Bulldog Advice Column
The Bulldog Club of America’s (BCA) position continues to be that the breed in the right hands has proved through many decades to be healthy, normal companions for thousands of owners who have chosen Bulldogs as their preferred breed.
We learn early what a negative thing this can be. Easy to count the faults. In fact, it’s one of the first things we learn.. especially the obvious faults. Some other issues take some practice and study to pick up on.
But I believe this mantra is often taken way out of context.
We’ve seen the quotes from famous dog people cautioning against fault judging, and that’s fine. Speaking from a level of expertise, this resonates with people who understand the concept of the statement.
Recent results from research funded by the AKC Canine Health Foundation have the potential to significantly impact recommendations for spaying and neutering dogs in the United States. Most dogs in the United States are spayed or neutered, and for years the procedures have been completed prior to maturity. The study, published in the prominent, open access journal PLOS One, suggests that veterinarians should be more cautious about the age at which they spay and neuter in order to protect the overall health of dogs.
Why do people recommend choosing a breeder who shows their dogs to folks who are just looking for a pet and have no interest in showing? Why should breeding to breed standard be important to a pet home? Does it seem excessive, or “snobby”? It’s not, and here’s why. Dog shows are a means of evaluating dogs against the breed standard, to evaluate soundness, movement/gait, type, and temperament.
A 9 week old puppy has been alive for 63 days. He is leaving everything familiar and safe, then brought to a home where everything is new...sights, sounds, smells, new people and new surroundings that he doesn't understand yet.
Let me say a few words to you, yes you, the person who writes an email to simply ask the price. The person who calls and after hearing a price surprisingly states: “I can buy a cheaper pup elsewhere”. I also address you; the person who doesn’t care about papers because I want “just a pet”. Behind every pure bred puppy/dog is a BREEDER. I’m using capital letters to differentiate a breeder from a pet factory or mill. A reputable breeder does not breed dogs without papers, that does not protect the integrity of the breed.
Quality food is a must for skin problems, no corn wheat or soy, no grains at all in some cases. Quality foods have brown rice, pea flour, rice flour, all fillers are grain free. White rice is not as good but acceptable unless you are trying to eliminate all sugars. Omega 3 is important for good skin. Supplementing like Vit E or fish oil including Cod liver oil, can be taken very successfully also. Just remember dogs need twice as much supplement as humans because of their metabolism.
The Bulldog Club of America is profoundly dismayed regarding the breeding and registration changes, adopted by the Raad van Beheer (the Kennel Club of the Netherlands) relative to certain breeds, which include the Bulldog. The Raad van Beheer recently made the changes to comply with mandates from the Dutch government. The stated reason for the changes is to improve the health and welfare of various breeds; however, the decision appears to be based on selected research, often not evidence based.
Pets are susceptible to some types of coronavirus, but there is currently only limited evidence that domestic animals can get sick from this novel form[1]. A cat in Belgium, a tiger at Bronx Zoo tested positive and were showing symptoms[3][12] while two asymptomatic dogs in China tested positive; one has since died of unknown causes.
