If all you need is a bulldog’s LOVE, you can get it for free; they’re just expensive to shop for!
Are you considering owning an English bulldog? They are cool puppies to adopt, loyal companions, and a docile breed. However, enjoying the perks of being an English bulldog parent will cost you more than many other breeds.
Anyone considering adding an English bulldog to their family must be aware of the significant costs that go into raising, grooming, and taking care of this wonderful breed. Not only do they cost money, but, of course, a lot of your time and energy as well.
Why are English bulldogs so Expensive?
It all starts with breeding. The primary reason for English bulldogs being oh-so expensive is they are costly for breeders to breed.
On average, an English bulldog may range from $1500 to $4000. You read that right!
Their high price tag reflects the cost of their birth process, from artificial insemination to c-sections, and their many standard maintenance expenses.
The top five reasons bulldogs carry such a large pricetags are as follows:
1. Artificial Insemination
The stocky bulldogs have an unusual head-and-body structure, and this unique body frame takes a toll while they fornicate. Not only is it physically difficult to actually fornicate, but having the puppies is very hard on the mother and often causes irreparable harm to her reproductive organs. In short, they struggle to reproduce naturally.
Almost 90% of female bulldogs require stud service or Artificial Insemination, which although effective, is very expensive. A few advantages of AI are:
- Semen can be pre-checked microscopically to verify that it’s capable of developing and is of excellent pedigree
- You can detect the adequacy of semen count
- Monitoring the health of male reproductive parts is easier
- Female isn’t at risk of getting any kind of illness that are common during mating
- There’s no chance of getting an injury that may happen during mating
Pre-breeding services are pricier than you may think- the cost of bulldog stud service is no less than $650. Artificial Insemination charges are around $1,600.
Other expenses, such as using frozen semen, which incur storage and shipment costs, add on more charges as well.
2. Caesarean Whelping
The awe-inspiring large heads of bullies make their birthing process much more complex. Pushing litters of puppies out of her birth canal can damage a mother bulldog forever. Not only physical damage, but emotional stress as well.
The mother bulldog will get exhausted after pushing out only a puppy or two. Their frail respiratory system makes natural labor overcomplicated, and they often need c-sections to induce labor. Luckily, Caesarean Whelping has come a long way and helps prevent many issues of the past during child birth, such as infections and complications that would come up.
The price of a c-section ranges from $2,500 to $5,000, so be prepared for that price tag if you plan on trying to breed bulldogs.
3. Few Litters
Unlike other dog breeds, bulldogs generally have a smaller litter, generally three to five puppies per pregnancy. Many of the puppies do not make it out alive, due to the process of breeding and the fact bulldogs are a man made breed. Fewer litters and tricky labor make the bulldog pup’s prices higher.
4. Genetic Testing
English bulldogs are genetically more liable to suffer from a lot of health issues than most other breeds. A newly born bulldog pup will be the most vulnerable to health issues, and they can be tricky to diagnose.
Hence, new puppies need to have genetic testing, which again costs a handsome amount of money. The most common genetic problems that require the said testing are:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Deafness
- Heart diseases
- Luxating patella
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
5. Taking Care and Maintenance
Once the puppies are born, there are even more expenses. A lot of money is spent on taking care of the newborns and raising them, as is the case with all puppies.
Bulldog mothers often struggle with their pregnancy, and can even smash their puppies during birth, resulting in higher amounts of casualties.
Breeders must hand-feed and take care of the baby bullies as well as their mother, keeping a constant watch over the pups and their mother for at least 8 – 10 weeks. All the expenses of bulldogs’ food, dog supplements, and veterinary appointments increase their overall cost.
Last Words:
Now you know the reasons why English bulldogs aren’t wallet-friendly. Keeping bulldogs takes a lot of time, energy, and money. They have a hefty price tag, but they are worth it.
Adopting a bulldog requires a heavy pocket and A LOT of attention. Only a very dedicated pet parent should consider bringing in a bulldog.
