French Bulldog Puppy Health Checklist: What to Check Before You Buy

Step 1: Check the parents' records first

Many inherited problems do not show up in an eight-week-old puppy. Hip dysplasia, kneecap problems and some eye diseases appear later. That is why the parents' health tests matter most.

The French Bull Dog Club of America asks breeders to screen hips, eyes, patellas and heart, and register the results with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).^[3] Ask for the registered names of both parents and look them up at ofa.org. A CHIC number shows the tests were done, but OFA notes it "does not imply normal test results," so read each result.^[4]

Also ask whether the parents had a breathing assessment. The club lists the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme as a recommended test.^[3]

Step 2: Breathing and nostrils

• Look at the nostrils from the front. Open, rounded nostrils are better than narrow slits that pinch shut as the puppy breathes in. Cambridge researchers found that French Bulldogs with moderate to severe nostril narrowing were about 20 times more likely to develop BOAS.^[1]
• Listen while the puppy is awake and calm. Some sleeping snores are common, but loud noise at rest is a warning sign.
• Watch after play. A puppy that struggles to recover, breathes with its belly heaving, or gags often needs a closer look.
• Watch the parents too, especially the mother. Adult dogs show airway problems more clearly than puppies.

Any puppy with blue or gray gums, collapse or serious struggle to breathe needs a vet immediately.

Step 3: Eyes, ears and skin folds

In a study of 2,781 French Bulldogs in UK veterinary care, the breed had about 14 times the odds of ear discharge and about 11 times the odds of skin fold dermatitis compared with other dogs.^[2] Check for:

• Eyes: clear and bright, with no thick discharge, squinting, redness or cloudiness.
• Ears: clean inside, with no strong smell, dark wax or head shaking.
• Face folds and tail area: no redness, odor, moisture or sores.
• Skin and coat: no bald patches, crusts, fleas or constant scratching.
• Hearing: if the puppy is mostly white or merle, ask about a BAER hearing test. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that one-sided deafness may go undetected without BAER testing.^[5]

Step 4: Movement and body

• Watch the puppy walk and run on a non-slip surface. Look for limping, skipping a back leg or wobbling.
• The puppy should have a solid, compact body but should not look bloated or thin.
• Ask whether the puppy has had any problems with eating, regurgitation or diarrhea.
• Ask whether the puppy was born naturally or by cesarean section, and how many litters the mother has had.

A short visit cannot rule out spine, hip or kneecap disease. This is where parent records and your own vet's exam come in.

Step 5: Behavior and upbringing

• Was the litter raised inside a home, around everyday sounds and gentle handling?
• Is the puppy curious and willing to approach people, even if a bit shy at first?
• Can you see the mother and how she behaves?
• Will the breeder keep the puppy with its mother and littermates until at least eight weeks of age?

Step 6: Your first vet visit

Book a vet appointment within the first few days at home. Bring all paperwork. Ask your vet to:

• Check the nostrils, palate and breathing
• Look at the eyes, ears, heart and kneecaps
• Confirm the vaccination and deworming schedule
• Scan the microchip and confirm it is registered in your name
• Recommend a feeding plan to keep the puppy lean as it grows

Ask the breeder in advance what happens if your vet finds a serious problem. A responsible breeder will put that in writing.

Printable checklist

• ☐ Parents' registered names and OFA results (hips, eyes, patellas, heart)
• ☐ Parents' breathing grade, if available
• ☐ Open nostrils, quiet breathing at rest
• ☐ Clear eyes, clean ears, healthy folds and skin
• ☐ Normal walking and running
• ☐ Mother seen in person
• ☐ Puppy at least eight weeks old
• ☐ Vaccination, deworming and microchip records
• ☐ Written contract, including what happens if a health problem is found
• ☐ Vet exam booked within days of pickup