French Bulldog & Pug Health Testing at Le Epitome Kennels
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 uses DNA testing, breathing and functional assessment, patella checks, spine and hip consideration, puppy vet checks, and long-term observation of our bloodlines to help us make better breeding decisions. Our goal is not to promise perfect dogs — no breeder honestly can — but to raise healthy, confident, well-socialised French Bulldogs and Pugs with sound structure, good temperament, practical family suitability, and transparent support for their new homes.
Our Health Screening Philosophy
At Le Epitome Kennels, health screening is part of a wider breeding programme, not a marketing slogan. We use health testing, veterinary checks, DNA information, bloodline knowledge, and day-to-day observation to make better decisions about which French Bulldogs and Pugs should be bred from, which pairings make sense, and which puppies are best suited to family homes.
A responsible French Bulldog breeder or Pug breeder should look at the whole dog, not just one certificate or one colour gene. Breathing, structure, movement, temperament, fertility, maternal ability, skin, eyes, heart health, patellas, spine, hips, and family suitability all matter. Our aim is to keep improving the programme over time while being honest about the fact that no breeder can guarantee a puppy will never develop a health issue.
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 not separate from health testing — it is part of the wider picture of functional breeding.
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, and, where appropriate, whelp naturally. These practical traits matter because they are part of the long-term health, soundness, and function of the breed.
Our approach combines DNA-tested breeding stock, careful observation of movement and structure, breathing and functional assessment, and ongoing attention to reproductive ability and maternal function. Over time, this health-informed and function-focused approach has helped us move toward a programme where medical intervention at whelping is only occasionally needed rather than routinely expected.
That does not mean intervention is never necessary, and we do not take unnecessary risks. Veterinary care remains essential, and the safety of the dam and puppies always comes first. In our experience, when intervention is needed, it is often due to particular circumstances such as a single-puppy litter, where the puppy may grow too large for the birth canal. The goal is not to reject veterinary help. The goal is to breed dogs that are as healthy, functional, and naturally capable as possible, while still using sensible medical support whenever it is needed.
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 risks, carrier status, colour and coat traits, and where relevant, genetic diversity and heterozygosity within our breeding programme.
At Le Epitome Kennels, breeding dogs and new bloodlines are DNA tested or reviewed before being used in our programme. This is especially important when introducing outside dogs, imported semen, or new coloured and fluffy lines. DNA results help us avoid unsuitable pairings, reduce avoidable inherited disease risk, and make more informed decisions about which dogs should be retained, paired, monitored, or removed from breeding consideration.
Not every puppy needs to be individually DNA tested. Where both parents are already clear for a condition, puppies may be clear by parentage. In those cases, individual puppy DNA testing is usually only needed if a puppy is being retained for breeding, if verification is required, or if a specific breeding decision depends on it. That is a more sensible approach than testing every pet puppy for every possible marker when the result is already known from the parents.
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 structure, poor movement, unsuitable temperament, poor maternal ability, or other functional concerns. For us, DNA is part of the picture — not the whole dog.
Why Genetic Diversity Matters
Modern health testing is part of a much longer story in pedigree dogs. Many breeds around the world have been shaped by small founder populations, closed stud books, war-time population loss, popular sires, and generations of selective breeding. Over time, these pressures can reduce genetic diversity and allow inherited health issues to become more common within a breed.
That does not mean pedigree dogs are “bad” or that every line is unhealthy. It means responsible breeders need to think beyond the next litter. Good breeding is about preserving type, temperament, and breed character while also using modern tools such as DNA testing, health screening, pedigree knowledge, heterozygosity information, and careful partner selection to reduce avoidable disease risk over time.
At Le Epitome Kennels, genetic diversity is part of the wider health picture. We do not look only at colour, coat, or short-term market demand. We also consider bloodlines, health history, DNA results, structure, breathing, movement, temperament, maternal ability, and what each dog may contribute to the future of our French Bulldog and Pug breeding programme.
Outside Dogs, Imported Semen & New Bloodlines
When outside dogs, imported semen, or new bloodlines are considered for our programme, we do not use them blindly. 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 lines.
This is especially important with coloured and fluffy lines, where it can be tempting for breeders to chase colour alone. At Le Epitome Kennels, outside bloodlines need to bring more than colour. They should add value to the programme through health, genetic diversity, structure, temperament, breathing, movement, fertility, or overall quality.
New bloodlines are introduced carefully and assessed over time. A dog may look impressive on paper, but the real test is whether that line produces puppies with the health, temperament, confidence, and family suitability we want to see long term.
Breathing, BOAS & Functional Soundness
Breathing is one of the most important health considerations in French Bulldogs and Pugs. Both breeds are brachycephalic, which means their shorter skull shape can increase the risk of airway restriction, heat sensitivity, noisy breathing, poor exercise tolerance, and slower recovery after activity.
At Le Epitome Kennels, we pay close attention to practical breathing and day-to-day function. We consider nostril openness, airway noise, comfort at rest, exercise tolerance, recovery after activity, heat tolerance, movement, body condition, and overall quality of life. A dog should not simply look good in photos — it should be able to live, move, breathe, play, recover, and enjoy normal family life.
We also work with veterinarians who are familiar with brachycephalic breeds and the particular care considerations that apply to French Bulldogs and Pugs. This matters because breathing, heat tolerance, airway noise, recovery after activity, anaesthetic risk, eye shape, skin folds, body condition, and general function need to be assessed with breed knowledge, not just a quick glance.
Formal BOAS or respiratory function grading may be used where available and appropriate, particularly for breeding dogs. We do not believe dogs with compromised breathing, poor functional tolerance, or obvious airway distress should be used lightly in a breeding programme.
For us, breathing is not a side issue. It sits alongside DNA, patellas, spine, hips, temperament, structure, and movement as one of the core parts of responsible French Bulldog and Pug breeding.
Patella Screening
Patella health matters in both French Bulldogs and Pugs. The patella is the kneecap, and patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap moves out of its normal position. In mild cases it may cause little obvious issue, but in more serious cases it can affect comfort, movement, exercise, and long-term joint health.
At Le Epitome Kennels, patella checks are part of sensible breeding-stock assessment. Grade 0 is preferred. Grade 1 may be recorded and monitored, depending on the whole dog and the intended pairing. Grade 2 requires caution and should only be considered in context, including the dog’s movement, structure, comfort, family history, and the suitability of the other parent. Grade 3 or 4 would generally remove a dog from breeding consideration unless there was exceptional specialist veterinary advice to the contrary.
For pet puppies, the practical approach is different. Puppies receive a veterinary health check before handover, and the vet will assess general health, movement, limbs, joints, and overall development. Formal patella certification is usually more relevant to breeding dogs than every pet puppy, unless a specific concern is identified.
This is where responsible breeding needs common sense. The aim is not to create unnecessary cost or paperwork for the sake of it. The aim is to use patella testing where it gives useful breeding information, to observe puppies carefully as they develop, and to investigate any concern properly if one appears.
Spine, Hemivertebrae & Movement
French Bulldogs can be prone to spinal issues, including hemivertebrae, where one or more vertebrae are abnormally shaped. Not every hemivertebra causes a problem, but spinal structure matters because it can affect movement, comfort, coordination, strength, and long-term quality of life.
At Le Epitome Kennels, we consider spine health as part of the wider structure and movement assessment of our French Bulldog breeding programme. We look at how dogs move, stand, run, recover, develop, and carry themselves. A good-looking dog that moves poorly, shows discomfort, lacks coordination, or has weakness should not be treated as a good breeding prospect just because it has desirable colour, coat, or type.
Spine x-rays can be useful for breeding dogs or retained breeding prospects at an appropriate age. We do not believe every pet puppy needs routine spine x-rays where there is no clinical concern. For most puppies, careful observation, veterinary examination, and monitoring of movement and development are the sensible starting points.
If a puppy or adult dog shows signs such as weakness, pain, poor coordination, unusual gait, reluctance to move, or discomfort, that should be investigated properly with veterinary advice. Responsible breeding means taking spinal health seriously without turning every pet puppy into a battery of unnecessary tests.
Hip Screening & Structure
Hip structure matters in French Bulldogs and Pugs, especially when selecting breeding dogs. Poor hip structure can affect movement, comfort, strength, exercise tolerance, and long-term soundness. It should not be looked at in isolation, but it should not be ignored either.
At Le Epitome Kennels, hip health is considered as part of the wider structure and movement picture. Where appropriate, breeding dogs or retained breeding prospects may be assessed through veterinary examination, hip assessment, or formal hip scoring. The purpose is to help us make better breeding decisions, not to create pointless paperwork for every pet puppy.
For pet puppies, routine hip scoring is usually not necessary unless there is a clinical concern. Puppies are observed for movement, strength, comfort, development, and general soundness, and they receive a veterinary health check before handover.
A strong breeding programme should look at the whole dog: hips, spine, patellas, breathing, movement, body condition, temperament, and overall function. A dog should not be selected for breeding just because it has a desirable colour or coat type if the structure underneath does not support a healthy, comfortable life.
Eyes, Heart & General Veterinary Health
Eyes, heart health, skin, coat, digestion, body condition, teeth, bite, mobility, and general veterinary condition all form part of a sensible health-informed breeding programme. French Bulldogs and Pugs can be prone to breed-related issues, so health screening should not stop at DNA, breathing, patellas, spine, or hips.
At Le Epitome Kennels, eye health is considered through routine veterinary checks, day-to-day observation, and breeding-stock assessment where appropriate. We watch for comfort, irritation, injury risk, eyelid issues, tear staining, visible abnormalities, and any signs that a dog may need closer veterinary attention.
Heart checks are also a practical part of general veterinary health assessment. Cardiac auscultation, where a vet listens to the heart, can help identify murmurs or irregularities that may need further investigation. Where a concern is identified, further veterinary advice should guide the next step.
We also pay attention to the less glamorous things that matter in real life: skin condition, coat quality, weight, digestion, teeth, jaw, feet, nails, movement, heat tolerance, recovery, behaviour, and general vitality. A healthy breeding dog is not just a dog with one good test result. It should be comfortable, functional, stable in temperament, and capable of living well as a family companion.
Puppy Health Checks Before Handover
Every Le Epitome Kennels puppy receives a veterinary health check before handover. This check is an important part of making sure each puppy is ready to leave for their new home and gives both the buyer and us a clearer picture of the puppy’s health at the time of collection.
Our puppies and breeding dogs are assessed with input from veterinarians familiar with brachycephalic breed care, including the practical health considerations that apply to French Bulldogs and Pugs.
Before going to their new home, puppies are checked for general health, body condition, eyes, ears, mouth, bite, heart, movement, limbs, joints, skin, coat, breathing, and overall development. They also receive their first vaccination, worming and parasite care, and microchipping.
We also observe puppies closely in the weeks before handover. Feeding, growth, toileting, movement, confidence, social behaviour, litter interaction, and general development all matter. A puppy should not only pass a basic check on paper — it should be eating well, moving well, developing normally, and showing the confidence and temperament expected for a family companion.
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. It also means any concern can be identified early, discussed properly, and handled in a fair and transparent way.
Why We Do Not Test Every Puppy for Everything
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 health testing is most useful for mature breeding dogs, not young puppies. Patella grading, hip assessment, spine x-rays, BOAS or respiratory function grading, and broader structural assessment often provide the most useful information when a dog is being considered for breeding or retained as part of the future programme.
Some testing is only needed where there is a clinical concern. If a puppy is moving normally, developing well, breathing comfortably, eating properly, and passes its veterinary health check, routine specialist testing may add cost without improving that puppy’s welfare.
DNA testing is also not always necessary for every puppy. Where both parents are clear for a particular inherited condition, puppies may be clear by parentage. In those cases, individual puppy DNA testing is usually only required if the puppy is being retained for breeding, if verification is needed, or if a specific breeding decision depends on it.
Our approach is practical: test breeding stock properly, review outside bloodlines carefully, observe puppies closely, use veterinary advice where needed, and disclose known concerns honestly. That is better for the dogs, better for buyers, and better for the long-term strength of our French Bulldog and Pug breeding programme.
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 be part of what makes a puppy visually special, but colour and coat type should never be the whole breeding plan.
A responsible breeding programme must look deeper than appearance. Whether a dog is standard colour, coloured, fluffy, short coat, blue, chocolate, lilac, rojo, isabella, tan point, fawn, brindle, or another recognised colour expression, the same core questions still matter: can the dog breathe well, move well, recover well, live comfortably, and contribute positively to the future of the programme?
DNA testing helps us understand colour and coat traits, but 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 structure, poor movement, unstable temperament, or other health concerns.
At Le Epitome Kennels, 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, maternal ability, 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.
How Health Results Affect Breeding Decisions
Health testing only matters if the results actually influence breeding decisions. At Le Epitome Kennels, DNA results, veterinary findings, breathing assessment, patella checks, spine and hip information, movement, temperament, maternal ability, and puppy outcomes are used to guide the future of the programme.
A dog may be retained, paired carefully, monitored, rested, retired, or removed from breeding consideration depending on the overall picture. A carrier result on a DNA test does not automatically mean a dog is unhealthy, but it does mean the dog must be paired responsibly. The goal is to avoid producing affected puppies where that risk can be managed through sensible breeding decisions.
Likewise, a dog with poor breathing, poor exercise recovery, serious patella issues, significant spinal concerns, weak movement, unstable temperament, or poor maternal function should not be used lightly just because it has desirable colour, coat, 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.
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 breathing, spine health, patellas, hips, DNA testing, temperament, structure, and puppy development.
A responsible French Bulldog breeder or Pug breeder should be able to explain how their breeding dogs are selected, what health screening is used, how outside bloodlines are assessed, and what happens if a concern is found in a puppy. These are brachycephalic breeds, so breathing, heat tolerance, exercise recovery, nostril(nares) 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 do breed coloured French Bulldogs, coloured Pugs, and selected fluffy lines, but colour is never enough reason to breed a dog. Breeding dogs must also be considered for health, breathing, structure, movement, temperament, genetic background, maternal ability, and suitability for real family homes.
Before paying a deposit for a French Bulldog puppy or Pug puppy, buyers should ask about DNA testing, BOAS or breathing assessment, patella checks, spine and movement, hip structure, puppy vet checks, vaccination, microchipping, diet, socialisation, and after-sale support. 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:
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?
At Le Epitome Kennels, 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 Le Epitome Kennels DNA test their dogs?
Yes. We use DNA testing and DNA result review as part of our French Bulldog and Pug breeding programme. This helps us understand inherited disease risks, carrier status, colour and coat traits, and where relevant, genetic diversity and heterozygosity.
Are all Le Epitome puppies DNA tested?
Not automatically. Where both parents are already 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, when verification is needed, or when a specific breeding decision depends on it.
What does clear by parentage mean?
Clear by parentage means that both parents have tested clear for a particular inherited condition, so their puppies should not inherit that condition from those parents. It is still important for breeders to keep proper records and use DNA information carefully.
Do you test French Bulldogs and Pugs for BOAS?
Breathing and functional soundness are central to our breeding decisions. We assess nostril openness, airway noise, exercise tolerance, heat tolerance, recovery after activity, comfort at rest, and general function. Formal BOAS or respiratory function grading may be used where available and appropriate, especially for breeding dogs.
Should every French Bulldog puppy be spine x-rayed?
No. Spine x-rays are generally more useful for breeding dogs or retained breeding prospects at an appropriate age. Pet puppies should be observed for movement, strength, comfort, coordination, and development, and any concern should be investigated with veterinary advice.
Do coloured French Bulldogs have more health problems?
Colour by itself does not prove whether a French Bulldog is healthy or unhealthy. The bigger issue is whether the breeder is selecting for health, breathing, structure, movement, temperament, genetic diversity, and function — or simply breeding for colour because it sells. At Le Epitome Kennels, coloured and fluffy lines are assessed through the same health-informed approach as the rest of our programme.
Are fluffy French Bulldogs health tested differently?
No. Fluffy French Bulldogs should still be assessed for the same core health and function issues as short-coated French Bulldogs. Coat type does not replace the need to consider DNA, breathing, patellas, spine, hips, movement, structure, temperament, and suitability for family life.
What health testing should a French Bulldog breeder do?
A responsible French Bulldog breeder should consider DNA testing, BOAS or breathing assessment, patella checks, spine and hemivertebrae risk, hips, movement, structure, eyes, heart health, temperament, and general veterinary health. The breeder should also understand their bloodlines and be able to explain how health results affect breeding decisions.
What health testing should a Pug breeder do?
A responsible Pug breeder should consider DNA testing, breathing and BOAS risk, patellas, hips, eyes, heart health, movement, structure, temperament, and general veterinary health. Pugs are brachycephalic, so breathing, heat tolerance, exercise recovery, and overall function should be taken seriously.
What vet checks does a puppy receive before going home?
Every Le Epitome Kennels puppy receives a veterinary health check before handover. Puppies also receive their first vaccination, worming and parasite care, and microchipping where applicable. Buyers are required to arrange a second vet check within five business days after collection.
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 focus health testing on breeding dogs rather than testing every pet puppy for everything?
Because some tests are most useful once a dog is mature, some tests are only needed for breeding decisions, and some tests are only indicated when there is a clinical concern. Responsible health screening means using the right test, on the right dog, at the right time, for the right reason.
Looking for a Health-Screened French Bulldog or Pug Puppy in NZ?
Le Epitome Kennels is based in the Waikato / 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, genetic diversity, breathing and functional assessment, natural mating and natural whelping where safe and appropriate, sound structure, temperament, confidence, and long-term owner support.
If you are looking for a French Bulldog puppy or Pug puppy in New Zealand, we welcome thoughtful questions. 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.
To learn more, 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.