French Bulldog and Pug Health Testing in New Zealand
Health testing is an important part of responsible French Bulldog and Pug breeding, but it should never be treated as a simple box-ticking exercise.
At Le Epitome Kennels, our health-informed breeding programme looks at the whole dog: DNA, veterinary health, breathing, movement, structure, temperament, reproductive soundness, puppy development and long-term feedback from the dogs we place.
Our goal is not to promise perfect dogs. No breeder honestly can. Our goal is to make informed breeding decisions, reduce avoidable risk where possible, raise confident and well-socialised puppies, and support our puppy buyers with transparency and practical guidance.
This page is the overview of our health-testing approach. It explains how we use DNA testing and physical health assessment together, what health testing can and cannot show, how buyers can understand breeder health claims, and how known breed-health risks can be read in proper context.
Our health testing information is split into two main areas:
DNA health testing covers inherited disease markers, carrier status, parentage, colour and coat genetics, and genetic diversity where available.
Physical health testing covers the real-world health factors that DNA cannot assess, including breathing, airway function, BOAS awareness, movement, patellas, hips, spine, eyes, heart, skin, ears, teeth, bite, heat tolerance, temperament, natural mating ability, whelping history and maternal recovery.
Both matter. DNA testing helps us understand genetic risk, while physical and veterinary assessment helps us understand how a dog actually functions.
Health testing at Le Epitome Kennels includes consideration of:
DNA testing, parentage and genetic information
Colour and coat genetics
Genetic diversity where available
Veterinary health checks
Puppy pre-sale health screening
Breathing, airway, nostril and respiratory function
BOAS awareness and Respiratory Function Grading where appropriate
Patellas, hips, spine, movement and rear-end strength
Eyes, heart, skin, ears, allergies, teeth and bite
Body condition, heat tolerance, temperament and stress resilience
Natural mating ability, whelping history and maternal recovery
Long-term health feedback from the dogs we place
Some assessments are part of our routine puppy, veterinary and breeding review process. Other formal assessments, including broader DNA testing, patella grading, hip assessment, Respiratory Function Grading and imaging where appropriate, are being progressively implemented as dogs mature, enter breeding consideration, or reach the relevant stage for assessment for their future breeding career.
A Note on Reading Breed Health Information
Reading a full health testing page can feel confronting. French Bulldogs and Pugs do have known breed-health risks, and some of those risks occur more often than they do in many longer-nosed breeds.
That does not mean every French Bulldog or Pug will develop serious health problems. It means these breeds should be bred, raised, assessed and managed with their structure in mind.
A health page like this is not a prediction that a puppy will develop every condition listed. It is a risk map. It explains the areas a responsible breeder should understand, monitor, record and use when making breeding decisions.
Published breed-health studies usually describe the wider dog population seen by veterinarians. Those populations include dogs from many different sources, and the data does not always separate carefully bred, health-tested dogs from dogs bred with little health oversight.
For that reason, we do not use population-level statistics to claim that any individual puppy is risk-free. Instead, we use health testing, veterinary checks, physical assessment, DNA information, breeding history and long-term owner feedback to reduce avoidable risk and make better decisions over time.
Our Health Screening Philosophy
At Le Epitome Kennels, health screening is part of a wider breeding programme. It is not a slogan, and it is not a single certificate.
We assess French Bulldogs and Pugs using a combination of DNA testing, veterinary checks, physical assessment, bloodline knowledge, puppy development, breeding history, temperament, movement, breathing, structure and long-term feedback from the dogs we place.
A responsible breeder should look at the whole dog. Colour, coat type and appearance may be part of a breeding decision, but they should never be the whole decision. Breathing, movement, patellas, spine, hips, eyes, heart, skin, temperament, fertility, maternal ability and family suitability all matter.
Our aim is to keep improving the programme over time. Health testing helps reduce avoidable risk, but it cannot guarantee that a puppy will never develop a health issue. What matters is that health information is recorded, understood and used to make better breeding decisions.
Natural Mating, Natural Whelping & Functional Breeding
At Le Epitome Kennels, we place real value on natural mating and natural whelping wherever it is safe and appropriate for the dogs involved. For us, this is part of functional breeding health.
A breeding dog should not be selected on colour, coat type or appearance alone. We also consider whether the dog can move well, breathe well, mate naturally, carry a pregnancy well, recover well, and, where appropriate, whelp naturally.
Veterinary intervention can be necessary and appropriate. We do not take unnecessary risks, and the safety of the dam and puppies always comes first. However, repeated dependence on intervention should be treated as a health signal, not ignored.
Natural mating, whelping history, maternal ability and recovery all give useful information about structure, fertility, stamina, pelvic function, temperament and overall soundness.
For us, reproductive soundness is part of health. A breeding programme should not only produce dogs that look good; it should preserve dogs that can function well as dogs. If we want these breeds to have a future, we have to breed for dogs that can help carry that future.
A dog breed should not need a full human support crew just to keep existing.
DNA Testing & Genetic Diversity
DNA testing is one of the tools we use to make responsible breeding decisions for our French Bulldogs and Pugs. It helps us understand inherited disease markers, carrier status, parentage, colour and coat traits, and genetic diversity where available.This matters because a dog can look healthy, move well and have a good temperament while still carrying a recessive genetic variant that may affect future breeding decisions. A carrier dog is not automatically unhealthy, but carrier status must be understood and managed responsibly. DNA testing is also useful when working with coloured lines, fluffy lines, outside studs, imported semen and new bloodlines. It helps reduce guesswork and gives us clearer records about what a dog expresses, what it carries, and how it may fit into the wider programme. Colour and coat DNA can be useful, but it is not the same as health testing. A rare colour, fluffy coat or impressive visual type should never outweigh breathing, movement, temperament, structure, reproductive soundness or overall function.
Not every pet puppy needs to be individually DNA tested. Where both parents are clear for a relevant inherited condition, puppies may be clear by parentage. Individual puppy DNA testing is usually most useful when a puppy is being retained for breeding, verification is required, or a specific breeding decision depends on it. DNA testing is important, but it is not the whole answer. A dog can have clear DNA results and still be unsuitable for breeding if it has poor breathing, weak movement, poor structure, unsuitable temperament, poor maternal ability or other functional concerns. For the detailed DNA testing explanation, see our dedicated DNA health testing page.
Why Genetic Diversity Matters
Genetic diversity matters because a breeding programme should think beyond the next litter. The goal is not only to produce attractive puppies, but to protect health, temperament, fertility and soundness over time.
Many pedigree breeds have been shaped by small founder populations, closed stud books, popular sires and generations of selective breeding. Over time, this can reduce diversity and increase the chance of inherited health issues becoming more common within a breed.
For some breeds, this narrowing of genetic diversity was made worse by major historical events. In Europe, the First and Second World Wars disrupted breeding programmes, reduced dog populations and, in some cases, forced breeds to rebuild from a much smaller surviving population. That kind of bottleneck can further reduce genetic diversity in a gene pool that may already have been narrowed by selective breeding.
This is one reason genetic diversity matters. Responsible breeding is not only about avoiding known inherited diseases. It is also about recording pedigrees, using DNA information where useful, avoiding unnecessary concentration around the same dogs, and making breeding decisions that protect the long-term health of the breed.
At Le Epitome Kennels, genetic diversity is part of the wider health picture. We consider DNA results, heterozygosity where available, bloodlines, structure, breathing, movement, temperament, reproductive soundness and family suitability.
Good breeding is a balance. We want to preserve breed type and character while making careful decisions that reduce avoidable risk and strengthen the future of our French Bulldog and Pug programme.
Outside Dogs, Imported Semen & New Bloodlines
Outside dogs, imported semen and new bloodlines can add real value to a breeding programme, but they should never be used blindly.
Before a new line is used at Le Epitome Kennels, we review the available DNA results, health information, pedigree background, structure, temperament, type and likely contribution to the future of our French Bulldog and Pug programme.
This is especially important with coloured and fluffy lines, where it can be tempting to chase colour alone. Outside bloodlines need to bring more than colour. They should add value through health, genetic diversity, structure, temperament, breathing, movement, fertility or overall quality.
A dog may look impressive on paper, but the real test is what that line produces over time. We assess new bloodlines through the health, temperament, confidence, structure, function and family suitability of the puppies they produce.
Used well, outside bloodlines can help strengthen a programme. Used poorly, they can introduce problems that take generations to understand. That is why new lines need to be reviewed carefully, recorded properly and judged by results, not just pedigree, colour or reputation.
Physical Health & Functional Soundness
Physical health assessment looks at the dog in front of us. It covers the real-world health factors that DNA cannot measure, including breathing, nostrils, airway comfort, movement, patellas, hips, spine, eyes, heart, skin, ears, teeth, bite, weight, heat tolerance, temperament and general day-to-day function.
This is especially important in French Bulldogs and Pugs because many of the most important breed-health considerations are physical and structural. A dog can have good DNA results and still be unsuitable for breeding if it has poor breathing, weak movement, unstable patellas, poor structure, poor temperament or significant veterinary concerns.
Breathing is one of the most important areas we consider. We assess nostril openness, airway noise, comfort at rest, exercise tolerance, recovery after activity, heat tolerance, body condition and overall quality of life. Formal BOAS or Respiratory Function Grading may be used where available and appropriate, especially for breeding dogs.
Movement and structure also matter. Patellas, hips, spine, rear-end strength, coordination and general mobility all contribute to long-term comfort and soundness. We do not believe a dog should be selected for breeding simply because it has desirable colour, coat type or pedigree if the structure underneath does not support a healthy, functional life.
Eyes, heart health, skin, ears, teeth, bite, digestion, feet, nails, weight, coat condition, temperament and stress resilience are also part of the wider health picture. A healthy breeding dog is not just a dog with one good test result. It should be comfortable, stable, functional and capable of living well as a family companion.
Every Le Epitome Kennels puppy receives a veterinary health check before handover. This includes general health, body condition, eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, bite, heart, breathing, nares, skin, coat, limbs, joints, movement, basic patella review, basic hip and mobility assessment, and overall development. Puppies also receive vaccination, worming and parasite care, and microchipping where applicable.
Buyers are required to arrange a second veterinary check within five business days after collection. This protects the puppy, the buyer and Le Epitome Kennels, and helps ensure any concern is identified and discussed early.Responsible health testing does not mean putting every pet puppy through every possible test. It means using the right test, on the right dog, at the right stage of development, for the right reason. Some assessments are most useful for mature breeding dogs. Some are only needed where there is a clinical concern. Some are part of routine puppy veterinary care.
For a deeper explanation of how we assess physical health, see our full Physical Health Testing page.
Health, Colour & Fluffy Lines
Le Epitome Kennels breeds French Bulldogs and Pugs in a range of colours and coat types, including selected coloured and fluffy lines. These traits can make a puppy visually special, but they should never be the whole breeding plan.
Colour and coat genetics need to be understood properly, not guessed. DNA testing helps us identify colour, coat type, carrier status, inherited disease markers and genetic information that may affect breeding decisions.
However, colour DNA is not the same as health testing. A dog can carry rare or desirable colour genes and still be unsuitable for breeding if it has poor breathing, weak movement, unstable patellas, poor structure, unsuitable temperament or other health concerns.
Coloured French Bulldogs, coloured Pugs and fluffy lines are assessed through the same health-informed approach as the rest of our programme. Health, temperament, structure, breathing, movement, reproductive soundness, genetic diversity and family suitability must remain central.
The goal is not just to produce beautiful puppies. The goal is to produce French Bulldogs and Pugs that are attractive, confident, functional, well-socialised and suited to real family life — with just enough cheek and mischief to remind you they are still little rascals, not couch ornaments.
How Health Results Affect Breeding Decisions
Health testing only matters if the information is actually used.
DNA results, veterinary findings, breathing assessment, patella information, spine and hip observations, movement, temperament, reproductive history, maternal ability and puppy outcomes all help guide breeding decisions.
A dog may be retained, paired carefully, monitored, rested, retired or removed from breeding consideration depending on the overall picture.
A DNA carrier result does not automatically mean a dog is unhealthy, but it does mean the dog must be paired responsibly. The aim is to avoid producing affected puppies where that risk can be managed through sensible breeding decisions.
Likewise, a dog with poor breathing, poor recovery, serious patella issues, significant spinal concerns, weak movement, unstable temperament or poor maternal function should not be used lightly simply because it has desirable colour, coat type or pedigree.
Breeding is not a one-litter decision. It is a long-term programme. We record what we see, learn from each generation, and use that information to make better decisions for future French Bulldog and Pug puppies.
How Buyers Can Understand Health Testing Claims
Health testing claims can sound impressive, but buyers should understand what the words actually mean.
“DNA tested” does not always mean a dog has been fully assessed for health. DNA testing may cover inherited disease markers, parentage, colour and coat traits, or genetic diversity, depending on the laboratory and test panel used. A DNA report is useful, but it does not assess breathing, movement, patellas, hips, spine, eyes, temperament or general function.
“Vet checked” usually means a veterinarian examined the puppy or dog at a particular point in time. That is important, but it is not the same as a full breeding-health assessment. A puppy can pass a pre-sale vet check and still need normal care, observation and veterinary support as it grows.
“Clear by parentage” can be useful where both parents are confirmed clear for a specific inherited condition and parentage is known. It should not be used vaguely. Buyers should ask which condition the puppy is clear by parentage for, and whether the parent results are recorded.
“Health tested parents” should mean more than one certificate. Buyers should ask what testing was done, what the results were, how the results affected the pairing, and whether the breeder considers physical health as well as DNA.
No breeder can honestly guarantee that a puppy will never develop a health issue. What a responsible breeder can do is use sensible health screening, make informed breeding decisions, disclose known concerns, provide proper documentation, support buyers after handover, and continue learning from the dogs they produce.
The best question is not simply “are the puppies health tested?” A better question is: “what health information do you record, how do you use it, and what would make you decide not to breed from a dog?”
What to Look for When Searching for French Bulldogs or Pugs for Sale in NZ
When people search for French Bulldogs for sale in NZ or Pug puppies for sale in NZ, it is easy to focus first on colour, price, location or availability. Those things matter, but they should not be the starting point.
With French Bulldogs and Pugs, buyers should also ask how the breeder approaches health, breathing, structure, movement, DNA testing, temperament, puppy development and after-sale support.
A responsible French Bulldog breeder or Pug breeder should be able to explain how breeding dogs are selected, what health information is recorded, how outside bloodlines are assessed, how puppies are raised, and what happens if a concern is found before or after handover.
These are brachycephalic breeds, so breathing, heat tolerance, recovery after activity, nostril openness, airway noise, movement and general function should be taken seriously.
At Le Epitome Kennels, our French Bulldog and Pug breeding programme is health-informed rather than colour-led. We breed coloured French Bulldogs, coloured Pugs and selected fluffy lines, but colour is never enough reason to breed a dog.
Before paying a deposit for a French Bulldog puppy or Pug puppy, buyers should ask about DNA testing, breathing assessment, patella checks, spine and movement, hip structure, puppy vet checks, vaccination, microchipping, diet, socialisation, pedigree records and support after collection.
A good breeder should be willing to answer sensible questions clearly and should not make unrealistic promises of perfect lifetime health.
Questions to Ask Any French Bulldog or Pug Breeder
Before choosing a French Bulldog breeder or Pug breeder in New Zealand, buyers should feel comfortable asking clear questions about health, breeding decisions, puppy raising and after-sale support. A responsible breeder should not be offended by sensible questions.
Good questions to ask include:
How many generations of this puppy’s line have you personally bred, owned or worked with?
Can I see the pedigree records?
Do you DNA test or review the DNA results of your breeding dogs?
Are puppies individually DNA tested, or are they clear by parentage for relevant conditions?
How do you assess breathing, BOAS risk, nostril openness, airway noise, heat tolerance and exercise recovery?
Do you record patella checks for breeding dogs?
Do you assess spine, movement, hemivertebrae risk, hips and general structure?
Do you use outside studs, imported semen or new bloodlines, and how are those lines assessed before being used?
Are puppies vet checked before handover?
What vaccination, worming, parasite care and microchip information is provided?
What happens if a health concern is identified before collection?
Do you disclose known issues clearly?
Are puppies raised in a family environment with early handling and socialisation?
Do you provide practical support after the puppy goes home?
Do you breed mainly for colour and coat type, or are health, temperament, structure, breathing, movement and function central to the programme?
We encourage buyers to ask thoughtful questions. Buying a French Bulldog puppy or Pug puppy is a long-term decision, and it should be made with proper information rather than pressure, guesswork or pretty photos alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About French Bulldog & Pug Health Testing
Do French Bulldogs and Pugs need health testing?
Yes. French Bulldogs and Pugs are brachycephalic breeds with known breed-health risks, so health testing and health-informed breeding decisions matter. This does not mean every dog will develop health problems. It means breeders should understand the risks, assess breeding dogs carefully, record health information and use that information when planning litters.
What is the difference between DNA testing and physical health testing?
DNA testing looks at inherited markers, carrier status, parentage, colour and coat genetics, and genetic diversity where available. Physical health testing looks at the living dog: breathing, nostrils, movement, patellas, hips, spine, eyes, heart, skin, ears, weight, temperament and general function. Both are useful, but neither gives the whole picture on its own.
Are all Le Epitome Kennels puppies individually DNA tested?
Not automatically. Where both parents are clear for a relevant inherited condition, puppies may be clear by parentage. Individual puppy DNA testing is usually most useful when a puppy is being retained for breeding, verification is needed, or a specific breeding decision depends on it.
Do your puppies receive a vet check before going home?
Yes. Every Le Epitome Kennels puppy receives a veterinary health check before handover. This includes a thorough health review, body condition, eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, bite, heart, breathing, nares, skin, coat, limbs, joints, movement, basic patella review, basic hip and mobility assessment, and overall development. Puppies also receive vaccination, worming and parasite care, and microchipping.
Can any breeder guarantee a puppy will never have a health problem?
No. No breeder can honestly guarantee that a puppy will never develop a health issue. What a responsible breeder can do is make informed breeding decisions, use sensible health screening, raise puppies carefully, disclose known concerns, provide proper documentation and support buyers after handover.
Why do you not test every puppy for everything?
Responsible health testing means using the right test, on the right dog, at the right stage of development, for the right reason. Some tests are most useful once a dog is mature. Some tests are mainly useful for breeding decisions. Some tests are only needed where there is a clinical concern. Routine puppy vet checks, breeder observation and buyer follow-up are still important.
Do you support buyers after handover?
Yes. Buyer support is part of our programme. We expect buyers to arrange a second veterinary check within five business days after collection, and we encourage early contact if there are any concerns. Good breeding does not end when the puppy leaves; ongoing communication helps protect the puppy, the buyer and the breeding programme.
Why do you publish health information if some of it sounds concerning?
Because buyers deserve honest information. French Bulldogs and Pugs are wonderful companion breeds, but they do have known health risks. Publishing health information helps buyers understand what responsible breeders should be paying attention to. The goal is not to frighten people; it is to put risk into context and show how health information is used in better breeding decisions.
Looking for a Health-Screened French Bulldog or Pug Puppy in NZ?
Le Epitome Kennels is based in the Waikato, in the heart of New Zealand’s Golden Triangle region, and places French Bulldog and Pug puppies with carefully selected homes throughout New Zealand and overseas.
Our breeding programme is built around health-informed decisions, DNA testing, veterinary care, breathing and functional assessment, structure, movement, temperament, genetic diversity, reproductive soundness, puppy development and long-term owner support.
We breed coloured French Bulldogs, coloured Pugs and selected fluffy lines, but the right puppy should be more than a colour, coat type or photo. It should be raised with care, assessed honestly, matched sensibly and supported after it leaves us.
Our French Bulldog and Pug puppies are generally priced between $5,000 and $8,000, depending on breed, colour, coat type, suitability and the individual puppy.
If you are looking for a French Bulldog puppy or Pug puppy in New Zealand, we welcome thoughtful questions. You can view our upcoming litters, join our waiting list, or contact Olivia to discuss whether a Le Epitome Kennels puppy may be the right fit for your home.
Clinical Health Statistics in Context
French Bulldogs and Pugs have known breed-health risks. Those risks should be discussed honestly, but they also need numerical context. When every possible condition is listed together, it can sound as though every dog is likely to be affected, which is not what the evidence shows.
To make the information easier to understand, we have summarised the best available clinical data as approximate yearly percentages. The supporting evidence document also shows the same figures as cases per 1,000 dogs.
These figures are mainly based on UK primary-care veterinary records, with Australian primary-care data used for some Pug eye conditions. They are not New Zealand-specific rates, and they are not lifetime-risk predictions. They are best read as evidence-based reference figures showing which areas breeders should monitor.
French Bulldogs — Recorded Veterinary Diagnoses
More commonly recorded:
Otitis externa / ear inflammation — about 9.4% per year.
BOAS — about 5.5% per year.
Moderate recorded rates:
Aural discharge — about 2.7% per year.
Cherry eye / prolapsed third-eyelid gland — about 2.6% per year.
Skin fold dermatitis — about 2.2% per year.
Patellar luxation — about 2.0% per year.
Atopic dermatitis — about 2.0% per year.
Allergic skin disease — about 1.8% per year.
Stenotic nares / narrowed nostrils — about 1.8% per year.
Corneal ulceration — about 1.6% per year.
Lower recorded rates in the reviewed data:
Obesity — about 1.3% per year.
Heart murmur — about 1.2% per year.
Heat-related illness — about 0.2% per year.
Pugs — Recorded Veterinary Diagnoses
More commonly recorded:
Obesity — about 20.2% per year.
Otitis externa / ear inflammation — about 12.9% per year.
Corneal ulceration — about 6.8% per year.
BOAS — about 6.6% per year.
Moderate recorded rates:
Periodontal disease — about 7.3% per year.
Pigmentary keratitis / corneal pigmentation — about 3.6% per year.
Dry eye / keratoconjunctivitis sicca — about 3.3% per year.
Stenotic nares / narrowed nostrils — about 2.7% per year.
Skin fold dermatitis — about 2.3% per year.
Patellar luxation — about 2.2% per year.
Aural discharge — about 1.8% per year.
Allergic skin disease — about 1.6% per year.
Lower recorded rates in the reviewed data:
Entropion / eyelid abnormality — about 1.1% per year.
Heart murmur — about 0.3% per year.
Why Weight Matters
Weight is not just a separate health issue. It can make other problems worse.
In French Bulldogs and Pugs, excess weight can add to breathing difficulty, reduce heat tolerance, increase fatigue, and place more load on joints. This matters for BOAS, general mobility, hips, knees and patellas.
A dog with mild airway restriction, mild patella looseness or early joint discomfort may cope much better at a lean, healthy body condition than it would if overweight.
This is why body condition is part of health management, not just appearance. Keeping a French Bulldog or Pug fit, lean and well-muscled is one of the practical ways owners can reduce avoidable strain on the dog over its lifetime.
And, as a bonus, the walks, play and routine that help keep your dog healthy may just do the same for you.
How to Read These Figures
These figures show that some conditions are genuinely more common in French Bulldogs and Pugs than in the wider dog population.
They also show that increased risk does not mean every dog is affected. Many listed conditions are recorded in single-digit percentages per year, not in most dogs.
The figures should not be added together. A dog with one recorded issue may also appear in another category, and some conditions are related. For example, a dog with skin sensitivity may also have ear inflammation, or a dog with BOAS may also have narrowed nostrils. Adding all the figures together would give a misleading impression of the risk to an individual dog.
These statistics should also not be read as a prediction that one puppy is likely to develop a long list of problems. They are population-level figures from veterinary records. An individual dog may have none of the listed conditions, one condition, or more than one condition.
There are also limits to this data. Primary-care vet records can under-record conditions that owners do not recognise, do not present to a vet, or think are normal for the breed. BOAS and narrowed nostrils are especially likely to be under-recorded this way.
The studies also include dogs from the wider breed population. That means dogs from many different sources may sit inside the same broad statistical group, including low-oversight breeding, accidental litters, high-volume breeding, imported lines, rescue situations, ordinary pet homes and more health-conscious breeding programmes.
For that reason, these figures should not be treated as an exact prediction for puppies bred under a structured health programme. A breeder who tests, records results, assesses breathing and movement, screens breeding dogs, avoids high-risk pairings, selects for functional structure and tracks outcomes should be aiming to reduce avoidable risk over time.
At the same time, responsible breeding does not make any breed risk-free. The honest use of these figures is to identify the areas that deserve the most attention: breathing, nostrils, eyes, skin folds, ears, patellas, weight, heat tolerance, reproductive soundness and general function.
Some important conditions do not have reliable population-level clinical presentation rates suitable for a simple public figure. These include IVDD as a clean primary-care population figure, hemivertebrae, some spinal malformations, PDE/NME in Pugs, and several DNA-linked conditions where carrier frequency should not be treated as disease prevalence.
For readers who want the evidence behind these figures, we provide a supporting evidence summary here:
References and Further Reading
The following references support the clinical health statistics and breed-health discussion on this page. They are provided for readers who want to look more closely at the evidence. These links are for education and do not replace veterinary advice.
Supporting Evidence Summary — French Bulldog and Pug Clinical Health Risks
Le Epitome Kennels evidence summary compiling the clinical presentation figures used on this page, including conditions where reliable public clinical prevalence data was not found.VetCompass — French Bulldogs Differ to Other Dogs in the UK in Propensity for Many Common Disorders
UK primary-care veterinary-record study comparing French Bulldogs with non-French Bulldogs across common disorders.VetCompass — Health of Pug Dogs in the UK: Disorder Predispositions and Protections
UK primary-care veterinary-record study comparing Pugs with non-Pugs across common disorders.VetCompass — Demography and Disorders of the French Bulldog Population Under Primary Veterinary Care in the UK in 2013
Earlier UK primary-care study describing common recorded disorders in French Bulldogs.VetCompass — Demography and Health of Pugs Under Primary Veterinary Care in England
Earlier UK primary-care study describing common recorded disorders in Pugs.Lau et al. — Corneal Disorders in Pugs Attending Primary Care Veterinary Practices in Australia
Australian primary-care study reporting recorded Pug eye conditions including corneal pigmentation, dry eye and eyelid abnormalities.RVC VetCompass — Heat-Related Illness in UK Dogs
RVC summary of heat-related illness risk in dogs, including increased risk in flat-faced breeds.University of Cambridge BOAS Research — Recognition and Diagnosis of BOAS
Educational information on recognising and diagnosing Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.Royal Kennel Club — Respiratory Function Grading Scheme
Information on the Respiratory Function Grading scheme for Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Pugs.Dogs New Zealand — Respiratory Function Grading Scheme
New Zealand information on the Respiratory Function Grading scheme.VetCompass — Corneal Ulcerative Disease in Dogs Under Primary Veterinary Care in England
Primary-care study on corneal ulceration risk across dog breeds.VetCompass — Prolapsed Nictitating Membrane Gland in Dogs in the UK
Study on cherry eye / prolapsed third-eyelid gland risk across dog breeds.VetCompass — Canine Dystocia in UK First-Opinion Emergency-Care Veterinary Practices
Emergency-care study relevant to dystocia and breed-related whelping risk.Bannasch et al. — The Effect of Inbreeding, Body Size and Morphology on Health in Dog Breeds
Peer-reviewed paper discussing founder populations, closed stud books, historical bottlenecks, inbreeding, morphology and health in modern dog breeds.PLOS Genetics — DVL2 and Screw-Tail Breeds
Peer-reviewed research identifying a DVL2 variant associated with the screw-tail phenotype in Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers.UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — CDDY / CDPA and IVDD Risk
Information on CDDY, CDPA and their relationship to chondrodystrophy, chondrodysplasia and IVDD risk.UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory — Pug Dog Encephalitis / NME Susceptibility
Information on PDE/NME susceptibility testing in Pugs.Master Dog Breeders and Associates — French Bulldog Registration Requirements
MDBA French Bulldog registration requirements, including breed-relevant DNA testing requirements.