TomKings vs. Cheap Frenchies: What’s the Difference?

Bringing a French Bulldog puppy into your life should be one of the happiest decisions you ever make. But what many future Frenchie parents don’t realize is how deeply the breeder they choose shapes their pup’s health, behavior, and even life together. At first, a lower price might seem tempting. After all, Frenchies are expensive everywhere — so why not save a few thousand? But behind every puppy is a story. And if that story starts wrong, it often doesn’t end well.

At TomKings, we’ve spent over 15 years raising our Frenchies with love and care from day one. We’ve also seen what happens when people choose the cheaper option — and what it ends up costing them. In this article, we’ll show you what’s truly included when you choose the right Frenchie — and why it matters more than you might think.

What You Risk When Buying a Low-Priced Frenchie

French Bulldogs aren’t just adorable — they’re also one of the most sensitive breeds when it comes to proper breeding and care. Their unique anatomy means natural mating is rarely possible, so responsible breeders must use artificial insemination. Deliveries are always done via C-section, and once the puppies are born, the real work begins: they need 24/7 care for weeks, with feeding, supervision, and hands-on support around the clock.

Each of these steps comes with a price. Artificial insemination typically costs $500 to $2,000, while emergency C-sections can add another $2,000 to $5,000 if needed. Around-the-clock newborn care requires trained staff and full-time attention — an investment of thousands more per litter. And that’s before you even factor in ultrasounds, whelping supplies, pre- and postnatal vet visits, all of which are essential to keep both mom and puppies safe and healthy.

That’s why puppies from reputable French Bulldog breeders come with higher prices: not because of profit, but because of everything that goes into doing it right. When these steps are skipped or rushed, the consequences can be serious. Let’s look at what often happens when someone chooses a puppy based on price alone.

Health Challenges

When you see a Frenchie offered for $1,500 or even $2,500, it might seem like you’ve found a great deal. But in reality, these lower prices almost always come with hidden costs. Puppies sold below $3,000 are often the result of breeders cutting corners — skipping essential health checks, genetic testing, or proper veterinary care.

Without responsible breeding, Frenchies are much more likely to face health issues that could have been avoided. Serious conditions, like heart problems or spinal disorders, often appear only after the puppy is home. Treating these over the years can cost $10,000–20,000 or more, not to mention the emotional strain of frequent vet visits and the uncertainty around your Frenchie’s well-being.

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And there’s another problem: breeders selling cheap French Bulldogs rarely offer any meaningful support. When issues arise, you’re left alone, without anyone who knows your puppy’s history or is willing to help you navigate the situation.

Behavioral Challenges

Another problem with low-priced Frenchies is that they often come from breeders who are doing this as a side job. In many cases, this means they don’t have the time or resources to give the puppies the daily attention they need during the most critical stage of their development. 

Frenchies are companion dogs — they thrive on human connection and gentle guidance from the start. Puppies raised without proper socialization or early positive experiences often develop fear, anxiety, or even aggression. These behavioral issues aren’t just frustrating; they can seriously affect the dog’s well-being and your family’s daily life.

In many cases, owners who buy cheap Frenchies find themselves spending $3,000–5,000 or more on professional trainers, trying to fix anxiety, reactivity, or socialization issues that could have been prevented with the right early care. Even then, some behavioral problems never fully go away — making daily life stressful instead of joyful.

Emotional Impact

The hardest part is often not the financial burden, but the emotional one. Watching your beloved Frenchie struggle with health or behavioral challenges is heartbreaking. Many families feel overwhelmed, guilty, or even helpless — and unfortunately, this is why many Frenchies end up rehomed or surrendered.

These families didn’t fail because they didn’t care. They simply weren’t prepared for the reality that buying a cheap puppy often means paying the price later — financially, emotionally, and for the puppy’s well-being. And when those costs pile up — sometimes tens of thousands of dollars and years of stress — it’s not just the family that suffers, but the dog too.

So, it’s safe to say that choosing the right breeder isn’t about spending more. It’s about protecting yourself and your puppy from these avoidable risks, and giving your Frenchie the safe, healthy, and happy life they deserve.

What Comes With a TomKings Frenchie

When you choose a Frenchie from TomKings, you’re not just bringing home a puppy — you’re getting years of experience, care, and dedication in everything we do. Here’s what every Frenchie and their family truly deserve from day one.

Born from Quality: Exceptional Bloodlines

At TomKings, we believe that everything starts with the parents. All of our breeding dogs come from excellent European bloodlines and are DNA tested — a process that can cost $1,000–3,000 per parent. We only select dogs with impeccable health and temperament, carefully tracing bloodlines across generations. This dedication results in puppies who not only have the looks, but who are also built for long, healthy lives. 

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Connor, the cool guy

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Cinnamon, the gentle

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Health First: Why Our Puppies Start Strong

Before a TomKings Frenchie even meets their future family, we make sure they are truly ready — inside and out. We invest thousands into each puppy’s care, so you don’t have to face unexpected medical bills later. 

Each puppy goes through a complete veterinary protocol with regular check-ups, and receives all age-appropriate vaccinations, following the recommended schedule (note: the exact timeline may vary depending on the puppy’s location):

1. DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) vaccine at 6–8 weeks old
2. DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) vaccine at 10–12 weeks old
3. DHLPP booster at 14–16 weeks old
4. Rabies vaccine at 12–16 weeks old

Regular deworming starts as early as two weeks old, and before leaving us, every puppy is protected against parasites, including ticks, fleas, and heartworms. They are also microchipped to ensure a smoother transition to their new home.

We even perform one of the most important — but sadly, often skipped — screenings: a heart murmur examination. If our vet detects even the slightest irregularity, we don’t take risks; we send the puppy for a heart ultrasound, a thorough and costly test, to ensure there’s no underlying issue. We never risk their health — if anything is confirmed, the puppy stays with us and is rehomed locally.

All of this is sealed with a health certificate, ready to be used for pet insurance if you wish (and we highly recommend it). And because no one can predict every scenario, we give you a lifetime health guarantee against all fatal genetic disorders. That means that if the worst happens despite every precaution, we provide you with another puppy. 

More Than Health: Preparing Your Puppy for Real Life

Health alone doesn’t make a happy Frenchie. They also need the right start socially and emotionally.

From the very first weeks, our puppies are raised like family members. They grow up playing in open spaces, interacting with people, children, and other dogs. This early socialization is why TomKings Frenchies are confident, balanced, and ready to become part of your family from day one.

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And we go further: we help with potty training before they leave us, making those first weeks at home significantly easier for you. Many of our families tell us how surprised they were to see how smoothly their puppy adjusted — and it’s no accident. 

What makes this possible is the time and heart we put into every pup. Our team of nannies is there for them 24/7 — literally feeding, caring, and protecting them around the clock. This level of early socialization and care represents a $1,000–2,000 investment per litter in time and resources — a cost many breeders skip entirely, leaving new owners to deal with the consequences later.

Safe, Stress-Free Journey to Your Arms

Getting your puppy home should be joyful, not stressful. That’s why every TomKings Frenchie comes with a fully arranged flight to your nearest major U.S. or Canadian airport — or even to your doorstep, depending on your location.

We work with trusted transportation partners who understand how precious our puppies are. For some destinations, there may be an additional fee, but everything is handled transparently upfront. Plus, all payments go through PayPal or Wise, giving you payment protection — your funds stay on hold until you safely have your puppy.

Support That Doesn’t End After Adoption

Where most breeders’ support ends, ours is just beginning. With TomKings, you have lifetime access to our breeder’s help. Any question — from feeding to training, or even just handling puppy-parent worries — will be answered within 24 hours. And you won’t need to ask alone: we regularly share helpful blog articles and raising tips to guide you through every stage of your Frenchie’s life.

What’s more, you also have lifetime access to our vet, who can advise you before you make costly or unnecessary vet visits. Many of our families have avoided stress and saved hundreds simply by having someone they trust to ask first.

The Power of Community: The TomKings Frenchie Family

Perhaps one of the most unique things about adopting a TomKings Frenchie is that you’re never alone. From the very first day, you become part of the TomKings Frenchie Family — a private Facebook group of over 10,000 Frenchie parents from around the world.

Inside the group, families share their experiences, ask questions, give advice, and support one another through every stage of their Frenchie’s life. From the excitement of bringing a puppy home to the challenges of training, there is always someone who understands exactly what you are going through.

Beyond the online space, the TomKings Family often comes together in person at Frenchie meetups we organize across major U.S. cities. These events are not just about the pups; they are about connecting with people who share the same passion and love for French Bulldogs.

Ready to Welcome Your Frenchie?

Bringing a Frenchie into your life isn’t just another purchase — it’s a decision that will shape your family’s next decade. These little companions aren’t just pets, but a part of your daily life — your routines, your joy, your quiet moments.

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That’s why it matters where they come from. When you choose TomKings, you’re not just choosing a puppy — you’re choosing a team that stood behind them from the very beginning, and will stay with you every step of the way. We raise every Frenchie like family, and we’re just as committed to the families they join.

If you’re ready to welcome a healthy, well-prepared, and truly socialized Frenchie into your life, we’re here to help you make that happen. You can get in touch with us here — we’ll be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Not quite ready yet? Take the first step by joining our TomKings Frenchie Family Facebook group, where you can read real stories from Frenchie parents and see what TomKings is really about.

We can’t wait to meet you — and neither can your future Frenchie.