FAQ
-
Why choose us?
At North Carolina Frenchies, every breeding decision is intentional. We are highly selective about our dams and sires, prioritizing lineage, structure, temperament, genetic compatibility, and comprehensive health screening.
We are among the small percentage — estimated at less than 1% — of French Bulldog breeders who implement both OFA orthopedic testing and full genetic health testing on our breeding dogs. Health testing is not a marketing feature for us — it is a foundational requirement. This level of evaluation helps reduce the likelihood of preventable hereditary conditions and protects the long-term integrity of the breed. While no dog can be guaranteed perfect, we believe in using every responsible tool available to stack the odds in favor of health and structural soundness.
We are not a high-volume program. At times, we may have only one active dam and one sire — by design. In a market flooded with French Bulldog puppies, we choose quality over quantity and long-term program development over rapid production.
Every puppy is hand-raised inside our home. We do not outsource daily care or handling. Limiting outside exposure during early developmental stages helps reduce unnecessary health risks while allowing us to closely monitor growth, structure, and temperament on a daily basis.
Each puppy goes home with:
- 30 days of immediate medical coverage through our Trupanion partnership
- A 1-year health guarantee
- Ongoing breeder support
When you choose North Carolina Frenchies, you are choosing a health-focused, structured, and accountable breeding program built on standards — not shortcuts.
-
What is OFA testing and why is it so important?
OFA stands for the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, a nationally recognized organization that evaluates dogs for orthopedic and certain hereditary health conditions through standardized testing and third-party review.
OFA testing typically involves diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, and veterinary examinations that are submitted to board-certified specialists for evaluation. In French Bulldogs, this may include hip evaluations, patella (knee) evaluations, cardiac exams, and other structural assessments depending on the breeder’s standards.
OFA testing is important because it provides an objective measure of a dog’s structural soundness and breeding suitability. French Bulldogs are a compact, brachycephalic breed, and responsible breeders must take proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of passing on preventable orthopedic issues.
While no health testing can guarantee a perfect dog, OFA evaluations significantly improve the probability of producing structurally sound puppies. It is a risk-reduction tool rooted in science and accountability.
We are among the small percentage of French Bulldog programs that implement both OFA orthopedic testing and comprehensive genetic testing. Health testing is not a marketing feature for us — it is a foundational requirement. It plays a critical role in protecting the long-term well-being of the puppies we produce and the families who welcome them home.
OFA results are publicly verifiable through the OFA database, providing transparency and confidence in responsible breeding practices.
-
How can I reserve/purchase a French Bulldog puppy?
The first step is to complete our online puppy application. Every application is personally reviewed within 1–3 business days. We carefully evaluate each home to ensure alignment with our program standards and the long-term well-being of our puppies.
Once your application is approved, we will contact you to discuss available puppies or upcoming litters and answer any remaining questions. If we mutually determine it is a good fit, a non-refundable $1,000 deposit secures your position for a specific puppy or litter. Puppy selection is based on deposit order for that litter.
Because we are a low-volume, health-focused program, many of our puppies are reserved before they are even born.
At the time the deposit is submitted, we require a signed purchase agreement to be returned via email. This ensures clarity, transparency, and protection for both parties from the beginning.
From there, we guide you through the waiting period with updates until your puppy reaches a minimum of 8 weeks of age and is ready to transition to their new home.
The remaining balance is due at the time of pickup or prior to scheduled transport.
Our process is structured by design. It protects the integrity of our program and ensures that every puppy is placed intentionally and responsibly.
-
Are French Bulldogs Suitable for Family Life and Children?
French Bulldogs are companion-bred dogs that thrive on close human interaction. They form strong bonds with their families and do best in homes where they are included in daily life rather than left alone for extended periods.
With proper supervision and guidance, French Bulldogs can be wonderful family companions. It is important that children are taught how to respectfully handle and interact with a puppy, and all interactions should be supervised — especially during the early months. Like any breed, structure and boundaries create a safe environment for both the child and the dog.
Temperament is a trait we prioritize in every pairing within our program. We carefully consider disposition, stability, and social adaptability when planning our litters.
French Bulldogs are known for their affectionate temperament and adaptable nature. They can do equally well in apartments, townhomes, or larger houses, as long as their social and emotional needs are met. Space is less important than consistent companionship.
Because of their brachycephalic structure, French Bulldogs are sensitive to extreme temperatures and should live primarily indoors in a climate-controlled environment. They are not an outdoor breed. Developed for companionship, most will naturally prefer to spend the majority of their time near their people.
When properly socialized and responsibly raised, French Bulldogs can be loyal, affectionate, and stable companions for families and individuals alike.
-
Do you deliver anywhere in the USA?
Yes. We offer safe delivery options throughout the United States.
Families are welcome to pick up their puppy in person, or we can coordinate transportation through a trusted, USDA-compliant flight nanny service. Puppies travel in-cabin with a dedicated handler and are never shipped in cargo. The health, safety, and comfort of our puppies remain the priority during transport.
Delivery is available for an additional fee, which varies based on location and current travel costs. We will provide a detailed quote prior to scheduling.
We work closely with each family to coordinate timing, logistics, and preparation to ensure a smooth transition from our home to yours.
Because we are a structured, health-focused program, all puppies must be paid in full prior to pickup or scheduled delivery.
-
Why are deposits non-refundable?
Deposits are non-refundable because they secure a specific puppy or reservation position within a planned litter. Once a deposit is placed, that puppy is removed from availability and other approved families are turned away.
As a low-volume, intentionally structured program, we plan our litters carefully and allocate placements in advance. Because many of our puppies are reserved before birth, holding a position without commitment would be unfair to other waiting families.
A reservation represents a commitment from both sides — we commit that puppy to your family, and you commit to moving forward with the purchase.
This policy ensures fairness, protects the integrity of our reservation system, and allows us to plan responsibly for each litter.
We encourage families to ask all questions and feel fully confident before submitting a deposit.
-
Will my puppy come with a microchip?
Microchipping is available upon request.
While we do not automatically implant microchips prior to 7 weeks of age, we are happy to arrange microchipping before your puppy goes home if requested in advance. We can coordinate this with our veterinarian to ensure proper placement and registration.
We believe in allowing families to make informed decisions about identification options while ensuring the process is handled safely and appropriately.
If you would like your puppy microchipped prior to pickup or delivery, simply let us know during the reservation process.
-
What's the best GPS collar to use?
There are several GPS tracking options on the market, but we personally use Fi collars for our dogs and have had a positive experience with them.
We appreciate the real-time tracking capability, activity monitoring features, and escape alerts that notify you if your dog leaves a designated safe zone. For a breed like the French Bulldog — who is often very people-oriented and curious — having an added layer of security can provide valuable peace of mind.
That said, the “best” GPS collar ultimately depends on your lifestyle, coverage area, and personal preferences. We recommend researching coverage reliability in your area and choosing a device that offers dependable signal strength and user-friendly monitoring.
Regardless of brand, secure identification — whether through a GPS collar, microchip, or both — is always encouraged.
-
What puppy food do you recommend?
Nutrition during the first year of life is one of the most important factors in healthy growth and development for French Bulldogs. We feed and recommend a high-quality puppy formula that is specifically balanced for the needs of growing puppies.
We personally use Zignature Puppy Formula, which is formulated with real meat as the first ingredient and designed to support healthy muscle development, skin and coat health, and overall growth. Zignature focuses on limited-ingredient recipes and avoids common fillers such as corn, wheat, and soy. Their formulations are developed to meet AAFCO nutritional standards for growth and are designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for puppies.
When evaluating any puppy food, we recommend looking for the following:
- Meat listed as the first ingredient
- A formula labeled for growth or all life stages that meets AAFCO standards
- Clearly identified protein sources
- Ingredients that support digestive health and immune development
While Zignature is what we use based on our research and experience, each puppy is unique. Some may thrive on alternative high-quality formulas depending on individual sensitivities. We are always happy to discuss nutrition and help guide you through a safe and gradual transition if you choose to change foods.
Proper nutrition, especially in a structurally compact breed like the French Bulldog, plays a critical role in supporting healthy development during the first year of life.
-
What is FULL vs LIMITED AKC Registration?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the official registry that documents pedigree and lineage for purebred dogs in the United States. AKC registration confirms your puppy’s recorded ancestry and allows participation in certain AKC events.
There are two types of registration:
Full AKC Registration
Full registration includes breeding rights. This allows any offspring produced to be registered with AKC. Full registration is reserved for approved breeding homes that meet our program standards, including demonstrated knowledge of responsible breeding practices and health testing protocols. Breeding rights are a privilege within our program, not an automatic inclusion.Limited AKC Registration
Limited registration does not grant breeding rights. Puppies placed on limited registration are intended for companion homes. While the dog is still fully registered with AKC, any offspring cannot be registered.The majority of our puppies are placed in loving pet homes on limited registration with a spay/neuter agreement. Registration paperwork is released after proof of spay or neuter is provided.
We are intentional about where breeding rights are granted. This protects the integrity of our bloodlines, maintains health standards, and supports responsible stewardship of the breed.
-
Which pet insurance do you recommend?
We strongly recommend Trupanion for pet insurance coverage. We are an official Trupanion partner, and every puppy goes home with 30 days of immediate medical coverage at no cost to the new family.
Trupanion is known for its straightforward coverage structure, direct payment options to participating veterinarians, and customizable plans that can be tailored to your puppy’s needs. Early enrollment is especially important with purebred dogs, as it helps avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions.
Some families also explore Nationwide and other providers depending on personal preference and plan structure. We encourage you to compare coverage details carefully and choose a policy that aligns with your comfort level and financial planning.
Regardless of provider, we believe pet insurance is a responsible part of French Bulldog ownership. Veterinary care for brachycephalic breeds can be specialized, and having coverage in place provides peace of mind.
As part of our program standards, we ensure every puppy transitions home with immediate protection through our Trupanion partnership.
-
What is a Guardian Home Program?
Our Guardian Home Program allows select families to raise one of our top-quality French Bulldogs as their personal pet while partnering with us in the continued development of our breeding program.
Guardian families provide a permanent, loving home for the dog. The dog lives full-time with the Guardian family and is fully integrated into their household. As part of the agreement, we retain breeding rights for a predetermined number of litters (up to three, depending on the dog and agreement terms).
To participate, Guardian families place a deposit equivalent to the puppy’s purchase price. After each successful litter, the Guardian family receives compensation as outlined in the agreement. Once the breeding commitments are fulfilled, full ownership transfers to the Guardian family at no additional cost.
Guardian placements are selective and based on location, availability, and the family’s ability to work closely with us during breeding cycles. Guardian candidates must reside within a reasonable distance to allow coordination during breeding cycles. This ensures proper health monitoring, timing, and communication throughout the program.
This structure allows us to continue advancing our health-focused lines while ensuring our dogs live in individual homes rather than a large-scale facility environment.
It is a partnership built on communication, trust, and shared responsibility.
-
What company do you use to complete genetic testing?
We utilize Animal Genetics for DNA-based genetic testing on our breeding dogs.
Animal Genetics is a well-established laboratory that specializes in canine DNA testing. Their panels allow us to screen for breed-specific genetic conditions and color genetics with a high degree of accuracy. This testing helps us make informed pairing decisions and reduce the likelihood of producing puppies affected by preventable hereditary disorders.
Genetic testing is a foundational component of our program. It is used in conjunction with orthopedic evaluations and pedigree analysis to support responsible breeding practices.
While no testing can guarantee a perfect dog, comprehensive screening significantly improves our ability to produce healthy, structurally sound French Bulldogs.