How Much Does A French Bulldog Cost In 2024?
French Bulldogs are one of the most popular toy dogs or companion dogs. However, their small size and purebred status leads many people to question how much it costs to have a French Bulldog not just to initially purchase one but to maintain a healthy and happy life long term.
Depending on the type of French Bulldog you purchase and your choices for insurance, grooming, and supplies, the lifetime cost of owning a French Bulldog can be well over $40,000. Thankfully, things like pet insurance can cut down on the costs of health issues and veterinary care.
Key Takeaways
French bulldogs live an average of 10 years, never getting beyond 13 inches tall and weighing less than 28 lbs, which makes them ideal for small spaces.
Purebred French bulldogs can cost well over $8,000 in adoption fees for the most in demand coat colors.
According to the Royal Veterinary College, 72.4% of all French bulldogs have at least one health issue, which can cost thousands of dollars to treat but less with the right insurance plan.
How Much Does A French Bulldog Cost?
The average cost of purchasing a puppy from a breeder is between $4,000 and $8,000. This is based almost entirely on the coat and the bloodline. Different colors are much more expensive, such as the Isabella coat, which is more of a lilac hue compared to the plain white or black. An Isabella coat can cost two or three times as much as a plain white or black coat.
The average cost of adopting a puppy from a shelter or a rescue might only cost a few hundred dollars depending on whether the shelter has included things like vaccinations, microchipping, and spaying or neutering.
Beyond the initial costs of adoption you have to consider the cost of veterinary care, grooming, diet, insurance, supplies, and health issues.
French Bulldog Characteristics
Below is a table of the main characteristics for French bulldogs.
| Characteristic | French Bulldog Averages |
| Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
| Weight | Under 28 pounds |
| Breed Type | Toy dog (French breed) |
| Size | 11-13 inches tall |
French Bulldogs are unique companion or toy breeds with large bat ears. They are the most popular small dog breed because of their playfulness, family-friendliness, socialization, and personality. The size of an average French Bulldog makes them particularly popular among people who live in cities or apartments because they can fit in smaller spaces.
In general the characteristics of a French Bulldog mimic a full-sized Bulldog but in a miniature form. The only difference is that they maintain the erect bat ears that are a trademark of a full-sized bulldog. Charming without high requirements for outdoor exercise, they get along well with other humans and are known for having compact bodies with large, square heads and short noses.
Costs Of Owning A French Bulldog
The costs of owning a French Bulldog include the upfront cost as well as long-term costs.
Veterinary Care
Recommended veterinary care for French Bulldogs includes annual checkups. Annual checkups involve regular vaccinations as well as medication for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. This can cost an average of $750 per year depending on the vaccinations and medications required.
There are several medical issues that a French Bulldog can suffer from and the cost will vary depending on the severity. Some examples include ear infections, which are very common among French Bulldogs, which can cost an average of $550 to treat as well as allergies which can cost an average of $1,000.
Estimated Lifetime Cost: $12,000
Grooming
French Bulldogs are middle of the road in terms of their shedding level and they only need coat grooming on a monthly basis. With a short, smooth coat that can have several color markings, your cost of grooming is somewhat minimal.
The average grooming cost is between $30 and $90.
Tip: If you invest in basic brushes, shampoos, and nail clippers, you can do monthly grooming yourself.
Estimated Lifetime Cost: $5,200
Diet
French Bulldogs are relatively small and on average you can expect to spend $30 per month for ongoing feeding costs, not including dog treats or prescription food as they get older.
Estimated Lifetime Cost: $4,100
Insurance
Pet insurance can help prevent larger costs for things like accidents and injuries, especially if you include the common health issues to which French Bulldogs are prone. Depending on the plan you choose, your location, and the age of your French Bulldog when you start your new plan you can expect to pay between $40 and $80 per month.
Estimated Lifetime Cost: $7,200
Supplies
In terms of ongoing entertainment and comfort costs for French bulldogs, you’ll need to include things like:
- A bed
- Carrier for vets trips
- Blankets
- Toys
The frequency of purchasing new dog toys or dog beds as well as carriers or travel supplies is based on personal needs.
For example:
A dog carrier which is often a requirement if you ever fly with your French Bulldog or otherwise travel with your French Bulldog can cost an average of $30 but you might also need things like:
- Food and water bowls that are compact
- Disposable poop bags
- Extra leashes
Dog toys suitable for a French Bulldog can cost between $10 and $50 but your dog might get bored with chew toys or tear through them and need new dog toys every few months.
Estimated Lifetime Cost: $1,200
One-Time Costs
One time costs have to do with the majority of the money you spend when first acquiring a French bulldog.
Adoption Fees
The initial adoption costs are the most expensive one-time cost of owning a French bulldog.
French Bulldogs come in many colors and patterns with an average cost between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on the patterns. A brindle, cream, or black bulldog, for example, cost an average of $4,000 for adoption.
The in-demand Platinum or Isabella coat color can cost upwards of $8,000 for adoption.
Tip: The French Bulldog Rescue Network offers less expensive adoptions for French Bulldogs over breeders.
Vaccinations
When you adopt a French Bulldog you’ll have to pay for their vaccinations. Below is a table for the recommended vaccinations based on age:
| Age | Recommended Vaccination |
| 6-8 weeks | DHPP |
| 10-12 weeks | DHPP |
| 12-24 weeks | Rabies |
| 14-16 weeks | DHPP |
| 12-16 months | Rabies, DHPP |
| Every 2 years | DHPP |
| Every 3 years | Rabies (by law) |
The average cost of each vaccination for a French Bulldog is between $40 and $75 per dose but these can be included in certain puppy insurance plans.
Microchipping
While things like rabies shots are legally required for French bulldogs, microchipping may or may not be depending on where you live. The average cost to microchip a French Bulldog is less than $50 and should only have to be done once.
In addition to microchipping you may need to have a pet license and collar or tags depending on your state and these can cost anywhere between $10 and $50 depending on how fancy you want that collar and tag to be.
Registration
There are also registration fees if you want to register your French Bulldog under your name as part of your paperwork with the American Kennel Club. According to the AKC, basic registration is $39.99 with the pedigree of $64.99.
Common French Bulldog Health Issues
French bulldogs suffer from several potential health issues with different associated costs.
According to the Royal Veterinary College, 72.4% of all French bulldogs have at least one health issue, 17.9% with skin problems and 14% with ear infections.
The table below represents the most common issues and their relative cost:
| Health Issue | Average Treatment Cost |
| Brachycephalic syndrome | $750 |
| Cherry eye | $300- $1,800 |
| Skinfold dermatitis | $300- $2,500 |
| Ear infections | $300- $1,000 |
| Allergies | $1,000 |
| Hip dysplasia | $1,700- $7,000 |
| IVDD | $1,500- $4,000 (only for surgery, not diagnostic tests) |
How Much Is Pet Insurance For French Bulldog
As mentioned, pet insurance costs for a French Bulldog will vary depending on:
- The plan you get
- When you take out the plan (how old the dog is at the time)
- Your location
The average plan for French bulldogs cost between $40 and $80 per month.
Comparing Costs: French Bulldog Vs Other Breeds
The table below shows an average cost of purchasing a French bulldog puppy from a breeder, compared to other breeds:
| Breed | Adoption Costs |
| French Bulldog | $5,000 |
| Pug | $2,000 |
| Golden Retriever | $1,000 |
| Labrador Retriever | $1,900 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | $900 |
| Pomeranian | $1,500 |
| Maltese | $1,000 |
| Bulldog | $800 |
| Australian Shepherd | $1,700 |
| Beagle | $500 |
FAQs
Why are French Bulldogs so expensive?
French Bulldogs are expensive because they are a purebred toy dog with several different coat colors. Certain coat colors are more in demand than others and the lineage traced back to champion bloodlines can increase the cost.
Are French Bulldogs worth buying?
It is up to you to determine if it is worth buying a French Bulldog given the cost of a purebred as well as the common health issues and ongoing costs compared to other breeds. They are very popular among big cities because of their compact size and friendliness, making them a suitable dog for apartments or big families.
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