Advice on a potential frenchie!

Sandral45 · Oct 29, 2015

Hello everyone,

I'm currently living in Hong Kong and looking to find my first frenchie. Unfortunately, there isn't much access to frenchie breeders, but I did find one and this is the puppy they have available! Please could you give me some advice or your thoughts on his looks? Thanks!

MaplesMommy · Oct 29, 2015

Is he available at a Pet store?
If so, DO NOT by him! Puppys sold at Pet stores almost exclusively come from puppy mills and are often very sick and anti social.
Try to find a reputable breeder, that invites you to their home and can show you how the dog lives and show you the parents of the dog as well. This is essential if you want to get a healthy, non- traumatized dog.

If he really comes from a puppy mill, please don't buy him because you feel sorry. Yes, it is terrible, but by buying him, you will only support the mill and more dogs will be 'produced'. You also risk getting a very sick dog and having to spend a lot of money on vet care, if the puppy even lives a long life.

hannah · Oct 29, 2015

I am agreeing with Mapples Mommy

Frenchies already have enough health concerns as it is... purchasing one from a pet store without knowing the backround is almost guaranteeing it will have health issues, and not only cost a lot of money on vet bills but will not be as happy.

Sandral45 · Oct 29, 2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the heads up, I've also read a lot about pet store puppies. Unfortunately in Hong Kong there aren't any AKC breeders and so most of the puppies here are from Taiwanese breeders. The shop owner informed me that the puppies were bred in Taiwan and I have information on the dam and sire. This store owner was quite responsible and explained that she typically only brings dogs in that she has sourced herself for long time clients. I did ask if I could visit the breeder and the shop owner stated that she would try to contact the breeder though there likely isn't a chance for me to actually go to Taiwan to visit the dam and sire though as the breeder has already handed over responsibility of the puppy to the store owner. I have also looked into several breeders myself in Taiwan and will definitely continue to find one myself through a breeder directly.

That aside, any tips on how to look at the features of a frenchie?

Fosta Mama · Oct 29, 2015

A responsible breeder will not allow their pups to go to a pet store, because they want to meet and screen potential buyers of their pups. Without seeing where the puppy lived, and hopefully getting to examine the dam and sire, you have no idea of the condition of the parent dogs and how the pup was raised.

Here are a few tips, halfway down the page: French Bulldog Rescue Network :: Facts & Info

As for the pup itself, should have bright eyes, no discharges from the ears, eyes, or nose, skin and coat should look healthy and not sparse, dull, or patchy, no fleas or parasites. Attitude should show a happy and outgoing pup. Should be current on its vaccines and deworming, and you should take it to the vet for a good checkup within 24 hours if possible.

Tgirl · Oct 30, 2015

Something looks odd to me in the second picture, beside the fact that it's at a pet store. I wouldn't buy a dog from a pet store under any circumstances. He is cute though. It's hard to find a puppy that isn't cute.

MaplesMommy · Oct 30, 2015

Tgirl said:
Something looks odd to me in the second picture, beside the fact that it's at a pet store. I wouldn't buy a dog from a pet store under any circumstances. He is cute though. It's hard to find a puppy that isn't cute.

I agree. His hind legs seem to be in an odd position. His hock is too low.

I also agree with the fact,that a good breeder wont ever give their pups to petstores, infact usually the breeder has a waiting list for the puppies.

It all seems a little fishy to me.

(Not trying to discourage you,but its really best for the dog,but also for you,to purchase a pup from a reputable breeder.)

hannah · Oct 30, 2015

They will say whatever to make you believe that the puppy came from a good home. I wouldn't buy what they are saying, or the puppy. Sorry to rain on your parade

You might have to spend more time looking, but it will be worth it for a healthy dog.

I definitely agree that a reputable breeder would NEVER give the dog to a pet store to sell. They screen buyers themselves.

It's up to you but I would stay away from the pet stores.

Squishy Walnuts · Oct 30, 2015

I agree with the others. It is hard to say no to that cute face but I don't think it would be a smart purchase. I would continue your search for a good breeder. Good luck!

Alice Kable · Oct 30, 2015

He is adorable and has a great tail! That said, his hind legs are at an odd stance and buying from a pet store is taking a huge risk.

davidh · Oct 30, 2015

He's a cute little bugger, but I agree with the others, I hate puppy mills.

KimB3384 · Oct 31, 2015

OK, I am totally not trying to start anything here - just playing the devil's advocate. First, none of us lives in Hong Kong, so we can't really speak to the puppy-buying experience there. It's another country entirely and they go by another set of rules. Their norm is not ours. Just because WE advocate the purchase of puppies from reputable breeders we can meet and speak with doesn't mean that's how it's done there. This may be the way they do things, and those puppies might be perfectly healthy and come from good lines. Second, while I agree that the dog appears to have low pasterns (although it could also just be that the puppy is scared or was in mid-sitting motion), that isn't necessarily an indication of poor health. There are many things you can do to strengthen weak pasterns - feeding a good diet, giving supplements, and providing proper exercise all help in that area. Can you show the dog? No, but they still make for great pets. Third, and again I am in no way advocating for the continuation of puppy mills, but what exactly do we think happens to those dogs in shops? I've said it before and I will say it again, I would much rather have someone who knows the potential ramifications of purchasing a pet from a pet store do it than someone who is completely unaware of the issues. Would it be better for someone unfamiliar with the breed and without access to this site and other resources to purchase the dog, struggle with it for a couple of years, and then give it up to a rescue? Or worse, just have it put down? I'm not sure that a couple of years of suffering on both ends is good for either party - dog or human. Someone going into the situation with eyes wide open and in a financial situation where they're able to give the dog proper care is the ideal situation for a dog born under these circumstances. Wishing for puppy mills to go away isn't going to magically make it happen, and someone needs to take care of those dogs that are there through no fault of their own.

So, [MENTION=1567]Sandral45[/MENTION], if you are going into this with your eyes wide open and completely and totally understand that you could be getting a puppy that has many expensive issues to deal with - and you have the financial resources to do so - it's your decision. Trust your gut. Is there a way you can speak to anyone who's bought a dog or other animal from this place before? Even past Frenchie purchasers? You can see from the food brand on the shelves that the place is at least decent. It's not like there's Beneful or Ol' Roy they're selling.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

hannah · Nov 3, 2015

KimB3384 said:
OK, I am totally not trying to start anything here - just playing the devil's advocate. First, none of us lives in Hong Kong, so we can't really speak to the puppy-buying experience there. It's another country entirely and they go by another set of rules. Their norm is not ours. Just because WE advocate the purchase of puppies from reputable breeders we can meet and speak with doesn't mean that's how it's done there. This may be the way they do things, and those puppies might be perfectly healthy and come from good lines. Second, while I agree that the dog appears to have low pasterns (although it could also just be that the puppy is scared or was in mid-sitting motion), that isn't necessarily an indication of poor health. There are many things you can do to strengthen weak pasterns - feeding a good diet, giving supplements, and providing proper exercise all help in that area. Can you show the dog? No, but they still make for great pets. Third, and again I am in no way advocating for the continuation of puppy mills, but what exactly do we think happens to those dogs in shops? I've said it before and I will say it again, I would much rather have someone who knows the potential ramifications of purchasing a pet from a pet store do it than someone who is completely unaware of the issues. Would it be better for someone unfamiliar with the breed and without access to this site and other resources to purchase the dog, struggle with it for a couple of years, and then give it up to a rescue? Or worse, just have it put down? I'm not sure that a couple of years of suffering on both ends is good for either party - dog or human. Someone going into the situation with eyes wide open and in a financial situation where they're able to give the dog proper care is the ideal situation for a dog born under these circumstances. Wishing for puppy mills to go away isn't going to magically make it happen, and someone needs to take care of those dogs that are there through no fault of their own.

So, [MENTION=1567]Sandral45[/MENTION], if you are going into this with your eyes wide open and completely and totally understand that you could be getting a puppy that has many expensive issues to deal with - and you have the financial resources to do so - it's your decision. Trust your gut. Is there a way you can speak to anyone who's bought a dog or other animal from this place before? Even past Frenchie purchasers? You can see from the food brand on the shelves that the place is at least decent. It's not like there's Beneful or Ol' Roy they're selling.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

I would have never come up with this response myself, however I am glad you did and I am glad I read it.

Sandral45 · Nov 3, 2015

Thanks so much everyone for the advice!

Of course, I'm on the exact same page as everyone on puppy mills, which is what my number one concern has been when looking for a frenchie in Hong Kong. There are also plenty of pet shops in Hong Kong that I have been to where I have certainly seen warning signs that their puppies are not in the best condition and their date of birth definitely doesn't match with the size of their puppies. Out of all the ones I have been to, this one store seems to have the most open staff, and the puppies look to be in the best condition. I spoke to the owner of the store I managed to get a photo of the mother with the two pups which I've attached below.

My only other realistic option is from a breeder in Taiwan, which seems to be where most people who I've met with Frenchies in HK have gotten them from. He has sent me pictures of the only cream male he has available, he's about 50 days old now. My concern is that his eyes seem a little far apart, but I'm not sure if that's just because he's still so young and puppies that age tend to look like this? Pictures below!

Sandral45 · Nov 10, 2015

Hi everyone!

I've been in contact with the same taiwanese breeder and he let me know he has another puppy available, pictures below! He's 2 weeks younger (so about 1.5 months now), and I'm trying to decide between the two cream boys. Would really appreciate some advice, thanks!!

2bullymama · Nov 11, 2015

Sandral45 said:
Thanks so much everyone for the advice!

Of course, I'm on the exact same page as everyone on puppy mills, which is what my number one concern has been when looking for a frenchie in Hong Kong. There are also plenty of pet shops in Hong Kong that I have been to where I have certainly seen warning signs that their puppies are not in the best condition and their date of birth definitely doesn't match with the size of their puppies. Out of all the ones I have been to, this one store seems to have the most open staff, and the puppies look to be in the best condition. I spoke to the owner of the store I managed to get a photo of the mother with the two pups which I've attached below.

My only other realistic option is from a breeder in Taiwan, which seems to be where most people who I've met with Frenchies in HK have gotten them from. He has sent me pictures of the only cream male he has available, he's about 50 days old now. My concern is that his eyes seem a little far apart, but I'm not sure if that's just because he's still so young and puppies that age tend to look like this? Pictures below!

View attachment 7317 View attachment 7318 View attachment 7319 View attachment 7320 View attachment 7321

Sandral45 said:
Hi everyone!

I've been in contact with the same taiwanese breeder and he let me know he has another puppy available, pictures below! He's 2 weeks younger (so about 1.5 months now), and I'm trying to decide between the two cream boys. Would really appreciate some advice, thanks!!

View attachment 7419 View attachment 7420 View attachment 7421 View attachment 7422

too sweet.... good luck on that decision

Squishy Walnuts · Nov 11, 2015

Sandral45 said:
Hi everyone!

I've been in contact with the same taiwanese breeder and he let me know he has another puppy available, pictures below! He's 2 weeks younger (so about 1.5 months now), and I'm trying to decide between the two cream boys. Would really appreciate some advice, thanks!!

View attachment 7419 View attachment 7420 View attachment 7421 View attachment 7422