French Bulldogs have enjoyed a massive rise in popularity in recent years as companion pooches for any sort of household. The increased interest in this desirable dog has led to an increase in price, so let’s see how much you can expect to pay for one.
A long list of factors goes into deciding how much French Bulldog breeders will charge for these adorable puppies.
For a ‘low-quality’ French Bulldog puppy, you can expect to pay between $1550 to $2100, and for high-quality French Bulldogs, the price will be between $3000-$4000, with show standard Frenchies going for as much as $7000.
Have you fallen in love with the adorable squishy face of a French Bulldog? You’re not alone! This is one of the most popular dog breeds in Australia and, as you might imagine, also one of the most expensive. When buying from a registered breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere between $5,000 and a whopping $15,000 for a French Bulldog, depending on the dog’s lineage and whether it has been bred for show quality.
On the other hand, adopting a French Bulldog from a rescue of a shelter comes with the heavily reduced price tag of $500 – $2,000 in adoption fees. You might even spot Frenchies for sale even cheaper than this, but consider this a warning sign, as they’ll likely be from unregistered breeders – something we recommend avoiding at all costs, as the puppies and parents generally aren’t cared for in the same way as those from registered breeders.
If you want a purebred French Bulldog from a registered breeder, be prepared for a hefty price tag of between $5,000 and $15,000, with some rare-coloured French Bulldogs and show-quality puppies costing even more. Obviously, this is a pretty wide price range, but there are several reasons why, and we’ll look at these in more detail later. But, to sum up, the price will be determined by the dog’s lineage, coat colour, health, and the breeder’s reputation.
The cost of adopting a French Bulldog also has quite a wide price range of $500 to $2,000. However, this is obviously much cheaper than buying through a registered breeder, and it will usually also include the costs of vaccinations, worming, microchipping, and desexing. However, due to their popularity, finding a Frenchie in a shelter can be quite difficult, and those that have been surrendered may be suffering from health issues or behavioural problems. What you will do, however, is be offering a dog with a difficult background a forever home while saving money on costs, and breed-specific shelters like French Bulldog Rescue & Adoption Australia can help you find your new furry friend if you’ve had no luck in your local shelter.
Some of the factors that will influence the amount a French Bulldog is priced at include:
A reputable, registered breeder will always charge more than an unregistered breeder, and this is because Dogs Australia / The Australian National Kennel Council regulate them and make sure they are adhering to strict breeding standards. This includes investing in health testing, proper socialisation, proper nutrition, and early training, all of which add to the cost of the puppy but also increase the chances of getting a healthy, well-adjusted French Bulldog.
If a French Bulldog comes from a champion bloodline, they’ll come with a higher price tag. Show-quality Frenchies, especially those with title-winning parents or grandparents, can easily sell for over $10,000 as they are bred to meet the strict breed standards laid out by the ANKC and may be suitable for future breeding. Puppies from pet-only breeders, on the other hand, are more likely to be priced at the lower end of the $5,000 to $15,000 range.
French Bulldogs are available in a range of colours, and some are much rarer (and more expensive) than others. For instance, standard colours like fawn, brindle, pied, and cream are quite common and these will usually sit between $5,000 and $8,000, not taking the other factors into account. However, rarer colours like blue, lilac, merle, and chocolate can push the price up to $10,000 and, if mixed with champion bloodlines, all the way up to that $15,000 mark.
As is to be expected, French Bulldog puppies are always more expensive than adults, as most people prefer to get a puppy between 8 and 12 weeks old so they can train and bond with them from a young age. However, if you’re open to adopting an older French Bulldog, you may find the price much lower.
Along with the initial purchase price, owning a French Bulldog comes with some other upfront costs that cover essential products they’ll need. These include:
Dog crate: $100 – $300 for a sturdy, well-ventilated crate that can be used for training, transport, and as a private space for your Frenchie when they need some alone time.
Dog bed: $50 – $200 for a soft, supportive bed that will keep them warm and take the pressure off their joints.
Dog harness/lead: $30 – $80 for a strong lead that can withstand pulling and a harness that gives you control while protecting their neck.
Feeding bowl: $20 – $50 for a shallow, slow-feeder bowl that accommodates their short nuzzle and prevents bloating.
Dog toothbrush: $10 – $30 for a soft-bristled doggy toothbrush and an enzymatic toothpaste.
Dog car harness: $40 – $90 for a crash-tested car harness designed to keep your French Bulldog securely in place throughout car rides.
Puppy treats: $10 – $30 for grain-free, natural treats for training and positive reinforcement.
Puppy training pads: $20 – $50 to help with house training and protect your home against little accidents in the process.
Dog shampoo & conditioner: $20 – $60 for hypoallergenic products that clean dirt and remove loose fur while protecting their delicate skin.
Dog nail clippers, brushes & combs: $30 – $80 for a brush set and strong nail clippers to keep their paws in good condition.
It’s tempting to give your cute little Frenchie whatever they want, including treats and extra food throughout the day. However, an adult French Bulldog (who should weigh between 8kg – 14kg) only needs around 180g – 250g of food per day. The daily costs of this are listed below, and depending on the diet you go with, this means the monthly costs can vary from $60 to $300.
We should note that the actual costs will vary, based on the brand, food quality, and recommended portion size for your French Bulldog. To make sure they’re getting the best diet for their needs, and to avoid over or underfeeding, make sure you consult your vet.
Just like any other breeds, French Bulldogs need year-round vet care to stay as healthly as possible. This is known as “preventative care”, and the average costs for this are:
Annual vet checkups: $50 – $150 per visit for general health checks, including weight advice and looking for early signs of breed-specific problems, and for general wellness advice.
Vaccinations: $100 – $250 each year to cover core vaccinations and optional boosters.
Worming and parasite protection: $20 – $50 per month to keep your Frenchie free of fleas, ticks, and various types of worms.
Dental cleaning (every 1-2 years): $300 – $600 for a thorough cleaning under anaesthetic.
Pet insurance: $50 – $150 per month (depending on coverage) to help cover unexpected vet bills and more.
French Bulldogs may have short coats, but that doesn’t mean they’re low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. In fact, their wrinkled faces and sensitive skin mean they require regular professional grooming, which could cost:
Hydrobath prices: $20 – $50 for a deep-cleaning bath that removes dirt, excess oils, and loose fur.
Full groom prices: $50 – $120 for a thorough bath with hypoallergenic shampoo, brushing, de-shedding, wrinkle cleaning, ear cleaning, and nail trimming.
Face, feet & tail groom prices: $30 – $70 to clean in between facial wrinkles, trim their nails, and wash and trim around the tail area.
While Frenchies pick up commands pretty quickly, they can have a stubborn and mischievous streak, so training is absolutely essential to stop bad behaviours from forming. This is what you can expect to pay for various training services:
Basic obedience training prices: $150 – $300 for a 6-week course that covers basic commands, lead training, recall, and advanced socialisation.
Puppy training class prices: $200 – $400 for a 6-week course focusing on early obedience, toilet training, and positive reinforcement techniques.
Specialised training prices (i.e. anxiety, aggression): $100 – $200 for a private one-on-one session designed to deal with issues like separation anxiety, resource guarding and other behaviour modification.
It’s important to understand that the costs of owning a French Bulldog don’t stop when you pay for your puppy. There are lots of ongoing costs to think about, too, including food, grooming, and vet care. So, before you commit, take the time to think about whether you can meet these financial needs over the course of their 10 -14 year average lifespan. If you’re confident that you can, you’ll have a loyal companion who’ll bring endless amounts of love and joy to your home.
The most influential factor in the cost of French Bulldog pups is the quality of their parents. If you’re selecting from a puppy pack born of champions, expect to pay heavyweight rates.
The high demand for French Bulldog puppies makes them more expensive than adult and senior dogs, which are considered a less designer choice.
Certain colours, such as merle and isabella, are extremely rare in French Bulldogs and will have a strong influence on their price. More common colours like fawn, brindle, brindle fawn, white and black will not affect their price.
When you purchase from a reputable registered breeder, you’re paying for expertise as well as a French Bulldog puppy from solid stock.
Good breeders will pay for various other healthcare costs, such as having them vet checked and de-wormed regularly to ensure healthy dogs.
Get a good measure of your breeder and where they live to ensure you buy a dog from a trustworthy source.
Also, if they breed show puppies, this is a sure sign of their dedication to the breed standard and raising high-quality, beautiful Frenchies that live happily.
A good breeder should have the parents of their French Bulldog puppies nearby. Be wary of breeders who won’t let you meet the parents; ‘puppy brokers’ import puppies from Europe to sell at an increased rate, a practice that can result in a list of health and developmental problems in dogs.
Any responsible breeder will conduct the minimum amount of health tests on their French Bulldog puppies and their parents, so they can identify any future potential health problems such as breathing issues, intervertebral disc disease and hip dysplasia.
Dependable registered breeders will be affiliated with a French Bulldog club and potentially a few all-breed clubs such as the Australian National Kennel Council.
Food and treats for French Bulldogs can cost between $240-$720 annually.
You should always choose high-quality food designed for small dogs made with natural ingredients like meat and vegetables with a solid nutritional profile. A bag of good quality food can cost from $50-$80 and will last around a month.
You can expect to incur several fees when getting your pet vet checked. Some of these necessary costs include:
Regular grooming of French Bulldogs is an important outgoing to ensure good health. Taking the time to keep their skin and coat healthy, especially in their facial wrinkles, is a responsibility of owning these dogs. Annual grooming costs of a Frenchie will only cost $100-$250 annually.
Absolutely. There’s a reason these charming dogs have become so popular for human companionship in recent years. Their dopey, loveable energy is similar to that of a British Bulldog, making them perfect for a family home.
They are small and manageable dogs; they don’t shed too heavily and will get on well with other dogs and other pets, such as cats, provided they are well-socialised.
They’re wary dogs but never aggressive and will always alert you when they notice a change in their environment, making them good watchdogs.
Choosing your favourite pup from a beautiful litter of Frenchies should be something you take your time doing. Do enough research so you’re confident you’re buying your dog from a responsible breeder.
Find a breeder whose ethics work for you, whether they are a small breeder or a larger operation, and ensure they take as much care as you would when raising their dogs, keeping their DNA clear and ensuring they are healthy and happy before they leave for their forever home.
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