English Bulldogs

[Hessy]

My neighbour, with whom we share a communal lawn onto which both of our back doors open, has just told me she's getting an English Bulldog puppy. She said her mother in law is concerned as this is the breed that (direct quote) 'ate a four year old'. I have a two year old who plays in the communal garden, presumably where the dog will play too. I know nothing about breeds and have never really been around dogs. Should I be concerned? Should I keep my son away from the dog? I don't want him to grow up scared of dogs. Really not sure how to react... Any thoughts?

[bundaberg]

i wouldn;'t be concerned about the puppy, i hope she is planning on clearing any poo up as soon as it occurs though!

[Hessy]

Hadn't even thought of that Bundaberg! What about when it grows up though...?

[bundaberg]

assuming she brings the dog up properly and trains it well i can't imagine it would be an issue.

i wouldn't leave ANY dog alone with a child. so I guess I'd be cross if she started letting it out by itself, as that would mean you would have to stay outside with your child instead of allowing him to play out by himself

maybe have a chat to her about your concerns? see what she says about it?

[Hessy]

Thanks Bunda - will do

[Tillypo]

For a start there is no such thing as an English/British Bulldog. I have a 4 year old Bulldog and she is fantastic around children of all ages and of all the people that I know who have one, none of them have nasty Bullys. They are very loyal, loving dogs.
As for the comment of "the breed that ate a four year old" it was NOT a full breed Bulldog it was a cross with either an American Bulldog or a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This is where the problems start people who haven't got a clue cross breeding dogs just because "they look good".
As said in a previous post I would never leave a dog alone with a child, not just because you never know what the dog is going to do, but also because you never know what the child is going to do. I wouldn't be too concerned about a puppy at this early stage, have a chat to your neighbour about making sure she checks the garden everytime her dog goes out. With Bullys it is quite often the case that they do absolutely nothing all day except sleep, they are not the most energetic of dogs.

[Hessy]

Thanks Tillypo, really helpful.

[toboldlygo]

"One of Britain’s oldest indigenous breeds, the Bulldog is known as the National dog of Great Britain and is associated throughout the world with British determination and the legendary John Bull. The Bulldog was first classified as such in the 1630s, though there is earlier mention of similar types referred to as bandogs, a term reserved today for a type of fighting dog. Used originally for bull-baiting, the Bulldog also fought its way through the dog pits, but after 1835 it began to evolve into the shorter-faced, more squat version we know today. It entered the show ring in 1860 and the ensuing years saw a big personality change.

The pugilistic expression of this delightfully ugly dog belies his loving, affectionate nature to family and friends. He has a reputation for tenacity and is very courageous, strong and powerful. Although he is a little bit stubborn by nature, he is good-tempered with children, of whom he is also very protective. The impression he gives of being slow and sluggish is completely contradicted by the great bursts of speed that he can and does produce when the occasion demands. His mood can be dignified, humorous or comical, and he has many endearing ways."

The show ring 'English' bulldog is a thousand times removed from the crossbred dog of unknown breeding and history that recently killed a child.

That said, even as a dog owner I would think it very rude for someone to get a dog and just assume they can exercise it or let it toilet in a communal garden - hopefully she realises this and it won't even be an issue. :)

[AHardDaysWrite]

I wouldn't be worried about the breed, but I wouldn't want the dog toileting on the lawn where your toddler plays (I have a dog myself and his loo is a separate bit of the garden to where the dcs play). So I'd be asking her what she plans to do about toilet training the pup.

[LEMisafucker]

The dog that attacked that poor little girl was NOT a bull-dog, it was a bull mastiff TYPE dog, that looked like a bullmastiff x dog de bordeux.

Bull dogs have a great temprement, although do not get me started on this breed with regards to over breeding and inbred defects. poor things.

[bellasuewow]

From what I know they are great with children and very popular as family dogs. Be careful of the poop though as an earlier poster said on the lawn etc. supervise play if they get together though

[Hessy]

Thank you all, I feel very reassured. However, will now be on poo alert which will bring a new dynamic to the shared garden

[LEMisafucker]

oh right, thanks everlong, i didn't realise