Honest question regarding purchase options in New Zealand

Marc Cruickshank · Dec 19, 2014

Hey guys.

So my partner and I have been looking into Frenchies for like 6 months. There are a few breeders in NZ, but to be frankly honest, none of them seem particularly great. I've contacted a few now, and their attitudes seem to be more that of a breeder for money rather than a breeder for the dogs. When you're looking at paying $3500 for a puppy, and that breed of dog is prone to health problems, that's not exactly encouraging. So I've been trying to figure out what other options there are. We're 100% sure that a Frenchie is for us, but we just want to get the right one. Another thing that sort of puts me off is that a lot of their dogs don't really seem to fit into the 'ideal' look for a Frenchie category. That sort of makes me worry that there's something not right there. I would kill for a blue pup, but there's literally no one breeding them in NZ. Any thoughts on options?

Thanks!
Marc

bullmama · Dec 19, 2014

If you don't have a good gut feeling, keep searching and ((try!!!)) to be patient. Once you find a reputable breeder you may need to get on a waiting list too. Do you have any breed clubs or shows around there? That would be a fantastic place to start looking.

davidh · Dec 19, 2014

I agree, if it doesn't feel right, then it's not. You mentioned you wanted a "blue", those breeders are breeding them for money only and do not care about the health of the breed, nor do they breed for the betterment of the breed, because that color is not a standard Frenchie color. I am a firm believer that you should only breed to better the breed and try the get the best Frenchie you can get, by staying in the French bulldog standard, health, and temperament.

Marc Cruickshank · Dec 20, 2014

Hey bullmama, there only seem to be a select few breeders in New Zealand, as it is quite small, so I'm fairly confident I've essentially looked into all of them. I dunno, they just don't seem great, and it's really disappointing because they're realistically my only choices.

Hey davidh, cheers for that piece of info, as I wasn't aware that blues were not a standard colour. What would your recommendation be in terms of what to look for? Obviously I will love what ever dog I end up with, but I would prefer it to be as healthy as possible, considering they cost a small fortune. :mellow:

winginit66 · Dec 21, 2014

Hi Marc,

AKC standard below:
Color: Acceptable colors - All brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white, and any color except those which constitute disqualification. All colors are acceptable with the exception of solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and white with black, which are disqualifications. Black means black without a trace of brindle.

I see a lot of photos of blues and now Black and Tan in Great Britain on a FB a group that I am a member... i agree with David and am not sure why these colors continue to be produced, only that people want something 'rare' and the market will still support that.

Good luck!

Schimpfy · Dec 21, 2014

Have you thought about buying outside of NZ, hope you and your partner find your furbaby here is a pic of mine it took me over 2 years of looking and i ended up getting a half french / English bulldog. Was stuck deciding which breed i wanted and all of a sudden there he was we named him Chance.

The husbear and I lucked out they are definitely a breed unto their own

Alice Kable · Dec 21, 2014

Marc, you might want to contact breeders outside of NZ. Frenchie babies are small enough that you can take them as a carry-on on airplanes. What you pay up front for a Frenchie is NOTHING compared to what you'll be paying if you get one with serious health problems.

My Buster is half Olde English Bulldogge and half French (breeder mistake) and is the best dog I've ever had!