FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The French bulldog is the most popular dog in America — but it also wins the award for the most expensive.
Frenchie puppies sell for about $3,000 on average, and that’s a bargain compared to caring for one.
The designer dogs can cost about $34,000 over the dog’s lifetime, and most of that will go to medical bills.
Joey Jimenez knows that all too well. He has cared for his paralyzed son Donnson for the last seven years, but just last month his son’s dog named Bullitt also suffered from sudden paralysis.
“On his third birthday, we had a birthday planned for him, and he comes into the room dragging his leg, and 30 minutes later both legs are gone,” said Jimenez.
He was diagnosed with IVDD, or intervertebral disc disease, as Frenchies have short spines that make them susceptible to slipped discs which can cause paralysis.
“What I’m thinking is from the jumping from all his life because he jumps on and off my bed all day, on the couch, he runs, hits the front door, pow, they call it the ‘zoomies,’” said Jimenez.
Although more common in older dogs, the disease can also attack younger, but very active dogs.
It’s not just the dogs’ backs that are a concern.
The boutique breed deals with breathing problems due to their flattened faces, just like skin allergies can be caused when bacteria get trapped in those folds on their faces.
Their compact bodies can suffer joint problems like hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis, even eye problems, gastro issues and heart defects are all medical problems Frenchies are prone to.
“I knew nothing that came with it,” Jimenez said when asked if he knew when he got this breed if there would be so many issues.
The Jimenez family admits they didn’t do their research before they picked out their pup, but backyard breeders and people looking to make a quick buck do not help either.
“I just know that these dogs are super popular down here so there’s a lot of people that live off these dogs, they don’t work, nothing, they just breed,” said Jimenez. “That’s a product to the people that are selling them, that’s not even, nothing to love, that’s just something to make money off of -- who cares if he dies tomorrow, breed another one, let’s sell them.”
As for Bullitt, he will need to see a neurologist for further evaluation, but there are no guarantees.
The next step for Bullitt is to get an MRI, which could easily cost $6,000, and then spinal surgery could be double the amount.
If none of that works, the little pup could be in a doggy wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Potential dog owners should always research the breed of dog they want to bring into their family and talk to other owners of that breed.
It’s never about making a snap decision over a cute or popular dog when it comes to 15 to 20 years of care.
The Jimenez family started a GoFundMe page to help with Bullitts’ medical expenses.
