Bulldogs?

[Maren78]

Does anyone here has experiences with English Bulldogs? I've always wanted to have one and I dont know anybody that owns one. I finally convinced my DH to get a dog for the kids, I was going to get them a Chow Chow, but they told DH that they tend to be aggressive and overall not good with small kids, I grew up with one and personally she was a doll but I do understand my Dh's POV. So, the next dog in my list is a bulldog, I have read that they are amazing and very patience which kids, which is great because I can totally picture DD3 being all over the dog all the time. But, I want to hear from you mammas with your experiences regarding these breed, or any other similar breed for that matter as I don't want a big dog. I also considered a Boxer, but aren't they too big? Im not so keen about the idea of having a big dog.

[34me]

They can snore - horribly.  My grandmother had one and they have such a short muzzle that you can hear many of them breathing from two rooms away.  Boxers are taller than chows but no "bigger".  In fact they may be lighter and definitely less grooming.  But yes, in the 90's they became very popular leading to puppy mills and potential aggression.  They are actually ranked with Rottweilers as aggressive - even though I think all of us know that there are aggressive dogs in all breeds and sweethearts in all breads.

[tinuviel_k]

I absolutely love English bulldogs. They are so sweet, and I've never met one that I didn't like. However, we decided not to get one due to their very common health issues, their high cost, and their higher than average vet bills.

From dogbreedinfo.com: Prone to breathing problems; some have small windpipes as well. Also poor eyesight, very susceptible to heat stroke in warm weather or hot rooms and cars. Very cold sensitive. Puppies often delivered by caesarian section because of their broad heads. Birth defects are common in some lines. Susceptible to skin infections, hip and knee problems. Prone to flatulence, especially when fed any other type of food other than their regular dog food.

English bulldogs also drool...a lot! They snort and snore, and many have very bad gas. They often get dermititis in their many skin folds. They have a shorter lifespan than many other dogs, and they can require a lot more vet care than other dogs. They cant take hot weather all all, and anything over 80F is dangerous to them.
They also cost quite a lot to buy. Many breeders charge $1000 to $1500 or more because often the breed requires artificial insemination and c-sections because of the puppies head sizes.

So while we love English Bulldogs we decided that they really were not the breed for us.

[starrlamia]

i wouldnt recommend them. They are one of the breeds that have been absolutely ruined by humans. They are prone to MANY medical issues and it isnt uncommon for them to need thousands of dollars worth of vet care during their life due to these issues. Ive talked to vets who say if they had a few english bulldogs as patients they wouldnt need any others due to how often they need to be seen. Breeders should be charging more then $1000 per dog, good breeders will charge much more then that and with a breed that has so many health issues you absolutely want one from a reputable breeder who health tests their dogs. English bulldogs cannot copulate and need artificial insemination, they also cannot birth their young so always need c-sections. They also cannot really do anything, they can only play for very short periods of time due to their flattened faces and deformed body shape. If you want a good little dog that will be great with kids look into French Bulldogs or Boston Terriers, they both are small breeds (under 30lbs) have the same flattened faces (and as such may have some breathing problems but not usually to the same extent), they have more energy and are overall in better health as a breed and will love playing with kids. They are both available in rescues or from breeders for less then an english bulldog. I have contacts with both breeds in the reputable breeder world so could help you find someone who is good to buy from.

[Maren78]

Well I guess I will not be getting a Bully, I don't really have a problem with vet bills but I do want a dog that can keep up with my kids but not overall energetic (say Lab) ? 

My grandmother has a Boston Terrier and he's a jerk, mind you he's not really used to be around children but still, he's a little jerk. I wanted a pug, but DH doesn't like them, this is hard LOL

What about staffies? I've heaver they are good with children.

[starrlamia]

staffies are very good with children and are a great family dog, however they do have a lot of energy and can be tenacious so need a strong owner who will do appropriate training with them. They are much more energetic then a lab, who IMO are a mid level breed. They have a high propensity toward dog aggression so may not get along with other dogs, which means no dog parks, always on leash outside your property and diligence on your part to keep them and other dogs safe. Dog aggression is not the same as human aggression however and staffies are very people oriented.

TBH if you want a dog that will play with the kids but not be very energetic overall a frenchie or boston would be perfect for that (can you tell i love these breeds?). Other good breeds would be beagle, mastiff, newfie, cocker spaniel, doxie, basset hound.

Of course you could also look into Olde English Bulldogges who are very similar to english bulldogs but are able to be much more energetic.

[ColoradoHELLP]

Consider olde english bulldogges. There are varying extremes of oldes, so shop wisely. The healthiest and most robust is the Leavitt Olde Bulldogge. Plus, the are a boxer-sized dog. They have a history more than 40 years deep and the breeders are diligent about health testing. The Leavitt Bulldogge registry actually requires some health testing before the dogs are bred.

The Renascence Bulldogge (Gargoyle lines) also tend to be a healthier line among the oldes, although the testing is not required and the consistency of the breed leaves a little to be desired if you are considering a dog that is not from the breed founder's kennel. Other lines of oldes could work, but you have to keep in mind that *many* oldes are simply crossbred bulldogs of one form or another - and that, of course, brings considerable variations in size, temperament, conformation and health. 

You might also consider a boston terrier. They are small, "bulldoggy" in nature, cheaper, and generally a little healthier than english and french bulldog. However, you have to look into patella problems and PRA in certain lines of bostons.

I'd could certainly tell you more, but no one asked for it. :-) I'm a breeder of small-sized olde bulldogges and I have owned, rescued or shown many varieties of bulldogs over the years, so if you would like some nitty-gritty, straightforward info, go ahead and send me a PM. Hope that helps.

[starrlamia]

what olde bulldogges do you breed? I have an olde boston bulldogge

[jamesong55]

I have always had boxers around my kids and they are great for the family

[AZNative]

Funny reading this convo, because my dog is a mix of Chow Chow, Bulldog, Boxer, and Lab - everything mentioned but staffie. She's phenomenal with kids, to the point that our neighbor's kids used to come over and ask if the dog could come out and play! She's got great qualities from each of those breeds. She has the Chow Chow loyalty without their tendency to follow to one person over all others; she's great with kids of all ages like Bulldogs; she's got the playful side of Boxers; she has Chow Chow intelligence and the Lab desire to please. There's more, but suffice it to say I couldn't have handpicked her traits better.

If there are a few breeds you're thinking of, why not check out mixes of those breeds? Mixes tend not to have the health problems that purebreds do simply because they have a more diverse gene pool. English Bulldogs have been turned into a medical disaster by irresponsible breeding (check out this recent NYT article) and that goes for a lot of dogs from poorly bred lines. A mix might be a good alternative to get the traits you're looking for.

Besides, if you get a dog that is good-natured and you socialize and train them well, then the dog will be fine, regardless of breed or mix.

[EarthRootsStarSoul]

I have to put in my two cents about pit bulls.  I have one and she is a DARLING!  I raised her from 7 weeks old, and now she is two years.  I put a lot of time and effort into training and socializing her, and it has paid off in a big way.  She is a gentle playmate for the children, and lives up to the pit's 'nanny dog' reputation.  She has just the right amount of energy for our family, she can go running with me, or spend the whole day on the couch.  At least once a week we visit the dog park where she will play with any dog -- strange or familiar.  She has her 'best friends' she prefers, which is funny.  I'm lucky enough to have a big open space of public land and a river behind my house, and I let her run loose to swim and play for exercize.  I can take her out on a hiking trail and she stays close enough to be off leash. 

It's (almost) all about how you raise a puppy, not the breed.  I once had a rescue Pekingese who was so awful and aggressive I had to put him to sleep.  :(