Most Vets will recommend or insist that artificial insemination is the preferred method for breeding. The success rate is approximately 70% which is standard for all types of canine breeding. It is generally recommended that French bulldogs be delivered by Caesarean section. It is difficult for Females to whelp naturally. The puppies have large heads and the mother has a small pelvis making for a difficult fit. Females often have difficulty breeding so labor can become too exhausting. A Female with a large litter may become too exhausted. When there are only one or two puppies, they tend to be larger and delivery can be arduous.

It is generally recommended that a blood test be performed after 25 days to determine that the Female is pregnant. An alternative would be a Sonogram after 28 days. Discuss these tests with your Vet.

Be aware that puppies tend to die when natural whelping is attempted. These same pups might have survived if a Cesarean section was the means of delivery. An exhausted mother is a poor anesthetic risk for Cesarean section. Therefore, it is generally recommended that a Cesarean be planned well ahead of time. Unless otherwise recommended by the attending Vet, a Cesarean should be the means of delivery. The Cesarean is usually planned 60 days after the last breeding routine.

Many Females begin nesting about a week because they are ready to whelp. Generally the female will pass clear mucous the final week of her pregnancy. This is considered normal.

Every puppy comes with a health certificate from a licensed vet indicating inoculations and any known health issues so the buyer can be confident the puppy is healthy.

Females tend to be poor mamas. The mother can lie on the puppies and accidentally smother them or accidentally step on a pup and kill or injure it severely. It is critical that the owner supervises feedings and protects the puppies at all times. We recommend that you consider placing the puppies in a puppy box and place them with the mother only during nursing. A responsible adult or older child should guard the puppies at all times to make sure the mother is properly caring for them. Experts might recommend the puppy box be about 95 degrees the first week, 85 degrees the second, and 75 degrees thereafter.

Remember, for their protection, the puppies should be left in a box under the supervision of an adult or older child except when they are nursing. The first few days the puppies should nurse every 2 hours or so. Once it can be determined that the puppies are gaining weight and are sleeping more than 2 hours, the time between feedings can be slowly increased. If the puppies are not gaining weight, it is generally recommended that tube feeding be introduced, or the puppy should be immediately examined by a licensed vet.

It is generally recommended to begin bowl feeding the puppies at about 3 weeks. Some puppies will quickly learn to eat on their own almost immediately while others may take a few days to learn. At about six weeks, the puppies should be offered dry food, but remember to feed them puppy chow soaked in water at least four times daily. When the puppies are between 3 and 4 weeks old, collect a stool sample from the puppies, so a worm exam can be performed.

Note: Jessie (Gisella) Waltzer is not a licensed veterinarian. She is providing general information believed to be accurate. Always consult with your licensed Vet in all areas concerning your puppy or dog.