Can anyone tell me, I've heard that the above breeds are very expensive because they can't mate or whelp by themselves due to their construction. Is this true? Has anyone bred a litter and could expand on it at all?

Any help would be appreciated. xxx

I have french bulldogs and I've just had two successful ties , they managed fine themselves , I only sat next to my bitch to reassure her. She had a litter almost 3 year ago and whelped without any problems although a week early , she was a great mother . I know a lot who have needed sections but this can happen with any dog especially if it is a singleton.

That's really interesting, and yes, of course to your last comment, it could happen to any dog. Thanks. xx

http://www.ufaw.org.uk/DYSTOCIAENGLISHBULLDOG.php
This link might be of interest.
Currently 86% of English bulldogs births are by caesarean in the UK (Evans and Adams 2010)
Louise

Not sure if that info is relevant to 2011 most the papers quoted seem at least 20 years out of date and some over 40.

I know a few English Bulldog breeders and they mate and whelp naturally all though like any breed there is sometimes need of intervention.

Where is the proof that in 2011 86% can not reproduce naturally?

> Where is the proof that in 2011 86% can not reproduce naturally?

Looking at their present day construction, very large heads, narrow hips, logic would suggest the figure has to be considerably higher than average despite what individual breeders may claim.
Following the RCVS's agreement to notify on caesarian sections I would think more accurate data will now be flowing through.
Hopefully the adjustments this should bring about will also have the effect of reducing the need for artificial mating techniques too.

I do not expect the figures to be much different as the research paper was only 2010.

Where is the research paper please.

Its this one, about 4 or 5 down in the list of references in the link above.  You need to have an athens password or similar facility for logging on to academic paper repositories, but it does list Bulldogs as having a caesarean section rate of 86.1% of all births recorded (this appeared to be done by surveying breeders)

Evans K and Adams V (2010) Proportion of litters of purebred dogs born by caesarean section. Journal of Small Animal Practice 51: 113-118.  It can be found online here; http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00902.x/abstract

Wonder why they are so expensive in any case ? Two of my cav girls have needed emergency c sections but this was not reflected in the price of their pups - and neither should it have been ! Don't know about the french bulldogs but the british bulldogs have a short lifespan too. I honestly don't understand why their breeders can charge ridiculous puppy prices of around £2000 !

I have to say that Bulldogs are not a breed I would want (sorry to Bulldog owners and breeders). However, speaking to a breeder once at a show that I was judging my breed at, I happened to mention about the caesarian births and he immediately said that he had only ever had a couple of caesarians and that by rights they should be given the opportunity to give birth naturally. He said that if he doesn't see his normal vet the first thing that is said to him is 'when shall we book her in for her c-section'. He always tells that vet that he has no intention of a c-section unless it becomes necessary. Makes you wonder if some vets are at fault with this breed and are too quick to do a c-section? Maybe the figures are not as factual as they appear?

> Makes you wonder if some vets are at fault with this breed and are too quick to do a c-section? Maybe the figures are not as factual as they appear?

Don't know about you but I would not routinely see a vet before delivery and only then if difficulties required it so would not think vets have a great deal of influence over this.  
I think you only have to look at their obvious physical attributes to realise what may very well happen.

Don't know about you but I would not routinely see a vet before delivery

Lots of people go to their vet for a scan!

Yes, I suppose they do these days but I still doubt vets are much of an influence on these statistics compared to the breeds anatomy.

My experience is that vets are always very quick to recommend c-sections for any animal.

No vet has ever offered me one nor do we see these statistics in other breeds as you might expect if it was vet led.