We are hoping for puppies in the Fall of 2010.  I will be updating this page as the summer progresses.

I often get calls and emails about puppies and so I have decided to add a little information to the puppy page for Mapti Kennels.  In the Maritime provinces there are very few concerned and ethical breeders of french bulldogs.  There are dog shows all throughout the Maritime provinces in the summer and fall which are the best place to network with and meet breeders of any type of dog.  You can often find puppies on Kijiji and other classified sites, but I would give a stern warning against entertaining the idea of getting your puppy from any of these places.  Check the "other ads placed by this vendor" section of Kijiji and you will see that they have multiple litters of multiple breeds all going at once.  These are not dogs that are health tested, or raised in an environment that you want to support.  They are tempting because they have a puppy waiting at all times and often they are less expensive than CKC registered health tested puppies.  I'm afraid it is a save now - pay later kind of deal.  All too often there are temperament issues, autoimmune disorders (that won't be evident in an 8 week old puppy) and other horrendous defects that will become a lifelong battle for you and your pet. 

So, the big question is How much does a french bulldog puppy cost?  The answer is $2500.  With prices in Ontario and the West coast usually a few hundred dollars more.  Males and females cost the same!  As do any and all colours within the litter.  Ethical breeders do not breed to get rare or exotic colours.  We breed to get healthy puppies with lovely dispositions that conform to the breed standard.  We offer lifetime support for the owners. 

Here is a checklist of things to ask when you are looking for a puppy:

* What health testing have you done on the parents of the litter?
Answer: xrays for disc calcification and vertebral malformation, eyes should be CERF tested, possibly thyroid testing and hearts should be checked.  The litter should be xrayed as well. These are expensive puppies and an xray is a minimal expense for peace of mind.

* What health issues have you had in your breeding stock?
Answer: You can't throw the baby out with the bath water on this one.  Everyone will experience problems periodically with the health of their dogs.  It is what they do to prevent problems that is key.  What preventative measures have they taken since discovering the problem? 

 * Do you attend dog shows with your dogs?
Answer:  In my opinion this is a key question.  Even though you have no intentions of showing your dog at dog shows it is important that your breeder engages in this hobby.  Dog shows are where breeding stock get evaluated by impartial people.  Without dog shows we would not have all the breeds that exist today.  They are an opportunity for breeders to discuss their breed with like minded people and see what other lines exist for furthering the breed.  If the person you contact for a puppy dismisses dog shows as unimportant it is a clear indicator that their motivation in breeding french bulldogs is not to improve the breed. 

* What clubs or breed memberships do you belong to?
Answer:  Again, your breeder should be invested in the breed in some respect.  Being a member of the Candian Kennel Club (CKC), French Bulldog Fanciers of Canada, or the French Bulldog Club of America show show the kind of interest that good breeders have in their hobby.  There are many other Frenchie clubs in Europe and around the world that some breeders are involved with as well.  

* How long will I have to wait for a puppy?
Believe me, I am as eager as the next person when it comes to getting something that I really want.  But, this is a breed that is rare and even more difficult to find a well planned healthy litter.  In the Maritimes one litter a year is probably all that any of us can reasonably raise.  While it is possible for someone to have an older puppy available, it isn't the norm.  Be prepared to wait upwards of a year for your puppy.  Frenchies are not prolific and lots of breedings produce only a few puppies if there are puppies at all.  I will keep a puppy from each litter to further the breed and find super homes for the other puppies that I produce.   

 Ask lots of questions and expect to be asked some questions in return.  Visit your breeder and meet the dogs.  Attend a local dog show and ask questions.  Ask to speak to our Veterinarians to check us out.  A legitimate breeder will not be offended.  Personally I would be impressed with your research!