THE FRENCH BULLDOG CLUB OF ENGLAND BREEDERS CHARTER
Breeders should work in unity putting the welfare, preservation and advancement of the breed above personal ambition. The hope of financial gain should not be a primary consideration. Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, under Rule 10
1. When planning a litter or the use of a stud dog, breeders must ensure that all breeding stock is Kennel Club registered, and are of a colour recognised as acceptable within the Kennel Club French Bulldog Breed Standard.
Breeding stock must also be permanently identifiable by DNA profile, microchip, or tattoo.
2. When planning a litter, breeders must ensure they have the necessary facilities to give proper care and attention to the dam and her pups. Owners of stud dogs should satisfy themselves that the owner of the bitch could provide such care and facilities.
3. Breeders must comply with all local government laws and regulations concerning the keeping/breeding of dogs.
4. Honest consideration should be given to the suitability of the stud dog and bitch to be mated, based on type, temperament, soundness and pedigree. Breeding should be undertaken for the purpose of improving the quality and health of the breed and breeding from inferior specimens should be discouraged at all times. The Club recommends DNA colour testing to ensure recognised breed standard colours are produced. Breeders should never engage in cross-breeding.
5. No bitch should be mated before she is both physically and mentally mature; it is also recommended that initial mating should not be deferred beyond her 5th birthday. Brood bitches should be retired after their 7th birthday. Bitches should not be bred from more than once a year. It is recommended that no bitch should have more than 3 litters in their lifetime.
6. Breeders should make use of the Kennel Club Respiratory Function Grade Scheme and the French Bulldog Health scheme, DNA testing and colour profiling tests, relevant to the breed, on all breeding stock and inform those accepting their stock that there is evidence of certain breed associated conditions in the breed for which no current control schemes are available. Details of the test results and any conditions, as they affect the Member’s stock, will be made available to prospective purchasers.
7. Stud dogs and brood bitches which have consistently produced progeny with unacceptable health or temperament problems should be withdrawn from breeding and their progeny should not be bred from.
8. Breeders must show discrimination in the sale of their puppies and agree only to sell a dog or puppy where there is reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life. Potential owners should be screened for suitability, advised of the breed’s characteristics both good and bad, be made fully aware of their responsibility in the care and welfare of the dog and that they have the time and facilities to perform those responsibilities.
9. At the time of purchase, new owners should be provided with a three-generation pedigree, basic diet and care information, health record including vaccination and parasite protocols and a health guarantee. If applicable, new owners should also be given the KC registration form, duly completed and signed If the registration form is not available, a written certification identifying the exact date of birth, and the registration numbers of the Sire and Dam should be provided instead.
10. Breeders should draw up a contract of sale for each puppy and provide a copy for the purchaser.
11. The contract of sale should clearly lay out to the buyer the nature and details of any guarantee given (e.g. time limit) and/or any provisions for refund or return and replacement of puppy. If endorsements are being used the contract should also explain why these have been placed and under what circumstances they would be removed (if any). Breeders must explain any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed confirmation using the Kennel Club Endorsement template, from the new owner, at or before the date on which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware of the endorsement(s), regardless of whether or not the endorsed registration certificate is available. Potential buyers must be made aware if a puppy has a known defect or shows any definite departure from the standard.
12. The contract should be signed and dated by both breeder and purchaser, showing that both have agreed to these terms.
13. No puppy should leave the breeder before the age of 8 weeks.
14. Breeders must be able to retain any unsold pups for as long as is necessary.
15. Breeders must be prepared to offer help and advice should the new owners
have any problems or concerns about their puppy
16. Breeders should help with re-homing if the initial circumstances change. If breeders are unable to provide assistance themselves, they should inform the French Bulldog Welfare Trust, French Bulldog Rescue GB, French Bulldog Saviours, Phoenix French Bulldog Rescue or F.L.O.O.F or Frenchie & Friends of the circumstances.
Note: Members are encouraged to give a copy of this document to new owners for their information along with an application for membership of the FBCE.
Last Amended June 2024
Breeders should work in unity putting the welfare, preservation and advancement of the breed above personal ambition. The hope of financial gain should not be a primary consideration. Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, under Rule 10
1. When planning a litter or the use of a stud dog, breeders must ensure that all breeding stock is Kennel Club registered, and are of a colour recognised as acceptable within the Kennel Club French Bulldog Breed Standard.
Breeding stock must also be permanently identifiable by DNA profile, microchip, or tattoo.
2. When planning a litter, breeders must ensure they have the necessary facilities to give proper care and attention to the dam and her pups. Owners of stud dogs should satisfy themselves that the owner of the bitch could provide such care and facilities.
3. Breeders must comply with all local government laws and regulations concerning the keeping/breeding of dogs.
4. Honest consideration should be given to the suitability of the stud dog and bitch to be mated, based on type, temperament, soundness and pedigree. Breeding should be undertaken for the purpose of improving the quality and health of the breed and breeding from inferior specimens should be discouraged at all times. The Club recommends DNA colour testing to ensure recognised breed standard colours are produced. Breeders should never engage in cross-breeding.
5. No bitch should be mated before she is both physically and mentally mature; it is also recommended that initial mating should not be deferred beyond her 5th birthday. Brood bitches should be retired after their 7th birthday. Bitches should not be bred from more than once a year. It is recommended that no bitch should have more than 3 litters in their lifetime.
6. Breeders should make use of the Kennel Club Respiratory Function Grade Scheme and the French Bulldog Health scheme, DNA testing and colour profiling tests, relevant to the breed, on all breeding stock and inform those accepting their stock that there is evidence of certain breed associated conditions in the breed for which no current control schemes are available. Details of the test results and any conditions, as they affect the Member’s stock, will be made available to prospective purchasers.
7. Stud dogs and brood bitches which have consistently produced progeny with unacceptable health or temperament problems should be withdrawn from breeding and their progeny should not be bred from.
8. Breeders must show discrimination in the sale of their puppies and agree only to sell a dog or puppy where there is reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life. Potential owners should be screened for suitability, advised of the breed’s characteristics both good and bad, be made fully aware of their responsibility in the care and welfare of the dog and that they have the time and facilities to perform those responsibilities.
9. At the time of purchase, new owners should be provided with a three-generation pedigree, basic diet and care information, health record including vaccination and parasite protocols and a health guarantee. If applicable, new owners should also be given the KC registration form, duly completed and signed If the registration form is not available, a written certification identifying the exact date of birth, and the registration numbers of the Sire and Dam should be provided instead.
10. Breeders should draw up a contract of sale for each puppy and provide a copy for the purchaser.
11. The contract of sale should clearly lay out to the buyer the nature and details of any guarantee given (e.g. time limit) and/or any provisions for refund or return and replacement of puppy. If endorsements are being used the contract should also explain why these have been placed and under what circumstances they would be removed (if any). Breeders must explain any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed confirmation using the Kennel Club Endorsement template, from the new owner, at or before the date on which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware of the endorsement(s), regardless of whether or not the endorsed registration certificate is available. Potential buyers must be made aware if a puppy has a known defect or shows any definite departure from the standard.
12. The contract should be signed and dated by both breeder and purchaser, showing that both have agreed to these terms.
13. No puppy should leave the breeder before the age of 8 weeks.
14. Breeders must be able to retain any unsold pups for as long as is necessary.
15. Breeders must be prepared to offer help and advice should the new owners
have any problems or concerns about their puppy
16. Breeders should help with re-homing if the initial circumstances change. If breeders are unable to provide assistance themselves, they should inform the French Bulldog Welfare Trust, French Bulldog Rescue GB, French Bulldog Saviours, Phoenix French Bulldog Rescue or F.L.O.O.F or Frenchie & Friends of the circumstances.
Note: Members are encouraged to give a copy of this document to new owners for their information along with an application for membership of the FBCE.
Last Amended June 2024