Health Above All Else

This link will take you to vital health information specific to French Bulldogs, including recommended health tests such as OFA health testing, breed statistics, and details on conditions like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation.

Want to get started but you're unsure how? We created this blog to guide you through the process, what to expect, and provide links to resources that can help you make the best decision for YOU and your Frenchie, especially regarding important health issues like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and the significance of OFA health testing.

Dr. Jarold Bell is the reigning authority on hereditary genetics in small animals. This 3-hour lecture presented to the French Bulldog Club of America (FBDCA) at their National Specialty in 2022 offers invaluable insights into topics such as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and the importance of OFA health testing. Slide Decks Part 1 and Part 2 are also available.

According to the FBDCA, an ethical breeder will have their OFA health testing results available for inspection. As of 2024, any breeder listed on their referral page must submit all required tests to OFA, ensuring that these tests, including those for hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, are verifiable in the public database. Use this link to verify public OFA health tests.

A leading cause of death in French Bulldogs, sadly, is respiratory failure due to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. As a breeder, what can you do about it? Familiarize yourself with the OFA health testing now available in the USA, including assessments for hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, developed in Cambridge by Dr. Jane Ladlow.

Hip dysplasia doesn't HAVE to be prevalent in French Bulldogs. Research from OFA health testing indicates that intentional pairings of individuals with normal hips—considering factors like pedigree depth—can enhance the chances of producing healthy offspring, free from common issues such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. Moreover, ensuring breed integrity helps mitigate risks associated with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.

Where does our breed fit in when it comes to spine health? There are many opinions, particularly regarding anomalies and the likelihood of developing conditions like IVDD, which is not yet officially reported on the OFA health testing website. However, they do provide slide decks and lectures discussing related issues, including Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation. View this blog to learn more.

What is Patellar Luxation? The patella, or kneecap, is an integral component of the stifle joint (knee). In cases of patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place, either in a medial or lateral position. This condition can occur alongside other orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia and can be a concern in breeds predisposed to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. To help manage these conditions, OFA health testing may be recommended for thorough evaluation.

Link to OFA Applications. Browse this list to locate the health registry relevant to French Bulldogs, including essential OFA health testing for conditions such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, as well as evaluations for Hips, Eyes, Heart, Trachea, Spine, and more.

Want to find an upcoming OFA health Clinic that addresses conditions like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, hip dysplasia, or patellar luxation? Try this link first...

This heartbreaking condition, particularly prevalent among brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs, is something all of us in this breed wish we understood better. While many ethical breeders are submitting their spine tests to OFA as part of their health testing pilot study, which will help address issues like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, little information is available for those seeking immediate answers. This article serves as a starting point, for what it is worth.