English Bulldog experiences and advice?

If you saw my last post on dachshunds, my fiancé and I are looking to add a third dog to our pack. Already have two very friendly, socialized and trained black labs. English bulldogs have come up as a breed that's great with kids and other dogs. Can anyone share their experiences owning or being around this breed? We spend a ton of time with our dogs, and want to make sure a new addition is the best fit. We would be getting a puppy.

I love English bulldogs but don't own one. I wanted a dog that could keep up with me. One that I could take fishing on the boat, take to the beach, and take out to any other place I may go. The limits of an English bulldog because of the hot and cold was a big factor in this for me. Living in Texas the heat is a major issue and not one that would allow me to include a English bulldog in my activities.

In the end I went with a Old English Bulldog. They have much of the same attributes of the English but they are much more able bodied and can handle much more than a regular English. They are larger with a more athletic build. Mine is pretty short but can jump into my truck without a problem and really surprises me with her athleticism. They are what the bulldog originally was before they were breed down into the show dog of today.

Another big plus for me was they were cheaper than a English. You really need to shell out the cash to get a bulldog without many health issues. I same many and not none because every person that I know that has one has some issue be it skin, breathing, eyes, wrinkles, etc. An OEB is far less prone to these things although even mine had a skin issue until I started using the correct shampoo.

Im on my second and will get another when the time is right.

Thanks for the reply. I have noticed a lot of their limitations too. We do hike and camp a lot with our two labs. Obviously we wouldn't bring the bulldog hiking, but I was thinking that when camping we could provide ample shade, water and maybe a cooling battery powered fan for him. We want a third dog, but I don't have it in me to raise another ultra high energy breed puppy right now. I live in CO, and we do get hot summers, but only a couple months worth. There are really only a few camping trips a year that we encounter heat.

Ha! Ultra high energy puppy? An OEB does not fit that at all. That is another reason I got one. She is just fine on the lake all day but the next two days she sleeps non stop and likes to stay in her bed or mine.

Even when she was a puppy she was happy being as active as I was and sleeping as long as I did and many times longer. That is what they seem to do best....sleep.

Mine is next to me right now sleeping.

Even with shade, water, and a fan in certain temps that will not be enough. I would not want to be in the woods with a dog that needed special treatment like that. The other two will get jealous when you put the bulldog in the car to suck up some A/C.

English Bulldogs have trouble breathing, and will suffer much more in hot or humid weather than most other dogs, plus because of their jaw structure will have dental issues as well.

Haha yeah, definitely seems like they enjoy hanging around. So you think that an English bulldog would be content to just hang around the campsite with us while the labs play in the lake or river? I always have giant shade tents and plenty of water around. Was thinking if it was hot I could bring a portable fan to cool the guy down.

Well the ones I have been around usually want to play with the other dogs. An EB is not going to be able to keep up with your other two. Plus they can not swim so the lake and river can be dangerous. Even OEBs have a hard time swimming as they are so dense. I had to get mine a lifejacket and now she can hang with the two labs in my family. It was actually a great buy as I can now toss her in the lake to cool off and it gives me handles to pull her back aboard.

My current one can swim but it is nothing like a lab or other water dog. My last could hardly tread water and she really worried me around water. The lifejacket gives me piece of mind and increased my dogs confidence around the water as well. Now she will actually get in the pool when before she would run from it.


Neither of the two OEBs I have had have any breathing issues and can last outside without any issues. She does have a good underbite.

Read these and compare.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bulldog.htm

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/oldeenglishbulldogge.htm

Personally if I was going to do a bulldog type dog I would get an American bull dog. They have the best personality. Just awesome dogs.

If you want something smaller perhaps look into boston terriers. They are a big dog in a small dog's body and could most likely keep up with your labs.

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Originally Posted by HVani

Personally if I was going to do a bulldog type dog I would get an American bull dog. They have the best personality. Just awesome dogs.

If you want something smaller perhaps look into boston terriers. They are a big dog in a small dog's body and could most likely keep up with your labs.

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Not enough wrinkles for me on an American. They are great dogs and are much like OEBs but I would say they have more energy. Not like a Boxer but more than a EB or OEB.

Have you ever had an AB? If so, could it swim?

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Originally Posted by KMG

Not enough wrinkles for me on an American. They are great dogs and are much like OEBs but I would say they have more energy. Not like a Boxer but more than a EB or OEB.

Have you ever had an AB? If so, could it swim?

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Yeah they are not as wrinkly. But still so sweet. I have not owned one but I have worked with them in rescue and daycare. Just super silly happy dogs.

I was definitely thinking of getting the dog a lifejacket. We go to lakes only a couple times a year, so I don't think its a major concern. My fiancé and I are dog fanatics, so we would go to ANY length necessary to keep the dog happy and healthy.

Mine a few weeks before pickup.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...Dec1020956.jpg

At a rest stop on the way home from up near Dallas. She slept beside me all the way home.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...lldog/ammo.jpg

A couple years ago.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...g/fca16159.jpg

And then current out on the lake. 3.5yrs now.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...pshyurarxd.jpg

http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...pslnhbrpva.jpg

Then after the lake at home.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...psuwlx7jsc.jpg

Oh my god what a cute dog. I used to not like bulldogs at all but now im totally into it.

I have always had a thing for them but my lifestyle is just not suitable for a EB right now. An OEB was the closest I could get and now Im very happy with my choice. A EB just doesn't have the battery life I require and I have enough outdoor to carry without adding a 60 pound bulldog. LOL!

Yeah I hear ya. Out here in CO we go backpacking frequently, but would leave the bulldog home with grandma in that case.

Most of your brachycephalic dog breeds are going to have breathing problems to some degree or another, which can slow them down and make them prone to other problems. English and french bulldogs have taken the brunt of inbreeding; quite frankly, those dog are deformed to the point that I feel breeding more in an act of cruelty, and the kennel associations of the various countries need to start implementing stricter standards.
Of the other types of bulldog breeds, American and Catahoula bulldogs seems to exhibit the least amount of crippling deformation. For friendly, medium-energy dog breeds, you'll find some surprising candidates. You may want to try investigating into some spaniel breeds.

I'd just like to point out that your inching up in size with each new recommended breed, here. I know your were originally looking at dachshunds because you said you wanted a smaller breed, but most bully dogs are in the medium to large range with the exception of the French bulldog, which it doesn't sound like you're considering. Bully breeds are all great with children and most tend to get along well with strangers, but if you're really wanting a small dog then you might need to turn in a different direction.

Thanks, I will look into that. I'm not expecting any English bulldog to be able to keep up with my labs in any outdoor activities. We would make any separate accommodations necessary to keep them cool and healthy

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Originally Posted by Daigga

I'd just like to point out that your inching up in size with each new recommended breed, here. I know your were originally looking at dachshunds because you said you wanted a smaller breed, but most bully dogs are in the medium to large range with the exception of the French bulldog, which it doesn't sound like you're considering. Bully breeds are all great with children and most tend to get along well with strangers, but if you're really wanting a small dog then you might need to turn in a different direction.

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The woman in my life wants a small breed. I think the max we would want to go up would be a medium sized dog, probably no bigger than a female English bulldog. When it comes to dogs we will consider any and all breeds.

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

The woman in my life wants a small breed. I think the max we would want to go up would be a medium sized dog, probably no bigger than a female English bulldog. When it comes to dogs we will consider any and all breeds.

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A EB may be smaller in size but they are large with stubbornness. It takes a firm person to get a EB to listen. My wife has an issue with being the pack leader with ours. With me the dog knows her place but she is stubborn. Make sure you are both ready for that.

I also do not believe that with your outdoor activities a EB is a good choice at all for yall. They can have issues getting to hot in temps in the 70's. That's not very warm. I have several friends with a EB and they all do not do very well outside in the Texas heat for anything longer than a few minutes.

I recommended this once before and maybe you could use it as well. Search online and take a few different dog test. There are quizzes that you put in what you are looking for and what your lifestyle is and it will suggest different options for breeds that will fit your life. I did this and that's how I found OEBs. I had never heard of them before but with taking a few quizzes and then researching them I found they were the choice for me. You may find something similar for you.

I strongly urge you to rethink getting a EB. I do not think that a fan, shade, and water will be enough while camping. I also don't think its fair(for you or the dog) that you would have to leave it at home or with grandma when the other dogs get to go play and camp. This in itself could create issues and cause the EB to act out. Bulldogs chew their entire life and they do it well. An angry EB will eat everything in grandmas house while being yelled at.

Im not trying to be rude so please don't read into my post as you are not able to care for a EB. I am positive you are. I just think you may be getting into something when there is a better choice that will be happier in your family and your family will be happier with.

What about a boston terrier or boston bulldogge? There's quite a few bull dog breeds out there but if you want outdoorsy stuff I can't see most EB's holding up well, they are good sized dogs but not very agile, prone to pretty much every health issue imaginable and have a tendency to drop dead of heatstroke. There are some breeders striving for a more functional EB with longer legs and noses but the majority are structural disasters. Any bulldog breed you are looking at a possibility of dog aggression higher than say spaniels or labs so you would want to talk to the breeder about how well their lines do with other dogs, particularly same sex if that's a worry for you.

English Cocker Spaniel. American cockers are often too hyper, neurotic and nippy with kids.

Huge fan here of Boxers, and anything of Boxer mix. Worked with them frequently at the local pound.

Every one of them stole my heart.

Not all have the extreme shortened mussel that is lately popular with breeders. Even coming from terrible circumstances, they are joyfull, attentive learners, and athletic. Finally adopted one about a year ago. She is Boxer in markings, personality, and athleticism, yet rather mastiffy (Bull Mastiff?) in build and head shape. Fantastic girl. She gets along great with both the Lab mix and the little Chia.

I have no experience with them, but from everything I've read (some first hand accounts too, one from a VERY experienced dog person), the English Shephard Dog would also be an excellent choice.