French Bulldog Info & French Bulldog Breeders

Potential health issues in French Bulldogs

Reputable breeders will ensure that their dogs and puppies are free of issues that french bulldogs can face so be sure to ask for proof that testing has been done for the potential health problems listed below.   It should be noted that NONE of these tests are compulsory, but ethical breeders will do whatever tests are available to them to ensure they are breeding healthy, quality animals.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) can cause extreme breathing problems for French Bulldogs.  The condition is associated with their face shape (long soft palate and narrowing of the nostrils), everted saccules and an underdeveloped trachea.  Dogs suffering from BOAS should never be used for breeding.  Good breeders aim to reduce these traits by selectively breeding for good palates and open nostrils. Breeding with fully tested specimens who exhibit both phenotypical (what we see) and genotypical (genetic makeup) healthy traits, helps to ensure that the offspring inherit desirable healthy traits - including good breathing.

Hemivertebrae – The French Bulldog has an average of 3-4 hemivertebrae. These are misshapen vertebrae that can occasionally cause severe instability of the spinal cord. Testing is recommended to reduce the incidence of this occurring. French Bulldogs can also suffer from Hip Dysplasia which can also be tested for to reduce the incidence of unstable hips. 

French Bulldogs can also suffer from luxating or slipping patellas (dislocating kneecaps). This usually requires surgical intervention to give the dog relief. Again, dogs with this condition should not be bred from.

Heart conditions - Cardiomyopathy, heart murmurs and pulmonic stenosis are some of the conditions that can occur.  Unfortunately, heart conditions are on the rise within the French Bulldog due to irresponsible breeders - for more information see Heart Health, The French Bulldog Club of Qld for more information. Dogs with any heart condition should NEVER be bred from. 

Hereditary Cataracts
Called "juvenile cataracts" to differentiate them from cataracts associated with old age or degeneration. Juvenile cataracts appear at an early age and because they are usually inherited, can be picked up with DNA testing.

Cystinuria (Type 3) is a genetic defect in the kidney tubules that causes bladder stones in male French Bulldogs.  Neutering is curative in dogs that are affected, but both males and females can be carriers and should be tested.  Cystinuria is thought to have arrived in Australia recently via dogs and semen imported from Europe.  Increasing numbers of Australian breeders are testing for cystinuria.  It should be noted that a specific test is required to detect type 3 Cystinuria - the French Bulldog version of the defect. Standard DNA testing is not sufficient.