WWWOT: Anyone have an english bulldog?, we're looking at maybe adding a new member to the family Options

[nebreitling]

just curious what your experience with the breed has been...

thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

n

[Jenny]

My brother has one. They are Uber expensive, due to the upper crest breed standard, and the difficult birth. Aside from that, they seem to be as user friendly as any other breed. My brother's dog Boomer is really hyper, but that isn't normal for the breed. Will you teach yours to skateboard??

Jen

[jasons]

We have always wanted one but they are $$$. I think you can expect spend between $2500 to $5000 depending on where you find one. I would research health stuff too. I think they may have some common health problems. A guy at my work got one from a breeder friend for like $1500 which is super deal for a bulldog.

We ended up adopting a retired greyhound. They are great dogs, I couldn't say enough good about them. She is really well tempered. Eager to please. Learns fast and listens well. Almost no shedding. And she is a racer! Our dog raced 100 races and finished 3rd or better in 50 of those.

[iamchappy]

Many health issues. Short lived.

[tdgray]

No cheek seals = major slobber (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Bruce Allert]

They are a cool dog with, as said above, many health issues. Just one for instance... you know all those folds they have around their face? Those are subject to being a source for possible infection if not kept clean on a weekly or everyother day washing. Not wash the whole dog, just those folds. If you don't they begin to smell. So it is necessary to use a Q-tip or some other means of cleaning. then there is their breathing problems caused by their smushed nose/nasal cavity....

Lastly, research breeders with the father & mothers medical histories along with their childrens med histories (xrays of hips & elbows too) and choose one that comes highly recommended by a bulldog club, either in your area or an area that has several breeders. Don't be afraid to go out of state. You're gonna pay more but you'll have a buddy that won't continue to have health & personality issues.

Good luck....

.......b (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[tesserra]

No cheek seals = major slobber (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

We have Boxers and they are supposed to slobber, but ours don't.
Our breeder said none of her breed slobber.
Is it a breeder thing? Check with the dogs parents.
BTW We think an English Bulldog will be our next dog.

George

[Steve Thacker]

No matter what you feed them they will fart you out of a room. I promise...
Seriously this is a trait of the breed.

[rhodyguy]

and chronic ear problems (like a yeast infection) requiring regular medication, the inverted eyelids when the lashes rub on the eye (surgery, $$$$). the stature of the breed can make for hip, leg, and ankle issues (surgery$$$$), they snore like crazy. don't do well warm climates due to the shortend snout and related breathing issues. they fart like you wouldn't believe. when my dad passed, his dog came to live with us. sweet girl, but as stated, high maintenance. find yourself a sweet little mutt at you local shelter.

k

[iamchappy]

My EXmother inlaw is a breeder, My experience with these dogs is they are a real pain
to care for and I personally would never consider one for a family pet , especially with kids.(True about the Farting)

The little Pugs Qarl has are cute.

My Irish Water Spaniel is the best dog I've ever had, and thats hard for me to say because i grew up with many dogs in my house as a kid, and I have had a dog in my life always. Ive had 3 mixed breed Terriers, an Airedale, Doberman,German Shorthair, Golden Retriever, and my Irish Water Spaniel.

[seanery]

I've had one. I like it, he was a cool dog but there are quite a few downsides to them:

-short lived
-very high strung
-barfed a lot (regardless of diet)
-true the gas issues

but he was good to put a leash on and pull us on our longboard down the street.

[Steve Thacker]

Ditto on going to the pet rescue and get a mixed breed if possible.

You will be doing a huge favor for your local area shelter and give a little homeless furry kid a wonderful loving home.

Plus 99% of all mixed breeds live for a long time, they are smart as tacks and health is better than pure breed in most cases, etc.

Maybe we have a Dr. (Vet) in our club that can help you out on what breed is best

[GeorgeRud]

I've been a vet for the last 27 years, and there is no such thing as a best breed, only what you like and can care for. Personally, I'm a fan of the mixed breeds of intermediate size - kind of what mother nature had in mind when she was designing the dog. All the purebreeds have their specific problems, and we actually have books that list the problems that are common in various purebreeds to give us hints what to look for.

The English Bulldogs are neat dogs, but they are expensive to purchase and have several medical problems that cannot be totally corrected, hence they are expensive to maintain and often require constant medical attention. If I had more of these (or Sharpeis, Dalmations, etc.) in my practice, I'd be able to afford a 997 GT3.

Getting a puppy from the local animal shelter is one of the nicest and most cost effective way to do some good and give a deserving animal a fine home.

Enjoy your search.

[GTeener]

We've fostered dogs from the Furry Friends Rescue group.

I know they have a big litter of coon hound mix puppies and Lab/Terrier mix pups that need homes amongst others (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

http://www.furryfriendsrescue.org/animalindex.jsp?page=fp

[Jenny]

Get yourself a hound, Nathan! Goes with the pickup. Coon hounds are awesome!

[GTeener]

Get yourself a hound, Nathan! Goes with the pickup. Coon hounds are awesome!

The mom of the coon hound pups mix needed adopting too, if she hasn't been already (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Randal]

Get yourself a hound, Nathan! Goes with the pickup. Coon hounds are awesome!

Jenny is right Nathan.

"Hound" breeds happen to be my favorite as they are great family dogs.

The mother looks good as well.

[Sammy]

Oh man, seeing those pictures reminds me of puppy breath. Nothing better in the whole world.

My daughter wanted a dog so we picked one out from the local pound. Half dachsund, half who knows what.
Best dog I have ever been around. Affectionate to a fault, great personality, no barking, and he's as gentle as a lamb. If you get tired of petting him he'll lay on your feet just so you still know he's there.

Darn near a perfect dog if it wasn't for them 3" long legs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[mikelsr]

Get yourself a hound, Nathan! Goes with the pickup. Coon hounds are awesome!

We raised and hunted with Redbones and Blueticks! I took my girlfriend (now my wife) out coon hunting but that is another story...

[tat2dphreak]

we had "blue lacys" and "black and tans"(talk about f'n slobber!) growing up... blue heelers are also great, smart dogs... we have had nothing but joy from owning them... my dad and I used to coon/fox hunt a lot when I was growing up...

a neighbor had a bulldog, it was a sweet dog, but would tear up everything in the f'n house! they tried everything to break that dog, no luck! it also shat the size of an amc hatchback...