Thread: English Bulldogs

Originally Posted by georgej

What about American Bulldogs, do they fair any better?

I had an American Bulldog and loved him. They are a totally different breed than English though in terms of temperament. They aren't the lovable little fuzz ball that the English Bulldog is by nature, but if properly socialized can be great around people. If you're not an experienced dog owner that's good at training and managing a dog that could be lethal, I'd recommend getting something other than an American Bulldog. Don't get me wrong, they are great; however, if you don't socialize him you'll have your hands full.

They aren't as bad as Pits, but they get bigger...

In terms of health, the are a bit better IME.

FWIW, I'm now a Boxer kind of guy

Originally Posted by richmondesi

I had an American Bulldog and loved him. They are a totally different breed than English though in terms of temperament. They aren't the lovable little fuzz ball that the English Bulldog is by nature, but if properly socialized can be great around people. If you're not an experienced dog owner that's good at training and managing a dog that could be lethal, I'd recommend getting something other than an American Bulldog. Don't get me wrong, they are great; however, if you don't socialize him you'll have your hands full.

They aren't as bad as Pits, but they get bigger...

In terms of health, the are a bit better IME.

FWIW, I'm now a Boxer kind of guy

+1
Correct me if I'm wrong, but i believe that most strains of bulldog are from the mastif family, with English Bulldogs being the furthest removed from their "working" roots.... and I'll tell ya, when Lilly is playing tug of war, it is very intimidating. This is a dog that wouldn't hurt a fly (unless it was a chihuauahu) but she is STUBbORN and strong. And also is a very much an alpha bitch. Her self-confidence and assurance are incredible. I could not imagine dealing with her if she had a mean streak. Other breeds of bulldog are less removed from their working roots and subsequantly tend to have more aggressive tendencies. Socialization is incredibly important with all bulldogs, especially "fighting" breeds. Plus there is social stigma: all things being equal, the bully will always get the rap! That makes it doubly important that your bully is well trained/socialized. We do not ever allow our Buldog off-leash, even in dog parks, partly for that reason, and partly because she does NOT like small dogs. She loves kids though (especially with a pinch of salt)

I'm not sure about the distance from working roots to any degree of certainty; however, the rumor is that American Bulldogs were breed into existence to get back to the type of dog that earned Bulldogs that fierce reputation (a story shared by other breeds IIRC).

I know that American Bulldogs are a favored "catch" dog by hog hunters who use dogs only to catch hogs (no knives or guns, just dogs and a rope), and they are VERY impressive in that setting.

Yes, exactly. that's what i was clumsily trying to say. English bull dogs are a very long ways away from the working bulldogs of the 19th century. Very much domesticated... but they share the traits of stuborness, loyalty, protectivness and confidence the mastiff familyis so well known for.

As much as a couch potato as ours is, there are times when you can SEE the "bull" part of it. It can be a little blood chilling. I've thought at times that she's nothing so much as a "cute" pitbull. Those traits are still there... at times.
Thank God she's such a marshmallow!

Originally Posted by richmondesi

I know that American Bulldogs are a favored "catch" dog by hog hunters who use dogs only to catch hogs (no knives or guns, just dogs and a rope), and they are VERY impressive in that setting.

Wow! I'd love to see that! Not that I'm surprised at all, but man, pigs are mean, strong animals. (but then so are bulls) That would be an epic fight! I wouldn't want to go up against a wild one armed only with a dog though.
I'm surprised PETA isn't all over that.
I'm off to youtube!

If you get the dog from a reputable breeder you'll be ok. If you get a rescue follow advice already given and read up on them. My mom brought home a rescue dog(rescued from a cousin) on a whim and she discovered first hand just how stubborn an English Bulldog can be.

They really are loving and gentle dogs. This one had been dragged through hell by his ears it seemed like. He was severely under weight, bloody-infected wounds on the neck, cigarette burns and what we think might be a bullet wound in the meat of his hind leg(NOT done by the cousin)... yet he has never done anything other than snuggle and attempt to play lap dog.

The things you have to worry about most are there stubborn nature and the fact that they don't know how wide, big boned, and heavy they are. Heat is also a big issue. They can be rather sensitive to heat and cold. Educate yourself well on emergency cool down procedures(also have vet emergency # on hand) and how to keeping them warm.

I've had to do the former once and it is quite scary, prevention is best by far.

HA haha...YouTube - Illigal hog hunting training school for american bulldogs