British Bulldog Breeder

[SaddleNotIncluded]

Mod: If this type of question is not allowed, please delete.

I have a family member who is actively seeking a British Bulldog breeder in Australia. Victoria region preferred.

They are a couple who have two cats and a 7 year old son. They are trying to find a breeder that has children and/or cats raised with the adults and pups.

The 7 year old is a really good kid, he interacts very well with my lot, very gentle and doesn't push boundaries. I believe he's recently done a dog safety class at his school.

Their only other dog was a Stafford, who sadly passed on early last year, so they have experience with bull breeds. The cats got on tremendously with the Staffy, so I don't there'll be any issues there.

They've looked online for themselves, and I've had a quick search on my time off, but we both had the same issue. Not many breeders have updated their sites in years, and most don't have recent contact details.

If anybody has a recommendation for a breeder that I can pass along, I'd appreciate it!

[Dogsfevr]

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/event-diary/display.asp?event=2629

Best to attend there dog show next month

[SaddleNotIncluded]

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/event-diary/display.asp?event=2629

Best to attend there dog show next month

Thank you very much! Appreciate it

[zeebie]

I suggest lots of research before buying this breed they have many and varied problems being true brachecephalic breeds and this is someothing a lot of new owners do not understand about care of face and neck folds, importance of keeping cool (head start if in victoria), they over heat very quickly

They are usually very good with temperament providing right breeding and puppy raising etc.

A close family member has one and he is excellent with nephews and neices and other dogs and cats, bit whimpy if anything, He weighs 30kg at 3yrs of age and so not a light dog when he jumps and boy can he propel himself straight up off ground he can knock people over easily if not expecting this behaviour. he is also very excitable when he meets my dogs and being small breeds has sometimes nearly injured them with his huge front paws very unintentional just exhuberance, but if the primary carer is going to be walking this dog they need to understand how strong they can be, they are pure muscle.

There is a breeder in QLD who I would throughly recommend her dogs are excellent temperaments, well socialised pups and good breed lines and she will orgaise interstate sales. Also the family looking at purchasing this breed may not realise they come with quite a hefty price tag

If they are set on this type of breed maybe a French Bulldog would be better.

[hankdog]

I think frenchies come with about the same price tag. I would definitely say buy from a registered breeder with a good reputation only. They are a phenomenally strong dog and don't be fooled by their looks, they are smart. I reckon mine takes 5 minutes to learn but takes 5 weeks to weigh up the consequences of changing his behavior. Big warning though, once you've had one you'll want another. They have their own special magic.

[SaddleNotIncluded]

I suggest lots of research before buying this breed they have many and varied problems being true brachecephalic breeds and this is someothing a lot of new owners do not understand about care of face and neck folds, importance of keeping cool (head start if in victoria), they over heat very quickly

They are usually very good with temperament providing right breeding and puppy raising etc.

A close family member has one and he is excellent with nephews and neices and other dogs and cats, bit whimpy if anything, He weighs 30kg at 3yrs of age and so not a light dog when he jumps and boy can he propel himself straight up off ground he can knock people over easily if not expecting this behaviour. he is also very excitable when he meets my dogs and being small breeds has sometimes nearly injured them with his huge front paws very unintentional just exhuberance, but if the primary carer is going to be walking this dog they need to understand how strong they can be, they are pure muscle.

There is a breeder in QLD who I would throughly recommend her dogs are excellent temperaments, well socialised pups and good breed lines and she will orgaise interstate sales. Also the family looking at purchasing this breed may not realise they come with quite a hefty price tag

If they are set on this type of breed maybe a French Bulldog would be better.

I talked to them a lot about the BB as I'm quite a fancier of them and they're top of my 'one day' list, and they are very much prepared for one. Since it's a public forum I won't detail, but they can quite easily afford the initial price and I know they still have a generous amount left in Sassy's (Rainbow Bridge Stafford) vet bills account.

I estimated setting aside about $5000 for purchase price, which is easily affordable for them.

I'm pretty confident that they would be good owners of the breed. Sass had DA and food guarding issues that they managed with a private trainer, so they have about 6 years experience in that area. I know most bull breeds *can* have issues along those lines, and they'd prefer a male, so a bit more common I believe.

Sass weighed barely anything, and I've heard bullies can be little freight trains when they get the momentum up :laugh: That will take some getting used to, especially for the poor cats! They have a long wood floored hallway, Sass and the cats would barrel up and down it playing swat/bitey face. A bullie would just shoot right through into the loungeroom after a run up like that! :laugh:

I'd love it if you could PM me the breeder's details, and I'll pass them along so they can call/email and talk to her personally.

I'll suggest a Frenchie, thanks :)

[*kirty*]

Also tell them to put aside money for health issues - entropion surgery, cherry eye surgery, airway surgery... Love the breed but far out they have their fair share of issues.

[WreckitWhippet]

My suggestion is to forget about searching in Vic only and to look at pups from other states. The last time I made a suggestion for a breeder it was Bostonlakes and the new owner has not been disappointed with their dog.

[Salukifan]

If I was looking, I'd start with Eddybul BB's here in the ACT. Good sound dogs from what I can see.

[Bullbreedlover]

There are a huge amount of breeders out there both British and French. I would also suggest looking at different States. If you find a breeder be prepared to be asked a lot of questions.

Bulldogs and frenchies CAN have some health issues "kirty" Just like many other breeds can. The key here is finding a responsible breeder with the welfare of the breed at heart.

Bulldogs can be very expensive to purchase. Over the years(and I have been owned by this breed for many years) the price has increased dramatically as every Tom Dick and Harry jump on the band wagon to make a few dollars. Sadly they seem to of left the health of the Bulldog behind.

[*kirty*]

Sorry but while I agree that all dogs can have health problems, Bulldogs are one of those that tend to have more than their fair share. As I said, I love them (and my MIL has two Frenchies) but you can't deny that owners should be prepared for future vet bills. Its why insurance companies often charge a premium to insure Bulldogs.

[Bullbreedlover]

Sorry but while I agree that all dogs can have health problems, Bulldogs are one of those that tend to have more than their fair share. As I said, I love them (and my MIL has two Frenchies) but you can't deny that owners should be prepared for future vet bills. Its why insurance companies often charge a premium to insure Bulldogs.

Shakes ones head and hopes you never own a Bulldog. Clearly your experience with them is far from being truly informed. In over 30 years of owning Bulldogs and yes French Bulldogs too for 8 years, I know of many breeds who spend more time at the vet than my Bulldogs ever have.

I am not saying they wont have vet bills but you make it sound as if they are all at the vets every week.

[*kirty*]

I work in a vet clinic and see them every single day. I'm not knocking the breed, but can you honestly say they aren't prone to eye problems and airway problems? If its not true, why does it cost more to insure them? I have Iggies - they are prone to broken legs. Its a fact of life if you own an Iggy, be prepared to pay to mend breaks. Rotties are prone to cancer. Not knocking any of them, but people should be prepared. We see people all the time who have saved to buy an expensive pedigree dog but can't afford the surgery it needs to fix its entropion.

[minimax]

I work in a vet clinic and see them every single day. I'm not knocking the breed, but can you honestly say they aren't prone to eye problems and airway problems? If its not true, why does it cost more to insure them? I have Iggies - they are prone to broken legs. Its a fact of life if you own an Iggy, be prepared to pay to mend breaks. Rotties are prone to cancer. Not knocking any of them, but people should be prepared. We see people all the time who have saved to buy an expensive pedigree dog but can't afford the surgery it needs to fix its entropion.

I'm surely poorly bred ones are more prone to health issues, like poorly bred any breeds (especially brachy breeds). But global statements like all BB's have a lot of health issues isn't necessarily correct.

Of course working in a vet clinic you see the dogs with health problems - I know I don't take my dogs to the vet when they are healthy and I doubt many other people do either, so your view might be a bit skewed :)

[*kirty*]

Where did I say they all had problems?? I said the breed can be prone to problems. The following pages were written by Bulldog people. I honestly don't know why people have to be so defensive. Labrador people recognised their breed was prone to HD so they work to improve it. They don't deny that Labs are prone to it though?

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/information/british-bulldog.asp

http://www.rochdaleshowbulldogs.net/BulldogHealth.html

[Bullbreedlover]

Where did I say they all had problems??

Also tell them to put aside money for health issues - entropion surgery, cherry eye surgery, airway surgery... Love the breed but far out they have their fair share of issues.

Well, this is what you said!

You make out you love the breed, but then have no problem rubbishing the breed.

Maybe breeders are so defensive because of people like yourself portray the breed as being so unhealthy. You say that you see Bulldogs in the clinic you work in, every single day. If these dogs are so unhealthy(in your professional opinion ) then what is the clinic advising to the clients. Just exactly what are the issues you see every single day? Yes I know you have listed some, but please, humour me and be more specific. Does your surgery do these proceedures every single day and what other breeds does the clinic see with these same problems.

In my time of working in a large vet surgery, not only did I see purebred dogs of all breeds with some issues but also crossbred dogs as well.

Of course vet clinics will see Bulldogs with some issues, and yes some will be inherited disorders, just as they see other breeds with issues.

My 2 year old boy has been to the vet twice as a baby for normal routine dog issues. Has never been back again. My bitch has been to the vet once since she came to me 6 months ago and that was for a routine blood test to check thyroid etc. Heck my dogs must be so genetically unhealthy.

[Bjelkier]

If I was looking, I'd start with Eddybul BB's here in the ACT. Good sound dogs from what I can see.

I put another vote in for these guys. Their dogs are lovely

[*kirty*]

I completely agree that any dog can have issues, but some breeds are more prone to health concerns than others. If someone told me they wanted to buy a Great Dane, I'd tell them to put money aside in case of bloat. An iggy, money for broken bones. All brachycephalic dogs are prone to airway problems - that's why any vet will consider any brachy dog to be a high anaesthetic risk. Brachy breeds are over-represented at my work for eye conditions - entropion, cherry eye, scrolled third eyelid cartilage, extra eyelashes, etc. We had a Bulldog in today, two in yesterday and one having surgery tomorrow. I'm not sure what you mean by 'what do we advise our clients'. We don't have any prejudice against any breed - in fact we all love having Bulldogs come in because they are such awesome dogs. :) Another eye clinic once told me that Pugs and Bulldogs represented over half their patients. I know for a fact that many breeders are working hard to correct these issues, but not all of them are. It can also just be bad luck.

I did a little experiment and checked insurance premiums for a Kelpie x vs a British Bulldog. Insurance companies charge more for breeds that they believe will cost them more. Its not a breed bias, its based on research they have done. Sorry but I think people should be prepared. Its why I insured my IG because I couldn't afford to pay thousands if she broke her leg.

Petplan Kelpie x

Petplan British Bulldog

RSPCA Kelpie x

RSPCA British Bulldog

[dekadent]

I pick up my new little lady on Friday, it took me 18 months to obtain my girl & she's well worth the wait. I started out attending shows, I spoke to breeders, I did research online, my advice, go to the shows, speak to the breeders & see who you - or the family looking for a bulldog - click with, you'll find one you like & you will get a puppy eventually, but it may take a while, there are shows most weekends & although there aren't always bulldogs showing, there usually are, good luck with your search.

Oh & I'm in Melbourne

[hankdog]

Oh and I do hope we will get to see photos! How exciting! Please!

Edited April 30, 2013 by hankdog