A 12-point checklist from a Missouri breeder for verifying French Bulldog puppy health, from open nares and parent screening to contracts and vet records.
This article is part of our complete guide: Blue & Rare Color French Bulldogs: Genetics, Health, and Care. Read the full guide for colors, buying advice, and daily care.
Why a Checklist Matters
I'm Donna Connolly. Between 30 years with Bullmastiffs and more than six with French Bulldogs on our 5 acres in Monett, Missouri, I've learned that the best day of a puppy's life shouldn't be the day you find out about a health problem. A Frenchie puppy is adorable, but the breed has well-known health concerns. Asking the right questions before you commit protects you and the puppy. Here are the twelve things I'd verify, and I'd ask any breeder, including me.
The 12-Point Checklist
- 1. Open nostrils. Look for wide, round nares rather than pinched slits. Our guide to BOAS and open nares explains why.
- 2. Quiet, easy breathing. A puppy at rest shouldn't sound like it's working hard. Some snuffling is normal, but constant rasping or struggling is not.
- 3. Parents' health information. Ask what the sire and dam have been evaluated for. Breeders commonly consult the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip, patella, and other screening. Ask for documentation rather than promises.
- 4. Airway evaluation. Ask whether the parents have had any airway assessment. The Cambridge BOAS research group describes a functional grading scheme used for brachycephalic dogs.
- 5. Spine and back. Frenchies can have vertebral malformations. Ask what the breeder knows about the parents' and relatives' spinal health, and watch the puppy walk. It should move steadily without dragging or wobbling.
- 6. Clear, bright eyes. No heavy discharge, cloudiness, or constant squinting.
- 7. Clean skin and ears. Check the facial folds and tail pocket for redness or odor. Itching and recurring skin trouble should be disclosed.
- 8. Veterinary records. Request vaccination and deworming dates plus a written exam by a licensed veterinarian before going home.
- 9. Healthy weight and appetite. A puppy should be sturdy, playful, and eating well, not thin, bloated, or lethargic.
- 10. Temperament and socialization. Puppies raised in a home around people, sounds, and family life adjust more easily. See how the dam behaves too.
- 11. A written contract and health guarantee. Read it fully. It should explain return policies and what happens if a genetic condition appears.
- 12. A breeder who answers hard questions. Transparency matters most of all. Our 15 questions for an ethical breeder will help you.
A Word About Color
Rare coat colors are marketed heavily. Color doesn't tell you anything reliable about health, and a high price for a "rare" shade is no substitute for health screening. We cover this honestly in our guide to blue and rare colors. Choose health and temperament first.
Plan for Day One at Home
Schedule a visit with your own veterinarian within the first few days. Keep your puppy away from unfamiliar dogs and public spaces until your vet says vaccination protection is sufficient. Keep the environment cool, since Frenchies overheat easily; see our heat safety guide. Establish a gentle routine and feed a quality puppy diet in measured portions to keep your pup lean.
For more general breed background, the American Kennel Club is a good starting point. We also believe, as we write in our piece on husbandry ethics, that caring for a dog is a stewardship that begins before the puppy ever comes home.
What the Breeder Visit Should Feel Like
When you visit, notice the whole picture. Are the dogs clean, relaxed, and comfortable around people? Is the area where puppies live tidy and cool? Does the breeder talk openly about problems they have seen in the breed, or do they brush off your questions? On our farm, I want families to see where their puppy was raised, meet the mother, and ask anything they like. If a seller won't let you see the parents or the environment, treat that as a warning sign.
Take your time. A good match is worth waiting for, and no responsible breeder will pressure you into a same-day decision. I'd rather lose a sale than see a puppy go to a family that isn't ready. That is what "pets first" means to me.
Questions About Cost and Lifetime Care
Frenchies are not inexpensive to own. Beyond the purchase price, plan for routine veterinary care, quality food, possible dental and skin care, and the chance of unexpected bills related to the breed's anatomy. Many owners set aside an emergency fund or look into insurance. It is much kinder to be honest with yourself about this before you bring a puppy home than to struggle later.
Consider your lifestyle as well. Frenchies want to be near their people and don't do well left alone for long stretches or kept outdoors. They are indoor companions that need air conditioning in summer and warmth in winter. If your household can offer that, you are off to a good start.
Preparing Your Home
Before pickup day, puppy-proof the house, set up a crate and a safe resting space, buy a properly fitted harness rather than relying on a collar around the neck, and choose a veterinarian. Ask your breeder what the puppy has been eating so you can keep the diet consistent at first and change foods gradually. Bring a blanket that smells like the litter to help your puppy settle.
Red Flags I Watch For
Over the years I've learned which warning signs matter most. Be cautious if a seller offers several breeds at once with no clear home environment, cannot show the mother, avoids discussing health testing, advertises extreme or "exotic" features as selling points, or wants payment before you've had any real conversation. Vague answers to specific questions are themselves an answer. Likewise, be wary of a very flat face with tiny nostrils being described as "breed standard" or "cute"; a puppy that can breathe comfortably is the goal.
It also helps to speak with your own veterinarian before you buy. Many vets will happily tell you what they look for in a healthy Frenchie puppy, and some can review the records a breeder provides. That outside, professional opinion is worth far more than a polished advertisement.
Finally, remember that a checklist is a tool, not a guarantee. Use it alongside your instincts, your vet's guidance, and a breeder you trust. A thoughtful, patient approach gives your future family member the best start.
When to Call Your Vet
Contact your veterinarian promptly if your new puppy has trouble breathing, blue or pale gums, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, refuses food for a day, seems weak in the hind legs, or collapses. Don't wait on any of these.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a breeder guarantee a puppy will be healthy?
No honest breeder can promise perfect health, because genetics and development are never fully predictable. What a good breeder can do is screen parents, raise puppies carefully, be transparent, and stand behind a clear written contract.
When can a Frenchie puppy go home?
Most reputable breeders release puppies at around eight weeks or later, once they are eating solid food well and have had their first veterinary exam. Ask your breeder and veterinarian about timing.
Should I buy a puppy I can't visit in person?
I strongly prefer meeting the puppy and parents, or at least doing a live video visit. Be careful with anyone who rushes you, refuses questions, or only takes payment through unusual methods.
Is pet insurance worth considering?
Many Frenchie owners find it helpful because the breed can have higher veterinary needs. Compare policies and read what's excluded as pre-existing conditions before you choose.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not veterinary advice; please consult your veterinarian about your own dog.