Our love for Frenchies extends beyond our own dogs. We’ve learned a lot about the breeding and health of these wonderful dogs. We want to offer what we’ve learned to other Frenchie owners. From Stud services and Whelping to Parasite Testing and Microchipping; we are here to help you with your Frenchie needs.
While you’re here, stay a night or two at The Dog House and enjoy your stay!
Stud Services:
Offering Stud services for French Bulldogs with a variety of colors, from Standards to Dilutes and even Minis. Check out our Stud page.
Ultrasound (for Pregnancy Confirmation):
Performing an ultrasound on your pregnant bitch can be a simple, yet very accurate non-invasive procedure to determine is she is pregnant. It can also sometimes determine the number of puppies that she is carrying. We have confirmed bitches as early as 23 days. However, it is best to scan them between 28-32 days for better accuracy for counting the number of puppies.
Progesterone Testing:
Progesterone testing is a very useful, inexpensive and readily available tool in female dog reproduction. It can be used at different stages of the reproductive cycle and give information about the right time of mating and parturition as well as some abnormalities.
Progesterone testing can be useful in a range of other reproductive conditions:
- Split heats are quite common in young bitches, but also occur in around 5% of older animals. The first season is quite short and non-ovulatory, followed by a shorter than normal interoestrous period with a normal season. Progesterone rises only slightly and drops off again as ovulation hasn’t taken place. This can be tested any time in the next 40 days following the season.
- Delayed puberty is suspected if a bitch has not shown any seasons by the time she is 2 years of age. To exclude a silent estrus having taken place in the previous 2 months a progesterone level would be the first test before further investigations are attempted.
- Silent estrus can be a big problem as some animals show no or hardly any signs of swelling or discharge during their season. In order to breed from these females, testing has to start on the first day of any signs to make sure the fertile period is not missed.
- Hypoluteoidism is a condition that seems to affect some breeds (e.g., German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog) causing the reabsorption or abortion of puppies before the end of gestation. Regular progesterone testing from 30 days of gestation and supplementation can be useful.
Cytology:
Vaginal cytology is an easy method with great value in canine reproduction. As a general introduction in the function of cellular types that we can see, we can determine the phase of the cycle in the bitch. The cells are gathered from the vulva and put onto a slide so we can determine the bitches ovarian cycle.
AI:
Artificial insemination (AI) is the process of collecting semen and depositing it through artificial means into the vagina of the receptive bitch. AI is reserved for valuable purebred dogs that are unable to conceive through natural means due to various problems. In the bitch, abnormal vulvar or vaginal conformation, such as narrowing, may preclude coitus. Bitches can also be aggressive toward the intended sire and not allow breeding, for whatever reason.
TCI:
Transcervical Insemination (TCI) is the process in which an endoscope (essentially a tiny video camera) is passed up the vaginal canal of a bitch and to the cervix. The inseminator is able to watch the positioning of the catheter on a TV monitor to which the endoscopic view is shown. The actual insemination can be visualized, ensuring that the deposition of semen is in the uterus and that minimal back flush occurs.
Semen Analysis:
The iSperm Semen Analysis tests for a wide range of factors that affect the quality of sperm.
Heartworm Testing:
Heartworm testing your dog annually is simply part of a strong defense against this terrible parasitic infection. Heartworm disease can be effectively treated if caught early on. If worms are left alone to mature inside the heart and lungs, they can be very difficult to kill or remove.
If a mosquito bites a dog that receives its monthly dose all year long, any larvae deposited into the bloodstream will be quickly eradicated by the medicine. Without regularly scheduled doses, the larvae move to the lungs and heart where they cause major problems.
Year-round parasite prevention is key to your dog’s overall health and wellness.
Giardia Testing:
Giardia is a single-celled microscopic parasite. It can live in the intestines of dogs (and other animals, including cats and humans) and cause severe gastrointestinal disease.
Giardia in dogs is a disease that causes a lot of watery diarrhea. Beyond diarrhea, Giardia symptoms in dogs can include vomiting, excess foul-smelling gas, decreased appetite, decreased energy, and frequent urges to poop.
Giardia in dogs is spread by fecal-contaminated water, food, or soil. It is possible for you to catch Giardia from your infected dog, so you must practice safe hygiene habits when caring for an infected pet, such as vigilant handwashing and decontaminating your home and all the areas your dog has access to.
Microchipping:
A microchip is a radio-frequency identification transponder that carries a unique identification number and is roughly the size of a grain of rice. When the microchip is scanned with the appropriate scanner, it transmits the ID number. There’s no battery, no power required, and no moving parts. The microchip is injected under the loose skin between your dog’s shoulder blades.
We can microchip your pet with the Prepaid Enrollment through AKC Reunite. Keeping your dog safe and able to return home if they get lost in invaluable to a pet owner.
Ask me about other benefits as a Breeder to make sure you microchip your puppies prior to going to their new homes.
Whelping:
We are here to help you with all of your whelping needs. Please let us know in advance when your bitch is due so proper arrangements can be made. Our whelping services range anywhere from 2 weeks to 8 weeks. We are also able to offer extended stays for the babies after 8 weeks if needed.
We are equipped from A to Z for all of your whelping needs for Mom and her new babies. We have with incubators, oxygen machines, and suctioning equipment if needed. We are experienced in tube feeding as well, if necessary. We have private areas for mom and her babies.
They are all completely supervised 24/7 for the first 2 weeks or at least until the babies eyes are open fully. Then we will introduce mom by herself to the whelping box with her new babies. They again are completely supervised while together for the next full week. At that point we will know if mom is able to be left alone with her babies for short periods of time, or for naps.
Between 3-4 weeks we start to introduce mush to the babies and start the weaning process from mom. By 6 weeks they should be fully weaned from mom and on solid foods.
Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in our whelping services.
Boarding:
We also temporary and overnight boarding. Please reach out to us for more information.