If We Are Truly #1, Then Let's Start Acting Like It!

Frenchies of Glen Ellen fundraising at the Glen Ellen Fair Parade for SoCal French Bulldog Rescue

SoCal French Bulldog Rescue

Hello everyone! It feels like ages since I was able to sit down and write a blog post. Super happy to finally sit down with a cup of coffee, Kiki chuffing at my feet, and to be able to put my thoughts down. I have another post to write about the AKC competitions I was doing the past few months... lots to say about that fun. But first! Let's discuss our #1 Breed; and the #1 Frenchie advocate and rescue SoCal French bulldog who is definitely feeling the strain that comes with such popularity.

The French Bulldog has been named the most popular dog breed in the United States by the AKC for the third year in a row. I've owned a Frenchie now for 6 years and have been a "breeder" for about five of them. Before Frenchies, I was the proud owner of Boston terriers, rescue puppers, horses, cats, guinea pigs... I am an animal lover through and through. But, oh my goodness, the stories I could share about some of these dog breeders would turn your hair grey. I have a few grey hairs, myself, from the stress of dealing with people in this "industry." I worked in Hollywood for a decade and I can truly say that Hollywood is kinder than the dog breeding and showing world is. It is BRUTAL, you guys. One false move, misunderstanding, or misstep on social media (Facebook is ground zero) and your name can be gossiped about, slandered and destroyed. Breeders gather, frothing, when they smell drama. Breeder "cliques" are rampant... even the so-called "healthy" Frenchie breeders are cut throat...not just the AKC standard-only crowd, who the "healthy" breeders love to fight with online. It's all rather embarrassing to witness.

We have lost our way, friends, and the Frenchie is continuing to suffer because of putting money, ego and fame above the health and the welfare of the animals. I'm seeing more of the same: Huge breeding operations, breeding for "hype colors" and type that are severely compromised, unscrupulous breeding Ponzi schemes, zero health or temperament testing, and an overall lack of grace and dignity towards each other in the breeding community. As breeders, we all have a bit of blood on our hands, I would surmise to say. Even hobby breeders need to break even, or, ideally, make a profit from all of our hard work. (I won't go into how much a litter costs to health test, show and produce from fully OFA Certified Frenchies, but I will say it's enough for SEVERAL European vacations, which I am dearly & clearly in need of, lol.) After doing my taxes for 2024 and seeing the amount of money I've spent on my "hobby" with showing (travel is a huge expense), vet expenses, training, purchasing an outside dog, gas, my ONE litter from 2024's expenses... I put ALL of my dog "profit" right back into my program, as was the same for 2023.

However, breeding ONLY for profit is a HUGE problem in the Frenchie world. An ethical breeder should never "expect" or anticipate to make a profit on a breeding. I've had this conversation with myself, and with friends and family members many times about how working with animals, and breeding them, is a holy connection. I'm not a traditionally religious person, however I do have a deep spiritual connection (and have seen and felt things that can't be explained away by just science...) and believe deeply in karma. I have this superstition (since my first litter) that if I'm putting any kind of profit from these dogs as the forefront of my breeding decisions, karma will b*%^& slap me immediately. I've seen it happen over and over again where a Frenchie breeder is thinking about the money they will potentially make on a litter, and not for the betterment of the breed or breeding for their own program... and BAM. Something tragic will happen. This isn't to say I don't value sound business decisions around my dog program, however making MONEY off my pups is not the #1 goal. Never, ever, ever. God (or Dog, as it's definitely an interchangable word around here...) and the complex and sacred energy surrounding the humans/canine bond is real. At least here in Glen Ellen, where I've seen magic happen time and time again if I'm continuing to put my values ahead of profit, ego and outside validation.

The volunteers at SoCal French Bulldog Rescue (a non-profit) are on the front lines cleaning up the mess breeders are making of our beloved Frenchie. Founded by Debra Munt, who used to show and raise Frenchies, and a team of dedicated & educated volunteers, they are angels and advocates for this breed. Unlike a lot of rescues I've tried to collaborate with, SoCal French bulldog Rescue isn't anti-breeder. They understand and support the role a good breeder can have in our society. They are pro-education, pro-responsible breeding practices and pro for "Making a Difference One Frenchie At A Time." I love their sweet premise, and have enjoyed getting to know Charli Alu, who has been volunteering with SoCal French bulldog rescue for two years. Prior to that, she was with SoCal Bulldog Rescue, which was the, "root of our rescue...from English bulldogs to Frenchies when they became the IT dog."

Savannah (available) for adoption at SoCal French Bulldog Rescue

I HIGHLY recommend checking out a rescue, or at least considering it, before you set your sights on a "bargain" Frenchie. Especially if that Frenchie comes with breeding rights, zero health testing on her lines and comes with a hard sale by a breeder. Get to know the breeder before you fall head over heels in love with a puppy picture. Ask for movement and breathing videos of her dam and sire... and have a FaceTime with the breeding facility or home. Ask to see the health testing and OFA certifications (they should have radiographs to share, as well.) Transparency is EVERYTHING when considering a purebred dog, especially a Frenchie. Many of the pups Charli and Debra take in are surrendered from families who's circumstances have changed and the breeder won't return their calls; and a big bulk of their surrenders are from breeding operations who have dumped their older breeding dogs. Where we spend our hard-earned dollars counts even more these days, right? Support breeders who treat their dogs like family, and even better... support SoCal French Bulldog Rescue. Check out their website I've linked to above for other ways to help the Frenchie (they always have fun events going on) besides taking one home.

This year, Frenchies of Glen Ellen will be doing another fundraiser at the Glen Ellen Village Fair Parade for SoCal French Bulldog Rescue. Last year, we won the parade (and got a cute little certificate) with our gaggle of Frenchies, families and kiddos. My novice fundraising abilities didn't produce the big donations I would have hoped for; but the 2025 parade is in October and I hope we can quadruple the donations, and continue to promote the fabulous humans and dogs at SoCal French Bulldog Rescue; and to continue to educate and inspire for better breeding practices.

Ricardo, Junior, Kara at the 2024 Glen Ellen Village Fair Parade with Frenchies of Glen Ellen.

And thank you Charli Alu for the nice conversation the other day! You are an absolute ROCK STAR. I will look forward to collaborating on some fresh ideas together on how to support the rescue, and our #1 Breed the French bulldog.

Now, all we need is a celebrity spokesperson for SoCal French Bulldog Rescue.

Anyone out there know Lady Gaga? She's my top pick... ; )

Big hugs,

Natale and the smooshy crew in Glen Ellen