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Bulldogs => Bulldog Discussion & Pictures => : peytons mama February 25, 2008, 09:20:38 AM

: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: peytons mama February 25, 2008, 09:20:38 AM
darrin really wants an english bulldog and i want to possibly surprise him with one for christmas. by then we will have a fence and he will be making more money!!! yey! (to pay for vets and all) and i want to search breeders but don't even know where to begin. lots of them seem to be scams online. help! thanks!

oh, and do you think they (bulldog and peyton) will be a good match from what you already know of peyton i mean.
: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: Nicole February 25, 2008, 11:44:29 PM
We aren't supposed to post breeders on here, I just thought I would let you know. :) So, if anyone knows of any, they would have to PM you.

I would also like to recommend rescue.

And, I'm sure you know, but it never hurts to mention anyway. English bulldogs are not only an investment in the dog itself, but in maintaining the dog's health. They are one of the most high-maintenence dogs in terms of health issues. They have respiratory issues, eye issues, skin issues and joint issues. The poor guys have been bred to look a certain way, which creates a lot of stress on their poor little bodies!!! Just be prepared. One of the main reasons these guys end up in rescue is because they end up with a health problem that the owners just can't afford.

Really look at the true cost of owning one of these little dudes. They're a heap of money.
: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: People Whisperer February 25, 2008, 11:50:35 PM
I have heard that they can't be bred naturally and it brings a puppy to a $3,000 average  :o
: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: Nicole February 25, 2008, 11:52:52 PM
I think that the actual breeding can happen naturally, but due to the hip structure of the dogs, they cannot deliver vaginally. Every delivery must be a c-section.
: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: peytons mama February 26, 2008, 01:56:37 AM
We did research on them about a year ago, before we got Peyt and found that we couldn't afford one (we could the dog but not the proper care for one) but now with darrin's new job, he believes he would be able to pay for it all. I would be taking care of it for the majority though. I (as in ME) have looked into cross breeds of english bulldogs because of the health benefits of them. I would actually really enjoy getting a rescue. But, it's darrin's final vote. He doesn't really see rescues as an option though. He had a bad run in with one. The whole not knowing the background relationships with humans got in the way of learning to know the animal. ya know?!

but...good to know about not being able to post actual names! :) thanks!

: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: Nicole February 26, 2008, 02:15:05 AM
I understand the fear of not knowing the background of the animal. However, you really never know what you are getting. There have been countless stories here on BPO with purebred dogs with long pedigrees having issues that nobody could have anticipated.

My thoughts are, any dog can have problems. Why spend the HUGE amount of money to get a pedigreed, purebred dog that could just as likely have problems as a rescue, when I could rescue a poor pupper in need. But, like I said, those are just my thoughts.

Any dog needs training and love. You'll have to put that time and effort even into a new pup that you bought from a breeder. With a rescue, you may have to do a bit of rehabilitation, but is that really any more work than housebreaking, dealing with chewing, obedience training, etc? Also, many rescues, particularly purebred rescues, don't adopt out until they have had time to professionally assess the temperment and background of each dog. They usually are very careful to match the dog with an appropriate family.

I'm just saying that I wouldn't rule it out, and I would make all of these points to your hubby. ITs just so sad when you hear of people spending THOUSANDS on a dog, expecting that the money will buy them certainty and security, and then having the dog have problems anyway.

Some other thoughts...hav e you looked into American bulldogs? They're larger than the English, but they have FAR less health problems. They are one of my favorite breeds. I also think that the Olde English Bulldogge has far less health problems, but I know they're kind of rare. There is a woman up here (in Northern Indiana) that does Olde English rescue, I think, though.

Good luck. I'm not trying to dissuade you. I'm just putting out all of the things that I've come across with this breed and pertaining to rescue in general.
: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: peytons mama February 26, 2008, 02:21:56 AM
oh i love american bulldogs! and thank you thank you for suggesting OE bulldogs. I never really thought about that. i would LOVE to rescue them all, but again, darrin has the final vote. and i have already argued that purebread dogs can have just as many problems as rescued. but...he is "bull headed" ;D about it. all i can do is do my part of the research. we keep looking at other dogs in pet stores and such but they are all "mutts" and he doesn't want to help the "not so professional" breeders who sell to pet stores out by spending $700 on a mutt! he used other words, i just made them a little more nicer! :)

anyway, again thanks for you help.
: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: Nicole February 26, 2008, 05:00:34 AM
I agree with your hubby about not buying pups from petstores! Totally bad news. You want to help those little guys so bad, but it just supports puppy mills and back yard breeders.

When I say rescue, I truly mean a reputable, tax-exempt, federally recognized pure-bred rescue. Not just independently helping out a petstore pup on your own. (Just wanted to clarify there)

: Re: is there any english bulldog owners in indianapolis?
: VdogLover February 26, 2008, 01:05:22 PM
To find a good Bulldog I would start here... http://thebca.org/breedref.html

And as others have said they are a breed that is loaded with health issues so be sure to not only have the 1500+ to purchase the pup but a few extra $$ set aside for possible needed vet car such as cherry eyes and skin problems.