Cost of Owning a French Bulldog (2025): Purchase, Vet Bills, and More

If you have your heart set on a French bulldog from a reputable breeder, you might pay around $5,000 for a Frenchie puppy, on average. Known for their playful, affectionate personalities, these beloved companions aren’t cheap — though French bulldog costs vary based on where you buy it, its age, gender, coat color, and more.

In 2022, the French bulldog unseated the Labrador retriever as the most popular dog breed in the U.S. and continued to rank No. 1 in 2023.^[1] Bringing a French bulldog into your home isn’t a small financial commitment. But you may be able to save on some veterinary costs with pet insurance.

How much does a French bulldog cost?

The average cost of adopting a French bulldog from a breeder is around $5,000, though certain Frenchies with rare colors or coats can fetch much higher prices.^[2]

Adopting French bulldogs from a rescue is much cheaper, with French bulldog puppies going for $1,200 from the French Bulldog Rescue Network. The cost of a French bulldog not only varies on where you buy it but also what kind of Frenchie you buy.

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Costs of owning a French bulldog

The adoption fee is just one cost to consider when it comes to owning a French bulldog. Here are some other expenses you must consider.^[2]

Frenchie Care Category	Annual Expense
Vet care	$600–$1,200
Food and treats	$300–$600
Toys	$50–$100
Grooming and maintenance	$0–$600
Pet insurance	$672
Total	$950–$3,172

Vaccinations and vet visits

As a flat-faced breed, French bulldogs can experience breathing problems. This facial structure also makes French bulldogs more sensitive to anesthesia, which should be kept in mind during vet care. French bulldogs can also suffer from hip dysplasia, a genetic skeletal condition, though it’s more common in larger dogs.

On average, dog owners pay $600–$1,200 per year on vet care, which may include vaccinations, preventative care, chronic conditions, and emergency treatment.

These costs could be lower if you purchase pet insurance. Given the breed’s health problems, pet insurance is a good idea for French bulldog owners.

Food and supplies

Dog owners pay an average of $300–$600 per year on food and treats for their dogs.

How much money you spend on dog food varies based on the quality of food you buy and the price patterns at your local pet store. Smaller dogs also eat less than larger dogs, so French bulldog owners should expect to spend on the lower side of this average. 

Before buying a French bulldog, you should also factor in the additional cost of bowls, leashes, and other supplies. And don’t forget the $50–$100 per year dog owners spend on toys.

Grooming and maintenance

Prospective French bulldog owners will be relieved to know these dogs don’t require routine grooming, given their short coat. Weekly brushing to remove shed hair and regular nail clipping should be enough to keep your Frenchie looking and feeling its best.

If you opt to take your Frenchie to a professional groomer for regular baths and nail trims, it could cost you around $300–$600 per year.

Pet insurance

Pet insurance covers the costs of emergency vet visits and accidents. Certain pet insurance plans include wellness coverage, which pays for routine preventative care and regular visits to the vet.

Dog owners pay an average of $56 per month for pet insurance. These rates may be higher for French bulldog owners given the breed’s hereditary health issues. If your Frenchie is already showing signs of medical issues before you buy coverage, your rates may be higher when you go to buy insurance, and the insurer won’t cover any pre-existing conditions.

Many factors affect your pet insurance rates, including your dog’s age, gender, and location, as well as the deductible you choose.

The below rates are estimated rates current as of: Wednesday, July 16 at 12:00 PM PDT. 

Insurance Company	Average Monthly Quote
Pets Best	$38
Spot	$40
ASPCA	$51
Lemonade	$51
Healthy Paws	$74
Figo	$89
Prudent Pet	$90
Pumpkin	$105

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Factors influencing the price of a French bulldog

While French bulldogs tend to be more expensive than other dog breeds, you can find lower prices if you shop around for the right breeder or opt to adopt from a shelter. You can also lower the purchase price by opting for an older French bulldog or one with a more common coat color.

Where you purchase from

Purchasing your French bulldog from a reputable breeder is the most expensive option and can cost up to $10,000 in some cases. Prices vary based on the breeder’s reputation.

“Backyard breeders” are cheaper but may be a less reputable source. Adopting from a shelter is also often much less expensive. The Animal Humane Society lists a standard adoption fee of $414.^[4]

Coat color

The French Bulldog Club states that solid black, black and tan, black and white, white and black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle are the standard coat colors for the French bulldog breed.^[5]

A rarer color, such as blue or merle, can often cost more than common coat colors like black or black and white.

Age and gender

Adopting a senior French bulldog is typically cheaper than adopting a younger French bulldog.

For instance, the French Bulldog Rescue Network lists an adoption fee of $1,200 for Frenchies under 2 years old and $700 for Frenchies between 2 and 8 years old. Adopting a Frenchie over 8 years old will generally cost around $400.

A female French bulldog may cost more than a male due to her breeding potential, but this varies by breeder. This may not be relevant, as many pet parents plan on spaying or neutering their new pet.

Common health issues in French bulldogs

Thanks to their unique size and appearance, Frenchies often have certain health issues. These are some common issues French bulldog owners may face with their furry friend:^[6]

• Allergies: Many Frenchies experience food or environmental allergies thanks to their sensitivities to proteins like beef or chicken and their many skin folds.

• Bone and joint problems: Your French bulldog may experience issues that affect its hips, spine, or bone structure, including hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, and chondrodysplasia.

• Breathing issues: Frenchies are a flat-faced breed and may suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), making it difficult to breathe and sometimes causing heatstroke. The condition may be treatable with surgery, but not all dogs are candidates.

• Eye problems: Your French bulldog may have some issues with its eyes, including cataracts, corneal dystrophy, corneal ulcers, ocular dermoids, distichiasis, entropion, tear stains, retinal dysplasia, or cherry eye.

• Gastrointestinal issues: Frenchies are predisposed to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hiatal hernias, and pyloric stenosis, a condition that affects the valve-like structure that connects the stomach to the intestines.

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Comparing costs: French bulldog price vs. other breeds

The average cost of pet adoption varies from breed to breed. High demand and specific breeding techniques can lead to high prices for certain breeds.

For instance, breeders typically need to deliver French bulldog pups via C-section, which is an expensive process that leads to higher adoption fees.

Here are typical price ranges when buying certain breeds from registered breeders.

Dog Breed	Average Cost
French bulldog	$2,000–$8,000
Golden retriever	$500–$3,000
Poodle	$500–$1,500
English bulldog	$1,500–$4,000
Dachshund	$1,000–$2,500

Keep in mind these price ranges reflect costs from breeders. Adopting from a shelter or rescue will typically be under $1,000 and may even be free in some cases.

French bulldog FAQs