Heartworm test: average of $30
- Heartworm and flea prevention treatments: an average of $80 every six months
- Routine vet visits for common problems: $150 or more per visit
Worst-Case Scenario Medical Costs
- MRI imaging: at least $2000
- Spinal surgery: an average of between $4000 to $8000
- Knee surgery: at least $2500
- Palate or stenotic nares: around $1000 on average
- Cataract surgery: an average of $3000
- Allergy testing: at least $600 per test
If you want to avoid as many of these vet bills as you can, or at the very least reduce the risk of them, then here are a few tips you should follow:
- Acquire your French Bulldog from a breeder that is registered with the AKC. They are more expensive to buy, but they will have gone through the official medical tests and checks, to reduce medical problems as they grow.
- Insure your French Bulldog! If you have pet insurance, the most common medical conditions and problems will likely be covered, so that you don’t have to pay for them. Plus, depending on the insurance, some of the bigger worst-case scenario costs might be reduced!
- Make sure you take your French BUlldog to the vet for annual check-ups, so that the health is monitored and any conditions are picked up during their early stages so that solutions can be applied, and big expensive vet interventions are avoided.
- Make sure your French Bulldog leads a healthy life, with a healthy diet. Use the right food, in the right amount, and make sure your dog is getting the right amount of daily exercise. Plus, avoid any dangerous situations in which your Frenchie might end up injured.
Are French Bulldogs Expensive Compared To Other Dogs?
The answer is, quite simply, yes. French Bulldogs are one of the most expensive breeds, both when buying one, and over the course of maintaining one. They are highly popular designer dogs that are very time-consuming to breed, and therefore the purchase cost is quite high.
And as for the maintenance costs, they have many needs and can suffer from many health conditions, so they end up racking up quite the bill!
Why Are French Bulldogs So Expensive?
As you can see, French Bulldogs are pretty expensive, and amongst the priciest of all dogs. But…why is that? Surely there has to be a reason why they are so expensive, right?
Actually, there are several reasons why French Bulldogs are so expensive! Here are a few of the main reasons why:
They Are A Designer Breed
French Bulldogs are a designer dog breed, which automatically makes them more expensive than the average.
A designer dog breed is essentially a dog breed that has been “created” by people, by combining other dog breeds or developing them. This new designer dog breed is created for no other purpose than “looking good”, so they aren’t a breed with a specific working function.
They Are Very Labor Intensive To Breed
Breeding dogs is never an easy task, as it requires a lot of commitment and involvement, and there is never a guarantee of the litter turning out okay and being able to cover the costs. However, when it comes to French Bulldogs, it is even harder.
In order to be a trustworthy and registered French Bulldog breeder, they have to put a lot of effort into the improvement of the breed and choosing the right parents, etc.
But also, they have to be extra careful when inseminating a female French Bulldog, as she can easily get injured, and then the process goes wrong.
Also, it can sometimes be harder for French Bulldogs to become pregnant, meaning the breeder will have to pay and try several times!
The Breeder Has To Pay A Lot Of Vet Bills For Their Birth
Breeders need to cover many costs, but with French Bulldogs, the birthing process is not easy, and almost every time the breeder will have to pay to have vets on hand.
The truth is, most French Bulldogs are unable to give birth naturally, and the litter instead has to be delivered through a Cesarean section. This, of course, means that professional vets need to be involved, and the whole procedure can be quite complicated and expensive.
Also, because of the Cesarean section, the mother might not instinctively care for the puppies, which means that the breeder then has to put in a lot more effort so that the puppies actually survive, giving them the appropriate substitutes for care and feeding.
French Bulldogs Are Incredibly Fashionable And “High-End”:
French Bulldogs are incredibly popular, loved by celebrities and TV commercials, and are therefore considered to be fashionable in an almost high-end way. And as always, the more popular something is the more demand, and the higher the price.
To some, French Bulldogs are ugly, but even then, that just makes them a sort of cult classic amongst dogs, so they have a very big fandom!
Summary
So…in conclusion, how much is the average cost of owning a French Bulldog? Well, as a general rule, it will cost you between $2000 to $3000 to buy a French Bulldog, and then it will cost you an average of around $2000 a year to maintain one.
French Bulldogs are one of the most expensive breeds, due to them being designer, and quite fashionable and desirable. However, they are also very expensive to maintain, mainly because they are quite prone to a few medical conditions, resulting in vet bills, and because their insurance can be pricier than that of other dog breeds.
Of course, the exact cost of owning a French Bulldog will completely depend on how you acquire said Frenchie, and how you take care of it. Taking into account the nature and health of your French Bulldog, along with your personal lifestyle and choices in their care.
