What English & French Bulldog Owners Should Really Know (DM, HUU, Cystinuria, CMR1, CDDY, CDPA, CY Variants, JHC)

We use full genetic panels to screen all of our English Bulldog and French Bulldog breeding dogs. These panels often include multiple tests, many of which are not actually breed-relevant or can sound scarier than they really are.

Below is a simple, clear explanation of what each genetic result means for English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, or both.

Our goal is to help owners understand what matters, what doesn’t, and why responsible breeders use these tests to make thoughtful breeding decisions, not to alarm puppy buyers.

Genetic Tests That Mean the Same for Both French & English Bulldogs

DM (Degenerative Myelopathy)

DM is a spinal disease seen in breeds like German Shepherds, Boxers, and Corgis.Bulldogs often test “Carrier” or even “At Risk,” which worries many owners, but:

• There are NO confirmed cases of clinical DM in English OR French Bulldogs

• Bulldogs do not express the disease even with two copies

• The mutation appears because DNA companies run the same panel across all breeds

✅ Bottom line: DM is not a bulldog health concern.

HUU (Hyperuricosuria)

HUU affects uric acid processing and can lead to urinary stones.

• Dogs need two copies to be affected

• Carriers are completely healthy

• Simple breeding choice: Carrier × Clear = no affected puppies

This applies to both English and French Bulldogs.

✅ Bottom line: Carriers are healthy; breeders just avoid pairing two carriers.

Cystinuria (General) & CY Variants (CY3-var2 / CY3-var3)

Cystinuria is most relevant in intact males because testosterone influences whether stones may form.

CY variants 2 & 3 are:

• Research markers, NOT disease-causing

• Common in both bulldog breeds

• Not associated with clinical cystinuria in Bulldogs

• Included for scientific transparency and data collection

Only the SLC3A1 cystinuria mutation has true significance, and even then:

• Carriers typically live normal lives

• Females and neutered males have very low risk

• Proper breeding prevents two-copy puppies

✅ Bottom line: CY variants do not indicate disease in either breed.

CMR1 (Canine Multifocal Retinopathy 1)

CMR1 causes retinal issues in some mastiff-type breeds, but not Bulldogs.

In both English & French Bulldogs:

• Dogs may test Carrier or At Risk

• There are no clinical cases of Bulldogs developing CMR1-related vision loss

• Veterinary ophthalmologists do not consider CMR1 meaningful for Bulldogs

Nor does it impact breeding decisions outside of transparency.

✅ Bottom line: CMR1 does not affect Bulldog eye health.

Tests with Slight Differences Between French & English Bulldogs

CDDY & CDPA (Chondrodystrophy & Chondrodysplasia)

English Bulldogs

• These markers do not correlate with actual disease

• The Bulldog’s compact, stocky structure is normal and unrelated to CDPA/CDDY

• Not predictive of IVDD in English Bulldogs

French Bulldogs

• Frenchies can be more prone to IVDD, but:

  • CDDY does not accurately predict IVDD risk in Frenchies

  • Most French Bulldogs carry CDDY, healthy ones included

  • IVDD in Frenchies is linked more to:

    • Structure

    • Hemivertebrae

    • Weight

    • Activity levels (jumping/downward impact)

• So a Frenchie testing “At Risk” for CDDY is completely normal

Important: CDDY ≠ IVDD diagnosis in Bulldogs. It’s simply a breed-typical gene marker.

✅ Bottom line:

• English Bulldogs: CDDY/CDPA are NON-issues

• French Bulldogs: Common markers, but NOT reliable predictors of IVDD

  
  

JHC (Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts)

(French Bulldogs only)

JHC can cause early-onset cataracts in affected French Bulldogs (two copies).

• Carriers are healthy

• Affected dogs (two copies) may develop cataracts

• English Bulldogs are not associated with JHC

Responsible breeders ensure Carrier × Clear pairings to prevent affected puppies.

✅ Bottom line: JHC is important only for Frenchies, not English Bulldogs.

So... What Should Bulldog Owners Actually Worry About?

Spoiler: Not most genetic panel results.

These DNA tests are useful for breeders, but they do not predict the real-world issues bulldogs may face.

The true priorities for Bulldog health are:

1. Airway Health (BOAS)

The number one Bulldog health concern.

Focus on:

• Open nostrils

• Good airflow

• Minimal snoring/distress

• Avoiding extreme “overdone” faces

  
  

2. Skin & Allergy Management

Bulldogs are prone to:

• Seasonal allergies

• Skin yeast

• Ear infections

Good diet + proper grooming = huge improvements.

3. Joint & Spine Health

Look for:

• Proper structure

• Controlled weight

• Safe exercise (no high jumping for Frenchies)

  
  

4. Cardiac Health

Regular vet checkups & listening for murmurs.

5. Good Conformation

A healthy bulldog is balanced, not overly extreme.

These factors impact a Bulldog’s life far more than markers like DM, CMR1, or CY variants.

In Summary

Significant for Both Breeds

• HUU (two copies only)

• Cystinuria (intact males primarily)

French Bulldogs Only

• JHC

Not clinically important for either breed

• DM

• CMR1

• CY variants (2 & 3)

• CDDY/CDPA (not predictive of disease)

Conclusion

As breeders of both English and French Bulldogs, we always DNA test our breeding dogs before adding them to our program. Responsible genetic pairing is important, and we would never intentionally place two carriers of a recessive condition together. These tests ensure we make informed breeding decisions and avoid producing affected puppies.

However, genetic markers are only one small piece of Bulldog health. The reality is that many of the conditions flagged on DNA panels are not clinically meaningful for bulldogs. The issues that matter most are airway health, structure, skin, joints, heart health, temperament, and overall conformation that cannot be replaced by a genetic test.

That is why our focus is on breeding strong, healthy bulldogs from every angle, not just clear DNA panels. We look at the full dog: structure, breathing, movement, temperament, lineage, and overall wellness. Our goal is always to produce healthy, well-balanced Bulldog puppies with the best chance for a long, happy life, inside and out.