Buying a French Bulldog: The Puppy Paperwork You Should Get

The documents to ask for

Registration papers: what they do and do not prove

Registration with a kennel club records a dog's parentage. It does not certify health, temperament or quality. The French Bull Dog Club of America's health requirements are separate from registration: breeders must enter results in hip, eye, patella and heart registries for a dog to earn a CHIC number.^[1]

Some puppies are sold with "limited registration," which means offspring cannot be registered. This is common for pet puppies and is not a bad sign. Ask the breeder to explain which type you are getting.

Be careful with lesser-known registries that will register almost any dog. Ask which registry is used and look it up.

Health records for the parents

Ask for the registered names of both parents and look them up at ofa.org. OFA explains that a CHIC number shows required tests were done and made public, but "does not imply normal test results."^[2] Read each result.

Also ask for any DNA health results. The AKC's French Bulldog panel includes tests for juvenile cataracts, cystinuria, degenerative myelopathy and the CDDY disc disease risk factor.^[4] Color DNA results are not health tests.

The sales contract

A clear contract protects both you and the breeder. Look for:

• Buyer and seller names, the puppy's description, microchip number and price
• Deposit terms: how much, whether it is refundable, and when
• Health guarantee: which conditions are covered, for how long, and what remedy is offered (refund, replacement, vet costs)
• Requirement to see your own vet within a set number of days
• Return or rehoming clause: many good breeders ask that the dog come back to them if you can no longer keep it
• Spay/neuter or breeding terms, if any

Read the fine print on health guarantees. Some exclude breathing problems or spinal disease, which are among the most common issues in this breed. Laws on puppy sales differ by state, so check your state's consumer protection rules.

Buying online: what the law says

In 2013, the USDA updated its Animal Welfare Act rules for pet sellers. Sellers who sell face to face, where "the seller, buyer, and the animal available for sale are physically present," fall under a retail exemption. Sellers who sell sight unseen, such as over the internet with shipping, generally need a USDA license.^[3]

Small breeders who keep four or fewer breeding females and sell only puppies born and raised on their premises are exempt.^[3] In our view, a USDA license is a legal minimum, not a sign of excellent breeding.

Paperwork red flags

• "Papers will be sent later" with no registered names for the parents
• Health claims that do not appear in the OFA database
• Vaccination records without a vet's name or signature
• No written contract, or a contract that lists no health terms at all
• Requests to pay by wire transfer, gift cards or crypto
• Seller refuses a video call or in-person visit
• Extra fees appearing at the last minute for "shipping insurance" or "crate" costs

If anything feels wrong, pause. A good breeder will wait while you check.