Does anyone have or had an english bulldog? What was your dogs' temperment, health problems...ect?
We've had dogs before so it would not be our first. Our last dog was a chinese shar pei. We also have a four month old baby.
Thanks
2006-06-22 05:50:22 · 9 answers · asked by La Dee Da 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
We live in Japan so we would be adopting from here.
2006-06-22 05:55:40 · update #1
we would like to adopt to save one from being killed but we are open to buying from a breeder. I have been to petfinder.com.
But I would like to know personal experience not where to adopt from. Thank you though for refering me to the site :)
2006-06-22 06:01:03 · update #2
Hello! Good for you for wanting to adopt!
The problem with adopting English bulldogs is that you never know whether they came from a responsible breeder or not... For instance, one that had good, healthy, happy, long-lived dogs. So many of them are just thrown into the world without regard to health or temperament. A lot of the Bulldogs I see in rescues have been put up for adoption for these reasons. People find out how expensive it is medically and emotionally to have these bulldogs in their homes, and just get rid of them... Maybe the problem isn't as bad in Japan, but it's terrible here in the US.
Now, the *good* bulldogs are really, really good. Mine does have a skin irritation on her foot pads that we're clearing up, but other than that, she's a very healthy dog. She's four years old now, and her grandparents are over 10 and still going strong. She is a very gentle dog, and will crouch in front of small children so they can pet her without being intimidated. She is just as good with our two-year-old daughter as she is with adults. She loves the kids. Her parents do, too. And all of her siblings that I have met.
She gets along well with our smaller Boston Terriers, and they even like to climb into her crate with her to nap. She's a natural on the leash, but we can only go about two blocks before she gets tired out. She is large for a female, topping just about 50 pounds, but she is very compact and low to the ground. She is very, very wide. You would think that a dog like that would be clumsy and knock things over, but she doesn't! When we brought her home, I had everything braced up, just sure that she'd send everything flying. Haha! I couldn't believe how careful whe was. Our big male Boston is more clumsy than she is.
She does snort and snore a lot, but they all do. When they're really happy, they "roar", which is a really loud snorting sort of sound. Really scary for people who don't know what it is, but I love it myself...
You have to clean their feet meticulously, as well as their faces, mouths, ears, and tails. This is a once or twice a day job, and it can never be skipped. They can never be out in the heat or in the cold for more than a few minutes at a time. It is imperative that they have regular vet visits to watch for common Bulldog problems, as well as the usual routine.
We feed her special dog food that has no corn in it, and with salt WAY down on the list. They have a particular digestive system, and special care needs to be taken with keeping people food away from them. Ours likes carrots, green beans, tomatoes, and plain yogurt, though. I cook for my dogs on a pretty regular basis.
She is a lot more work than the Bostons, but she is a wonderful dog and worth every bit of it. Every bulldog will be different, but if you take enough time in choosing, you'll have a wonderful dog.
Best of luck to you on your search!
2006-06-22 06:41:01 · answer #1 · answered by doldaggabuzzbuzz 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We gave $1,200 for ours as a pup and he was plagued w/health problems. We had him three years and he had the following problems:
allegories to most soaps, pollen, and even grass.
epileptic seizures
skin problems (open sores and constant hair loss), hair loss, and itching
terrible smell (dog gone for three years now and after replacing all carpet, and mattress) The dog was never allowed on bed, but due to his constant itching, he would rub on the bed. He would get two to three baths a week, (too many for any dog), at the advise from our Vet, using various special soaps and creams, rinses, and sprays. After three years, there are still times when we smell him.
The breeder (last name Penner, near Ft Wayne, IN.) was no help, except to assure us what wonderful dogs the rest of the litter was.
I have owned dogs all my life and this guy was as sweet of a dog as you could find. He was wonderful with the kids and never knew a stranger. The annual vet bills were more than I paid for the dog. As the seizures became more frequent and severe, and could no longer be controlled with drugs, we made the decision to put him to sleep.
This experience has been so traumatic to our family, we are just now talking about another dog. This time, we have made the decision to go to the shelter.
2006-06-22 06:19:10 · answer #2 · answered by Cosmo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an English Bulldog 10 months old. They are very sweet dogs, and very good with children. They are kinda rowdy to have around a child so small, unless you train it very early. I bought mine from someone who said she was a breeder, I can't reach her and she won't send the registration papers for my dog, if you buy from a breeder CHECK THEM OUT VERY THROUGHLY. I learned the hard way. The humaine society has rules and regulations in the US I'm not sure about where you're at so you might check and see if they have to follow certain regulations also. If they do I'd go with them. I'd rather save a dogs life myself. I hope you enjoy your new dog as much as we enjoy ours, her name is Mable, so, so, sweet. But, Beware, they snore very loud.
2006-06-22 07:00:00 · answer #3 · answered by LittleLady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have 3 bullies. They are 5, 2 1/2 and 6 months. We just love them!!! I know a lot of people have had tons of problems with their bulldogs, but we haven't had any. The only problem with them is the breeding. If you don't plan on breeding, then they are a great dog. And great with kids!!!
2006-06-22 08:48:40 · answer #4 · answered by mj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck finding one of those. Check petsfinder.com or a rescue group. They are a very popular animal, and very costly when purchased as a pup ($1000+), so the don't end up in situations where they are easily found for adoption.
2006-06-22 05:56:15 · answer #5 · answered by buggsnme2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have an english bulldog who is a little over 1 year old... we have had him since he was a puppy, got all his papers supposedly the best out of the litter... he is good, but VERY stubborn!!! farts alot, snores and snorts alot... and definalty smells.. i have had issues with his skin and spent well over 1000$ in the past month on "baths" and he still has dry patches all over him... he is very hyper... i hear most are... but overall he is very good..he is very good with my 4 year old and she drags him around, dresses him up and he loves it.. they require ALOT of attention and like to be in the thick of things.... my dog is not as fat or wide as some others that i have seen he is stocky...
i know some get cherry eye and have breathing issues...
Good Luck!
2006-06-22 07:33:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
High maintenace dogs. Very expensixe pups. Hard to find through rescue.
Check out these sites.
Talk to breeders.
http://www.maraulbulldogs.com/bullyinfo
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bulldog.htm
2006-06-22 06:27:16 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Petfinder.com or to a Local Shelter
2006-06-22 05:52:47 · answer #8 · answered by camicat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are cute as pups, but as they grow, then tend to have alot of health issues, and they fart alot to P. U.
2006-06-22 07:02:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋