Every family we’ve talked to at I Heart Frenchies has the same first question: “Is this puppy actually healthy?” It’s the right question. French Bulldogs are one of the most health-sensitive breeds in the world, and the difference between a well-bred Frenchie and a poorly-bred Frenchie is measured in tens of thousands of dollars in vet bills and, sadly, in years of life.
This page walks you through everything “health tested” should include, what it costs, how to read the reports, and what you should receive on the day you take your puppy home.
What health testing actually means
“Health tested” is not a vet check. A vet check confirms the puppy is currently healthy — no fever, no parasites, weight looks good. That’s important, but it only tells you about today. Health testing is what a breeder does on the parents before they ever breed them, to identify hereditary conditions that could show up in the puppy months or years down the road.
A responsible French Bulldog program includes four layers of testing:
- DNA panel — an all-in-one genetic report (Embark or Wisdom Panel Premium) covering 200+ hereditary conditions plus color and coat.
- Orthopedic screening — OFA hip radiographs and a patella grade for both parents.
- Cardiac clearance — annual auscultation by a veterinarian, ideally echocardiogram by a cardiologist.
- Eye exam (CAER) — a certified ophthalmologist eye exam within the last 12 months.
DNA testing versus a vet check
Think of it this way: the vet check is your puppy’s today. DNA testing is your puppy’s tomorrow. Both matter, and neither substitutes for the other. When a breeder tells you “the puppy has been vet-checked, so it’s healthy,” ask them to also send the parents’ DNA reports. If they can’t, you’re not buying a health-tested puppy.
Recommended tests for French Bulldogs
The full DNA panel every I Heart Frenchies breeder must complete on both parents:
- Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
- Hereditary Cataracts (HC-HSF4)
- Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts (JHC)
- Cystinuria Type III
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-crd4)
- Multi-Drug Resistance (MDR1)
- Von Willebrand Disease (Type 1)
- Full color and coat panel (fluffy, merle, tan points, chocolate, cocoa, isabella, brindle)
For the orthopedic and cardiac side, expect to see:
- OFA or PennHIP hip radiographs
- OFA patella grade
- Cardiac clearance (auscultation minimum, echocardiogram preferred)
- CAER eye exam
This is not a “nice to have.” This is the baseline. Learn how to read the actual reports in our Texas verified-breeder guide.
Parent health records — what to ask for
When you inquire about a litter, request the following before you send any money:
- Full Embark or Wisdom Panel PDF for both dam and sire
- OFA hip radiograph and grade for both parents
- Patella grade for both parents
- Most recent cardiac clearance date and provider name
- Most recent CAER eye exam
- Vet contact info you can independently call
A breeder who has done this work is proud of it and will send you the documents within minutes. If you get resistance, generic screenshots, or “summaries” — stop the conversation.
Breathing, spine, hips, knees, heart, and eyes
French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, which means their airway is anatomically compressed. Good breeders select for open nostrils, wider tracheas, and moderate palate length to reduce the risk of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Ask how they screen for BOAS conformation.
The spine, hips, and knees are also concerns. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) risk is influenced by breeding structure. Hip and patella grades on both parents help predict lifelong joint health. Cardiac and eye exams protect against congenital heart defects and hereditary cataracts.
Your written health guarantee
Every puppy on I Heart Frenchies comes with a written guarantee covering:
- Hereditary and congenital conditions for a minimum of one year from date of purchase
- A lifetime return clause — no puppy ever ends up in a shelter
- Contact info and a written process for filing a health claim
- Refund, replacement, and partial-refund options depending on the breeder
Vaccination and deworming records
Every puppy leaves with a written record that includes:
- Deworming schedule (usually every two weeks from 2 to 8 weeks)
- Age-appropriate vaccinations (first DAPP typically at 6–8 weeks)
- Current wellness exam from the breeder’s veterinarian
- Microchip registration (many breeders include this)
- AKC or CKC registration paperwork (breeder’s discretion)
What you receive before pickup
Before your puppy comes home, you should receive:
- Signed puppy contract and health guarantee
- Both parents’ DNA/health-testing reports
- Vaccine and deworming records
- Vet wellness exam
- Feeding guide (brand, quantity, transition instructions)
- Written care instructions for the first 30 days
- Microchip and registration paperwork
- A small starter kit — food, blanket, and something that smells like mom
Current and upcoming puppies
Every available puppy on I Heart Frenchies has been vet-cleared and comes from a health-tested pairing. You can browse available puppies, view planned litters, or join the waitlist for upcoming pairings you want to be first in line for.
Frequently asked questions
What does "health tested" actually mean?
Health testing is the combination of DNA panels, orthopedic evaluations (OFA hips + patella), cardiac clearance, and eye exams (CAER) performed on both parents before any breeding takes place. A vet check on the puppy alone is not health testing — it is a wellness exam.
What is the difference between a vet check and genetic testing?
A vet check confirms the puppy is currently healthy at that visit. Genetic testing evaluates the parents’ DNA for hereditary conditions that could show up months or years later. You need both. Ask the breeder for the puppy’s current vet exam report AND the parents’ DNA/OFA reports.
Which DNA tests should a French Bulldog breeder run?
At minimum: Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), Hereditary Cataracts (HC-HSF4), Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts (JHC), Cystinuria Type III, PRA-crd4, MDR1, Von Willebrand Disease, and a full color-and-coat panel. Embark and Wisdom Panel Premium both cover this. Expect $150–$250 per parent.
How long is the health guarantee?
Every I Heart Frenchies breeder provides a written guarantee covering hereditary and congenital conditions for a minimum of one year (many go two). Every guarantee also includes a lifetime return clause: if life changes, the puppy comes back to the breeder — no puppy ends up in a shelter.
Do I get vaccination and deworming records?
Yes. Every puppy leaves with a written record of dewormings (usually every two weeks from 2 to 8 weeks), age-appropriate vaccinations (typically first DAPP at 6–8 weeks), and a current wellness exam from the breeder’s licensed veterinarian.
What about BOAS and breathing?
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is a real concern in the breed. Responsible breeders select for open nostrils, wider tracheas, and moderate palate length. Ask your breeder how they screen for BOAS-friendly conformation, and read our guide on French Bulldog breathing.
What tests should I ask about for a Fluffy or Merle Frenchie?
Fluffy (LH) and merle (M-locus) are coat/color genes with no direct health risk in the coat itself. However, merle-to-merle pairings dramatically raise the risk of deafness and eye defects — no responsible breeder ever does that. Ask for the color and merle DNA panels on both parents.