You want to choose a female who has parents that are registered with the American Kennel Club, have health certifications that show they’re free from genetic defects, and come with established pedigrees so that you’re sure of their quality lineage. When you’re choosing a breeder, talk to multiple people to make sure they provide quality care to their animals. The breeder should also allow you to see both parents of the puppy you’re considering. [3] X Expert Source Kateryna ZabashtaDog Breeder Expert Interview. 19 March 2021.
Choose a male with characteristics that you’d like to combine with your female. For instance, he might have a desirable color that complements your female or traits that would address one of her deficiencies, such as a small skull. Always ask for photos, an official pedigree, and health certifications when considering a stud. It’s also important to inquire about the litters that they’ve sired so that you can assess if they breed well. Never breed dogs that are closely related to avoid genetic defects; however, dogs that are distantly related (for instance, they have a shared great uncle) often produce well together.
It’s also a good idea to start giving your bitch prenatal supplements, including folic acid, iodine, and vitamin E.
There’s usually a two to three day window when she’ll be at peak fertility. Vets can use vaginal smears and progesterone testing to confirm when she’s ready to mate. Then, you just need to make sure that your stud is ready to perform his duty.
If you choose to do the former, arrange whether you’ll go to the stud or whether he’ll come to you. Make sure that their breeding is closely monitored to prevent any potential aggression. Many breeders do not favor natural breeding because of the risks of violence and infection. If you choose to go for artificial insemination, have the stud’s chilled semen sent to your vet. Be sure to keep track of the breeding days so that you can better estimate your female’s due date.
Keep the mother on her regular amount of food in the first half of the pregnancy as weight gain at this stage can increase the risk of whelping difficulties. Some breeders recommend feeding the mother half an ounce of raw liver (pork, beef, or venison) each day in addition to their kibble. Some breeders also suggest switching the mother over from adult to puppy food around the fifth week of their pregnancy and through nursing to ensure they’re getting the vitamins and minerals necessary for puppy development. Sometimes mothers get morning sickness and aren’t inclined to eat. If you find that’s the case, tempt her with something she likes to eat. Bland foods like chicken and rice are often safe bets.
The vet can use a Relaxin blood test from 25+ days, a sonogram from 28+ days, and an xray from 45+ days from the first day of breeding to confirm if your bitch is pregnant. Even if you think she’s not pregnant, always be sure to check. Sometimes small litters are difficult to detect.
French Bulldogs puppies generally gestate for between 59 – 63 days from the time of breeding. You can generally gauge the onset of labor by the mother’s behavior (discomfort, agitation, lack of appetite, and/or nesting behavior) and by taking her rectal temperature. If you notice it drops by at least a degree, that’s a good sign that she has gone into labor. [5] X Research source After the c-section, be sure to monitor the incision for discharge or infections. If you notice any discharge, clean it with hydrogen peroxide. If it continues or you notice significant redness and swelling, take her to the vet immediately. Note that other spotting and discharge is normal for a dog for a few days after birth.
Keep the box protected from any disturbances, especially quarantined away from other dogs or animals. The bedding should be soft and uneven, such as an egg-crate foam with towels on top. This will prevent your puppies from developing flat chests or splayed legs. Use an adjustable heat lamp to keep your puppies warm. The climate in the box should be kept around 95°F (53°C) during the first week, 85°F (29. 4°C) the second, and at 75°F (23. 9°C) from then on. Be sure to adjust the temperature according to the puppies’ behavior. If all of them are huddled under the lamp, turn it up. If all of them are huddled on the opposite side from the lamp, turn it down.
If they’re still unable to feed naturally or the mother is not producing enough milk, bottle feed the puppies with a high-quality puppy formula like Esbilac.
Use a cotton ball dipped in warm water to rub the appropriate places after the puppies have fed.
Start by bowl feeding them with a high-quality puppy formula like Esbilac. Then, mix in some finely ground, high-quality puppy kibble to create a mushy gruel. Gradually add more finely ground dry puppy food with each meal, increasing its thickness until they’re ready for plain dry food. Introduce dry food alongside mush to encourage puppies to start eating it by choice. They should be able to eat kibble by the time they’re six weeks.
The whole litter should have a “5 in 1” vaccination (for canine distemper, hepatitis, coronavirus, parainfluenza, and parvovirus) every three weeks until they’re 16 weeks old. They should also have a rabies vaccine at 12+ weeks. The new owners will generally take care of many of these; just be sure that they know they need to register the puppy with a vet right away and continue the cycle of vaccines and parasite control.
You can do this via mail or online. Expect a two to six week turnaround time.
French Bulldogs are susceptible to multiple genetic disorders. Responsible breeders will have their parent dogs screened for common defects, including brachycephalic airway syndrome, spinal malformations, hip and reproductive issues, and be able to produce independent certification from a vet that their stock tested negative. The parents’ health screening results should also be registered in the Canine Health Information Center database so that owners can look it up for verification. It’s also a good idea to become a registered breeder with the French Bulldog Club of America to gain referrals and show that you adhere to a strict code of ethics with regards to breeding.
Make sure that the document includes contact information for both parties, the names and American Kennel Club registration numbers for both parents, a description of the puppy, and a health guarantee clause that stipulates that a puppy can be returned for a full refund if any health issues are found upon an immediate veterinary screening. Many breeders also include a clause specifying that a puppy must be returned to them if the owners are no longer able to care for it.
