Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is the Deposit non-refundable?
The practice of “non-refundable deposits” is almost universal in the Breeding world. The deposit is a fee charged for “reserving” a specific puppy just for you. If you reserve a puppy, but then have a change of heart and cancel it later, it would unfairly prevent others from buying that puppy in the meantime. It also gives the Breeder less time to find a suitable new owner to replace you if you get cold feet at the last minute. With less time to market the puppy and find a new Puppy Parent, the Breeder may need to reduce the puppy’s adoption fee to help find a new owner. The non-refundable deposit gives the Breeder more pricing flexibility. Most importantly, it ensures someone is serious about the puppy adoption in the first place.
Do you accept payment plans?
YES, we do! We utilize PayPal to process payments. At checkout, PayPal will give you three payment options:
Pay with a Credit/Debit Card
Pay with 4 equal installments(no interest).
Pay with MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS. For this method, it’s like setting up a credit account with PayPal with an annual interest rate. It might take 30 seconds for PayPal to check your credit at checkout, which they will utilize to determine your interest rate(we have no involvement or control over this). Once they approve the transaction, they immediately send us the total payment, and you will make monthly payments to PayPal until paid in full. To help offset any interest you may be charged with this option, as a courtesy, we reduce the purchase price by $500. NOTE: this discount is only available on full-price puppies, not already discounted ones.(For instance, if you agreed to buy a puppy for 3,000 we would sell it to you for 2,500).
Do you accept Credit Cards?
YES! See PayPal information in previous question.
Do Frenchies have health problems?
Every dog breed has historical physiological tendencies unique to the breed. This includes Frenchies. For instance, many large dog breeds (Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Great Danes, etc.) tend to have issues with their joints and hips as they get older. This doesn’t prevent people from purchasing these breeds, but they do take precautions such as giving them supplements to help delay or prevent joint issues. With Frenchies, the two most common tendencies that owners need to be aware of are breathing challenges(squished noses) and skin allergies. There are other health conditions to watch for, but these are the two that pop-up the most. Not all Frenchies have disruptive breathing issues(BOAS), but the issues tend to correlate with how “squished” the Frenchie’s nose is. “Squished Face” breeds such as Frenchies and Pugs sometimes get partially obstructed airways because of narrow nostrils(nares) or larger soft palettes. Because of this, a Frenchie might be a noisy breather, snort when they get excited, and/or snore when they sleep. Additionally, most Frenchies get overheated quickly when exercising because of their less efficient breathing caused by “squished noses”. It’s something to be aware of and respond to when needed. Frenchie’s can still live a great life, even with breathing challenges, but their owners should take extra precautions with them for their safety. For frenchies with extreme breathing obstructions(BOAS), procedures can be done by Veterinarians to help open airways. Regarding skin allergies, this is an issue common to many breeds. If a Frenchie shows signs of a skin allergy such as excessive scratching or paw-licking, Dog Parents can work with their Veterinarian to identify the allergen and prevent/minimize contact. With Frenchies, chicken protein is a frequent culprit. This can be addressed choosing a dog food based on Salmon, Lamb, or Turkey instead. Dr. Gary’s “Best Breed” dog food(what we feed all our dogs) has high quality, hypo-allergenic, cost-effective options available when addressing food allergies. It can be purchased on Chewy or directly from their website. Sometimes, Frenchies get seasonal allergies just like people do. For environmental allergens, good medications are available which can make a big difference. We have a Frenchie who gets a shot for environmental allergens once every three months. This has been effective for her in combination with a low allergen dogfood. We encourage prospective Puppy Parents to do lots of reading about Frenchies ahead of time and ask lots of questions. Not everything you read is true, but it’s important to be well-informed before getting a puppy.
Do Male and Female Frenchies have different temperaments?
This is a great question to ask. There are some general observations that can be made about male vs. female differences, but each dog is still unique and there are exceptions to the general tendencies. Male Frenchies have a reputation for being more laid-back and easy-going as they get older, and not as active. Females, on the other hand, have a reputation for being more energetic and active throughout their life. This being said, male & female puppies tend to both have lots of energy until they are fully grown (around 18 months). After this, you might notice some gradual changes in energy, depending on the unique temperament of each dog. It’s impossible for a Breeder to tell you exactly how a puppy will be when they get older. Puppies sometimes give us hints or clues in their behavior between 4-10 weeks old, but it’s impossible to predict their long-term temperament. The good news is for every puppy, the Puppy Parent has a lot of influence on the dog’s developing temperament. If you play with them often, they will likely be more playful. If you cuddle with them often, they will likely be more cuddly. One of the special things about the Frenchie breed is they are known for being loving, playful and affectionate. They have a terrific reputation for being great companions. Many Frenchies want to be with their owners 24/7, whether male or female.
Does a Frenchie need a big yard for exercise? I only have an apartment…
Frenchies are in the “non-sporting” category for AKC, which means they generally don’t need much space for exercise. In other words, most apartments will be fine for a Frenchie, as long as there is enough space for the daily “zoomies”. Frenchies (and other breeds) tend to get a surge of energy once a day around senset, and need to just run around the room like they’re chasing an invisible toy. They don’t care where they are running, just as long as they can run. Our Frenchies tend to run in circles around the couch doing laps chasing one another. It last around 5-10 minutes. They get a certain “hyper” look on their face like they just drank a Red Bull, and you will know… they’ve go “the zoomies”! The fact Frenchies don’t need much exercise is one of the big reasons for their surging popularity in recent years. More people are living in apartments and condos instead of houses, so the demand for smaller dogs is higher. You can still take your Frenchie for a daily walk and train them to stay near you, but always take cool water for them to drink in case they get overheated. In a worst case scenario, you might even have to carry them home if they are panting heavily. Just be very observant and mindful if they start panting. Frenchies can overheat quickly and can even die from Heat Stroke if they can’t cool off. When our dogs start to pant from playing hard and chasing each other, we usually take away any toys, give them a break, and keep offering them water until they stop panting and cool off. Playing indoors where is temperature stays below 70 degrees is usually safer than taking your dog for a long walk on a 75+ degree day. Extreme heat and Frenchies do not get along. If you want your Frenchie to stay healthy abnd safe, keep them in moderate temperatures in monitor them during activity.
I work a lot, so I won’t be home much to engage with a puppy. Will this be a problem?
Our advice is to get a Gold Fish. Puppies are very needy, especially a Frenchie puppy. They crave human interaction and will literally go crazy if they are left alone all day. They need mental stimulation and affection much like human babies do. And they need to eat 3-4 times a day, spread out evenly. Even though Frenchie’s are pretty low-maintenance for a dog, they still need attention and thrive on time with people. This is especially important for the first few months so a puppy forms a strong bond with you. Not only will they go crazy if left alone all day, they will probably create big trouble because they have so much anxiety. This may include chewing-up valuable things like your new dress shoes or leather couch. We do not recommend a Frenchie puppy for someone who lives alone or someone that works long hours regularly. If you still want a Frenchie, you can adopt an older Frenchie such as a female being retired from breeding. These are often less demanding, eat only twice a day, and are well-behaved. You can call local Breeders and ask if they intend to retire any females soon. Breeders usually charge much less for these adult dogs ,or give them away for free to a good home.
I am buying a Frenchie as a surprise gift for someone. Can you keep the dog a few extra weeks until it’s time to give them the puppy?
Sure! Just let us know in advance and we’d be happy to hold them longer. The full payment will still be due at 10 weeks old however. The dog will belong to you when you make the full payment at 10 weeks old. We would simply be providing free “boarding” until you pick them up. If you want us to deliver the puppy to a special occasion, such as a fancy dinner or a birthday party, we are happy to help.
I live outside your area. Can you deliver a puppy?
Absolutely! We are happy to accommodate the delivery of a puppy outside of Northern California. We can deliver out-of-state using a Puppy Nanny, or we might be able to do it ourselves in some cases. We would charge for the Puppy Nanny and/or airfare at the time of your final payment(10 weeks old). Airfare will likely be cheaper if purchased sooner, so keep this in mind.
Can I buy two puppies? I want them to have each other as playmates for times when I’m not home.
Yes, you definitely can, but we do not recommend buying them at the same time from the same litter. This can cause a problem called “Littermate Syndrome”, which is just a fancy way of saying they might bond with each other more than with you. Yes, they will still bond with you, but their bond with each other may be stronger. This can create problems such as separation anxiety if they are ever apart. It can also lead them to excessive chewing on things like furniture, and cause other damage. We agree that it’s great for dogs to have another dogs to play with. But it’s best to initially buy one puppy, then buy a second one 3-6 months later from a different litter.