[2bully]

I agre with you 100%. however i would still advise that when dealing with overseas sellers your risks increase exponentially. you had better really trust somebody to send them money and then hope you get a puppy that right for you. if you can i would highly recommend seeing the puppy first, that way you are positive of health and of a good personality match before you commit. i dont care if the person selling me the puppy is a sunday school leader and i just saw them win bulldog breeder of the year (i made that title up) i still want to meet the dog i am gonna spend the next 10 years with.

I have a few questions. How does one go about recognizing a healthy pup from an unhealthy one just by looking at it? How would one tell which pup will develop a health issue later in life from a visual inspection at 8 to 10 weeks? Do you have some kind of tests that you are giving that helps you determine a pups health and its future health when you go see a litter? What tests are you giving when you inspect a litter to get a quality personality match?
I would venture a guess that a good portion of the K9s in your department are foreign sourced (I assume that you work for a PD that has K9s). A good number of K9s bought in the US are often originally sourced from overseas. A reputable breeder is a reputable breeder whether they live a mile down the road or 10,000 miles and an ocean away.

 

[WiggleBottomBulls]

I'd say a better argument for wanting a breeder whose near by is to see the environment the pups are raised in as well as meeting the parents and the breeders themselves. Some people just feel more comfortable seeing these things and meeting a puppy before buying it.... not saying its bad to ship a puppy, but it feels a lot safer to actually have it in your hands when you're exchanging money. Scarlett was shipped to me and although I felt I could trust her breeder (and luckily I could!) it was nerve wracking waiting at the airport *hoping* that she showed up at all.

Personally, I won't ship one of my own puppies... I'm happy to get on a plane and fly the pup if it's a REALLY good home (better than I find locally, which hasn't happened yet) I really like having them local. It means I can keep track of them, I get to see them in person (not just pictures) see how they're developing, that they're being taken care of & I know that their owners like having me nearby to answer questions and be able to actually look at the dog when answering them.


edit to fix spelling mistakes

 

[forever_pit]

I am of the opinion that you don't need to see a puppy in order to pick out the best fit for you. I think that if you trust someone to breed your dog then you should trust their judgment about which puppy would be the best match for you.

The breeder that I got Gator from was one that I had never met. We did talk on the phone several times after the puppies were born and she knew what I was looking for (a male Schutzhund prospect). After the temperament test was done at 7 weeks the breeder contacted me and told me which two males would be best suited for sport work. I met my breeder when I flew to NH to go pick up my puppy. I took Gator because he was the one who was recommended to me. Looking back on it I didn't have to go to pick him up but it was a good excuse to see my family up there and I will admit that I liked getting to meet all of the breeder's dogs. Regardless, I know about my dog's health because of the health tests that have been performed on his ancestors. Truth is, I would not hesitate to purchase a dog sight-unseen from a reputable breeder.

 

[hami2127]

When purchasing a Pet though ithink the test is a little different. I got Yuri my EB when he was 9 weeks and i went to meet all the pups because i wanted one who fit my personality best, i wasnt looking fo a show dog or a work dog or anything like that, i was looking for a pet to lay on the couch with my and watch tv. we go on walks and Yuri can make it about 2 blocks before he wants to go back and thats what drew my to EBs in the first place. I agree if your looking for a dog that you want to show or enter into obedience cometitions then your search is completly different then if your looking for a pet. iw ould just want to meet the pup face to face first to see if the personality was a match to me. and you can tell if the puppy is healthy, based on his demeanor the demeanor of his litter and the general heathliness and cleanlines of his living situation you just want to make sure he doesnt come from a puppy mill or someone just bring their dog to sell the puppies, which is common for EBs cause they are such an expensive breed. my department does nto have K9s i work for the federal government so its a little different, but i do admit that if you want a dog that is breed for obediance then a lot of overseas breeders are gonna be a good option for you

 

[2bully]

When purchasing a Pet though ithink the test is a little different. I got Yuri my EB when he was 9 weeks and i went to meet all the pups because i wanted one who fit my personality best, i wasnt looking fo a show dog or a work dog or anything like that, i was looking for a pet to lay on the couch with my and watch tv. we go on walks and Yuri can make it about 2 blocks before he wants to go back and thats what drew my to EBs in the first place. I agree if your looking for a dog that you want to show or enter into obedience cometitions then your search is completly different then if your looking for a pet. iw ould just want to meet the pup face to face first to see if the personality was a match to me. and you can tell if the puppy is healthy, based on his demeanor the demeanor of his litter and the general heathliness and cleanlines of his living situation you just want to make sure he doesnt come from a puppy mill or someone just bring their dog to sell the puppies, which is common for EBs cause they are such an expensive breed. my department does nto have K9s i work for the federal government so its a little different, but i do admit that if you want a dog that is breed for obediance then a lot of overseas breeders are gonna be a good option for you

My contention with some of what you've said lies in that what a pu is like at 7 to 10 weeks old isn't always going to be what the pup matures into. There are tests that tests a puppies temperment and or aptitude. Tests such as the Volhard and the Puppy Aptitude Test, both are good indicators of what the pup brings to the table at the moment and gives an insight into its possible future poteintial. Health of an animal is a whole other subject and is best left to your trusted vet to make that determination.

 

[hami2127]

agreed and that why i like breeders that offer a certian time limit garuntee on health, i guess its just the way people think about things, i wont buy a tv over the internet either i want to see it and then take it home personally i gues i dont have the same level of trust that some people do

 

[WiggleBottomBulls]

When purchasing a Pet though ithink the test is a little different. I got Yuri my EB when he was 9 weeks and i went to meet all the pups because i wanted one who fit my personality best, i wasnt looking fo a show dog or a work dog or anything like that, i was looking for a pet to lay on the couch with my and watch tv. we go on walks and Yuri can make it about 2 blocks before he wants to go back and thats what drew my to EBs in the first place. I agree if your looking for a dog that you want to show or enter into obedience cometitions then your search is completly different then if your looking for a pet. iw ould just want to meet the pup face to face first to see if the personality was a match to me. and you can tell if the puppy is healthy, based on his demeanor the demeanor of his litter and the general heathliness and cleanlines of his living situation you just want to make sure he doesnt come from a puppy mill or someone just bring their dog to sell the puppies, which is common for EBs cause they are such an expensive breed. my department does nto have K9s i work for the federal government so its a little different, but i do admit that if you want a dog that is breed for obediance then a lot of overseas breeders are gonna be a good option for you

Personally I think it's very important for breeders to temperament test - especially when you're getting a puppy "just as a pet."
If you've never had a dog before, is it a good idea to get the cutest puppy whose also the most dominant? Or the puppy who looks shy and quiet just like you? That's why it is important to let the breeder help you make your decision.

 

[Lisa]

agreed and that why i like breeders that offer a certian time limit garuntee on health, i guess its just the way people think about things, i wont buy a tv over the internet either i want to see it and then take it home personally i gues i dont have the same level of trust that some people do

How does having a pup shipped compare to "buying a tv over the internet"? Importing a dog or puppy from out of Country or out of State shouldn't be anything like that. If you have done your homework (meaning involved yourself in the breed and it's fanciers) getting ripped off shouldn't even be a concern. Why? Because you have gotten to know who has good dogs, who stands behind what they produce, and who is reliable. If the extent of one's research involves only looking at pictures on websites and comparing dogs and breeders based only on what they see on their computer screen then that's a different story and they deserve to be ripped off.

As far as temperament testing..if a breeder doesn't do that, they are really missing the boat and probably shouldn't be breeding. Breeders who allow their buyers to pick their puppies out with no input from them also raise a big red flag. Stable temperament is important in any dog..working, show, or pet. I hate when I hear pet buyers downplay the importance of temperament and temperament testing. Pet owners like everyone else should want to stack the odds at getting a pet that is safe around their children. Stable enough to remain confident in new situations so they can be good travel companions. Isn't going to freak out over some loud sounds etc. Sure, puppies are a crap shoot no matter what,but proper testing and pedigrees stacked with dogs with stable temperaments (and tested for it) can definitely increase the odds of getting a good dog. Even when it comes to the few and far between pet homes who consider temperament, out of those, how many actually understand it and know how to evaluate it? My guess is not many. Going and "looking" at a litter won't do a person much good if they don't know what to look for and how to test for certain traits, both desirable and undesirable. Most newbies would be better off putting their trust into a known reputable breeder 1000 miles away to pick them a pup than they would picking out their own pup from a litter of backyard bred crap bred by people who haven't got a clue.

If one does ample research and comes to find that they have a quality breeder right in their own backyard then more power to them! I would love to be so lucky as to know of some close to me!! Unfortunately, for most people that is just not the case. There are so few breeders who are what I would consider "reputable", that finding one close to home would be like winning the lottery.

 

[MrBoneCrusher]

thanks everyone for the info and some insite on somethings I have over looked. I'll keep ya's posted with what I come up with. But all the rescue places seem kinda high in prices as well 800-1000 bucks and most already have health issues. The illinous Eb rescue won;t let get one cuz I am out of thier range in Wisconsin. Even though I live in the middle of Wisconsin seems kinda wierd to me. But I will keep up my searches and agai Thank you everyone.

Where in Wisconsin, Fond du Lac is my home. Is your heart completely set on the english bulldog or would a bully alternative bulldogge be acceptable?

Wausau is where we live and yes our hearts kinda set on this one.

 

[hami2127]

And i think it should be English Bulldogs are a special breed that i would trade for any other. they are a handfull when theyre puppies, i have gone through a coffe table already and i can send you a video of an EB ripping all four ties of a Police car just playing around. but once they get a little older they are the most relaxed and funny dogs you will ever meet

 

[2bully]

thanks everyone for the info and some insite on somethings I have over looked. I'll keep ya's posted with what I come up with. But all the rescue places seem kinda high in prices as well 800-1000 bucks and most already have health issues. The illinous Eb rescue won;t let get one cuz I am out of thier range in Wisconsin. Even though I live in the middle of Wisconsin seems kinda wierd to me. But I will keep up my searches and agai Thank you everyone.

Where in Wisconsin, Fond du Lac is my home. Is your heart completely set on the english bulldog or would a bully alternative bulldogge be acceptable?

Wausau is where we live and yes our hearts kinda set on this one.

Its ok I was just asking. I'm not familiar enough with english bulldogs to recommend a breeder for you. I am however involved with alternative bulldogges and could recommend breeders and could help find a pet quality and or a rehome that could be more in the price range that you're looking for.

 

[esprinter]

Its ok I was just asking. I'm not familiar enough with english bulldogs to recommend a breeder for you. I am however involved with alternative bulldogges and could recommend breeders and could help find a pet quality and or a rehome that could be more in the price range that you're looking for.

And most likely healthier as well. If I was looking for a bulldog, this is no doubt the route I would take. It was a good suggestion. 8)

 

[cojo]

I know we on the bulldog forum can sometimes come off as defensive and snobbish with new bulldog owners, so I hope I phrase this politely and I hope you understand. I'm trying to help prevent you from getting into a tough financial and emotional situation by sharing my experience. Please hear me out.

You say you can't afford $1,000-$2,000 on a dog. After owning five dogs, I've learned a lesson. Each dog I get, I put $1,000 in a savings account (in addition to whatever I spent on the dog). It sits in the bank and earns interest. I only pull the money out if I get a catastrophic vet bill. And every one of those five dogs has used up that $1,000, from a chipped tooth to X-rays to being hit by a car to congenital problems. You can certainly get pet health insurance, but it will still cost you more than $1,000 over time, especially for a bulldog (which have more health risk - see below).

My younger bulldog has moderate hip dysplaisa in one hip, which contributed to problems in both knees that require surgery. She has used over $6,000 in vet services over her two years of life, and we've only had one leg done.

Over 60% of English Bulldogs get hip dysplasia. Also, we've had to go in a number of times for skin problems, from demodex mange to ringworm to skin irritation, and every time we get hit with a $30-50 prescription. Can you afford it if this happens to you?

Bulldogs have much higher vet bills than, for example, Golden Retrievers or Labs. For X-rays, we have to pay double what other people do because the smooshy bulldog nose can stop breathing while they're under, so extra monitoring is required and that costs money. The list goes on and on. If you get a new-in-the-box discount bulldog puppy, your chances for big vet bills are far higher, because the breeder cannot afford to health-test parents and combine good lines. It's expensive to breed healthy bulldogs. Good breeders don't price bulldogs at $2000+ just because they feel like it.

Please consider rescuing a bulldog, because:
1. It is cheaper (rescues often have adoption fees, but they are usually $500 or less) and 2. There will be fewer medical surprises with an adult dog. Rescues have vets check them out, so they know what health issues (if any) the dog has already and finally
3. There are lots of smooshy-faced bulldogs that need a little lovin'.

BCARN - Welcome!

I know puppies are so cute and fun, but remember that they only last less than a year. You have to live with them for all of the other years, which is 8-12 for bulldogs.

That said, I don't want to discourage you from bulldogs, because they really are such goofballs and by far the most affectionate lap dogs I've ever encountered. Easy-going with little kids too.

Good luck on your search!

 

[bearsmom]

I strongly agree with others that if you can't afford 1,000-2,000 for a puppy then you most certainly can't afford an EB. An EB is a very expensive breed to maintain and take care of even after their purchase. My Molly is 4yo and this year alone has cost me almost $2,000 in medical bills.

Almost certainly any EB that is cheap to buy is a huge red flag. I wouldn't touch it with a 10' pole.

Rescue is a great suggestion but again I think in your case you still probably couldn't afford the maintenance, daily care and probable health issues that arise with an EB.

Good luck with your decision.