Increasingly, we hear from people who are considering breeding their female Bulldog. Many think that having a litter is easy and requires little effort, but in reality, it is far more complex and demands time, experience, and financial investment.

First, mating two dogs without assessing their suitability for breeding is a bit like playing Russian roulette—it risks producing puppies with serious health problems. The cost of performing the necessary tests on both parents is around €300 per dog for a breeder, and for a private individual, these costs can even double.

Second, it is crucial to avoid mating two dogs that are incompatible either in terms of health weaknesses or color. For example, breeding two Bulldogs with a high degree of hip or hind limb dislocation can result in puppies with even more severe problems. Similarly, mating two caille-colored dogs can result in deaf puppies. Many other examples exist, but we will spare you a long list. This is where the expertise of a professional breeder is essential.

Female Bulldogs almost never accept natural mating with a male that does not live with them, so artificial insemination is usually required. This must be performed by an experienced professional. Specialized veterinarians will conduct a gynecological examination, multiple progesterone tests to identify the optimal mating window (fertile days are only three), and then perform the insemination. This process requires time and comes with a significant cost.

After insemination, an ultrasound can confirm pregnancy after 30 days, and a week before birth, an X-ray is needed to check the number of puppies. During pregnancy, it’s essential to know which supplements to give the mother and how to feed her correctly. French Bulldogs rarely give birth naturally without complications. For inexperienced owners, or those without competent support, attempting a natural birth is risky. A scheduled C-section is strongly recommended, but even then, specialized veterinary clinic support is required. Relying on a general vet is dangerous. Costs vary but are never negligible.

Postpartum care, especially after a C-section, is intensive. Puppies need assistance because the mother will be groggy for at least 24 hours. If they do not receive enough milk, each puppy must be fed artificially every two hours, often through sleepless nights. The mother also needs proper nutrition and supplements, if required, for her and the puppies.

At 25–30 days, weaning begins, alternating with continued nursing. Puppies will need cleaning at least three times a day. You can’t imagine how much a 40–50 day-old puppy can produce! They play intensely, chew everything, make noise, and often want to escape their designated space. This stage is both adorable and extremely demanding. Deworming is recommended at 30 and 45 days, and stool tests should be performed to ensure they are free of coccidia and/or Giardia. If infected, they require a 10-day antibiotic treatment. Puppies can be rehomed at 70 days after being microchipped and vaccinated. While parting with them can be emotional, many owners also feel a sense of relief.

If everything has been done properly, the puppies will be healthy, though your wallet will feel lighter. From all of the above, it should be clear that breeding without experience is highly challenging and risky. It can be a rewarding experience if you are guided by an experienced breeder, but forget about making a profit—you should prepare for expenses instead.

We kindly ask anyone who has had a “simpler” breeding experience without major issues not to dispute what is written here. Every day, we receive requests for help from people in extreme difficulty after having improvised as breeders without any competent support other than their trusted veterinarian.

By Paolo Claudio Rossini fondatore AA Allevatori Arcobaleno