Bulldogs

After a few years without a dog, I am ready to get a new dog/puppy. I plan to get either an English or French Bulldog. Does anyone here have (or had) either? What has your experience been like?

Can anyone recommend a quality breeder on the west coast?

 

 

After a few years without a dog, I am ready to get a new dog/puppy. I plan to get either an English or French Bulldog. Does anyone here have (or had) either? What has your experience been like?

Can anyone recommend a quality breeder on the west coast?

I think you're looking at drastically different temperaments. They aren't quite as interchangeable as implied.

Both are very cool. English have more health related and skin issues and are of coarse larger dogs. French are big personality in a small package. Both breeds require research on the parents before jumping in. Love the blue frenchies.

I love English and French bulldogs. I personally own two Bostons. Bostons are half English bulldogs. They are high energy dogs. That's the only reason I wanted a Boston over a English or French bulldog. English and French bulldogs are very low energy. Depending what your looking for that might be a good thing.

I had an English Bully, great dogs. If I get another one it would be a Frenchy. They are smaller, easier to pick up, less health issues,etc. But you cant go wrong with either choice.

Frenchie for sure. Cuter ears and at least a bit more energy. The boston would be healthier again If you like them.

Get both, they compliment each other...

Get a mini English. I have one and he's awesome. No health issues and he is a beast.

He attracts a lot girls too.

Frenchies have hip issues

This is Maggie. She was the runt of the litter and has stayed fairly small. She's built like a little brick though. Weighs 40lbs and this is how she spends most of her time... That of course is when she's not sleeping, snoring or farting. Her stomach is never full and will eat her food... And then the other dogs and cats if its within her reach LOL

She's got a sweet temperament and just wants lots of loves.

I've always had large dogs.. Dobermans, German Shepards an now the wolf hybrid I have and she couldn't be anymore opposite in every way then the others.

She's a great animal if you want a pet that just sits around and you rub it

 

 

My roommate has a Boston. Oddly enough my Italian greyhound is a few inches taller but only weighs about 15 pounds compared to his 40ish. I'll try to snap a picture later.

Get a mini English. I have one and he's awesome. No health issues and he is a beast.

 

+eleventy billion!

 

We have a mini English and he's been completely trouble-free (if you over look the obvious snoring, farting, etc).

 

It seems most of the health related problems common to the normal English bulldog can be attributed to breeding the dogs to be characters of themselves - bigger bodies, short legs, bigger heads, more wrinkles... All make for the quintessential bulldog-look, but also contribute significantly to their common health problems.

 

With the minis, everything's brought down a notch or two... When we're out walking and encounter another full size English, I'll comment that they're the same height, but my guy's half as wide. This means he can run up and down the stairs, get on and off the sofa, in and out of the car, last longer than 20 mins on a walk, though is content enough if we don't get out more than a couple times a week.

 

They really are the best of both worlds - silly face and disposition, but still "athletic" enough to have some fun with.

 

We dealt with a breeder outside of Cleveland and have been happy for almost five years so far. We're actually expecting another puppy that will be born in a couple weeks. Happy to put you in touch if you'd like...

...as far as bulldogs farting being a prob, we fixed it by switching to an "ocean" formula. It's organic and doesn't have any chicken or chicken byproducts. Mostly salmon. Whole Foods stocks it. Here is a puppy pic.

After a few years without a dog, I am ready to get a new dog/puppy. I plan to get either an English or French Bulldog. Does anyone here have (or had) either? What has your experience been like?

Can anyone recommend a quality breeder on the west coast?

 

I've owned both breeds. To Ali's point the English bulldog has a greater likelihood of health issues.

Bubba (pic attached) was referred to as the $20,000 dog. He was in and out of vet's monthly (Hernia's, Ear infections, Skin issues etc..). Keep in mind we purchased him from a top breeder in Northern California so there's really no guarantees . It's just a breed that is prone to health issues. That being said he was an amazing dog, Bubba stopped traffic everywhere we went. Such a docile, and loving pup. After Bubba passed we decided to go with a Frenchy.

We purchased Wally from a local breeder in San Diego (bigbulldogs.com) and we've have had zero issues after 10 months. He's an absolute blast and my wife is smitten with him. The Fenchy has very similar personality traits as the English Bulldog which i love but has none of the downside (health issues, heavy shedding, stinky etc

 

My vote goes to the Frenchy.

 

Good luck!

 

I've owned both breeds. To Ali's point the English bulldog has a greater likelihood of health issues.

Bubba (pic attached) was referred to as the $20,000 dog. He was in and out of vet's monthly (Hernia's, Ear infections, Skin issues etc..). Keep in mind we purchased him from a top breeder in Northern California so there's really no guarantees . It's just a breed that is prone to health issues. That being said he was an amazing dog, Bubba stopped traffic everywhere we went. Such a docile, and loving pup. After Bubba passed we decided to go with a Frenchy.

We purchased Wally from a local breeder in San Diego (bigbulldogs.com) and we've have had zero issues after 10 months. He's an absolute blast and my wife is smitten with him. The Fenchy has very similar personality traits as the English Bulldog which i love but has none of the downside (health issues, heavy shedding, stinky etc

 

My vote goes to the Frenchy.

 

Good luck!

 

Bulldogs.... Stubborn, lazy, not so smart, slobber, fart, lots of health issues, do not live long.

Frenchies- much more personality, higher energy, less health issues and live longer.

 

Also, not insulting anyones dogs, as I love them all. Also, there are exceptions to each case.. Have met the sweetest and most adorable bulldogs, and the most obnoxious of Frenchies. Just a generalised observation of both breeds.

I have a Frenchie. He is 7 years old and GREAT with my kids (ages 5 & 2). Super mellow, big personality, and love him to death. We unfortunately purchased him via the internet and just saw pictures of him and his parents. The negatives, he did have health issues. When we got him, he was a runt. When he grew (at about 9 months, his throat stayed small and he would get winded just from brief walks. So he went in and an xray showed he had the throat the size of a cat.) So, $12k later in surgery at a specialist, 3 days of ICU, he had his palate shaved, nostrils widened, throat cut, and was put on a strict diet to ensure he never got over weight. It pretty much saved his life or else he'd seizure from any overheating as he could not breath otherwise as he got older and bigger. Bottom line, just like other have stated, VISIT in person a breeder and see the parents from a reputable breeder. I do not regret getting Brutus as he is an awesome dog and am thankful he came to me as we had the resources to give him the care he needed. Otherwise, he would have ended up like many Frenchies I see that get donated to rescues because people cannot spend money on a dog that has such needs.

 

PS if you are in the SF bay area, we are members of a French Bulldog club that has meet ups on the last sunday of every month. Usually, up to 20-30 Frenchies of all sizes/ages/colors meet and sometimes breeder do come with pups. PM if that could work for you to see them.

Everything above is spot on. My guy Boomer has had his share of health issues, the biggest being luxating patella surgery on his back leg. They are awesome dogs though with tons of personality and the health issues are part of the deal. I take Boomer anywhere I can. Loves the car, swims in Lake Michigan with a life vest, and gets a lot of attention anywhere we go.

 

 

Thanks for all the pics and comments. As much as I love the look of English Bulldogs, we decided to go with a French Bulldog, as it suits us better. We have been keeping track of a top breeder and expect to get a puppy from their upcoming September litter. The father is a Grand Champion.

Wish we could have both and English and a French, but for now we will start with a Frenchie.