Would you get a Labradoodle or an English Bulldog?

Question

This is a family decision we have an 11 year old son, a 3 year old son (almost 4), and then me and my husband. We love both types and are having trouble deciding. Which do you all think is cuter/ or better? Thank you!!!

I live in Wisconsin now... Madison area. Florida Sassy has been my screen name... um forever.

Answer 1

Bulldogs are adorable, in that face-only-a-mother-could-love kinda way. But, I do know from experience that Bulldogs are known for having intestinal problems. Frankly, their farts could clear a room in 10 seconds flat. They are one of the more, uh, gassy breeds. If it would be more of an outside dog, it wouldn't be that bad, but you might not want it to sleep in your bed!

Answer 2

Thanks for that, I have always been confused to if this is anything close to a real breed. SO, according to this, it is a mutt designed to look like an old type/breed? I have heard the goal is to eliminate health problems of real Bulldogs. IF there are people really doing that, they are way outnumbered by BYBs. I want to know why they need the fancy spelling. Why not Old English Bulldog? The "Olde English Bulldogge" thing makes me think that the breeders just want to make it seem fancier, and if they were serious they would not add on all the extra lettering.

Answer 3

My favorite dog is the English Bulldog...but because it has a signaficantly shorter life span...and you have kids I would vote for the labradoodle. Bulldogs have more health problems too.

Answer 4

I myself prefer an English Bulldog.

Answer 5

go to AKC.org and do your breed research. In general, the bulldog has more health problems. BUT, if you get a junk dog of any breed, you're just looking for trouble. Why a goldendoodle? Why not a purebred Golden Retriever or Poodle? Don't be fooled by the 'hype' that when the two breeds are put together it eliminates any health problems. In most cases, you can actually end up with the health problems of BOTH breeds, the golden and the poodle. So do more research..a dog is a huge commitment.

Answer 6

Labradoodle , reason being, they do not shed. vet bills are extreamly less and they live much longer than English Bulldog. The bulldog has been screwed up by all the breading to get them to look that way, as cute as they are, they tend to stop breathing in the summer time, just cant take the heat. and get congestive heart failure, a number of other sicknesses. go for the doodle...

Answer 7

It's not about what dog is cuter or 'more fun'. As others have pointed out, there are health/genetic issues that most purebreds have because of inbreeding and selecting traits that looked good but physiologically are not healthy and would have been otherwise eliminated as a trait through natural selection.

Second of all, you have to consider breed characteristics and how that fits in to your family. Some dogs are not good for kids, as they are not naturally very tolerant of loud screaming, kids kicking and banging them etc.

I just find it so sad and so irresponsible when pet owners don't do the necessary research to find out the responsibilities involved or the potential negative issues that may arise, and they choose a pet because it's cute or cool. Inevitably, they then don't want the pet anymore and they give it to the pound or dump it somewhere.

Answer 8

Rather than go on a rant about how a Labradoodle is not a breed..... I'll lend you some more constructive advice.

These two types of dogs are very, very different. Make sure you know exactly what you want before you get any type of dog. Finding the perfect breed takes some research, and I'd recommend meeting several breeds of dogs on the spectrum between these two sorts before you decide. Then, meet many individual dogs of the breed you choose, and talk with several breeders.
In any case, make sure that if you are getting a dog that is purebred, that you are getting it from a reputable breeder or rescue group. English bulldogs have a very high incidence of genetic diseases such as hip dysplasia - but this can be screened for, so if you do your research, the risks can be reduced.
Unfortunately, mixed breed dogs such as labradoodles or the generic shelter dog are more difficult to predict in terms of potential health programs. The labradoodle, for instance, would have the chance of getting genetic diseases that occur in unscreened Labradors (like PRA and hip dysplasia) as well as diseases that occur in poodles (too many to mention, but think skin diseases, von Willdebrand's, Cushings, etc.

The common misconception is that purebred dogs are more prone to health problems than mixed breeds. This is not necessarily true. Mixed breeds have the genes of many different purebreds, making them prone to MORE diseases than the average purebred. The problem is, statistics are more difficult to record for mixed breeds, and they are more likely to go undiagnosed than a purebred (because people who pay the bigger price for a purebred are more likely to seek vet care). It is also unlikely that mixed breed dogs have been genetically screened for easily prevented issues like hip dysplaysia, because a) most are accidents and b) those that are purposely bred are generally produced by irresponsable breeders who claim that 'hybrid vigor' will create a healthier dog, thereby eliminating their responsablity to test.

As for personal experience, I have had many purebred dogs, from carefully researched breeders, along with those that I have carefully bred myself. My best friend loves rescue dogs - and that is great- but every one of her beloved little buddies has had some sort of serious health issue, ranging from skin diseases, to food allergies, to degenerative bone diseases resulting in several surgeries. It has been heartbreaking to watch her adopt each dog, from various sources, each with the hope that the next one would be healthy. Unfortunately, she has not had any luck.
Now, I don't want to imply that every mixed breed dog is unhealthy, or that all purebreds are in perfect health. It's just that if you do your research, and select a dog from proven, responsable breeders, you can reduce the chances of having to deal with the emotional trauma, and vet bills, that can blindside you when you get a dog of poor or unknown breeding.

Rescueing dogs is a noble cause in itself, and knowing you've been able to save a life is often worth the risk. But purposely buying a crossbred dog that has not been carefully screened (and trust me, a Labradoodle breeder with good intentions would have many pre-breeding tests that they would share with you as a buyer) is really putting you and your family at risk of a seriously disappointing dog-ownership experience.

Good luck with your search!

Answer 9

English bulldogs sometime have difficulty dealing with heat and humidity. Seeing that your name has Florida in it, it might not be the best choice. Best thing for you to do is to consult a vet and then a breeder.

Answer 10

Bulldogs if you want something lazy labradoodle if you want to get plenty of exercise. :)