info on bulldogs

so the way better half is finally ready for a dog, the deal is, we both get a dog, but she gets her choice first, and she has decided on a bulldog. so i have a few questions for owners of the breed, i believe there are a few here. i am wanting to know about certain health issues, from personal experiences, like skin issues, breathing issues and overall health quality. also wanting to know about its strength, she has some health issues, which affect her walking and balance, and want to know how strong they are on leash while out for a walk, are they pulling or are they just on the heel? and do they try to run after, say a squirrel?  and how do they do socializing with other dogs, out in public with random dogs, or say, when they are about six months to a year in the home and another dog is introduced, say , like a chesapeake bay retriever ? and does anyone have a recommendation for a breeder?, thanks, cameron

I can put you in contact with my brother in law. He just had a litter and will be able to answer all your questions.
http://m.ebayclassifieds.com/english-bulldog-puppies-ready-on-9-23-14/v?adId=34449372&ck=CK&from=Search&ts=1408932724435

ask bulldog! He should know about his breed 

I know a reputable breeder in Santa Rosa, I can put you in contact if you wish. Most breeders are also connected to rescue groups, so it might work out for you with a puppy or a toddler. PM me if you want the info.

Good Luck!

so the way better half is finally ready for a dog, the deal is, we both get a dog, but she gets her choice first, and she has decided on a bulldog. so i have a few questions for owners of the breed, i believe there are a few here. i am wanting to know about certain health issues, from personal experiences, like skin issues, breathing issues and overall health quality. also wanting to know about its strength, she has some health issues, which affect her walking and balance, and want to know how strong they are on leash while out for a walk, are they pulling or are they just on the heel? and do they try to run after, say a squirrel?  and how do they do socializing with other dogs, out in public with random dogs, or say, when they are about six months to a year in the home and another dog is introduced, say , like a chesapeake bay retriever ? and does anyone have a recommendation for a breeder?, thanks, cameron

I'm really involved in dog sports and training, so take my input for whatever you will.

1) Health issues: breathing, heart problems, short lives, glaucoma and easily infected skin (inside the flaps) are the primary concern. They are far from a healthy breed. It's the rare one that has a healthy, long life. Basically, don't let the bulldog get fat, give it regular excercise but not strenuous workouts (i.e. multiple short walks are better than one long one), and clean the skin between the flaps regularly to prevent bacterial buildup.

2) Pulling on leash / Heeling is a training issue, not a breed issue. Just about all dogs will pull on leash unless you train it not to. It's the exception that doesn't, and usually it's because they walk so slowly rather than because they are naturally heeling. So bulldogs will pull on a leash unless trained otherwise. Best thing you can do is take a puppy class.

3) Running after squirrels is a prey drive thing. Bulldogs aren't well known for their prey drive, but if left unchecked they probably will chase a squirrel. This is a training thing mostly, though. I.E. my border collie would try to herd sheep if I let her, so I trained her to come back to me on cue.

4) Socializing is also a training thing. The best thing you can do is go to puppy classes, puppy socials, and so on. Have your dog meet as many dogs as possible in a positive and friendly setting. The more dogs s/he meets, the more likely he will be friendly with any dog that you introduce to the house down the line.

A good book to read is "Before & After You Get Your Puppy" By Dr. Ian Dunbar.

Ditto to the above. 

I'll add:

1. They are stinky sob's.  My dogs gotta be bathed every 2-3 weeks.  I was initially concerned about the keeping wrinkles cleaned but a couple minutes with a baby wipe around the eyes and mouth and he's good. 

2.  They are stinky sob's. My dogs stomach likes a consistent diet, anything new or different from his royal cannin bulldog blend and he gets gassy. 

After a week of him gassing everyone out of the family room at night I finally figured out that the neighbors were tossing him scraps off their BBQ.   

3. Breathing/health/skin issues, haven't really experienced any yet. 

I do get concerned about overheating in the summer, I keep him indoors in ac during hot spells cause his breathing gets real heavy.  Other than that he's a healthy dog.

4. Exercise, he shares a yard with my sisters ratty little dog.  He plays in about 15 minute bursts a couple times a day but is otherwise napping in his dog house on the porch.  He's not a jogger and barely a walker and still a healthy weight. 

This was great for me as I have a hectic work schedule that has me working long hours, not sure I could own a breed that needs a workout everyday.

5. He has an affinity for chewing up brand new waterhoses and plastic lawn furniture.

6.  Following up on the chewing....Ran into a few owners at the dog park, in discussing them one guy tells me one of his dogs is great and the other is flat out dumb and near untrainable.  Dog had a chewing problem and wrecked a leather couch while he had free rule of the house at night.  Next night he sleeps in the laundry room, dog chews a big hole in the Sheetrock.  Next day guy buys a kennel, a couple mornings later he wakes up to his dog gnawing on the couch again, he looked at the kennel and the plastic around the hinges was chewed off.   Lol, they can be a handful.

7. On the pro side.........chicks dig em.  Not sure how helpful that is for you though

All in all my dog has been great He listens well, isnt territorial, he gets along great with other dogs.   I may have just gotten lucky though.

Maybe angle (Pacifico) can chime in on his experiences.


My dog in action.....

My sister has one.  Cool looking dogs, but very high maintenance.   Vet bills she has spent are....well more than they really should be able to afford, so keep that in mind.  Also requires special foods or else all hell breaks loose.  Hers likes to mark its territory both outside and inside the place if a strange dog has visited, but I don't think that is inherent to the breed.

thanks for all the info guys, really appreciate it, had heard about the gassiness, but wife says shes put up with mine for 14 years whats a little more,  , cameron

Woof , Woof. I am doing good. 50yrs plus. I do snore, trouble breathing, overweight, my eyes sag. Overall ok and good attitude. 

Bulldog

My sister has one.  Cool looking dogs, but very high maintenance.   Vet bills she has spent are....well more than they really should be able to afford, so keep that in mind.  Also requires special foods or else all hell breaks loose.  Hers likes to mark its territory both outside and inside the place if a strange dog has visited, but I don't think that is inherent to the breed.

Why are the vet bills higher with this breed?  Curious.

They just tend to have health issues more frequently than a fair amount of breeds. Again this doesn't mean *all* bulldogs are this way, just you're more likely to get a bulldog with health issues than other breeds. Getting too far from their original structure has it's consequences, i.e. going too large (Mastiffs, Wolfhounds) ends up with cancer and bone diseases and a 8 year life-span. Going too small (i.e. chihuahua) ends up with neurological and organ issues. Short muzzles (Bulldog, Pug) get skin, breathing, endurance issues).

Healthiest breeds tends to be those closest to the original structure (i.e. sled dogs tend to live long, healthy lives) or those bred for working (not show dogs) function (working goldens, border collies, malinois).

But it's just averages. I know Huskies that cost their owners $20k in vet bills throughout their lives, and I know bulldogs that never needed to see a vet a day in their lives. It's just all about being prepared for the most likely possibilities.

We've, mostly, only been a 'Lab' family with our two current ones being a black & a yellow from Golden Gate Lab Rescue.  Great dogs!

my brother wanted a bulldog but someone talked him into a boston terrier and he loves that thing to death.