Finding Bulldog Breeders
Any Bulldog breeder can tell you about the charming personality of the sturdy, compact English Bulldog. The term Bulldog usually refers to the English version though there are also French and American Bulldog breeds. The English Bulldog is distinguishable by its short, stocky frame, its waddle, its wrinkled face and pug nose, and by its under-bite. English Bulldogs are also renowned for physical and personality traits such as drooling, snoring (loudly), gassiness, attention-getting behavior, and sense of humor.
More than one Bulldog breeder began to mix Bulldogs with smaller breeds to create a lap dog that could be an indoor family pet. This resulted in the current form of the English and French Bulldogs. Some European immigrants took their Bulldogs with them when immigrating to America. These Bulldogs would become the progenitors for the American Bulldog breed, which more closely resembles the Old English Bulldog.
Bulldog breeders are knowledgeable about all three varieties of Bulldog. Every good Bulldog breeder can relate the history, temperament, behavioral issues, social needs and common genetic disorders of the various Bulldog breeds. French and English Bulldogs have similar issues due to their small size. Both are prone to breathing problems including a reverse sneeze in which moisture becomes trapped in the windpipe.
European versions of the Bulldog often have respiratory problems due to their small bodies, flat faces and Pug noses. These versions also need help giving birth, usually by c-section, as puppies’ heads are too wide to be delivered naturally. The American Bulldog has a life expectancy of almost twice that of the European versions, but these larger dogs have their own set of behavioral, social and health issues.
Bulldogs buyers should approach Bulldog breeders with a list of questions. Good breeders will be able to provide extensive Bulldog information. Buyers should also expect Bulldog breeders to interview them to make sure they can adequately provide for Bulldog puppies.
A good Bulldog breeder will not sell puppies to pet stores. It is important that dog buyers purchase Bulldogs from certified, loving breeders who maintain their own kennels. Puppy brokers, backyard breeders and pet stores buy and sell puppies like any other merchandise with no guarantee on puppy health or lineage. An alternative to buying direct from a breeder is buying from a breed-specific rescue center.
The most important thing for buyers to know about Bulldog breeders is that good breeders never sell to pet stores. Any purebred dog breeder, like the Bulldog breeder, loves the breed and treats animals like family members, not merchandise. Due to the high price that can be fetched for purebred puppies, some breeders run illegal puppy mills, which are operations in purebred dogs are bred constantly to produce multiple litters to sell at auction. Dogs in puppy mills are mistreated. They are bred incessantly without regard to their health, kept caged with no exercise or play, and receive little human contact.
If you use this list when interviewing potential Bulldog breeders you will surely find a reputable, experienced breeder from which to purchase your next pet.
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