How much do Frenchies cost?
The other day, I was reading about the most expensive dog ever purchased – a Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash – who was sold for a whopping $1.6 million!
And that got me thinking, what is the cheapest dog breed in the world?
Are smaller dog breeds like French bulldogs cheaper than larger breeds like Tibetans? How much do Frenchies cost exactly?
French bulldogs are so cute. They are fairly easy to care for and they get along well with kids. Their cute looks and charming personalities make them excellent house pets.
Naturally, their popularity does not make them cheap! If you have been wondering how much do Frenchies cost, you have come to the right place! Here we will discuss:
- How much do Frenchies cost? (Including their prices if you adopt one or want specific coat colors)
- Factors that affect a Frenchie’s price
- Why are Frenchies so expensive?
- How much does it cost to own a French Bulldog (first year expense and maintenance cost after the first year).
How Much Do Frenchies Cost?
Please note that this information is only for French Bulldogs being sold in the United States. If you are from another country, sorry!
Frenchies are expensive dogs- they cost quite a fortune!
Expect to pay anywhere between $1500 and $3500 for a Frenchie puppy. The average cost of a purebred French bulldog is about $2500.
If you buy your Frenchie from a reputed breeder who has used only purebred, top-show-dog quality dogs, and has outstanding breeding lines, then you can expect to shell out anywhere between $5000 and $10000 for your pet!
How Much Do Frenchies Cost If You Adopt One?
Adopting a French bulldog is the cheapest route you can take and you will also end up saving a life!
Of course, there are many issues with adoption – for e.g., you might get an older dog with health issues and that could end up costing a lot of money on vet trips later.
Prices for adopting a Frenchie range from $200 to $500. Some shelter homes charge a fixed fee while others might vary their prices based on the rescued pet’s age, breed, color, etc.
Here is a list of French Bulldog rescue Groups in case you choose to adopt.
You can discuss spaying, neutering and de-worming with the shelter – some shelters have tie-ups with vets who do these initial health checks and vaccinations for minimal costs.
Many shelters also spay/neuter pets and factor in those services in their fees.
How Much Do Frenchies Cost Based on their Coat Colors?
By now you know that French bulldogs are the 4th most popular dog breed and they can be expensive!
But did you also know that their prices vary based on their coat colors too?
The most expensive French bulldog ever sold was a cute little guy called Micro. He went for a price of $100,000 because he has a lovely merle-colored coat and orange eyes!
Here is a table showing different varieties of Frenchies coat colors and their approximate prices:
| Frenchie Coat Color | Approximate Price |
| White, black, cream, fawn, pied | Between $1500 and $3000 |
| Brindle, black and tan | Between $2000 and $5000 |
| Blue | Between $2000 and $3500 |
| Merle | Between $6000 and $10,000 |
| Isabella | Between $8000 and $10,000 |
Factors that Affect a Frenchie’s Price
In addition to coat colors, the following factors can also affect your French Bulldog’s price:
State/city
According to Life Hacker, there are some US cities that are extremely expensive for dog ownership.
As expected, cities like San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, and Portland are very expensive for dog ownership while cities like Detroit, MI are slightly cheaper.
Breeders in certain states charge a lot more if you buy your Frenchie pup from them.
Many factor in the cost of shipping so you could consider buying your Frenchie from a local breeder (if there is one) to reduce shipping cost.
Pedigree/bloodlines
If your pet’s grandpa won the Westminster Dog Show, expect to pay more for it!
Time/season of buying
There are certain months when the cost of Frenchies can go up because of the higher demand – Holidays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, etc. are the peak buying times.
Breeder
Reputed breeders always charge more since many use only pure bloodlines in their breeding programs and also test their dogs for common genetic issues like hip dysplasia, brachycephalic syndrome, etc. These health tests naturally incur a fee.
Why Are Frenchies So Expensive?
There are several reasons why Frenchies are so expensive:
1. Popularity
Being number 4 in AKC list of most popular dogs has a price. The breed is not only cute, it is fairly easy to care for.
People who like small-sized dogs prefer Frenchies and are willing to pay for them.
2. Small litter sizes
Since female Frenchies are tiny dogs with tinier birthing canals, their deliveries are often fraught with risks.
They not only have small litter sizes (3 to 5 puppies), but many pups also die during the birthing process. Also, Frenchies need C-section to deliver and to reduce these hassles, many pet parents simply get their dogs neutered and spayed.
A high demand with a lower supply has also inflated Frenchie prices. It is worth mentioning here that the waiting time for a Frenchie puppy from a reputed breeder can even run into several years!
Also Read: How Long Are French Bulldogs Pregnant
3. Demand for certain coat colors
Certain French bulldog coat colors are much in demand.
As you can see from the table above, Frenchies in Isabella, Merle, chocolate, or blue coloring are rare and their breeders demand a huge price for them. Many charge tens of thousands of dollars for these exotic colors.
Let us take a look at the costs you will incur once you bring your Frenchie home.
How Much Does it Cost to Own a Frenchie?
Note that these costs will vary based on your location as well as your style of pet-parenting. However, these total costs are averages that can help you make important financial decisions.
Here’s a dive into how much do Frenchies cost once you bring your pet home:
First Year Expense of Owning a Frenchie
The first year expense of owing a Frenchie is slightly higher since your puppy needs several vaccinations, routine vet checks, de-worming, toys, accessories, food bowls, and so on.
| Item | The average cost per year in the first year |
| Cost of purchasing a Frenchie puppy | about $2000 (one-time expense) |
| Food and treats | $500 |
| Vet bills, vaccinations, de-worming | $200 |
| Routine checks | $50 |
| Tick and flea protection | $150 |
| Toys, bedding, food bowls | $100 |
| Total average cost in the 1st year | $3000 |
Cost of Food
The cost of food will vary based on your pet’s age, special dietary restrictions and so on.
Even if your Frenchie happily eats everything, it is important that you know that these are sensitive dogs and they are highly susceptible to skin and stomach sensitivities.
That is why you might want to feed them high-quality foods otherwise you could end up paying higher vet bills.
Check out our elaborate guides on best foods for the French bulldog with certain health issues:
- Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Gas
- Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Sensitive Stomach
- Best Dog Food for French Bulldog with Skin Allergies
The high-quality dog foods mentioned in these guides cost about $2-$3 per pound.
Your adult Frenchie needs about 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups of food per day depending on its activity.
A 30-lb. bag of food can provide about 60-days or 2 months of food.
So, the average per-month cost of feeding your Frenchie is about $50. Add in treats, and the expense can go up to $80 per month.
Annual cost of food and treats for the Frenchie can run up to $600- $1000.
Cost of Health Care and Routine Vet Checkups
Your Frenchie needs health checkups every 6 months.
The cost of these routine checks can be anywhere between $45 and $85 a year depending on your city.
Frenchies also need regular de-worming along with flea and tick protection.
Remember, not preventing worms and ticks/fleas could end up costing thousands of dollars in hospital bills, not to mention the fact that your pet could even die due to these parasites.
So prevention is always better.
Depending on the type of medicine you choose, you might have to shell out $60 to $120 for a six-month supply.
We recommend FRONTLINE Plus Flea and Tick Prevention – 8 doses cost $70 and one dose lasts a month.
Average annual cost of de-worming and flea/tick prevention – $150.
Preventive Medicine and Health Product Costs
Frenchies also need other health care and preventive medicines as follows:
Heartworm prevention
Heartworm de-worming is not included in regular deworming treatment and can cost $5 to $15 per month.
(Remember: the cost of treating heartworms is a lot higher – $400 to $1000!)
CBD or hemp oil treats
Premium Care Calming Hemp Treats can prevent anxiety, excess barking, urination, shaking, and other stress responses seen in this sensitive dog breed.
Dental care products
Dental care of your Frenchie is very important to prevent plaque, tartar, and other oral health problems that are linked to heart disease. Not taking care of your pet’s teeth is a surefire invitation to costly dental treatments later on.
Feed your pet one-a-day dental sticks to eliminate plaque and tartar.
You must also brush your buddy’s teeth regularly using this set of enzymatic toothpaste and toothbrush.
Wrinkle care products
Frenchies have skin folds/wrinkles which accumulate dirt, oils, bacteria, and pathogens which can lead to very serious skin problems.
Prevent complications and the need for antibiotics by cleaning these folds regularly with special bulldog-wrinkle wipes or a soothing No products found..
Vitamin and omega supplements
Your Frenchie definitely needs skin and coat nourishing Supplements containing omega essential fatty acids to keep its skin and coat soft and supple and prevent dryness, irritation, hotspots, and allergies.
Total average cost of these products – approx. $50/month.
Grooming Costs
Frenchies are fairly easy to groom but they do need regular brushing and monthly baths.
If you groom your pet at home, you can save a lot of money on professional grooming which can cost anywhere between $30 and $90 per session depending on where you live.
If your buddy needs special/medicated baths for its skin issues, then the costs can go higher.
Check out Best French Bulldog Shampoo for a wide range of shampoos for different skin issues.
Your pet will also need a high-quality slicker brush to remove the loose hair and minimize dander.
Ear wipes can keep ear infections at bay.
Eye wipes reduce tear stains and eye boogers.
Annual average cost of grooming products and DIY grooming – $50
Toys, Bed, and Accessories
Your Frenchie will need high-quality toys to prevent destructive chewing.
Do check out our guide on Best Chew Toys for French Bulldogs.
Puzzle and treat-dispenser toys mentally stimulate your buddy and keep it from getting bored.
A good Frenchie dog bed will eliminate pain and pressure of your pet’s joints and also reduce anxiety by providing a comfortable, secure, and cozy place to burrow and nest.
We recommend Best Friends by Sheri Calming Donut Dog Bed.
Accessories like collars and harnesses can help you train your pet to walk without pulling. We recommend this no-pull harness from PUPTECK.
Annual cost of these accessories (mostly a one-time buy) – $70 to $100.
Training
DIY training will be a lot cheaper but if you go in for a professional trainer, it can cost anywhere between $20 and $120 with an average cost of $30 and $80 per lesson.
You must also invest in a good crate since crate training is very important for small dogs like Frenchies.
You’d also need poop bags to clean up after your buddy.
If you are training your Frenchie to go on indoor potty training pads, we recommend these .
Average annual cost of these – $250
Also Read: How to Potty Train a French Bulldog
Miscellaneous costs
- Dog license and registration cost – Approx. $5 to $50 depending on your location.
- Cost of micro-chipping – $45.
- Spaying and neutering cost – $50 to $400 depending on your area. Shelters and rescue homes do this for free, in case you are adopting.
- Pet sitting services or dog boarding costs can run up to $30 per day and $75 per night.
- Cost of boarding your buddy – average cost is $30 to $80 per day.
- Dog walker cost – $300 per month for one short daily walk.
- Insurance cost – Approximate annual cost of $585 for accident and illness coverage. This depends on your pet’s age, health, and your location.
Total average annual cost of owning a Frenchie (after first year): about $2400
Conclusion – How Much Do Frenchies Cost
How much do Frenchies cost?
Frenchie puppies cost an average of $2000 and $4000 to buy depending on their color, breeder, bloodlines, and your location.
The average annual cost of owning a Frenchie is $3000 in the first year and a whopping $2400 for maintenance in the subsequent years.
So you see, Frenchies are expensive to own. Do think carefully before you buy/adopt one!
