[cmac4u]

Hello,

I am relatively new to the bulldog breed and have recently started to look for a puppy.
I have been recently educating myself and learning more about this great bread.
This weekend I looked a few 8 week old puppies. The owners are not breeders and this is there first time with a litter.
The father is a 3 year old AKC, and the female is 8 years old, unregistered.
(They did provide papers for the male)

#1. Should I be concerned with the age of the mother?
#2. From what I have been reading, it is strongly suggested that I go with a AKC registration and verify the pedigree for at least 3 generations. (Obviously not possible with this situation) I am not looking for a show dog, but do want a quality, healthy bulldog. Is this very necessary to ensure good health genes?

I am in the process of trying to contact local breeders in my area. (Northern California)
I want to make sure we get the healthiest puppy possible. Another concern is the lack of breeding experience of the current owners.
They puppies seam to be all happy and healthy, but like I said, I am new to this breed.
Any advice anyone could share is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for looking..


3/14/06.
Hello Everyone,

Yes I am referring to the english bulldog.
Thank you very much for all the information. You have confirmed my original thoughts.
Also, I live in the east bay area No. Cal. (Dublin/Pleasanton Area) If anyone can suggest a quality breeder, it is much appreciated.
Thanks again!!

 

[Care]

Any breeder who has bred their unregistered dog, is obviously not a good breeder. They probably haven't checked for all health risks, or have a guarentee on pups. But like Lisa (I think it was Lisa) has said before, the guarentee is only as good as the breeder.

Is it a English Bulldog???? Any bulldog breed is subject to health problems, but English Bulldogs have a lot of heath problems. You need to make sure you get your pup from somebody who has a breeding program set up where they are likely trying to wean out the health problems of the EB, and create the best EBs for future generations.

Any dog could turn out to be a great pet. You might get lucky. But if I were you I wouldn't get one of these pups. I'd start doing some research on the breed, whether its English, American, Victoian, French Bulldog, etc... Whichever one you are interested in. Then after you've done your homework on the breed you selected I'd start looking for reputable breeders. You may need to ship a pup. :wink:

 

[Miakoda]

I would be more concerned that these people bred 2 dogs that had absolutely NO proven attributes that would better the breed if bred. I would be more concerned that their was NO health testing done to rule out genetic disorders. And I would be more concerned that without having papers on the dam, that there is a higher risk that she's not a full blooded anything but rather a dog that has an outcross thrown back in the ped somewhere (not saying it IS that way, b/c their are many a non-registered dogs that are purebred, but the owners would have accurate handwritten records verifying the pedigree of these dogs in these cases).

 

[Tia]

I am relatively new to the bulldog breed and have recently started to look for a puppy.
I have been recently educating myself and learning more about this great bread.
This weekend I looked a few 8 week old puppies. The owners are not breeders and this is there first time with a litter.
The father is a 3 year old AKC, and the female is 8 years old, unregistered.
(They did provide papers for the male)

American Bulldogs are not AKC reg so theres so such papers for the father. Unreg mother at 8 Stay away from this breeder!!! I would be looking for a ABA NKC, ABRA, papered Ab breeder, OFAor PEnnhipped parents,NCl tested,health garentee,titles,temperment,videos of th eparents if you cant meet them, videos on the puppies. This is for life so why not make sure you have the best going to be around for the longest amount of time you can get.

 

[maryserratos]

I have to agree with everyone on this breeder...not a good choice. Where are you at in Northern Cali? Thats where I am from, I may be able to help you out with a good breeder here.

 

[Lisa]

American Bulldogs are not AKC reg so theres so such papers for the father.

The person said "Bulldog" not "Ameircan Bulldog" so they could very well be speaking about the English Bulldog variety. That being said I would still steer clear of this breeder. English bulldogs have alot of health problems so it is important to find someone reputable with a good health guarantee that they are willing to stand behind. English Bulldogs have the highest rate of hip dysplasia of any breed so make sure the parents have both been xrayed and certified through either OFA or PennHip.
Also keep inmind that just because a breeder is using "AKC registered" breeding stock that this does not in any way, shape, or form mean they are using quality dogs and nor does this indicate that the breeder is reputable. I suggest hitting some shows and meet some breeders. Maybe look for some English Bulldog breeders who are doing something with their dogs besides just conformation. Since they are such a physically messed up breed I would try and find a breeder that competes in obedience, agility, tracking, ANYTHING that shows the dog is able to function and is trainable.

 

[snarky]

why are you guys so against the EB's? :?

 

[maryserratos]

I don't think it's that anybody is against EB's, just the bad breeders of them. Most of those dogs live a miserable existance. I had one and have been around lots. I would never own one again. I hate to say this, but they are kinda a pet peeve of mine now. Anybody that tells me "we are thinking of getting an EB" I say "NO". They have too many health issues, and it is because of what, we, as humans have done to them. They don't ask to be born in their bodies. I look at it like "how would I feel having to live day in and day out in that body" I would hate it! If a dog cannot breed or whelp on their own, there is a HUGE problem! I really don't mean to offend anybody that has them. I love the looks of them, but they are a sad sad breed of dog

 

[NorsemanBW]

I suggest looking into the new breed "Olde English Bulldogge" They are much healthier and happier. They also dont cost an arm and a leg. Because breeders dont have nearly as many vet bills.

 

[snarky]

i understand your concerns about the health of the man made dog, i too am worried about mine. although i think with good care, good diet, and lots of love will bring a friend to your life quicker than you can say, "NO"

how does the bulldog know it's not supposed to be in that body? maybe since i'm new to the breed my emotions are not as strong as some people's. my girl is just as capable as our AB.

 

[maryserratos]

I am trying to say things as nice as I possibly an, as to not offend anybody. They have soooo many genetic defects. I have talked to several people that say "we try to produce a bulldog with the most defects because that is what people like" The defects they are talking about is...Too short muzzle= breathing difficulties and tiring too easily... Males can't even mate to a female because of the risk of him having a heart attack. Too short of leg and back= the poor dogs can't even scratch their own ears or lick themselves. When you see a poor dog trying to scratch their own ear and all they can manage is to have their hind leg up in the air (not even close to the head) and it is just waving, it is very sad. These things will come as your girl fills out more. When my husband and I realized all these things we decided to go with the olde english. They have alot of the same characteristics as an EB, just not all the health issues. Pretty much if you took one of my dogs and bred them to a pug, you would get an EB. And that is pretty much what they did. Took a "working bulldog" of the past and crossed it to a pug, and viola, english bulldog.


These are Olde English Bulldogges:

 

[PeterC]

my girl is just as capable as our AB???????????????

Are you sure?

What kind of AB do you have?

Please get pet insurance for your EB. YOu will need it. Ask your vet. You can thank me later.

 

[Lylasmum]

Suggestion

If I may, I would like to suggest to you...the Olde Victorian Bulldogge.
There is a wonderful breeder in NC....Carlos Woods.
His website is woodybulls.com
He has lots of info on the breed as well as tons of links to all the other breeders of OVB'S
I have one, and she wonderful!!

 

[snarky]

thank you all

hopefully mine won't have those problems...

i didn't know some of the facts you just stated. i apologize for my ignorance.

i thought about the pet insurance, i'll check into it :wink:

 

[Led]

I have never seen an EB that can compete athletically to an AB. My friend's ED Norman is a pretty nice dog. I like him, but he can only go fetch the ball a few times and then it is NAPTIME! ABs don't need that nap. They are like the E bunny in comparison.

 

[snarky]

I have never seen an EB that can compete athletically to an AB. My friend's ED Norman is a pretty nice dog. I like him, but he can only go fetch the ball a few times and then it is NAPTIME! ABs don't need that nap. They are like the E bunny in comparison.

sorry to hear about Norman, but mine wears out the AB in no time. she goes on for hours & hours. when i got her they said this breed is lazy, well not this one. :wink:

 

[Phillz]

I have a few friends with EB's alot are pretty Hypo 8) some are lazy too.
I have one of each....Abby is a bit heavier set.....she will run and play for 30minutes or so, then take a break....Peaches is lighter in body and will play with our pup non stop for hours.
So all in all you have to find the best breeders, with a good history who do all the tests....for these are the people doing the hard yards and improving the breed.
I have owned 3 bulldogs now and none of them suffer from any health issues :wink:

 

[snarky]

:wink: