hello everyone,
im looking fer some feedback on french bulldogs, ive had boxers for the past 23 years, ilost my last lovely girl in january ,she was 13, i swore id have no more dogs,but i now feel im ready for another.
i love the bulldog breeds,so i was thinking id change breed because i couldnt replace holly with another boxer, i live in scotland and ther doesnt seem to be that many breeders up here.
should i attend some shows before making a decision on the breeder? should i find a puppy on a site like this? do i ask any specific questions before i make a purchase? id be grateful for any advice
      regards

Hi,

I have just bought my first french bulldog, a little girl called pixie.  I have always had staffords and still own four now, but i wil say i have never had a dog like her.  Pixie loves her cuddles and always wants to be the in the middle of everything i am doing.  She loves human company more than dogs i would say.  She is a fussy eater, but that could be my fault as think nothing of cooking a chicken for the dogs!!
I think i was lucky with my breeder, she is a lovely lady and i went all the way to liverpool for her, i live in cornwall, i definetly think you need to be open minded about where you travel.
I don't think i will own another breed now apart from my staffords and my little frenchie, as she always amazes me.
Good luck in your search, i do hope if and when you decide to get one, they give you a lifetime of happines.

Angela xxx

we also have had Boxers for nearly 20 years,2 years ago we got a Boston Terrier called Mabel, Bostons are just like mini Boxers in everything just in a smaller package,we also had to travel to possibly the same breeder as Venus as the lady breeds Boxers and Frenchies if it is the same lady she has been breeding,showing and judging worldwide in Bull Breeds for 40 years, i am sure she could point you in the right direction if you are after a Frenchie.We had to travel from the south coast up to see her as there are no Boston Breeders down here.We now have another Boxer pup called Betty we must be mad! x if you need a phone nos. let me know

A Boston terrier may be just the dog you are looking for. Ask a lot of questions from whichever breeder you go to as they have very specific health tests etc. which need to be carried out. I would say from personal experience and from other Boston owners I know that buying from the most 'well known' breeder in the country is not always the best option. Like all dogs, look at how many litters are produced, how they are kept, what health and DNA checks are done, their markings and what the breeder expects from you.
PM me if you need any info.

> i love the bulldog breeds,so i was thinking id change breed because i couldnt replace holly with another boxer, i live in scotland and ther doesnt seem to be that many breeders up here.

Travelling is probably going to be necessary - but well worth it for the right breeder and puppy

> should i attend some shows before making a decision on the breeder?

Makes sense to identify a 'type' you like and nice to get some recommendations.  Also it's an opportunity to see a couple of different breeds for comparisons.  Try Discover Dogs in November if you can bear the trip to London but there are plenty of shows in Scotland too.  If you give a location someone on here is bound to be able to tell you what is coming up.

> should i find a puppy on a site like this?

You might find some breeder recommendations on here but it's worth considering joining a waiting list for the right pup.  Please don't be tempted by some of the commercial puppy lists, anyone that's spent much time on this site will have heard lots of sad stories about puppy farming and expensive vet bills

> do i ask any specific questions before i make a purchase?

Yes, absolutely.  Once you've found the breed you want, research as much as you can about health checks and or problems in the breed.  A good breeder will be telling you, long before you ask, about the health checks they do but it makes sense to be prepared. 

Finally, think about the things you loved about your boxers.  You can ask questions to see how your next chosen breed matches up

Good luck :)

I helped source a Boston for my godson and his parents 13 years ago, and I also know some Frenchies.

In my view the Bostons are more lively and exhibit some of that terrier ancestry.  eh Frenchies I have met have been more my cup of tea as a bit more laid back and relaxed about things, though utter clowns.

Also from an aesthetic point of view with the Bostons markings are important, and you have several colour choices in the French bulldogs