English bulldog for active ish family?

[Windsweptly]

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!

Not all people who are anti-flat-faced breeds are anti-pedigrees. I have a pedigree dog myself, and I thoroughly researched her breeds health tendancies (every breed has something they're prone to) and then looked for parents with good health scores. Fingers crossed, she's now middle aged with no health problems so far.

But. Accepting breeds have health tendancies and selecting dogs with good scores is very different from flat faced breeds. Unless you are going to go to a breeder who breeds them with less-flat faces.

You've had the reality told to you by a vet - vets see all the health problems, and give honest opinions of breeds. A vet is the BEST person to ask about a breed of dog, as they can tell you all the problems that crop up. All flat faced dogs are health compromised in daily life. That is fact, and backed up by veterinary professionals and various research. Many owners of these dogs are in denial about how severe their problems are day-to-day. In a previous life, I had some involvement at a number of vet practices (not a vet or a vet nurse), and am aware that the instant flat faced dogs (or cats) were put under anaesthetic, they were considered high risk - and a higher number of them die, compared to the proportion of normal-faced pets.

If you insist on buying one, then make sure it comes from parents with as normal a face as possible, have it vet checked soon, and make sure you have REALLY good insurance, as you will likely need it.

My personal opinion is that nobody should support the breeding of these dogs, unless breeders are prepared to undo a lot of the damage they've done. It isn't even just about their breathing either, but the damage to their joints through how they move, and their inability to give birth naturally due to head size.

It's not just this breed, or flat-faced breeds either - there are quite a number of breeds who have extreme characteristics, that should not be promoted. But all the time that people are prepared to buy and therefore support the breed, breeders will continue the same way. It's tragic.

Personally, I would be super picky about breeds known to be good with children and would avoid breeds that have been bred for a working purpose. esp terriers, sheepdogs. I know loads of people say my dog is fab but I wouldn't take the chance. You need a super laid back tolerant which is why labs are so popular. No dog is 100% and much is down to upbringing and training of the dog and all family members, which is why I would not take a rescue into a family with children

We've got two chihuahuas.

Fantastic little dogs. We also have small children and a cat. Everyone gets along.

Chihuahuas are not handbag dogs and will happily walk for miles.

They also love being lap dogs and will sleep on you too.

Would definitely recommend

A friend has one. He got leptospirosis at a year old and has to have permanent medication and a very expensive special diet. He costs them hundreds a month including insurance and he hates walks tp the point of refusing to leave the house in the rain! Gorgeous dog but as high maintenance as a toddler.

There are some breeders who are trying to breed dogs with more pronounced snouts to go back to a more classic and healthy type of My friend has a lovely Frenchie from a breeder who specifically breeds for healthy dogs with less flat faces, and he's able to be very active because of it. But I've yet to meet a healthy-looking and sounding bulldog. They are inevitably overweight with breathing issues and not really fit for purpose if you want a dog to fit in with an active young family.

There are plenty of breeds who will fit your criteria and who don't have inherent health problems. I have nothing against pedigrees - my own dog is a pedigree working cocker spaniel as was my old dog. But it's important to support responsible breeders who care about the health of their animals. It's also incredibly expensive to take on a dog prone to health conditions. And if you're a young family, it's important you get a dog who can join in with active family life and not be fettered by breathing problems and other issues.

Thank you everyone, taking on board all the advice given. Basically we are looking for a laid back, extremely child friendly easy small / medium dog breed. Lab really doesn't suit as exercise requirements are high, we have tiny patio etc, small flat. The only dogs that really seem a good fit are dog, Frenchie, pug and whippet. Not overly keen on pugs but I do love whippets. On paper the best fit is the bulldog or Frenchie but I'm absolutely open to all suitable breeds and like I said am listening to all the advice given. Thanks

Have a look at a Havanese.

Until you said laid back I was going to suggest a Chinese crested for small dogs they are very active but more like cats in that they love to snuggle up in doors. Good with children etc. They will bark at the doorbell etc and are a little more highly strung in that regard but otherwise rather chilled. You can get hairless ones or ones with hair all over (powder puffs). They don't moult and are hypoallergenic too.

Not pugs, not french bulldogs, similar awful health issues. If people dont buy them then breeders wont breed them. Have a look at a puggle, beagle and pug cross. Exceptionally nice pets without the health problems.

Have you considered a Boston Terrier? They look like athletic bulldogs.

Please rescue an already existing, in need of a home, English bulldog, if you are wedded to the breed (I too find them adorable and my partner has rescued them for years). Please, do not contribute to the creation of more specimens of this breed, which really do suffer serious health problems, by buying a puppy.

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.

I know a lot of whippet owners who have cats as well. As long as they are introduced carefully when the whippet is a puppy, they should be fine.

One friend has several whippets, 3 cats and used to have a deerhound as well. Somewhere I have a lovely photo of some whippets and 2 of the cats all asleep on the sofa together.

Whippets are one of my favourite breeds and every whippet I've ever met has had a lovely temperament. They have loads of other advantages as well: they need no grooming (you can wipe them clean with a damp flannel!), they're generally free of health problems, they'll happily go for a long walk and equally happy with a 15 minute sprint and they lose a minimal amount of hair.

If I wasn't hopelessly addicted to lakeland terriers, I'd have one myself.

I would never, ever have a bulldog because I consider that the standard they are bred to amounts to cruelty. Imo the same applies to many of the brachycephalic breeds with regard to breathing problems, but bullies suffer dreadful skin problems, hip and heart problems as well. And did you know that they are often unable to mate or give birth naturally?

Just to discourage you further, you'll be wiping slobber off your walls, floors and furniture several times a day if you get one.

What about things like exercise (on lead/off lead, time, type), grooming requirements, any personal preferences etc.?

@longwayoff that is the worst suggestion on this thread so far. A cross breed can take after either parent or be anywhere on the scale in between. A beagle stuck in a pugs body is just cruel and cross breeds potentially have the inheritable flaws of both breeds. No reputable pug or beagle breeder would encourage this cross breeding and therefore "puggles" (aka overpriced cross breeds) are going to be coming from poorly bred parents who have owners who are only in it for the financial benefits rather than the health and well-being of the parents and puppies

(I've always had Scottish Terriers. They are the best of dogs, but stubborn and not family friendly. They bond to one person only and do not accept the notion of human superiority! I love them for those qualities, as they have SO much dignity, but they are definitely not an ideal family pet!)

If you don't mind spending time on grooming, a Tibetan terrier might suit (they're not actually a terrier, but I think were a droving breed or something initially). They're lovely with children, easy to train, have lovely temperament (often used as hearing dogs or pets as therapy dogs). They're athletic, but don't need long walks and will be happily with a good game in the garden or throwing a ball in the park.

You can reduce the need for grooming by having them clipped every couple of months - they look great with their coats short.

If you get one from a puppy, to a certain extent you can set the pace with exercise (building up slowly). Have a look at the parents' physique as they can vary hugely. I had a bulldog who could outrun my lab (although the lab was 7 or 8 at the time, but still). They aren't all gasping for air! French bulldogs tend to be more athletic though, in general.

OP, you sound lovely, and thoughtful, and some dog will be lucky to join your family.

I just want to add a few things.

MN and especially the Doghouse are very fierce wrt to acquiring a pet! Posters are largely anti-pedigree puppy, pro-Staffie/ greyhound/ lurcher rescue. Woe betide the person who acquires a puppy without its full family tree, bristling with health certs, having waited a decade a year for the litter and lined up a dogwalker, a trainer, a behaviourist and ideally moved to working from home so as never to be out of bark's reach. Posters are advised to adopt from a shelter but if they are unlucky enough to choose or have foisted on them a dog with unsuitable characteristics, they will also be heavily critiqued on this forum. In other words, it seems like if you buy a puppy, no amount of research is enough, but if you take on a rescue, no amount of hardship is excessive.

I'm not one of the anti-pedigree-at-all-costs people. I have an Irish setter because I wanted a good looking, gentle, non-barky and athletic medium to large dog, and I wanted to train from scratch. I have exactly what I wanted. Just be aware that breeders, irrespective of their credentials, love their breed, won't hear a word against it, are often not especially well informed and have a huge interest in persuading you to hand over a large amount of money for a dog. They will never, ever say "Ah yes, that's old Hatfield IV over there, bit of an old bastard really and all of his offspring have dubious temperaments too... yes, this is Crumpled Dinah, never got her eyes checked but hey, here's her hip scores, bet you won't notice the omission."

At the end of the day, we all want a dog to love who loves us, fits into our household, gets on with the other animals it encounters, is mentally and physically healthy and has a nice active sound life for twelve or fifteen years. There are lots of ways to achieve that. Buying a bulldog is definitely not one of them! But there are more breeds than you realise and so, so many cracking dogs of no breed at all.

I would advise getting an intelligent companion dog.

Bull breeds are stubborn and hard to train. Working dogs are alot of hard work and need masses of excersise and stimulation; terriers will terrorise your cats.

Poodle, havenese, Maltese, bichone, miniature schnauzer, King Charles all make lovley pets.

The very last thing I am is anti-pedigree, if anything I tend the opposite way (or certainly at least with regard to obtaining high-priced crossbreeds from puppy farms).

With the heatwave we've had, I've just spent enough time with my healthy pedigrees who will normally run for miles, making sure they are walked early and late, and keeping them comfortable in the heat.

Can't imagine how worrying the last couple of months would have been with a breed that struggled to get its breath at 5 degrees above freezing!

We have a cavalier king Charles. He is amazing. Best friend with the cat. Loves the kids. Can walk miles but isn't bothered if he doesn't. Trains beautifully and is happy left alone for a few hours. Have a look at them.

I have an olde English bulldog, we have had her since she was 2 year old. Her last owner said that all she did was sleep and was lazy. As soon as we got her we found out that she was very playful and energetic.
It turned out that the previous owner was lazy and did nothing with her.

We have had no health issues with her yet and she is nearly 4, however if you do go for a bulldog type breed I would suggest the dog has a lot of toys to chew as they are a very chewy breed.

Consider a Westie?
Cheeky, full of character and can go all day. Ive had fit active types with good skin though... so make enquiries as their skin can be a problem. Ive had several, all great with kids but trained and kids trained to behave with the dog as well. That is essential with any dogs!

Please dont get a brachy dog. They really shouldn't be bred like that. Its cruel. They have masses of health issues and a short life.

I wouldn’t. My mum has one. He will just decide he’s had enough walking after a while and lie down and refuse to move. He’s far too heavy to carry for long so they have to take a wagon out with them for when he gets tired of walking.
He’s not unfit and they even take him to a hydro pool once a week for additional exercise, he’s just lazy as hell

If you like the look of bulldogs get a Boxer. Best dogs in the world.