French Bulldogs, often lovingly referred to as Frenchies, are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States, if not the entire world right now. With such popularity also comes a high price tag.
At the absolute minimum, a French Bulldog from a reputable breeder would cost $1,800, but it is more likely that the price will land somewhere in the $3,000 region.
In fact, it is likely that the price could even be significantly higher for pups if they are from champion bloodlines or have unique coloring.
So why is it that these little pups often carry such a big price tag? Keep reading to learn more about the various factors contributing to these higher price tags.
In this article:
French Bulldog Price Chart
The average cost of a French Bulldog puppy is $3,500, although there are some colors that cost more.
| Color | Price |
|---|---|
| Brindle | $4,000 |
| Black | $4,500 |
| Fawn brindle | $4,500 |
| Cream | $5,000 |
| White | $5,000 |
| Fawn | $5,500 |
| Blue & Blue fawn | $6,500 |
| Lilac | $6,500 |
| Chocolate | $6,500 |
| Merle | $6,500 |
| Platinum | $8,000 |
| Isabella | $8,000 |
| Fluffy Frenchie | $11,000 |
Reasons Why French Bulldogs Are Expensive
French bulldogs are expensive for several reasons, including their popularity, high demand, and low breeding rate.
They are also prone to health problems and require specialized care, which drives up the cost. Additionally, breeding French bulldogs is a time-intensive and costly process, as they have a high rate of cesarean births requiring veterinary intervention.
Finally, shipping, insurance, and import taxes for French bulldogs can also contribute to their high cost. All these factors combined make French bulldogs one of the most expensive dog breeds.
Below we go through these factors in more detail.
Popularity
One of the main reasons that breeders can charge so much is simply because of the French Bulldog’s continuously growing popularity.
They are in high demand right now! French Bulldogs first started gaining popularity in the late 1990s thanks to their adorable looks and loving personalities.
In more recent years, they have become a popular breed among celebrities, making them even more desirable in many people’s eyes.
Celebrities like Martha Stewart, Lady Gaga, and Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson have all welcomed French Bulldogs into their homes. Check out our roundup of celebrities and their French bulldogs.
With the rising demand for French Bulldogs, breeders know that people are willing to pay more money than they might for any other dog breed.
Similarly, French Bulldogs are most popular in metropolitan areas, which often have a high cost of living. Because of this, breeders also in metropolitan areas may incorporate that into their pricing.
Expensive to breed
Ethically breeding French Bulldogs is not cheap, so breeders often have to spend thousands of dollars on providing quality veterinary care for their dogs and puppies.
Responsible breeders want to promote the betterment of the breed. So they do a great deal of genetic testing to ensure they aren’t passing on potential future inheritable health concerns on to puppies.
Moreover, breeding French Bulldogs is much more complex than simply getting a male and female together.
French Bulldogs are known for having a large head, but what is less widely known is that they have quite small hips, both of which can make it difficult for the male to impregnate the female.
Most breeders choose to use the process of artificial insemination, which can be an expensive process.
Again, because French Bulldogs do tend to have quite narrow hips, it can be dangerous for the mother to give birth vaginally due to their small hips and pelvis and the babies’ bigger heads and bodies.
Most breeders opt for cesarean section or C-section deliveries, a major surgery that can incur a significant cost.
French Bulldog Breeding Expenses
You can find some of the costs associated with breeding Frenchies below. Prices will vary depending on your location.
| Expense | Price |
|---|---|
| C-section surgery | $1,500 |
| Supplies & food | $1,000 |
| Artificial insemination | $150 |
| Vaccinations & deworming | $500 |
| Puppy incubators | $500 |
| Kennel club registration | $60 |
| Health testing | $1,000+ |
| Progesterone testing & shots | $150 |
Small litter sizes
Because of their small size, the litters of French Bulldogs are usually quite small in number. The average litter only consists of two to four puppies. There could be more, but these cases of five or more puppies are extremely rare.
And in these cases, the puppies may face some difficulties due to the mother’s small size. They may not get all of the nutrients they need before birth because of limited room and resources. After birth, they may be underweight and require more extensive care to raise.
Thankfully, in most cases, Frenchies have very small litters. Still, because of all the expenses associated with breeding, breeders need to charge more individually for each pup to cover their own costs.
Rarity of color or pattern
Many French Bulldog fans want a specific color or pattern. The American Kennel Club recognizes nine standard colors or combinations of colors as part of the breed standard.
These include the colors white, fawn, brindle, cream, and various combinations of these colors. However, there are quite a few rare or fad colors that people especially love, and as such, they garner a higher price tag.
Some examples include chocolate Frenchies, all-black Frenchies, merle Frenchies, and blue-coat Frenchies, to name a few. Even though these colors are not breed standard, pups with these colors can fetch a price upwards of $6,000.
Why certain French Bulldog colors cost more
French Bulldog colors can vary in price due to their rarity and difficulty of reproduction. Some colors, like Blue and Lilac, are more sought after, leading to a higher demand and cost.
However, not all of these rare colors are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC); some may come with health issues or be a result of crossbreeding.
The rarest colors of French Bulldogs are Blue, Blue Fawn, Chocolate, Fawn Brindle, Grey & White, Lilac, and Merle.
Cost of puppies
Breeders, of course, have to provide veterinary care to their puppies. Most breeders will start the deworming process and have the puppies’ first shots administered.
Additionally, many litters need to be put in puppy incubators after delivery which can be quite costly. Some litters may require to be bottle fed, which is also an additional expense.
Puppies often require post-birth veterinary care
Since most French Bulldogs have C-section births, they require special post-birth care. They require prescription pain medication and careful observation.
While much of the observation and care can be done by the breeder, medical intervention may be necessary if complications occur.
The puppies also require checkups from the veterinarian. This includes vaccinations, microchipping, and other treatments.
Gender of puppies
Female French Bulldog puppies tend to cost more than male French Bulldog puppies. General trends show that pet buyers are more likely to look for female puppies over male puppies.
There is a common misconception that female puppies are easier to potty train than male puppies. Many people are hesitant about males because of their tendency to mark, or in other words, lift their leg to urinate.
But this only happens once a dog starts to reach sexual maturity and can be dissuaded with proper training.
There is also a misconception that females are easier to train than males, but this just isn’t true either. Nonetheless, these beliefs often make people more eager to buy a female puppy, resulting in a higher price tag.
Furthermore, breeders know the value of a well-bred female dog. Many breeders will keep the occasional female puppy from a litter in order to have her eventually be a breeding dog.
When she can have puppies, they will be able to profit from each puppy. When owning males, the only way to get money is through a one-time stud fee rather than sales from multiple puppies.
Because of this, breeders know that owners are making a potential investment in a female dog if they want to breed her down the road and make revenue off of her puppies. As such, they know people are willing to pay more if they want to breed a female.
Additionally, pricing female puppies higher can help deter people with poor intentions from buying a female just because they think they can make a quick buck by breeding her in the future.
Different Pricing for Bad, Good, and Great Breeders
The price of a French Bulldog puppy can vary depending on the breeder for several reasons.
Unethical breeders
As mentioned, some people out there with bad intentions want to breed dogs, not for the betterment of the breed at all, but purely for the potential profit.
They’ll often skip genetic testing, not provide quality veterinary care, and breed dogs carelessly without care for creating a structurally sound dog. You’ll often see these referred to as backyard breeders or, in worst-case scenarios, puppy mills.
While sometimes these breeders may ask for outlandish prices, you can usually tell that they are not qualified to be asking for such prices because they won’t be able to back up or justify why they are asking that much.
It is likely that these breeders will be cheaper and more reasonably priced than other breeders, making them a more popular choice.
While they may be cheaper, unfortunately, these dogs are not bred well and may end up costing more in the long run due to medical concerns or behavioral problems.
Good Breeders
A good breeder will be passionate about breeding dogs that will create healthy, stable, and well-adjusted puppies for the betterment of the breed.
They’ll provide proper care for the parents and puppies. And they will screen their buyers to make sure their puppies are going to good homes. These breeders usually sell their puppies in the mid-tier range of pricing.
Great Breeders
A great breeder, while often the most expensive option, will do all of the things a good breeder does and more.
They often compete in the show ring to prove their dogs are champions. And they will definitely have a contract for owners to sign when purchasing a puppy.
The contract usually will include things like health guarantees, registration or limited registration, and spay/neuter expectations.
Finally, a great breeder will have a return-to-breeder clause in their contract. These often state that should situations change and a family can no longer care for the dog, the breeder will expect the family to return the dog.
This way, the breeder can ensure that the dog goes to a good home and doesn’t end up in an already overcrowded shelter.
These breeders undoubtedly charge the most for their puppies, but the peace of mind that they offer is well worth the cost.
So, Are French Bulldogs Worth It?
French Bulldogs have been the most popular breed in the United States for the past few years. And for a good reason! They are charming, adaptable, fun-loving, and overall just very sweet-natured dogs.
So in answer to the question of why French Bulldogs are so expensive, the reason is that they are popular, and they are costly to breed and care for.
When buying from a reputable breeder, though, the sweet, healthy French Bulldog puppy you get in return will be well worth the cost.
