Adopting a French Bulldog in London: rescues, costs and breathing

The count under the short answer is live: it shows every French Bulldog and French Bulldog cross listed with us in London and within about 35 miles, with a link to the rescue that has each dog.

Phoenix French Bulldog Rescue says dogs come to it for many reasons: sometimes an owner becomes ill, other times the dog develops issues beyond what the owner can deal with. Its guidelines add that the breed "is not for everyone", and that health imperfections are likely to be more common in a dog that has found its way into rescue.

Demand plays a part too. Dogs Trust says demand for flat-faced puppies is "incredibly high", and that flat-faced breeds are some of the most common smuggled into the country by illegal breeders.

A young French Bulldog from Phoenix costs £450 to £595, which overlaps the lower end of Blue Cross's £400 to £3,000 range for buying a puppy. General rescues often charge less: All Dogs Matter charges between £150 and £220. A rescue fee usually covers vet work already done, such as microchipping and first vaccinations.

The real cost with this breed is vet care. Dogs Trust says surgery for severe breathing problems can be costly, and suggests insurance as soon as you get your dog. Phoenix's guidelines say it no longer routinely covers surgery for BOAS (the breed's breathing condition, below) or dental work, that dogs in foster can't be insured, and that anything a vet notes on the dog's record during fostering may count as a pre-existing condition for insurance later. PDSA estimates a small dog's set-up cost at £415 and a minimum of £69 a month after that.

French Bulldogs are flat-faced (brachycephalic), and breathing is the first thing to ask about. These are the concerns UK sources name for the breed:

• Breathing (BOAS). PDSA lists French Bulldogs among the breeds commonly affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), a breathing condition caused by selective breeding, with signs such as noisy breathing, being unable or unwilling to exercise, and struggling in hot weather. The Royal Kennel Club calls it "a progressive, lifelong disorder".
• A breathing grade. The Royal Kennel Club and University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme grades dogs from 0 (clinically unaffected) to 3 (severely affected), from 12 months old. Most rescue dogs won't have a grade, so ask what the rescue's vet has noticed at rest, after exercise and in warm weather.
• Eyes, hips and skin folds. The Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to test for hereditary cataracts and to check hips, elbows and eyes, and says facial skin folds can trap moisture and lead to infection. Since 1 January 2025 it has placed the breed in Breed Watch Category 3, for breeds with visible health concerns linked to exaggerated conformation.

The breed suits small spaces: The Royal Kennel Club lists a flat as big enough, with up to an hour of exercise a day. Phoenix's FAQs say a flat or no garden need not rule you out, but that a dog with medical needs that can't manage stairs won't go to a high-rise flat with an unreliable lift.

Heat is the London summer risk. Dogs Trust says French Bulldogs are at higher risk of heat stroke, and its warm weather advice is to walk dogs early in the morning or later in the evening. Phoenix's FAQs also ask how you would get a dog to an out-of-hours vet at night if you don't drive, and say it doesn't like its dogs left alone for more than around 4 hours on a regular basis.

Rescue French Bulldogs are adopted, not sold. You apply, the rescue matches you with a dog, and you pay its adoption fee. Puppies do come through rescue, but you can't plan on one, so be open to an adult.

If you decide to buy, The Royal Kennel Club's advice on buying a flat-faced puppy says to avoid puppies from parents that show loud breathing, snoring while awake, snorting or wheezing, and to make sure the parents have been tested under the Respiratory Function Grading Scheme. The Royal Kennel Club also runs a "Find a puppy" service. The Royal Kennel Club no longer registers merle French Bulldog puppies, because the merle gene carries an increased risk of impaired hearing and sight, so treat a "merle" advert with care. If an advert looks like a scam, report it to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).