✨Breeder Spotlight: Joyful Journeys in French Bulldog Breeding
Thank you, Jennifer Root, of RickJenn Frenchies in Indiana in Indiana, for sharing your words of wisdom with the TellTail community.
Jennifer’s Breeder Spotlight highlights the unique traits of French Bulldogs as ideal companions, her commitment to finding loving, lifelong homes for her puppies, and her passion for educating buyers on how to identify responsible dog breeders.
💡 Interested in being in the spotlight, or wish to nominate a friend? Email us at hello@telltail.com
What is so special about French Bulldogs?
French Bulldogs are the perfect companions! They have the best personalities and are very adaptable to most situations and environments. They are fun-loving dogs that just want to be with their humans all the time. They also can’t help but entertain their audience with their happy-go-lucky dispositions and comical antics. We can’t help but say that “we live and love the Frenchie life” because we truly do!
French Bulldogs are a great size to take along on outings, or just for cuddling up on the couch (which is one of their favorite things to do!). They do not need a lot of exercise. French Bulldogs also seem to get along well with other dogs and animals providing they are properly socialized as puppies. They can be a bit stubborn, as most bulldogs are, but they will do just about anything for food. We find that with a little training and lots of love that Frenchies are a joy to live with.
What questions do you ask your potential buyers?
We like to get to know our potential families by having them complete a questionnaire once they join our waitlist. This tells us about their current lifestyle, dog ownership experience, other pets they may have and what they are looking for in their new puppy.
Some people have a preference for male/female and/or color, so we want to take that into consideration. Usually our puppies have a range of personalities from gentle & reserved to bold & rambunctious. This is why we do personality testing when the puppies are around 7 weeks old. This determination, along with the preferences of the potential buyer, gives us the ability to match each puppy with its new family.
We want each family to be very happy with their new “fur baby” so we do everything we can to make sure that each placement is an overwhelming success.
Why do you love being a dog breeder?
I have always had a love for animals. As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian. Animal husbandry is very interesting to me and I enjoy caring for the physical and psychological needs of our dogs. I also enjoy training animals, and I am a Certified Dog Obedience Instructor.
Being able to raise French Bulldogs with my husband, Rick, is a dream come true for me. We believe that God has blessed us with this opportunity to be dog breeders. Through our dogs, we have met some wonderful people and have created some amazing friendships. We have also been able to bless others in very special ways because of what we do. God is good and we give Him all the glory for what He has accomplished through us and our French Bulldogs.
We also truly enjoy spending time with our dogs on our farm. They are not just for breeding. They live in our home with us and are an important part of our family. Dogs truly are man's best friend and the connection we have with them is very enjoyable and fulfilling. Remember, we live and love the Frenchie life!
What challenges do you face as a dog breeder?
Our biggest challenge is raising awareness about the importance of choosing the right breeder before selecting a puppy. Choosing a breeder based on their breeding practices and how they raise and care for their dogs and puppies is the best way to make sure that you have a well-bred, healthy puppy to love for a lifetime.
It is so important to research the breed of dog that you are interested in, and then research the breeders who raise those dogs. Asking lots of questions, requesting a FaceTime or in-person meeting, reading reviews and asking for references are all great ways to determine if the breeder is one you should partner with for your new puppy. Investing the time upfront will reap the biggest rewards when it is time for your puppy to come home.
Oftentimes a new puppy is chosen based on a cute picture, a low price, availability or even because it is in a deplorable situation and needs to be “rescued”. Very rarely does this rash decision result in a wonderful, lifelong relationship with the new puppy without significant health issues or behavioral problems later on. Not to mention that the breeder who sold the puppy usually doesn’t offer lifetime support to the family, and is not inclined to take the puppy back if the new owner is no longer willing or able to care for it. Unfortunately, the result is that these puppies will end up in shelters/rescue organizations or become costly to care for because of medical or training needs later in life.
Our passion as French Bulldog breeders is to produce the healthiest, happiest puppies to their “furever” families. We health test our breeding dogs and purposefully choose each breeding pair based on health markers, temperaments and conformation/structure. All of these components are important to preserving the breed type and producing quality companions. We also pour into each of our puppies to raise them properly. Socialization, desensitization, training and nurturing in a loving home environment are all so important to the well-being of each puppy.
With us, each new family who chooses us to be their breeder becomes a part of our extended family. Not only do we offer lifetime support, but we also enjoy being a part of their experiences with their new puppy as it grows into adulthood. Our joy comes from the happiness that each of our puppies bring to their new families. Their satisfaction is our goal and it lets us know that we are doing it right.
What advice do you have for aspiring breeders?
Research the breed you intend to raise. Do you have the resources to provide proper care? Do you know the health issues that the breed is prone to? What health testing is recommended/required? Is the breed well-known and desirable? Is the breed easy to care for?
Research the breeders. Find an established, ethical breeder who is willing to be a mentor for you. Purchase one or more of your first breeding dogs from them. Ask for their advice and be willing to listen and apply their wisdom to your program.
Get plugged in. Join your breed club and/or breed groups in your area and network so that you can create relationships with other breeders. Not all breeders will consider you to be competition, although a few will. Find the right ones who are willing to help and support you and you will establish meaningful relationships with some great people.
Learn effective marketing. You must know how to effectively advertise yourself and your puppies. Potential buyers need to be able to find you in order for your dog breeding business to be successful. Even if raising puppies is your hobby, you will lose money and not be able to sustain your operation if people don’t know who you are, know what you offer and want to buy from you.
You have to love what you do. Dog breeding done well is not easy. It is also not cheap, so don’t do it for the money. There are many parts to it that are undesirable and can be devastating. Loss of life, missed breedings, illness, injuries and unplanned setbacks are all part of being a dog breeder. For example, you have to be willing to remove a dog from your program that is not breed quality no matter how much has been invested. It is also a 24/7 commitment, so be prepared to miss important events. You have to be able to do what is the best thing for the dog no matter how much it hurts. And, let’s be honest. You have to pick up so much dog waste! But in all seriousness, the positives outweigh the negatives. It is a very rewarding occupation that pays in cuddles and kisses!
