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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

English bulldog for active ish family?

84 replies

Windsweptly · 12/08/2018 13:41

Sorry, I'm not sure where to post about dogs! Just wondered if it is unreasonable to consider an English bulldog as a dog for a family that is fairly active? Not hiking active but country park walks etc? Online varies between saying they are fine to walk in cool weather to some saying they just sleep all day? Help! Obviously doing huge amount of research before considering any dog breed. So far have ruled out high energy breeds as we live in a city and can t commit to 3 hrs exercise a day. Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 12/08/2018 14:04

I'd probably go for a Bull Terrier instead, if you like the breed type. They are happy to be sleepy but also like hiking, less speedy walks.

www.bullterriers.co.uk/html/about_bull_terriers.html

The Kennel Club has an interesting page to help people find the best dog fit!

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findabreed/Default.aspx

Original poster
Windsweptly · 12/08/2018 14:06

Thank you! We were put off by bull terriers for a few reasons but will look again!

OP posts:
bengalcat · 12/08/2018 14:08

Lol pick the dog you like - Bulldogs in our park trot around quite happily with their owners and ' even run '

PanPanPanPing · 12/08/2018 14:08

The 'doggy folk' over in The Doghouse www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse might be able to advise too!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 12/08/2018 14:11

I'm biased, Windswept I love the idea of them and the KC thing agreed with me Smile

The link does give you a good range of possible matching dogs. Might be worth it just to see what it throws up.

And I am heading over to the dog house for a lurk Smile

Original poster
Windsweptly · 12/08/2018 14:13

Thank you, I knew there was a dog section somewhere!! Will put it there as well. Thanks

OP posts:
Duchessgummybuns · 12/08/2018 14:15

I have a bull terrier he’s a lovely family dog, likes to chill in the living room and just be around people but also loves a longish walk even if at 11 he’s not quite as spry as he used to be.

I think the look of them puts people off but they’re no more aggressive or dangerous than any dog with proper training. I’ve never even heard my boy growl, but plenty of other dogs growl at him when we’re out and he just looked bemused Grin

Whitney168 · 12/08/2018 14:16

Bulldogs in our park trot around quite happily with their owners and ' even run'

Sorry, but I think it's tragic that it should be notable that a dog can 'even run'.

I do pack walks with my dogs, meeting up with groups at the local racecourse. One winter's day we had someone join with a very handsome Bulldog, lithe and active looking, a very nice looking dog.

After half a circuit, he was puffing fit to bust. This was about 5 degrees above freezing, on an ambling/chatting walk rather than a route march.

I am very much a dog lover, but I think this breed has gone beyond redemption, and I wouldn't consider it. Even taking the breathing issues aside, you pay an horrific price (to allow for the fact that most are incapable of mating and whelping normally, so need c-sections), then insurance will cost a fortune because of all the inherent defects in the breed.

(Oh, but if you do buy a Bulldog, please don't consider not insuring unless you have access to bottomless pits of money!)

I'm sure there are some healthy ones, but I think they are the minority.

jemimafuddleduck · 12/08/2018 14:19

I have two bulldogs and we are very active as a family. However they are not "active" dogs. They can only be walked for about an hour maximum (we usually walk them about 45 mins per day as their normal walk).
You also need to be very careful about walking them when it's warm - make sure you research heat stroke. When it's hot we either get up VERY early to walk them or worst case don't walk them.
Having said that, they fit perfectly into our lives as they are more than happy to chill out when we're out and about and can't be left for hours (NOT unreasonable amounts of time, but long enough to go out and do walks etc).

longwayoff · 12/08/2018 14:22

Oh poor bulldogs. They've been redesigned by breeders and have lots of expensive to treat health problems. Please get more advice on other breeds before you decide

villainousbroodmare · 12/08/2018 14:29

Not for any family in my opinion. I'm a vet. They often have nice personalities and I can see that there is something appealing in their appearance as puppies, but they are beset by serious health problems. They can barely suck down enough oxygen to stay alive for a start. Imagine living your life with a perpetual severe cold at the very least for an idea of how they feel every day. Add a host of uncomfortable and largely incurable eye, dental and skin issues.
How anyone can look at a gasping, snoring, battling brachycephalic and get a warm glow is a mystery to me. And sorry, but there are no healthy ones.

Bull terriers tend to be aggressive with other dogs unless socialised v well and you're lucky. They are hugely powerful and need plenty of work to train them not to haul you wherever they want to go. A large majority also suffer from severe skin issues amongst other things.

I'd consider a Border terrier or an ordinary mixed breed. Personality is by far the most important characteristic in acquiring a pet imo.

Original poster
Windsweptly · 12/08/2018 14:29

Thank you. We're were hoping a dog would come to the park for the day, country park for the day but we walk slowly and not particularly far. I understand the health issues and would only consider a pup from fully health tested parents who have also met either silver or good standard health testing as well. But I understand about the health issues and need to give it more thought. They just tick every box for us in terms of what we would like from a dog, more so than any other breed. As I said we will research prob for at least a year before deciding and will go and meet breeders etc first too. Thanks

OP posts:
jemimafuddleduck · 12/08/2018 14:29

Sorry - should say CAN be left for hours. They literally just sleep when we're not there.

Although that may just be the temperament of our dogs.

As a PP said as well - insurance is expensive. One of our dogs has had very little health issues but the other is constantly in the vets.

MikeUniformMike · 12/08/2018 14:31

Bull terriers are lovely. Soft and docile. I'd go for a Staffy not a Bully as they are even better (less likely to be deaf).
Read as much as you can about the breed.
I wouldn't get a bulldog as they've been overbred.
There's an article in this week's Country Life about endangered breeds - could you consider one of them. I'm thinking Parson Russell Terrier - they're brilliant.
Or look at getting a dog from a Rescue centre.

Original poster
Windsweptly · 12/08/2018 14:32

Thank you, good to have a vet opinion! We watched a local agility with 2x bulldog who certainly weren't struggling to breathe and who were very athletic, watching them alongside the collies etc so I don't agree that they all can t breathe, however, they are plenty of very badly bred dogs that suffer greatly, I absolutely agree with you there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Windsweptly · 12/08/2018 14:34

Thanks everyone. I'm not keen on terriers as a whole and really don't want to avoid a breed that has tendencies for dog aggression ie bull terrier and Staffie. The other 2 breeds which fit our family well are the Frenchie and the whippet. I would love a whippet but we have cats and small children and I've read this may not be a good match. But I'm looking into each breed carefully and haven't made any decisions at all.

OP posts:
beeefcake · 12/08/2018 14:36

I wouldn't ask for advice on here as you will just get bombarded on comments from people who are inherently anti pedigree dogs. Flat faced dogs tend to get the hardest time.

I have two pugs who absolutely love walking, and I have known many people who have had French bulldogs and say the same thing. You just have to be more careful in hotter conditions because of the breathing issues.

beeefcake · 12/08/2018 14:39

Sorry just read your other post, from the activities you have described that you typically do I would say a Frenchie would be fine.

Original poster
Windsweptly · 12/08/2018 14:39

Thank you beefcake, I didn't realise that

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 12/08/2018 14:40

OP has already asked. I'm not anti pedigree dogs at all, but you need to be fully aware of potential health problems, living requirements and temperament.
Even if you have a dog fully checked over by a vet, it doesn't mean that the dog will be free of problems.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 12/08/2018 14:41

I wouldn't encourage anyone to get a bulldog full stop.

What are you looking for in a dog?

bluetongue · 12/08/2018 14:43

Most whippets are fantastic with children. The cats might be more of a problem but if you get the whippet as a puppy then it should be okay.

Slimmingsnake · 12/08/2018 14:46

I think a retired greyhound would suit your needs perfectly x

Slimmingsnake · 12/08/2018 14:48

We had a whippet ,sadly he passed away ,but he was amazing couldn't fault the breed...I'd live to be able to rescue grays but house is too small

iloveruby · 12/08/2018 14:52

Completely agree with what the vet has said - if you buy a puppy you are contributing to the demand which has created these poor dogs and if you get a rescue it may well come with a whole range of health problems.

My friend has two and has spent 1000s on them with various ailments. Plus, the noise and slobber - if you are someone who doesn’t like the sound of very, very, very loud snoring, spluttering and wheezing then this is not the breed for you.