So You Want To Be A Breeder or Think Bulldogs Are Too Expensive?

The Commitment of Responsible Bulldog Breeding

Being a responsible breeder is not just a hobby or side hustle—it’s a life commitment. It requires deep sacrifice, unwavering dedication, and a heart that beats for the dogs we bring into this world. If no one bred these amazing dogs, there would be none left to welcome into your family. Bulldogs are unique, sassy, and full of character. Once you’ve had a bulldog, you know the love you share with them is unforgettable. Everyone who has had a bulldog will tell you they are worth every penny.

Before a reputable breeder can even think about breeding, they must find the perfect English Bulldog—one with great health, a strong pedigree, proper structure, and a good temperament. This search is:

• Timely and costly: For a quality dam, expect to spend anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000+. The same applies for a stud.
• Health testing: DNA tests, health screenings, and vet checks are crucial to ensure the dog is of good breeding quality. This is the first and most important step to avoid passing on health issues to future generations.
• Not just any bulldog: It’s vital to choose wisely; breeding the wrong dog can result in significant health problems in the pups. Support responsible breeders who go the extra mile.

Once you've found the "one" and raised her until she’s about two years old, it’s time to think about breeding. This process isn't instant—bulldogs typically need to go through their second or third heat cycle before being bred.

• It's not a get-rich-quick scheme: A true breeder is passionate about their dogs—they’re family. Their goal is to ensure the best for both the mother and her puppies.
• Planning is key: Breeding comes with contracts, backup plans, and contingencies. The time around the heat cycle, whelping, and vet appointments requires careful scheduling.

When your bulldog is about 8-10 days into her cycle, you’ll need to visit the vet for a progesterone test to determine if she’s ovulating. This test typically costs between $85.00 to $120.00 each time and can require multiple retests, depending on the results.

• If you don’t own a stud: You should have already researched and found a suitable stud, ensuring their health, pedigree, and DNA are all checked.
• Stud service fees: On average, stud service costs anywhere from $500 to $2,000, with some breeders offering a "puppy back" option, where you trade a puppy for the stud fee.

Artificial insemination (AI) is commonly used for bulldogs due to their risk of overheating during natural breeding. AI can be done at home or through a vet, and it might come with an additional cost—ranging from $450 to $800+.

As the breeding process moves forward, there are some essential items to have on hand:

• Oxygen concentrator & humidifier
• Feeding tubes, syringes, baby wipes (for cleaning)
• Pee pads, shower mats, and blankets (for comfort and cleanliness)
• Goat milk (if the mother can’t produce milk)
• Emergency vet supplies: Always be prepared for anything, from feeding issues to medical emergencies.

Once pregnancy is suspected, it’s time to schedule an ultrasound or x-ray, costing around $120 to $180. As pregnancy progresses, more vet visits are necessary to monitor her health, including reverse progesterone tests to determine the ideal time for delivery.

• C-section: Bulldogs typically need a C-section due to the health risks of natural whelping. This procedure ranges between $1,000 to $1,900, depending on the complexity of the delivery.

When it’s time to welcome the puppies, you'll need to prepare:

• Heat and temperature control: Keep the area warm with heat lamps and blankets.
• Expect sleepless nights: You’ll need to monitor the puppies constantly, ensuring they’re nursing and warm.
• Whelping room: This is where you’ll spend hours tending to the mother and her pups. The heat must be maintained to ensure their survival and comfort.

As a breeder, you’ll be required to make countless sacrifices:

• Sleep deprivation: You’ll wake up every two hours to check on puppies and the mother.
• Time: Vacation days, family events, and holidays may have to be put on hold.
• Financial investment: Expect to spend thousands on tests, procedures, the very best foods, and vet bills to ensure the best care for the bulldogs.

Are you prepared for this level of commitment?

• Will you sacrifice comfort for the puppies?
• Will you put in hours of work to ensure each puppy goes to a qualified home?
• Will you accept the responsibility of taking a puppy back, no matter the circumstances?
• Will you pay to fix your puppy before they will go to their forever homes? Whether it's reducing price or paying for the surgery.

Finding qualified homes for your puppies is one of the most crucial steps. As a breeder, you must:

• Vet potential buyers: Get to know them—where they live, how they will care for the puppy, and their intentions. Help them understand the contracts they will be signing.
• Turn away bad buyers: Never sell to people who are irresponsible or have ill intentions. It’s not just about making money; it’s about ensuring a lifetime of care for the dogs you’ve brought into the world. 
• Are you willing to fight a breach of contract:  To fight for the well-being of a dog you bred, even when it’s exhausting, frustrating, and financially draining—because ethics matter, and your dogs deserve better? 
• Interview potential families: This process ensures your puppies will be loved and cared for properly.

The expenses don’t stop once the puppies are born:

• Litter registration, advertising, photography, and meeting with potential buyers all come with costs.
• Contracts and deposits: Be prepared to handle the financial side with integrity and transparency.
• Security: Consider having a security system in place to protect your dogs from theft or unwanted interference.

When you tally up all the expenses, it might seem like the price of a bulldog is high, but after factoring in everything, it’s clear that responsible breeding requires significant time, effort, and financial sacrifice. If you’re willing to go through all of this for the love of the breed, then you’re doing it right.

Being a breeder isn’t just about selling puppies—it’s about being a guardian, protector, and steward of the breed. This is not for everyone, but for those who choose this path, it’s everything.

If you decide to pursue bulldog breeding, remember, it’s about more than just profits or selling puppies. It’s about preserving the breed, ensuring the health and well-being of both the mother and her puppies, and finding the right homes for every pup you bring into the world. Breeding is a lifelong commitment.

“I am a Breeder, I am not cruel, dumb, uncaring, money hungry or greedy. I take immense pride and responsibility for every life I bring into this world and ensure it goes to a wonderful, loving, and perfect home, an extension of the same love and care they received while in my own home. I am not raking in money while sitting on my butt. Every penny I make I earn through blood, sweat, hard work and tears and most gets reinvested back into my program. My greatest joy is a healthy puppy and a wonderful home. The cards of thank you and the pictures of my puppies with their new families are the fringe benefits of my efforts. I am an animal lover, taxi driver, nanny, photographer, veterinarian, custodian, consultant, mentor, student, therapist, customer service representative, marketer and PROUDLY I AM A BREEDER!” unknown