Cross Breeds

What should I look for in an English bulldog puppy before buying it?

I have always wanted an English bulldog and finally my fiance and I have decided to get one. I understand that bulldogs have lots of health issues but I was wondering if there were any signs to look for before purchasing a puppy.

Public Comments

1. I don't have an English Bulldog, but my best friend has had three. My advice would be to check out the breeder, check out the facitilities, are the dogs nice and clean? All the dogs should appear lovable and very sociable. Take a look at the parents, ask to see the pups parents health certificates and vet records, ask or the vets number and give him a call. (Any reputable breeder, despite the dog breed should have NO problem giving you this info.) Also, a good breeder will give you 24-72 hours to get the pup checked out at your own vet and if there are any expensive or life threatening conditions, a good breeder will offer to pay for them, OR replace the puppy. Hope this helps, and good luck with the puppy search! English Bullies are some of the sweetest and most adorable dogs. (other tha APBT's that is. lol!)
2. A thing to watch out for is puppy mill puppies. Those will surely have a lot of health and social problems. Don't breed or buy while shelter pets die. www.petfinder.com http://stoppuppymills.org/
3. Sure. Find the Vet you are going to be using first, and ask him/her this question. If you have a breeder's in your area, start a conversation, long before actually looking. Same applies to finding a breeder outside your area if needed. You can also check breed specific rescues that are close, to see if they have a good fit for you. Good conversation before looking is important, because most people get caught up in the excitement of getting a dog, and buy on impulse, later realizing that they don't have the many answers needed to make a good decision. I raise French Bulldogs, but know those in different parts of the states who are involved with English. If you would like more info., just send me an e-mail, and I will be happy to put together a list of things to look for, and will be happy to check with friends for a possible referral in your area. Here's a cool site to check out. bulldogbeauty.com Best of luck to you.
4. Brittany had a lot of good ideas. I wanted to add that even if you buy from a good breeder, bulldogs can cost a fortune to maintain. Bulldogs are extremely popular in my area, and the local rescue has taken over 40 out of the shelter in the last year. The number reason for surrender was because the owner couldn't or wouldn't pay for health care. Not only can the veterinary bills be high, but the time you have to invest in taking proper care of a bulldog can be extensive, especially if you have one with allergies or skin disorders. Many people also get bulldogs thinking that they are getting a calm, laid back dog. This is not true, most can be fairly energetic, and they can be stubborn and require firm training. Don't get me wrong, I love bulldogs. I have 2 English and 2 French. On an average day in my clinic I see 2-3 bulldogs. But I also see the ones that people don't want anymore because they are too much work, or they cost too much to care for. You just really need to do alot of thinking and make sure that you have the time and money to care for your bulldog before you get one. Good luck
5. Here's a link that has a wealth of information on bulldogs: http://www.thebca.org/ If you click on the links to the left, they will give you a run-down on what to look for. Please take your time and find a reputable breeder!! They are very expensive dogs and it's heartrbreaking to see a young pup with a congenital defect that's not apparent and only discovered by the vet's stethoscope or x-ray. A decent breeder will take the puppy back--a pet store won't. Also, as odd as it may seem, the purchase price of a good dog from a good breeder is usually less than a pet store. Good luck! They are great dogs and total clowns.
6. I'm a bulldog breeder and here's what I always tell people. you want a dog that is bright eyes and high energy (bulldogs tend to be hyper for about 20 to 25 min then get wore out) they should be interested in people and want love from everyone, anything otherwise may be due to abuse. You want a dog that is steady on his legs (sometimes puppies have what are called swimmer's legs which just means their legs are weak, it can be fixed over time but it shows that the breeder may not be very experianced with the breed or not very reputable. Bull dogs tend to be fat and sturdy, robust is what you want. look for big paws, deep chest broad shoulders and a square head. also theres a fat wrinkle that should go over the nose, we call them nose ropes, if theres not one, its not purebred. Also steer clear of brown or liver colored noses, if you ever wanted to show the puppy that is an automatic disqualification. also try to stay away from pure whites, they have so many skin issues and they have been inbred badly. I hope this helps and please feel free to ask me any questions. my email is krystalhulsey@yahoo.com and I've been around bulldog breeding all my life and have my own kennel. I would be happy to help.