It is VILE!!! I used to love watching Crufts but as the breeding got worse and worse to get these dogs to the grotesque state they are today I banned it from being watched in my house!! It is just as cruel as if they beat them everyday!! there is NOTHING absolutely NOTHING attractive about these dogs at all and I blame KC and Crufts for this !! the whole charade should be banned!! BEST in BREED !!!!! RUBBISH!! these poor animals are SUFFERING to be made to fit the bill ...........hate hate hate it!!!!!
how dare you insult them they are not grotesque, they have beautiful faces, & lovely temprements, they do not have bulbous eyes, or have to have their eyelids cut so they can see, they do not get matted coats as their owners can groom them, nor problems such as hip dysplasia, reed my post on part one about my very fit rescue Bulldogs before you believe the hype, & please take the time to look at the breed in it's true light, mine were average of 12 years old when they died not 6 like the anti Bulldog brigade will have you believe, & I'm sure you are a dog owner, & I would never be so callous as to call your dogs vile or your child which as I am disabled my Bulldogs have been my substitute children, & I am proud to have been owned by all 3 of my energetic non breathing problem-ed Bulldogs, & I look forward to many more Bulldogs in my life!!!
Caroline, the dog's don't understand insults love. Why do you feel you have to defend them from perceived insults? This is anthropomorphism in the extreme. These dog's are physically disadvantaged. They have been bred to the point of deformity, this is the issue here. For goodness sake they can not breathe properly. And each to their own as to what is ugly and beautiful -it is in the eye of the beholder. The point is the dog's physical health is compromised. How can you defend this if you purport to love these dog's so much? I don't understand! Jeez.....t
Caroline, nobody is insulting what you love. Of course you love the creature inside, the personality, the dog´s mind! That´s what we all do, isn´t it? It´s not insulting, it´s being defensive of the lovable creature inside the body, to say that the body should be easy and comfortable for it to live in. My little grandson developed severe asthma recently. Is it insulting to him to say it? I bloody HATE his asthma, I HATE what it does to him, I HATE to hear him fighting to breathe. I do! Do you think I hate the child? (Admittedly - if somebody had done that to him on purpose, because the wheezing was thought to be cute, ah yes ... I can understand that kind of anger.)
Caroline, you can't honestly look at the photos above where there's seeping coming from the creases in their skin and tell me that they're healthy dogs. If you do then you're truly blinded. Your dogs may be healthy, this isn't a crusade against the whole breed but about KC breeders, but you can't ignore what's happening to these poor dogs. Most struggle to breathe properly, have to be assisted to mate and need an operation to give birth. That needs to stop.
Clearly to all you non bulldog lovers anything put perfect should not exist. So the fact that I would not be able to breathe after running in the Olympics must mean I am also nit worthy of living on this planet. You people really need to grow up different dogs are capable of different things. The world would be such a boring place if we only had labs to choose from.
You need to go back to school and learn to read properly.
"anything perfect should not exist" is what the kennel clubs and crufts are saying, not the people calling for breed standards to be revised.
The kennel clubs think the modern bulldog IS perfect. They are breeding them to the BREED STANDARD that they think is PERFECT. They are practising EUGENICS on dogs.
You were not bred by your parents to deliberately be diseased (I hope). No one blames you or your parents for your health defects because they arised by chance.
The health defects in bulldogs were deliberately put there by humans trying to win ribbons in stupid shows. They dont care about the dogs at all, only their own victory.
Bulldogs as they look today would never have arisen by chance and the number of defects that they have would have killed them without human intervention long before they accumulated to this degree.
Would you deliberately cause your child to be disabled if it made them "cuter" in your opinion? Because that is what you are doing to your bulldog. All bulldogs are disabled, they suffer from chondrodystrophic conformation (dwarfism) And brachycephalic conformation (short snoutedness) to name just 2 of the 42 conformational malformations that all bulldogs suffer from.
No one is blaming bulldogs for their deformations. We're blaming the cruel people that breed them and buy them for their malformed and disabled looks.
Shame you didn't come and visit the dogs in the breed rescue stand, none of them slept all day and none of them showed even an mm of tongue. The Bulldog Breeders are doing eveything you wanted so just back off and give them some credit instead of making it your lives mission to be on their backs 24/7
Jemima- you are (allegedly) a fancier of purebred dogs and presumably don't wish to see them go extinct. Does the fact that your blog prompts comments like "the whole (KC) charade should be banned!!" ever give you pause for thought?
Regular tests and clearances for hereditary joint conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma should be conducted by breeders on any dogs used for breeding. Occasionally epilepsy is also seen in the breed. Flat-coats have a higher risk of cancer than most dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis are particularly devastating, and occur at higher rates in Flat-coated Retrievers than in many other breeds. According to studies sponsored by the Flat Coated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA),[8] the average lifespan of the Flat-coated Retriever is only about 8 years,[9] with a high percentage of deaths due to cancer. More recent surveys in Denmark and UK shows a median lifespan of around 10 years.[10] The FCRSA sponsors many university cancer studies and breeders have benefited from increased information on cancer in Flat-coats to reduce the incidence of cancer in future generations. Flat-coats have a very low rate of hip dysplasia and luxating patellas compared to other medium-sized breeds; the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) statistics consistently show a rate of hip dysplasia in the breed of less than 3%. In 1997 FCRSA health survey, 4.2% of males and 3.2% of females had been diagnosed with luxating patellas. [edit]References
Regular tests and clearances for hereditary joint conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma should be conducted by breeders on any dogs used for breeding. Occasionally epilepsy is also seen in the breed. Flat-coats have a higher risk of cancer than most dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis are particularly devastating, and occur at higher rates in Flat-coated Retrievers than in many other breeds. According to studies sponsored by the Flat Coated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA),[8] the average lifespan of the Flat-coated Retriever is only about 8 years,[9] with a high percentage of deaths due to cancer. More recent surveys in Denmark and UK shows a median lifespan of around 10 years.[10] The FCRSA sponsors many university cancer studies and breeders have benefited from increased information on cancer in Flat-coats to reduce the incidence of cancer in future generations. Flat-coats have a very low rate of hip dysplasia and luxating patellas compared to other medium-sized breeds; the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) statistics consistently show a rate of hip dysplasia in the breed of less than 3%. In 1997 FCRSA health survey, 4.2% of males and 3.2% of females had been diagnosed with luxating patellas.
Not quite sure why you are quoting OFA statistics on Flat Coated Retrievers, but here are some on English Bulldogs, all of which you can verify for yourself on http://www.offa.org/stats.html :
Hip Dysplasia: 0.4% excellent, 72% dysplastic
Elbow Dysplasia: 63.8% normal, 34.6% dysplastic
Patellar Luxation: 4.8% affected
Claiming that hip dysplasia is not a problem in your Bulldogs is either untrue, or you have been extremely lucky. It certainly seems to be a huge problem in the breed overall.
Because Anonymous Jemima Harrison,the writer of this blog, & the lady who so hates the Bulldog is the owner of this very unhealthy breed, & that perhaps you anti Bulldog people should try having a go at the people who breed & show the Flatcoated Retrievers, instead you believe the hype this woman spreads & you besmirch my lovely Bulldog, when you & others know little or nothing about the breed, so please feel free to look into other breeds to insult
Caroline, Jemima is very aware of the problems with Flatcoated Retreivers. Their issues were what first opened her eyes to the problem in pedigree dogs and she has talked about them on this blog. Perhaps you should trying reading all of it.
So basically, your argument is that because there are health problems in one breed, it should not be allowable to criticise health problems in another breed?
Caroline yet again you are right there are many other breeds with many problems, sad ain't it???
What I can't understand is why you won't see what's staring back at you, I will mention only the visual, overshot bottom jaw, misaligned teeth, build heavy and overdone, back legs often much longer than front ones causing the appearance of bowing in hind legs, excessive face wrinkles and the most serious in my view absence of adequate breathing apparatus, all of these have potential to cause welfare issues some of which serious, so I ask again what was wrong with the dog of yesteryear?
Here are some handsome-looking bullies - solid dogs with moderate but stocky builds and muzzles 1/3 of their total skull length: http://cdn.greatdogsite.com/resources/photos/from_owners/Miniature%20Australian%20Bulldog-watermarked-1238186392.jpg http://www.dinkums.net.au/wp-content/uploads/wppa/thumbs/61.jpg http://www.deafdogsatlas.com/imgUSAad/picCAPopeye.jpg
Still, I prefer the American Bulldog - http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/poc/130224/437r1/54997hn_27.jpeg
I think the KC should establish a Universal Standard to ensure that no breed has skin that folds upon itself, eyes with open haw, bowed legs, muzzles under 1/3 of skull, penises that drag on the ground, flews passing the chin, or any other such travesties.
I was at the bulldog ring yesterday at crufts most of the day, i do not own a bulldog. It was hot around the ring even with the one door open, for outside toileting because there were so many people around the ring watching. It was about 6 people deep, which would have held the heat in. I don't think that any of the dogs looked like they were struggling to breathe or walk around the ring. They all seemed very relaxed and contented. I was absolutely fascinated with the bulldog and thought how wonderful, fit and healthy that they all looked. Even though i don't own one I have done my homework on them and the breeders are definately making the dogs more healthy and fit. I find it very sad that people don't take time to talk to the owners and breeder of these dogs and find out the truth about them. I am very hopeful that one day I will find a bulldog that will own me. As i walked around crufts there were many dogs that were snapping at each other and the ones in the pens to show you different breeds snapping at each other, never saw an angry or nervous bulldog all day. The owners are all happy for you to stroke and make a fuss of their dogs too, unlike some other breeds that I saw.
My goodness me the Bulldog panted ???? really ???? just like most of the other breeds did at Crufts ? it is how dogs cool down since when was a dog panting a cause for concern ?????? if the dog had roared it's head off, keeled over with it's legs in the air, it may have been something Jemima could have triumphantly gloated over ! You are not a vet Jemima so stop trying to con the un-educated throng ! You really need to get a grip in the real world girl ! your follow up program was of little interest to anyone it must have been very dissapointing for you that the viewing ratings were so low.! the trouble is Jemima,your ego relies on others being too stupid to work it out for themselves and clearly from the deep and meaningful comments here i.e 'I hate dogs with undershot jaws' yada yada yada, the quality of intelect in your following has also taken a dive !
Really Annonnymouse, you need to get your knickers out of a twist. I think you're panting and out of breath worse than a bulldog!
I think a long rest in a forced quiet environment, followed by some heavy duty therapy and you might be able to carry on a civil discussion.
As a USA resident, I enjoyed Jemima's program and plan to get many more people to watching. The carelessness and uncaring that was shown regarding the CKCS, the look of the poor Bassett hounds, the hind quarters of a "winning" German Shepard, need to be seen by millions. That's not even going into the utter distaste of defective dogs winning events, siring dozens of litters, owners out and out lying about the health of their dogs; just disgusting to a normal animal lover.
Instead of being snarky and acting stupid towards Jemima and anyone else who isn't kissing your and the KC' s collective behind, you and your ilk need to work on the problems you've inbred into your respective breeds.
I actually own the bulldog that you have pictured (totally without you approaching me for permission or having the common courtesy to discuss any issue that you think you know about) with the so-called sore muzzle. Yes, it IS a little sore, and he had been to the vet due to my concerns. Our vet was did not think it too bad at all, as it was due to a reaction to an external substance! Why you should take it upon yourself to assume it is due to the breed is beyond understanding. ANY dog - or human, for that matter - can react to substances that comes into contact with their skin. Are you, then, of the opinion that people who are prone to allegeric reactions should not be allowed to procreate? Our vet is quite happy with my bulldog - his skin in his nose roll is pink, healthy, dry and infection-free! It is time to get a REAL life, - and not set yourself up as god of opinions!
I am glad to see that you are concerned about your male's health. In this context, please allow me to ask some other questions regarding the topic: What are your dog's hip and elbow scores? Is he the product of a natural mating, an assisted mating, or an artificial insemination? Has he been whelped by c-section? If so, did his dam have other litters by the same method? If he has sired any litters, was it by natural mating, by assisted mating or by artificial insemination? How many of these litters were born by c-section?
TBH I do not see the relavence of his hip and elbow scores - he is fit and healthy, he can run and play with other breeds. Do you query the scores of other breeds that are perfectly capable of normal play? His mother has had only one litter - and, yes it was a C-section but that was due to my nervousness and my fear that MY inexperience would endanger her. Should she have any further litters she will be allowed to self-whelp. I hope you are prepared to have yourself hip/elbow scored, eye-tested, etc. etc. before you allow yourself to breed.
I think that you need to broaden your mind to bigger issues in dog welfare.
The relevance is that unsound hips and elbows tend to lead to arthrotic changes eventually even in dogs that look sound while young. Granted, this may not be that much of a concern in a breed that has a history of croaking before reaching six, so your disregard of the issue is actually somewhat more understandable than it would be in a breeder of, say, Golden Retrievers.
Anyway, given your obvious pride in your dog's health, I was assuming you would jump on the opportunity of bragging about his health. Guess I was wrong.
As for having myself hip and elbow scored, I think 20th Century history provides some evidence that applying the same criteria to human reproduction as one does to animal breeding is not, in general, particularly advisable, ja?
I am curious though: What is a bigger welfare issue than breeding a dog with no nose that has a one-in-250 chance of having sound hips?
I do admire your guts to post under a different pseudonym than I do. Actually, I would very much like to meet your Bulldog. We could even let him/her run with my sighthounds for a couple of seconds. Alas, considering that airlines refuse to ship the breed because of its breathing issues, that is not going to happen. Sorry.
Of course, as an alternative, you could still post your dog's health background in reply to the same questions I asked Ms. Pannifer above.
Anonymous, get YOUR facts right, look in the KC breed record supplement and see for YOURSELF how many bulldogs are EXPORTED and IMPORTED in and out of the UK each year!!! I have flown bulldogs to Taiwan, Australia and America! Cretin.
I would love to get facts right. Why don't you start by providing me with some regarding your breeding program:
How many litters have you bred? Of these, how many were by natural mating, by assisted mating and by artificial insemination? How many were whelped by c-section? How many bitches who had c-sections have you bred again?
What hip and elbow scores have been found in your dogs? What was their average life span, what were their most important causes of death?
I look forward to getting some facts from you sent to me here in the Land of Cretins, which some of us like to call "Reality".
Evening Cretin. I have never bred a litter of bulldogs, and I currently do not own any. What is your purpose in asking everyone who replies to you these questions??? Do you ask every dog owner these questions? Do you presume that all those who are defending the breed actually breed,show and own bulldogs? Have you seen the self whelping bulldog videos? Have you seen the hip and elbow scores of the bulldog who has been tested? Have you seen the list of bulldogs who have been HUU tested? With the majority being clear? Have you seen all of the bulldogs who hold a current bulldog breed health certificate? The health scheme in which the bulldog breed council pushed for the kennel club to make compulsory but the kennel club refused? Have you ever seen a bulldog in the flesh? If so how many? Have you noticed the wonderful tails on many of today's bulldogs? I look forward to your cretinous answers.
Foremost, I would assume somebody who flies Bulldogs around would have some means of procuring them. The conclusion that you breed them thus came to mind, though that is apparently not the case. Just apply my questions to the dogs you have flown around then, that will be just as good.
To answer your question, I would not ask a Jack Russell owner about AI and c-sections, but rather about eye problems, and I would not ask a Borzoi person about hip dysplasia as much as I would ask them about bloat/torsion. You see, I happen to work in veterinary pathology, which comes with a certain knowledge of breed-specific problems. All breeds have such problems, but some have worse and more common problems than others. Unfortunately, the Bulldog is amongst the worst of the worst.
So, have I seen Bulldogs in the flesh? Dissected their flesh is closer to Reality. And, believe me, it's not exactly a pleasant experience to see their deformed anatomy up close and personal. Makes you want to vomit, actually, and not because of the smell.
Therefore, please spare us the political banter happening in one particular breeders' club. When comparing the Bulldogs to what has happened in the Basset, it is freakishly obvious that change is not going to come from within the show scene in this particular case.
Perhaps you should read the other post, those expert show breeders know far more than your 7 years studying and years of experience in the field patching up the problems they created, oh and have you ever witnessed a natural birth? According to the experts you veterinary's have got much to learn.
Pardon my sarcasm I have much respect for the veterinary profession, such a shame those who created todays current health and welfare problems didnt!
Like most in the profession, I'm familiar with the fact that show breeders are a lot more knowledgeable about dogs than vets. The reasons for this have been thoroughly investigated in a seminal study by Drs. Dunning and Kruger, for which they were awarded an Ig Nobel Prize in 2000.
Continuing on the topic of veterinary incompetence, surgeons know nothing and do everything; internists know everything and do nothing; and finally, us pathologists know everything and do everything - but it's too late.
Hmmm a bit like the vet who got rather rude with their customer because her bulldogs tail was a screw tail because it had been docked!!! Those 7 years of studying sure came in handy then ;)
I would disagree most strongly there; some show breeders may know more but this then gives licence to the dog folk knowing it all. I have found that in farming when we take a sheep in for c section our vets do not argue, they are well aware our experience at lambing exceeds theirs however that does not make us experts in sheep...................... Btw if you are not happy with the treatment given by your vet you are free to find another one!
You are absolutely right any dog can suffer a skin condition at any time but is it not good practice to withdraw a dog if s/he is not 100% after all it stands no chance of winning (crufts is the prestigious show of the best of the best) unless the judging is flawed!
In actual fact - his face is not as bad as it appears to be in the photograph - if I felt it WAS that detrimental, I would not have put him in the ring. Thank you for your concern.
Well actually the dog is being judged by his appearance isn't he clearly his current health is also irrelevant to all involved! You may think its a minor irritation (wondering how the dog feels about it) and yes I agree it doesn't appear infected, but if it is not 100% on the day it has no place in the showring at that time, this golden rule should apply to all those who presented dogs over the past few days who were below par, not just you btw,
The short muzzle is one thing (and bad enough) - but why, oh WHY do they have to have those exaggerated wrinkles? Bulldogs (english as well as french), pugs, pekingeses - they all have skin folds covering their noses as well as their eyes. Folds that become sore and infected, as well as pinch their noses in an effort for all that skin to fit in such a small area.
WHAT is the "charm" with this? Look at the Japanese Chin and King Charles Spaniel - they are also extremely brachycephalic (a way of breeding I don't support), but they don't have any skin folds in their face, or at most, a minor one just at the base of the muzzle.
Not enough that the dogs look like they've been slammed into a wall as it is, the breeders and judges also seem to insist that the dogs have as much skin in their face as dogs with normal, long muzzles. (Just like how many bassets have as much - or more - skin on their little legs as a dog with normal leg length.)
Ive never seen any dog with skin folds that "Cover noses and eyes" surely they wouldnt see where they were going , and wouldnt be able to smell the dinner bowl ..... I think your a little behind the times in your description of Bulldogs! Jane O
Reading the nasty comments on here just reinforces just how vile some humans can be.... Bulldogs are beautiful like all animals... Sadly the same can not be said for most of you. Attacking those that love this breed purely because you don't like the way they look..makes you sad and soulless.... Love and compassion are necessities not luxuries... Without them humanity can not survive.. Dalai Lama
Jesus Jane I think you are as cuckoo as well as blind as the rest.......I'm happy to be sad and soulless quite frankly because I look at my dog knowing she is comfortable in her own skin and can breath freely after all if we can't breath we will die fact! That really is the problems with those of you that defend your bullies, you think they look oh sweet and itsy bitsy cutey wooty, but i havnt yet found anyone who can give me a justifiable reasons for conformation, the short nose, the disastrous teeth, "that's how the breed is" goes beyond lame that is how you have chosen to breed them, it benefits the sick breeders not the dogs themselves........I wonder who is the sad soulless person really? As for love and compassion if your children had a jaw and teeth like that would you think it was cute?? Get real for the dogs sake
Jayne, attacking isn't what people are doing here.They are merely offering opinions on the health of the breed that are different to yours. Just to remind you, the blog was created to share Jemima's concerns about the health of some pedigree dogs. There are a lot of other people who also seriously share her concerns too and find this blog a place where their concerns will be understood.
Your emotional reaction to these comments merely confirms that people who defend this irresponsible breeding have a lot to learn about the science of what they are actually doing. Evolutionary success is dependent on genetic variation. This is a FACT. Not an opinion. Something that seems to defy some pedigree dog breeders.
Well anon think you've just shown the depth of your humanity in your last sentence.... If my child looked different would I think it was cute.... Yes... I would love my child regardless of how it looked. Oh dear.......
Jane if you had a child with serious deformation likened to what we see with bullies and you refused to get appropriate treatment to correct it, not only would you be one selfish mother you would also be dealing with social services, for to its a serious welfare issue.....do you get it????
You go from ridiculous to hideous, please justify how that jaw, those teeth, those wrinkles that lack of nose, that seriously heavy body and those bowed, out of proportion hind legs benefit this dog, please explain the advantages these have brought to the breed compared to the bully of yesteryear because I'm desperate to hear it maybe then those of us with a brain may take you and your kind with a hint of seriousness!!!
We should be safeguarding their futures not destroying them. People like you should never be permitted to breed dogs, I'm even wondering about your ability to own one
Jane, you are unbelievable. It is not that people do not like the way the look and are attacking the dogs because of that. Do you really honestly believe that all people are as shallow and superficial as that? I have better things to do with my time than slag something off simply because i personally don"t find it physically appealing.
The reason people express concerns about the appearance of the Bulldog is because it can't breathe properly. If it had a muzzle and had not been bred to the point of serious physical deformity then we probably would not be discussing it. It just goes to show that you are only concerned about the way the dogs look and incorrectly assume that everybody else feels the same too. I am concerned about dog's needlesly suffering in the hands of people who refuse to continually develop, learn and progress. They are at the mercy of people who are not breeding these dog's for the right reasons.
I was at crufts on Friday and saw many different breeds in both toy and utility and I have to say there were lots panting even before they went in the ring, also walking around there were doors in every hall open so people could go out for a cigarette, both my daughter and myself were not wearing coats they weren't needed and by late afternoon it was very warm There were many bulldogs that went round the ring and did not pant at all, I'd never heard of you until today and my opinion is you are a drama queen who loves attention instead of writing lies about different breeds join a theatrical society where you can be the centre of attention without the bullshit!
These are priceless! Stupid as all get out, but priceless! The dog was at a public venue and wasn't even identified. May I PLEASE be in court the day you go there? I love a good laugh and get the giggles when judges roll their eyes.
It's cruel to continue to develop a breed of any animal that makes said animal have health problems that could be bred out of them. Especially for a trophy and ribbon (and mucho euros).
Well dorothysdog we meet again,four years ago you used my veteran bulldog on youtube to create hell, sadly she passed away at twelve years and two months.....sorry,you probably believe bulldogs only reach six years, as I have spoken before,i was always taught that if I had nothing nice to say,keep my mouth shut.....but you....you take the biscuit I truly believe in karma.....I rest my case ....
Isn't it strange how you have posted a handful or so of photo's of Bulldogs. Where are the photo's of the bulldogs which are actually cleaner in head? The ones with smaller and split nose rolls, and the ones longer in leg and with long loose tails??? Because I know for a fact there were many at Crufts this year!!! And do tell us why it is a health issue for a bulldog to pant but it is absolutely normal for every single non high profile breed to pant? Clutching At Straws springs to mind!!!
wow! I have just brought my 1st English Bulldog and i think he is amazing, he came for a kc reg breeder and is healthy. reading all these comments made me feel sick to be honest.... :(
Why is it ONLY the bulldog it seems that gets this sort of abuse? Why is it not a REAL dog? Is it a cat in disguise? Possibly, given that a Persian and Himalayan cats are brachycephalic... I guess its okay to breed dogs who's only purpose is to tear another animal to pieces, as they are REAL dogs. Or to breed a dog who probably ends up being sprayed with more hairspray than a girl band, because that's also a REAL dog
There are problems in other breeds, therefore we are not allowed to point out problems in the Bulldog?
How very convenient.
(Or, as a logician would call it, "tu quoque". In any case, the archives of this blog provide ample evidence that the Bulldog is not the only breed whose show breeders are getting the criticism they deserve.)
People are quite within their rights I agree to point out the some of the shortcomings in ANY breed, and yes I do agree with your eloquent latin to suggest a valid, yet inconsistent argument from the OP. My point was more to the fact that the blogger seems to have an overly keen interest in slating both the bulldog as an animal and a number of the breeds 'owners' and breeders. Admitedly, some of the comments made by both sides of the fence have been quite juvenile, particularly when it comes to personal insults. As a psychologist would say... post hoc ergo procta hoc
How can you say a dog is not comfortable in there own skin are you dr dolittle did they tell you this ?? I had to laugh at the comment if we dont breath we die, im looking at my bully right now, breathing perfectly, fast asleep and you guessed it ALIVE Are you bitter that when you walk down the street no one bats an eyelid at your common looking unknown breed of dog, unlike my bully that has people flocking in there droves to give him attention saying wow what an amazing looking dog you have. A controversial subject here misses vanity but why does everything revolve around the look and condition and have to be cross referenced to children to add impact to your argument, does this mean a child that looks different to your liking example down syndrome should be terminated and not given the chance to love and be loved like our bulldogs. Sighthounds hey there attractive cant even give them away at the rescue centers, a question for you if you had a child that had anorexia, bones jolting out and a rib cage you could play a tune on wouldn't you want to get to the root of that problem. i suggest you stop wasting time on here and prepare a good meal for the poor little malnutrition ed sorry excuse for a bag of bones befores he falls down the plug hole
Ben balls you complete................. I own hunting breeds and sheep dogs which work and we rarely walk down the street! Btw Down syndrome in children is a serious condition which if we knew how, we would do everything in our power to avoid because nobody actually wants a child to be affected.............get my drift?
Bulldog breeders deliberately breed for undershot jaws, misaligned teeth and conformation problems which reminds me of rickets (something else we try to avoid as humans) flat wrinkled faces and that's just what one immediately sees. Ben maybe you could explain what was wrong with the bulldog of yesteryear as all the others in the fraternity avoid that question with as much passion as defending this current specimen!
Oh and I would most definitely get an ego check or no one will be able to tell which end to talk to!
Jeeze some of you people are childish. So this is all about canine envy is it? People are just jealous because they don't have an attention drawing Bulldog! Can't we all go out and get one then?
I really don't understand your bit about sighthounds and not being able to give them away. I guess they're waiting around desperately hoping to be the next fashion craze!
You have a breed of dog that cannot whelp naturally. That should really tell you something.
I have a doberman, actually, a striking example of an already head-turning breed. I have no problems with people giving my dog attention when out (as if that is even a consideration when choosing a breed! What the hell? I don't care if people look at my dog or not!) But I do have a problem with dogs who cannot breathe correctly, you do not have to be 'dr dolittle' to know that breathing freely brings much better quality of life than breathing with effort all your days. Which would you rather live with?
I don't care how healthy you think your bulldog is, or how perfect his breathing is: I'll bet you everything I own he cannot keep up with my dobe on a remotely warm day. I also wonder how you think a muzzle 2 inches long can perform as well as one like on, say, a dobe or greyhound......
My bulldog (Baxter) is awesome. Yeah he can be lazy but we still walk him everyday for an hour and he would eat everything you put in front him but he is fed very well to ensure he doesn't gain weight and become a fatty batty! If we didn't bath him he would have stains on his face and to be honest his backside would stink but we new what we were buying we new he needed a lot of attention and we new the ups and downs of any dog!!! Bulldogs are loving and a joy to have as a part of a family, I wouldn't change him for the world!
I know you love Baxter and i can hardly pass a Bulldog without wanting a cuddle with it. But do you think if a dog could choose to change he would want to have these breed traits he is stuck with. Not trying to upset you. Baxter is a lucky guy to have great owners like you.
All said a pretty poor piece of journalism. Poorly reserched, ill informed. Good look in your quest in creating an Ayran Race of super dog. Will it be in your own image I wonder??
You seem pretty poorly informed on the subject - you realize the KC's style of breeding is eugenics, an attempt to isolate and concentrate the noble heritage of "superior" specimens? This is the heart of Aryanism. This is why outcrossing is so blasphemous, even though the false concept of Racial Purity as applied to dogs is killing them. The push to discourage such extreme conformation and unsound practice is about as far from that as you can get. This isn't about superiority or looks or image. This is about the well-being and life quality of dogs. The man-made conformation of many dogs is causing them to fall apart and suffer. The push is to let dogs be dogs, not whimsical flesh sculptures fashioned by human prejudices.
It's almost as if mentioning the word outcrossing is akin to committing heresy! Evolutionary success requires genetic variation as the raw material. As long as breeders continue to do what they have always done, they will get what they have always got. Dogs that are dropping to bits. Yes, it IS a good point. It is the whole reason the future welfare of the domestic dog is in trouble.
My commitment to supporting the future welfare of dog's is that I will never, ever buy a pedigree dog. I will always continue to adopt mutts. They are generally healthier. And I have never seen another dog that looks like her too. The KC breed standards need ripping up and starting again. Why people want to buy these unhealthy cloned dogs is beyond me.
Some of us want our cloned dogs as we want a known quantity, we want to know what traits they should have asit suit our lifestyles. Not every breed is unhealthy, the breed I have is very healty and I would never have any other now. I don't judge your choices so ypu shouldn't judge either.
There are Border Collies who are afraid of sheep, Labradors who don't like the water and Retrievers who guard their toys. There are no guarantees with breeds, only tendencies. I am referring to the breeding of dogs for aesthetic purposes. If you want a known quantity in that regard, I can understand wanting a dog that requires minimal grooming for example. That in itself is a practical aesthetic trait that would be desirable for some people and also would benefit the dog. but to want a dog because you think it has a cute, flat face which prevents it from breathing properly, then I certainly don't apologise for judging people to be cruel in desiring that deformity in a dog.
I want my dog to look like a Nordic dog , its the breed I like, the aesthetics I like just like you want a dog that is different, it is my choice. They are long lived with it not being uncommon for them to live to 18 and that's with us having a tiny gene pool. So yes you can have health and a type.
The Nordic dogs have been bred primarily to work. So anatomically they have been selected for fitness. And they have muzzles! I have no idea about the show lines in these dogs and any diseases. Of course, it's your choice what dog you own and you are certainly not in the minority being emotionally attached to the look of a breed. Hereby lies part of the problem. if the breed developed serious health problems, would you still want to own this type of dog, knowing you are perpetuating it's suffering?
I would do and do the upmost to ensure all dogs I have come from healthy lines, it would maoe no sense to have sick dogs. Our breed put massive effort into keeping them healthy we have had 7 imports in 2 years , we have put a largw amount of money into reseaching muscular dystrophy even though the only 3 cases have been abroard, we have asked for the kc to make patella testing on the putman scale mandatory but they declined. We try not to breed from bitches woth excess tearing but woth our gene pool its not alway possible. Some breeds try there very best, there coats are gleaming yet we add nothing for the show ring we keep them natural, thst saying however we often do nothing in the group and are often off the radar. There is good pedigree dog breeds/breeders.
What we need to do is start a new blog with picture and videos of ''English Setters, Great Danes, Labradors and, most recently, Flatcoated Retrievers'' and just slate them without fact. Im sure these dogs are all perfect no matter where or what type of breeder you get them from eh??????? Stop trying to sell your DVD by slating a great dog
Still wondering when somebody is going to answer the questions about what the breed club are actually doing to ensure their breed is healthy? No hip scoring, elbow scoring, eye testing, heart checking prior to breeding. How can anybody say they have a healthy, happy Bulldog? Genes are things you cannot see! Any answers from anybody please?
Hi Annie.. as a Bully owner myself Id also actually like to see this question answered on here, if only to put the question to rest, also in the interest of integrity and fair reporting, something which I feel Jemima sadly hasn't done (which surprisingly she has been cited as being in the past). That aside, it may be prudent for someone to contact Arthur Rowe at the Bulldog Breed Council. I am aware of the Bulldog Health Assessment programme that was started a few years ago but in all honesty I cannot say here and now what it covers in its entirety, although a number of other breeds have taken up the programme. Like I said, I currently own (not a breeder) a bully and have owned many other wonderful breeds including non pedigree and I've seen my fair share of health issues in many breeds other than the brachycephalic type. Agreed Jemima does go out to highlight a number of other dogs with 'problems', and I'm quite happy that this is indeed highlighted but seems intent on demonising the bulldog and more importantly at times, either misrepresenting the facts, and missing others, only to suit her own agenda. There are breeders out there (bulldogs and other breeds) who will quite happily ignore the importance of any kind of health screening if the canine 'fits the bill', as much as I hate to stereotype and tarnish any journo with the same brush (and its hard not to as of late) I'd ask that not all breeders and owners of bullies, pugs, boxers, etc. aren't either
I am struggling to find the reason for posting some of the pics shown in this blog. Some aren't panting, some have their mouths open only slightly but I saw dogs in the BIS ring panting - does this make them unhealthy specimens?
Maybe the writer of this ill-written blog should take a look at www.healthy-bulldogs.co.uk - there's a self-whelping gallery (I know self-whelping is being encouraged in the breed as is natural matings which the breed are quite capable of) along with pics of bulldogs out and about.
Does the very fact that this website needs to exist not raise any alarm bells???? It had also been noted by the defenders on here that pictures can be edited.........just saying
I think its reasonable to have this website when you have people quick enough to jump on the breed without knowing full facts!! So many people are quick to say bulldogs are full of faults when those that are well bred will only need to visit a vets for vaccinations, injuries etc just like other breeds. Sure there are tests that the breed can do and are doing but just because there's a test for something doesnt mean every dog has to have it unnecessarily (labs, GSDs etc don't test for HUU) you only have to see a bulldog laid with its legs stretched flat out behind it to know they don't have a hip problem but if a person wants their dog testing thats up to them. There is a health scheme the breed put forward but the KC rejected it but a sub-committee of the breed council continue to work on a health scheme just as other HPBs are doing - im afraid you are preeching to the converted - most show folk are doing their best in the breed (look how far they've come with tails in such a short space of time)and have come on far more than other HPBs yet continue to get slated at every opportunity - the breed is a costly one for puppies so you get those in the breed for money making, not bothered with what tests their dogs have done, not bothered what quality they produce, so long as they get the ££'s.
Yes not all bulldogs shown at Crufts will be good examples of the breed as you only have to fall lucky with your class and get 3rd out of 3 at a champ show to qualify - the same with other breeds, you will get some in the ring that you wonder how they got there, but any bulldog that showed any signs of ill health in the ring was asked to leave. Maybe if the 'writer' of this blog felt so strongly about the poor examples shown at crufts she should write to the KC about making it more difficult to qualify than just falling lucky with 3 in the class, for example maybe there has to be a minimum of 5 in the class at a champ show for the top 3 to qualify, or for any dog qualified to have passed a vet check prior to entering crufts (but then I'm sure the 'writer' will make out the vet used was pro-bulldogs)
Hey its not "the writer" fault the breed is in the state it's in it's the breeders! there is no smoke without fire, the defence is lame, action speaks louder than words...........I agree with you on one thing an independent vet certification should be issued before entry at Crufts, but then the KC would lose money and that simply wouldn't do!
I am yet to know what the 'state' is that you are referring to (we're going round in circles here) - if you want action see the way tails have come on in such a short space of time - something breeders have encouraged in breeding and showing. I could understand the constant criticism if the breed had shown no improvements but the breed acknowledged there was work to be done and are working with those involved in the HPBs to do what they can to better the breed (and are probably the breed that is most active within those in the HPBs). Instead of coming up with cheap ways to criticise the breed such as 'the bulldogs were panting', reflect on the work that has been done and give them time to continue to better the breed.
Having read both articles and comments about bulldogs, I get very upset and angry about how some people (I don't know in which quality do they speak about bulldogs or to what degree they are knowledgeable about the breed)can verbally abuse and talk down this breed! What is wrong with the C-section when is needed? Why make such an issue about it? In humans when there is need for C-section because the babies are too big,or something else,do we disqualify those babies from living because they were born through C-section or in farming for cows, horses, etc?
In the past, hundreads of years ago, perhaps C-section was not an option because the humans and their knowledge has not been developed so much, but do you guys know how many wolfs, dogs, cattles, babies even or their mothers have been lost because for whatever reason there was, a normal birth that could not take place?
I am told that not all bulldogs need C-section and most breeders, at least here in the UK will only use the C-section procedure if is needed, i.e. if the life of the bitch and its puppies are at risk. Again, what is wrong with that? You guys talk about producing meat in labs without using animals, just through some checmical formula, or inject the chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc to accelerate their growing and development so they can be used for and in our meals, so that's ok but to help a dog give birth because most puppies in that breed are quite chunky when they are born is a huge problem!!! Really don't get this!
Then, why so much fuss about hip and elbow scoring when there are guard dogs, or hounds that can't actually move or walk correctly because of their herreditary joint problems, so why this all of the sudden is important for bulldogs, a breed that is not supposed to catch a rabbit, or protect sheep, or do any kind of work in that respect?
Looking at the bulldog standard, a mature specimen should be around 25kg. Now for that weight to be carried along in a body which doesn't exceed 45 cm in height it takes quite a lot of strenght to do it, hence you can't compare how fast they are with a Lab, or BArzoi, Greyhound, or whatever other breed lighter and faster than the bulldog. Same thing you can't do with humans, a bodybuidler will have different qualities from a sprinter, or a football player, and so on ... so once again why all your silly statements like people feel sorry for this breed, why??? To me bulldogs seem to be the most human breed, the most happy breed. Never heard once any bulldog owner to complain about their dogs, they all say how funny, happy, loyal and loving they are therefore what are you people feeling sorry for????
All dog breeds developed health problems over the last 20-30 years so to speak, some more than other breeds but this I put it down to the human greed and stupidity! Bulldogs at least were tamed and from the agressive type was made a docile and living type but look at the german shep, they can't move now because of how much the breeders played with them, the labs, and so on who get artritis, heart issues, etc ... so why you guys are picking on the bulldog for??
Bulldogs today look happy and sound more than ever and their owners are happy with them, therefore if anyone wants something specific you should come with real proofs not pics taken without the owner's agreement after a dog has been away and ''at work'' in the show hall all they long and sneak for a pics or two when it sticks its tongue out and immediately ask for the breed to be banned because it pants! For all those knowledgeable people including the author of this article, dogs have a routine and for a show they miss on their routine for that day at least, therefore when a dog is out and about all day long, it is natural despite the breed the dog is to get tired, get hot and pant! Nothing unusual with that!
Simply, if you can't add any value to the bulldogs, do LEAVE THIS BREED ALONE!
I have 2 of the most contraversal breeds discuss in this blog.A Bulldog and a Basset hound. First off, this is such a passionate debating blog site, which shows great love and concern for our greatest companions. The Dog. I have had concerns in regards to both of my dogs. When I bought my Bully from his Breeder, I was asked to sign a puppy guarantee that absolved the Breeder from any recriminations if the purchased puppy developed dermitis,demadix mange,and heart problems. My response was "REALLY! Why have a puppy guaratee?" The disturbing part was not the clause in the guarantee, but the breeders response. " Those are very common defects in Bulldogs, so I cannot warrenty the puppies for these natural defects." WHAT! How can a bad heart and parasites crawling on you even be NORM? Now I know someone could retaliate and say " Yeah but you still bought a Bully." True. But because I love the breed. What my upset is this accepted "norm" by Breeders. My Bully is a pedigree, FCI,CKC,AKC registered and chipped. I looked at a lot of Breeders, Canadian,American,and European before I chosed my Bully. Majority of the Breeders'puppy guarantees had this clause. Is that really such a norm to have bad skin and a defective heart within the first 2 years of life? Sad, really. I feel very lucky that my Bully has not suffered any of these ailments. I believe it was the Breeders,(of my Bully,) care and upstanding devotion to this breed that has provided my Family with the years of Bully love and health. N I absolutely agree that todays Basset Hound is overblown in its excessive skin and short legs. Now before hackles go up. I love my Basset Hound. She is not the overly wrinkled and stubbied legged dog you see in the Showring. Beautiful but no sagging excessive skin skirt and ankles and elbows that can be admired without lifting skin folds, is how I would describe her. Okay I am no professional but at least one can admit that there are character key traits being slightly exaggerated in todays show Basset Hounds. Are these traits creating unhealthy dogs? Who am I to say. What I can say is that if anything these excessive traits are causing more maintenace and grooming demands on the owners to maintain a happy,healthy,fit Basset Hound. My concerns are more towards what seems to be the "Accepted Norm". Particularily the Bassets legs. I know a Breeder of Great Danes, 2yrs ago she purchased a Basset Hound male with the intention of breeding him. Now that he old enough this Breeder is ready to stud him. When I asked her why her male was somewhat limping and why he looked knuckled over in the forearms her reply was shocking. "Oh thats normal with this short legged breed. It can be a deformity that sometimes occurs." WHAT. Okay I accept that she is new to this Breed and that not all Breeders would say this,but after again looking at several Puppy guarantees stating "No guarantee against leg abnormalities" I was shocked. Yet another accepted norm. I am no expert or Breeder but how can society accept these abnormalities/deformities/health concerns as a norm? I believe that this blog is here to point out this bizarre acceptence of what is considered normal in the dog society, not to just critize Breeders, Judges, and Dog Exibitions. Maybe I completely missed the mark on this blog,but I feel we all are somwhat to blame. We as a society have set these standards. The dogs themselves cannot tell us their standards. Maybe we as a whole, Pet Lovers, Show Breeders, Judges,Exhibtors, Vets whomever. Should all own up a bit to these concerns and stop pointing fingers. Our dogs of any breed,cross or mix are going to love you unconditionally no matter what. So why do we have so many "conditions" for them? I leave you with that last thought. CHEERS.
It is VILE!!! I used to love watching Crufts but as the breeding got worse and worse to get these dogs to the grotesque state they are today I banned it from being watched in my house!! It is just as cruel as if they beat them everyday!! there is NOTHING absolutely NOTHING attractive about these dogs at all and I blame KC and Crufts for this !! the whole charade should be banned!! BEST in BREED !!!!! RUBBISH!! these poor animals are SUFFERING to be made to fit the bill ...........hate hate hate it!!!!!
ReplyDeletehow dare you insult them they are not grotesque, they have beautiful faces, & lovely temprements, they do not have bulbous eyes, or have to have their eyelids cut so they can see, they do not get matted coats as their owners can groom them, nor problems such as hip dysplasia, reed my post on part one about my very fit rescue Bulldogs before you believe the hype, & please take the time to look at the breed in it's true light, mine were average of 12 years old when they died not 6 like the anti Bulldog brigade will have you believe, & I'm sure you are a dog owner, & I would never be so callous as to call your dogs vile or your child which as I am disabled my Bulldogs have been my substitute children, & I am proud to have been owned by all 3 of my energetic non breathing problem-ed Bulldogs, & I look forward to many more Bulldogs in my life!!!
DeleteCaroline, the dog's don't understand insults love. Why do you feel you have to defend them from perceived insults? This is anthropomorphism in the extreme. These dog's are physically disadvantaged. They have been bred to the point of deformity, this is the issue here.
DeleteFor goodness sake they can not breathe properly. And each to their own as to what is ugly and beautiful -it is in the eye of the beholder. The point is the dog's physical health is compromised. How can you defend this if you purport to love these dog's so much? I don't understand!
Jeez.....t
Caroline, nobody is insulting what you love. Of course you love the creature inside, the personality, the dog´s mind! That´s what we all do, isn´t it?
DeleteIt´s not insulting, it´s being defensive of the lovable creature inside the body, to say that the body should be easy and comfortable for it to live in.
My little grandson developed severe asthma recently. Is it insulting to him to say it? I bloody HATE his asthma, I HATE what it does to him, I HATE to hear him fighting to breathe. I do! Do you think I hate the child?
(Admittedly - if somebody had done that to him on purpose, because the wheezing was thought to be cute, ah yes ... I can understand that kind of anger.)
Caroline, you can't honestly look at the photos above where there's seeping coming from the creases in their skin and tell me that they're healthy dogs. If you do then you're truly blinded. Your dogs may be healthy, this isn't a crusade against the whole breed but about KC breeders, but you can't ignore what's happening to these poor dogs. Most struggle to breathe properly, have to be assisted to mate and need an operation to give birth. That needs to stop.
DeleteClearly to all you non bulldog lovers anything put perfect should not exist. So the fact that I would not be able to breathe after running in the Olympics must mean I am also nit worthy of living on this planet. You people really need to grow up different dogs are capable of different things. The world would be such a boring place if we only had labs to choose from.
DeleteYou need to go back to school and learn to read properly.
Delete"anything perfect should not exist" is what the kennel clubs and crufts are saying, not the people calling for breed standards to be revised.
The kennel clubs think the modern bulldog IS perfect. They are breeding them to the BREED STANDARD that they think is PERFECT. They are practising EUGENICS on dogs.
You were not bred by your parents to deliberately be diseased (I hope). No one blames you or your parents for your health defects because they arised by chance.
The health defects in bulldogs were deliberately put there by humans trying to win ribbons in stupid shows. They dont care about the dogs at all, only their own victory.
Bulldogs as they look today would never have arisen by chance and the number of defects that they have would have killed them without human intervention long before they accumulated to this degree.
Would you deliberately cause your child to be disabled if it made them "cuter" in your opinion? Because that is what you are doing to your bulldog. All bulldogs are disabled, they suffer from chondrodystrophic conformation (dwarfism) And brachycephalic conformation (short snoutedness) to name just 2 of the 42 conformational malformations that all bulldogs suffer from.
No one is blaming bulldogs for their deformations. We're blaming the cruel people that breed them and buy them for their malformed and disabled looks.
Shame you didn't come and visit the dogs in the breed rescue stand, none of them slept all day and none of them showed even an mm of tongue. The Bulldog Breeders are doing eveything you wanted so just back off and give them some credit instead of making it your lives mission to be on their backs 24/7
ReplyDeleteJemima- you are (allegedly) a fancier of purebred dogs and presumably don't wish to see them go extinct. Does the fact that your blog prompts comments like "the whole (KC) charade should be banned!!" ever give you pause for thought?
ReplyDeleteanonotroll @ 17:38.
ReplyDeleteCould you tell me when 'The Bulldog Breeders' intend to give their dogs their muzzles back?
Health of the Health
ReplyDeleteRegular tests and clearances for hereditary joint conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma should be conducted by breeders on any dogs used for breeding. Occasionally epilepsy is also seen in the breed.
Flat-coats have a higher risk of cancer than most dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis are particularly devastating, and occur at higher rates in Flat-coated Retrievers than in many other breeds. According to studies sponsored by the Flat Coated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA),[8] the average lifespan of the Flat-coated Retriever is only about 8 years,[9] with a high percentage of deaths due to cancer. More recent surveys in Denmark and UK shows a median lifespan of around 10 years.[10] The FCRSA sponsors many university cancer studies and breeders have benefited from increased information on cancer in Flat-coats to reduce the incidence of cancer in future generations.
Flat-coats have a very low rate of hip dysplasia and luxating patellas compared to other medium-sized breeds; the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) statistics consistently show a rate of hip dysplasia in the breed of less than 3%. In 1997 FCRSA health survey, 4.2% of males and 3.2% of females had been diagnosed with luxating patellas.
[edit]References
Regular tests and clearances for hereditary joint conditions such as hip dysplasia and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma should be conducted by breeders on any dogs used for breeding. Occasionally epilepsy is also seen in the breed.
Flat-coats have a higher risk of cancer than most dogs. Hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis are particularly devastating, and occur at higher rates in Flat-coated Retrievers than in many other breeds. According to studies sponsored by the Flat Coated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA),[8] the average lifespan of the Flat-coated Retriever is only about 8 years,[9] with a high percentage of deaths due to cancer. More recent surveys in Denmark and UK shows a median lifespan of around 10 years.[10] The FCRSA sponsors many university cancer studies and breeders have benefited from increased information on cancer in Flat-coats to reduce the incidence of cancer in future generations.
Flat-coats have a very low rate of hip dysplasia and luxating patellas compared to other medium-sized breeds; the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) statistics consistently show a rate of hip dysplasia in the breed of less than 3%. In 1997 FCRSA health survey, 4.2% of males and 3.2% of females had been diagnosed with luxating patellas.
Not quite sure why you are quoting OFA statistics on Flat Coated Retrievers, but here are some on English Bulldogs, all of which you can verify for yourself on http://www.offa.org/stats.html :
DeleteHip Dysplasia: 0.4% excellent, 72% dysplastic
Elbow Dysplasia: 63.8% normal, 34.6% dysplastic
Patellar Luxation: 4.8% affected
Claiming that hip dysplasia is not a problem in your Bulldogs is either untrue, or you have been extremely lucky. It certainly seems to be a huge problem in the breed overall.
Because Anonymous Jemima Harrison,the writer of this blog, & the lady who so hates the Bulldog is the owner of this very unhealthy breed, & that perhaps you anti Bulldog people should try having a go at the people who breed & show the Flatcoated Retrievers, instead you believe the hype this woman spreads & you besmirch my lovely Bulldog, when you & others know little or nothing about the breed, so please feel free to look into other breeds to insult
DeleteCaroline, Jemima is very aware of the problems with Flatcoated Retreivers. Their issues were what first opened her eyes to the problem in pedigree dogs and she has talked about them on this blog. Perhaps you should trying reading all of it.
Delete(stats anonymous here, replying to Caroline)
DeleteSo basically, your argument is that because there are health problems in one breed, it should not be allowable to criticise health problems in another breed?
How very convenient.
Caroline yet again you are right there are many other breeds with many problems, sad ain't it???
DeleteWhat I can't understand is why you won't see what's staring back at you, I will mention only the visual, overshot bottom jaw, misaligned teeth, build heavy and overdone, back legs often much longer than front ones causing the appearance of bowing in hind legs, excessive face wrinkles and the most serious in my view absence of adequate breathing apparatus, all of these have potential to cause welfare issues some of which serious, so I ask again what was wrong with the dog of yesteryear?
Here are some handsome-looking bullies - solid dogs with moderate but stocky builds and muzzles 1/3 of their total skull length:
ReplyDeletehttp://cdn.greatdogsite.com/resources/photos/from_owners/Miniature%20Australian%20Bulldog-watermarked-1238186392.jpg
http://www.dinkums.net.au/wp-content/uploads/wppa/thumbs/61.jpg
http://www.deafdogsatlas.com/imgUSAad/picCAPopeye.jpg
Still, I prefer the American Bulldog - http://imgc.classistatic.com/cps/poc/130224/437r1/54997hn_27.jpeg
I think the KC should establish a Universal Standard to ensure that no breed has skin that folds upon itself, eyes with open haw, bowed legs, muzzles under 1/3 of skull, penises that drag on the ground, flews passing the chin, or any other such travesties.
I was at the bulldog ring yesterday at crufts most of the day, i do not own a bulldog. It was hot around the ring even with the one door open, for outside toileting because there were so many people around the ring watching. It was about 6 people deep, which would have held the heat in. I don't think that any of the dogs looked like they were struggling to breathe or walk around the ring. They all seemed very relaxed and contented. I was absolutely fascinated with the bulldog and thought how wonderful, fit and healthy that they all looked. Even though i don't own one I have done my homework on them and the breeders are definately making the dogs more healthy and fit. I find it very sad that people don't take time to talk to the owners and breeder of these dogs and find out the truth about them. I am very hopeful that one day I will find a bulldog that will own me.
ReplyDeleteAs i walked around crufts there were many dogs that were snapping at each other and the ones in the pens to show you different breeds snapping at each other, never saw an angry or nervous bulldog all day. The owners are all happy for you to stroke and make a fuss of their dogs too, unlike some other breeds that I saw.
I hate the undershot jaw in any pedigrees.
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to comment on things you think are true please please please get your facts RIGHT !!!!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness me the Bulldog panted ???? really ???? just like most of the other breeds did at Crufts ? it is how dogs cool down since when was a dog panting a cause for concern ?????? if the dog had roared it's head off, keeled over with it's legs in the air, it may have been something Jemima could have triumphantly gloated over ! You are not a vet Jemima so stop trying to con the un-educated throng ! You really need to get a grip in the real world girl ! your follow up program was of little interest to anyone it must have been very dissapointing for you that the viewing ratings were so low.! the trouble is Jemima,your ego relies on others being too stupid to work it out for themselves and clearly from the deep and meaningful comments here i.e 'I hate dogs with undershot jaws' yada yada yada, the quality of intelect in your following has also taken a dive !
ReplyDeletePlease stop wasting question marks like this, it contributes to climate change.
DeleteReally Annonnymouse, you need to get your knickers out of a twist. I think you're panting and out of breath worse than a bulldog!
DeleteI think a long rest in a forced quiet environment, followed by some heavy duty therapy and you might be able to carry on a civil discussion.
As a USA resident, I enjoyed Jemima's program and plan to get many more people to watching. The carelessness and uncaring that was shown regarding the CKCS, the look of the poor Bassett hounds, the hind quarters of a "winning" German Shepard, need to be seen by millions. That's not even going into the utter distaste of defective dogs winning events, siring dozens of litters, owners out and out lying about the health of their dogs; just disgusting to a normal animal lover.
Instead of being snarky and acting stupid towards Jemima and anyone else who isn't kissing your and the KC' s collective behind, you and your ilk need to work on the problems you've inbred into your respective breeds.
I actually own the bulldog that you have pictured (totally without you approaching me for permission or having the common courtesy to discuss any issue that you think you know about) with the so-called sore muzzle. Yes, it IS a little sore, and he had been to the vet due to my concerns. Our vet was did not think it too bad at all, as it was due to a reaction to an external substance! Why you should take it upon yourself to assume it is due to the breed is beyond understanding. ANY dog - or human, for that matter - can react to substances that comes into contact with their skin. Are you, then, of the opinion that people who are prone to allegeric reactions should not be allowed to procreate?
ReplyDeleteOur vet is quite happy with my bulldog - his skin in his nose roll is pink, healthy, dry and infection-free!
It is time to get a REAL life, - and not set yourself up as god of opinions!
Dear Ms. Pannifer,
DeleteI am glad to see that you are concerned about your male's health. In this context, please allow me to ask some other questions regarding the topic: What are your dog's hip and elbow scores? Is he the product of a natural mating, an assisted mating, or an artificial insemination? Has he been whelped by c-section? If so, did his dam have other litters by the same method? If he has sired any litters, was it by natural mating, by assisted mating or by artificial insemination? How many of these litters were born by c-section?
Thank you in advance.
TBH I do not see the relavence of his hip and elbow scores - he is fit and healthy, he can run and play with other breeds. Do you query the scores of other breeds that are perfectly capable of normal play? His mother has had only one litter - and, yes it was a C-section but that was due to my nervousness and my fear that MY inexperience would endanger her. Should she have any further litters she will be allowed to self-whelp.
DeleteI hope you are prepared to have yourself hip/elbow scored, eye-tested, etc. etc. before you allow yourself to breed.
I think that you need to broaden your mind to bigger issues in dog welfare.
Have a nice day - in advance!
The relevance is that unsound hips and elbows tend to lead to arthrotic changes eventually even in dogs that look sound while young. Granted, this may not be that much of a concern in a breed that has a history of croaking before reaching six, so your disregard of the issue is actually somewhat more understandable than it would be in a breeder of, say, Golden Retrievers.
DeleteAnyway, given your obvious pride in your dog's health, I was assuming you would jump on the opportunity of bragging about his health. Guess I was wrong.
As for having myself hip and elbow scored, I think 20th Century history provides some evidence that applying the same criteria to human reproduction as one does to animal breeding is not, in general, particularly advisable, ja?
I am curious though: What is a bigger welfare issue than breeding a dog with no nose that has a one-in-250 chance of having sound hips?
Come on be brave enough to name yourself u coward. u like to hide it seems, as well as tzlking complete bollocks. if u like i will bring my bulldog to meet u, then wé will c what u have to say....deal. or u gonna Keep on hiding?
DeleteHello lee,
DeleteI do admire your guts to post under a different pseudonym than I do. Actually, I would very much like to meet your Bulldog. We could even let him/her run with my sighthounds for a couple of seconds. Alas, considering that airlines refuse to ship the breed because of its breathing issues, that is not going to happen. Sorry.
Of course, as an alternative, you could still post your dog's health background in reply to the same questions I asked Ms. Pannifer above.
Anonymous, get YOUR facts right, look in the KC breed record supplement and see for YOURSELF how many bulldogs are EXPORTED and IMPORTED in and out of the UK each year!!! I have flown bulldogs to Taiwan, Australia and America! Cretin.
DeleteGreetings Gtin, Cretin here;
DeleteI would love to get facts right. Why don't you start by providing me with some regarding your breeding program:
How many litters have you bred? Of these, how many were by natural mating, by assisted mating and by artificial insemination? How many were whelped by c-section? How many bitches who had c-sections have you bred again?
What hip and elbow scores have been found in your dogs? What was their average life span, what were their most important causes of death?
I look forward to getting some facts from you sent to me here in the Land of Cretins, which some of us like to call "Reality".
Evening Cretin. I have never bred a litter of bulldogs, and I currently do not own any. What is your purpose in asking everyone who replies to you these questions??? Do you ask every dog owner these questions? Do you presume that all those who are defending the breed actually breed,show and own bulldogs? Have you seen the self whelping bulldog videos? Have you seen the hip and elbow scores of the bulldog who has been tested? Have you seen the list of bulldogs who have been HUU tested? With the majority being clear? Have you seen all of the bulldogs who hold a current bulldog breed health certificate? The health scheme in which the bulldog breed council pushed for the kennel club to make compulsory but the kennel club refused? Have you ever seen a bulldog in the flesh? If so how many? Have you noticed the wonderful tails on many of today's bulldogs? I look forward to your cretinous answers.
DeleteDing-a-ling, Gtin, it's Cretin;
DeleteForemost, I would assume somebody who flies Bulldogs around would have some means of procuring them. The conclusion that you breed them thus came to mind, though that is apparently not the case. Just apply my questions to the dogs you have flown around then, that will be just as good.
To answer your question, I would not ask a Jack Russell owner about AI and c-sections, but rather about eye problems, and I would not ask a Borzoi person about hip dysplasia as much as I would ask them about bloat/torsion. You see, I happen to work in veterinary pathology, which comes with a certain knowledge of breed-specific problems. All breeds have such problems, but some have worse and more common problems than others. Unfortunately, the Bulldog is amongst the worst of the worst.
So, have I seen Bulldogs in the flesh? Dissected their flesh is closer to Reality. And, believe me, it's not exactly a pleasant experience to see their deformed anatomy up close and personal. Makes you want to vomit, actually, and not because of the smell.
Therefore, please spare us the political banter happening in one particular breeders' club. When comparing the Bulldogs to what has happened in the Basset, it is freakishly obvious that change is not going to come from within the show scene in this particular case.
Perhaps you should read the other post, those expert show breeders know far more than your 7 years studying and years of experience in the field patching up the problems they created, oh and have you ever witnessed a natural birth? According to the experts you veterinary's have got much to learn.
DeletePardon my sarcasm I have much respect for the veterinary profession, such a shame those who created todays current health and welfare problems didnt!
Like most in the profession, I'm familiar with the fact that show breeders are a lot more knowledgeable about dogs than vets. The reasons for this have been thoroughly investigated in a seminal study by Drs. Dunning and Kruger, for which they were awarded an Ig Nobel Prize in 2000.
DeleteContinuing on the topic of veterinary incompetence, surgeons know nothing and do everything; internists know everything and do nothing; and finally, us pathologists know everything and do everything - but it's too late.
Hmmm a bit like the vet who got rather rude with their customer because her bulldogs tail was a screw tail because it had been docked!!! Those 7 years of studying sure came in handy then ;)
DeleteI would disagree most strongly there; some show breeders may know more but this then gives licence to the dog folk knowing it all. I have found that in farming when we take a sheep in for c section our vets do not argue, they are well aware our experience at lambing exceeds theirs however that does not make us experts in sheep...................... Btw if you are not happy with the treatment given by your vet you are free to find another one!
DeleteYou are absolutely right any dog can suffer a skin condition at any time but is it not good practice to withdraw a dog if s/he is not 100% after all it stands no chance of winning (crufts is the prestigious show of the best of the best) unless the judging is flawed!
ReplyDeleteIn actual fact - his face is not as bad as it appears to be in the photograph - if I felt it WAS that detrimental, I would not have put him in the ring. Thank you for your concern.
ReplyDeleteWell actually the dog is being judged by his appearance isn't he clearly his current health is also irrelevant to all involved! You may think its a minor irritation (wondering how the dog feels about it) and yes I agree it doesn't appear infected, but if it is not 100% on the day it has no place in the showring at that time, this golden rule should apply to all those who presented dogs over the past few days who were below par, not just you btw,
ReplyDeleteThe short muzzle is one thing (and bad enough) - but why, oh WHY do they have to have those exaggerated wrinkles? Bulldogs (english as well as french), pugs, pekingeses - they all have skin folds covering their noses as well as their eyes. Folds that become sore and infected, as well as pinch their noses in an effort for all that skin to fit in such a small area.
ReplyDeleteWHAT is the "charm" with this? Look at the Japanese Chin and King Charles Spaniel - they are also extremely brachycephalic (a way of breeding I don't support), but they don't have any skin folds in their face, or at most, a minor one just at the base of the muzzle.
Not enough that the dogs look like they've been slammed into a wall as it is, the breeders and judges also seem to insist that the dogs have as much skin in their face as dogs with normal, long muzzles. (Just like how many bassets have as much - or more - skin on their little legs as a dog with normal leg length.)
Frida Nyberg
DeleteIve never seen any dog with skin folds that "Cover noses and eyes" surely they wouldnt see where they were going , and wouldnt be able to smell the dinner bowl ..... I think your a little behind the times in your description of Bulldogs! Jane O
Reading the nasty comments on here just reinforces just how vile some humans can be.... Bulldogs are beautiful like all animals... Sadly the same can not be said for most of you. Attacking those that love this breed purely because you don't like the way they look..makes you sad and soulless.... Love and compassion are necessities not luxuries... Without them humanity can not survive.. Dalai Lama
ReplyDeleteJesus Jane I think you are as cuckoo as well as blind as the rest.......I'm happy to be sad and soulless quite frankly because I look at my dog knowing she is comfortable in her own skin and can breath freely after all if we can't breath we will die fact! That really is the problems with those of you that defend your bullies, you think they look oh sweet and itsy bitsy cutey wooty, but i havnt yet found anyone who can give me a justifiable reasons for conformation, the short nose, the disastrous teeth, "that's how the breed is" goes beyond lame that is how you have chosen to breed them, it benefits the sick breeders not the dogs themselves........I wonder who is the sad soulless person really? As for love and compassion if your children had a jaw and teeth like that would you think it was cute?? Get real for the dogs sake
DeleteJayne, attacking isn't what people are doing here.They are merely offering opinions on the health of the breed that are different to yours. Just to remind you, the blog was created to share Jemima's concerns about the health of some pedigree dogs. There are a lot of other people who also seriously share her concerns too and find this blog a place where their concerns will be understood.
DeleteYour emotional reaction to these comments merely confirms that people who defend this irresponsible breeding have a lot to learn about the science of what they are actually doing. Evolutionary success is dependent on genetic variation. This is a FACT. Not an opinion. Something that seems to defy some pedigree dog breeders.
Well anon think you've just shown the depth of your humanity in your last sentence.... If my child looked different would I think it was cute.... Yes... I would love my child regardless of how it looked. Oh dear.......
DeleteJayne, that is not what she asked! Different!?!? is that how you define the brachycephalic deformity of the breed? Different?!
DeleteScary.
Jane if you had a child with serious deformation likened to what we see with bullies and you refused to get appropriate treatment to correct it, not only would you be one selfish mother you would also be dealing with social services, for to its a serious welfare issue.....do you get it????
DeleteYou go from ridiculous to hideous, please justify how that jaw, those teeth, those wrinkles that lack of nose, that seriously heavy body and those bowed, out of proportion hind legs benefit this dog, please explain the advantages these have brought to the breed compared to the bully of yesteryear because I'm desperate to hear it maybe then those of us with a brain may take you and your kind with a hint of seriousness!!!
We should be safeguarding their futures not destroying them. People like you should never be permitted to breed dogs, I'm even wondering about your ability to own one
Jane, you are unbelievable. It is not that people do not like the way the look and are attacking the dogs because of that. Do you really honestly believe that all people are as shallow and superficial as that? I have better things to do with my time than slag something off simply because i personally don"t find it physically appealing.
DeleteThe reason people express concerns about the appearance of the Bulldog is because it can't breathe properly. If it had a muzzle and had not been bred to the point of serious physical deformity then we probably would not be discussing it. It just goes to show that you are only concerned about the way the dogs look and incorrectly assume that everybody else feels the same too. I am concerned about dog's needlesly suffering in the hands of people who refuse to continually develop, learn and progress. They are at the mercy of people who are not breeding these dog's for the right reasons.
I was at crufts on Friday and saw many different breeds in both toy and utility and I have to say there were lots panting even before they went in the ring, also walking around there were doors in every hall open so people could go out for a cigarette, both my daughter and myself were not wearing coats they weren't needed and by late afternoon it was very warm
ReplyDeleteThere were many bulldogs that went round the ring and did not pant at all, I'd never heard of you until today and my opinion is you are a drama queen who loves attention instead of writing lies about different breeds join a theatrical society where you can be the centre of attention without the bullshit!
well said, its beyond belief that this woman can come out with such trollop !! a few pics out of hundreds of dogs entered !
Deleteexcuse me please watch what you do on here otherwise we can take you too court for your unauthorised photos
DeleteThese are priceless! Stupid as all get out, but priceless! The dog was at a public venue and wasn't even identified. May I PLEASE be in court the day you go there? I love a good laugh and get the giggles when judges roll their eyes.
DeleteIt's cruel to continue to develop a breed of any animal that makes said animal have health problems that could be bred out of them. Especially for a trophy and ribbon (and mucho euros).
Well dorothysdog we meet again,four years ago you used my veteran bulldog on youtube to create hell, sadly she passed away at twelve years and two months.....sorry,you probably believe bulldogs only reach six years, as I have spoken before,i was always taught that if I had nothing nice to say,keep my mouth shut.....but you....you take the biscuit I truly believe in karma.....I rest my case ....
ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange how you have posted a handful or so of photo's of Bulldogs. Where are the photo's of the bulldogs which are actually cleaner in head? The ones with smaller and split nose rolls, and the ones longer in leg and with long loose tails??? Because I know for a fact there were many at Crufts this year!!! And do tell us why it is a health issue for a bulldog to pant but it is absolutely normal for every single non high profile breed to pant? Clutching At Straws springs to mind!!!
ReplyDeletewow! I have just brought my 1st English Bulldog and i think he is amazing, he came for a kc reg breeder and is healthy. reading all these comments made me feel sick to be honest.... :(
ReplyDeleteWhy is it ONLY the bulldog it seems that gets this sort of abuse? Why is it not a REAL dog? Is it a cat in disguise? Possibly, given that a Persian and Himalayan cats are brachycephalic...
ReplyDeleteI guess its okay to breed dogs who's only purpose is to tear another animal to pieces, as they are REAL dogs. Or to breed a dog who probably ends up being sprayed with more hairspray than a girl band, because that's also a REAL dog
There are problems in other breeds, therefore we are not allowed to point out problems in the Bulldog?
DeleteHow very convenient.
(Or, as a logician would call it, "tu quoque". In any case, the archives of this blog provide ample evidence that the Bulldog is not the only breed whose show breeders are getting the criticism they deserve.)
People are quite within their rights I agree to point out the some of the shortcomings in ANY breed, and yes I do agree with your eloquent latin to suggest a valid, yet inconsistent argument from the OP. My point was more to the fact that the blogger seems to have an overly keen interest in slating both the bulldog as an animal and a number of the breeds 'owners' and breeders. Admitedly, some of the comments made by both sides of the fence have been quite juvenile, particularly when it comes to personal insults. As a psychologist would say... post hoc ergo procta hoc
DeleteHow can you say a dog is not comfortable in there own skin are you dr dolittle did they tell you this ??
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the comment if we dont breath we die, im looking at my bully right now, breathing perfectly, fast asleep and you guessed it ALIVE
Are you bitter that when you walk down the street no one bats an eyelid at your common looking unknown breed of dog, unlike my bully that has people flocking in there droves to give him attention saying wow what an amazing looking dog you have.
A controversial subject here misses vanity but why does everything revolve around the look and condition and have to be cross referenced to children to add impact to your argument, does this mean a child that looks different to your liking example down syndrome should be terminated and not given the chance to love and be loved like our bulldogs.
Sighthounds hey there attractive cant even give them away at the rescue centers, a question for you if you had a child that had anorexia, bones jolting out and a rib cage you could play a tune on wouldn't you want to get to the root of that problem.
i suggest you stop wasting time on here and prepare a good meal for the poor little malnutrition ed sorry excuse for a bag of bones befores he falls down the plug hole
Ben balls you complete................. I own hunting breeds and sheep dogs which work and we rarely walk down the street! Btw Down syndrome in children is a serious condition which if we knew how, we would do everything in our power to avoid because nobody actually wants a child to be affected.............get my drift?
DeleteBulldog breeders deliberately breed for undershot jaws, misaligned teeth and conformation problems which reminds me of rickets (something else we try to avoid as humans) flat wrinkled faces and that's just what one immediately sees. Ben maybe you could explain what was wrong with the bulldog of yesteryear as all the others in the fraternity avoid that question with as much passion as defending this current specimen!
Oh and I would most definitely get an ego check or no one will be able to tell which end to talk to!
Jeeze some of you people are childish. So this is all about canine envy is it? People are just jealous because they don't have an attention drawing Bulldog! Can't we all go out and get one then?
DeleteI really don't understand your bit about sighthounds and not being able to give them away. I guess they're waiting around desperately hoping to be the next fashion craze!
You have a breed of dog that cannot whelp naturally. That should really tell you something.
I have a doberman, actually, a striking example of an already head-turning breed. I have no problems with people giving my dog attention when out (as if that is even a consideration when choosing a breed! What the hell? I don't care if people look at my dog or not!)
DeleteBut I do have a problem with dogs who cannot breathe correctly, you do not have to be 'dr dolittle' to know that breathing freely brings much better quality of life than breathing with effort all your days.
Which would you rather live with?
I don't care how healthy you think your bulldog is, or how perfect his breathing is: I'll bet you everything I own he cannot keep up with my dobe on a remotely warm day. I also wonder how you think a muzzle 2 inches long can perform as well as one like on, say, a dobe or greyhound......
My bulldog (Baxter) is awesome. Yeah he can be lazy but we still walk him everyday for an hour and he would eat everything you put in front him but he is fed very well to ensure he doesn't gain weight and become a fatty batty! If we didn't bath him he would have stains on his face and to be honest his backside would stink but we new what we were buying we new he needed a lot of attention and we new the ups and downs of any dog!!! Bulldogs are loving and a joy to have as a part of a family, I wouldn't change him for the world!
ReplyDeleteI know you love Baxter and i can hardly pass a Bulldog without wanting a cuddle with it. But do you think if a dog could choose to change he would want to have these breed traits he is stuck with. Not trying to upset you. Baxter is a lucky guy to have great owners like you.
DeleteAll said a pretty poor piece of journalism. Poorly reserched, ill informed. Good look in your quest in creating an Ayran Race of super dog. Will it be in your own image I wonder??
ReplyDeleteYou seem pretty poorly informed on the subject - you realize the KC's style of breeding is eugenics, an attempt to isolate and concentrate the noble heritage of "superior" specimens? This is the heart of Aryanism. This is why outcrossing is so blasphemous, even though the false concept of Racial Purity as applied to dogs is killing them.
DeleteThe push to discourage such extreme conformation and unsound practice is about as far from that as you can get.
This isn't about superiority or looks or image. This is about the well-being and life quality of dogs.
The man-made conformation of many dogs is causing them to fall apart and suffer. The push is to let dogs be dogs, not whimsical flesh sculptures fashioned by human prejudices.
As a bulldog owner myself, I have to admit that this is a very good point which applies to every breed.
DeleteIt's almost as if mentioning the word outcrossing is akin to committing heresy!
DeleteEvolutionary success requires genetic variation as the raw material. As long as breeders continue to do what they have always done, they will get what they have always got. Dogs that are dropping to bits. Yes, it IS a good point. It is the whole reason the future welfare of the domestic dog is in trouble.
My commitment to supporting the future welfare of dog's is that I will never, ever buy a pedigree dog. I will always continue to adopt mutts. They are generally healthier. And I have never seen another dog that looks like her too. The KC breed standards need ripping up and starting again. Why people want to buy these unhealthy cloned dogs is beyond me.
Some of us want our cloned dogs as we want a known quantity, we want to know what traits they should have asit suit our lifestyles. Not every breed is unhealthy, the breed I have is very healty and I would never have any other now. I don't judge your choices so ypu shouldn't judge either.
DeleteThere are Border Collies who are afraid of sheep, Labradors who don't like the water and Retrievers who guard their toys. There are no guarantees with breeds, only tendencies. I am referring to the breeding of dogs for aesthetic purposes. If you want a known quantity in that regard, I can understand wanting a dog that requires minimal grooming for example. That in itself is a practical aesthetic trait that would be desirable for some people and also would benefit the dog.
Deletebut to want a dog because you think it has a cute, flat face which prevents it from breathing properly, then I certainly don't apologise for judging people to be cruel in desiring that deformity in a dog.
I want my dog to look like a Nordic dog , its the breed I like, the aesthetics I like just like you want a dog that is different, it is my choice. They are long lived with it not being uncommon for them to live to 18 and that's with us having a tiny gene pool. So yes you can have health and a type.
DeleteThe Nordic dogs have been bred primarily to work. So anatomically they have been selected for fitness. And they have muzzles! I have no idea about the show lines in these dogs and any diseases. Of course, it's your choice what dog you own and you are certainly not in the minority being emotionally attached to the look of a breed. Hereby lies part of the problem. if the breed developed serious health problems, would you still want to own this type of dog, knowing you are perpetuating it's suffering?
DeleteI would do and do the upmost to ensure all dogs I have come from healthy lines, it would maoe no sense to have sick dogs. Our breed put massive effort into keeping them healthy we have had 7 imports in 2 years , we have put a largw amount of money into reseaching muscular dystrophy even though the only 3 cases have been abroard, we have asked for the kc to make patella testing on the putman scale mandatory but they declined. We try not to breed from bitches woth excess tearing but woth our gene pool its not alway possible. Some breeds try there very best, there coats are gleaming yet we add nothing for the show ring we keep them natural, thst saying however we often do nothing in the group and are often off the radar. There is good pedigree dog breeds/breeders.
DeleteHurrah! Good for you. Shame you don't have the right support form the KC.
DeleteWhat we need to do is start a new blog with picture and videos of ''English Setters, Great Danes, Labradors and, most recently, Flatcoated Retrievers'' and just slate them without fact. Im sure these dogs are all perfect no matter where or what type of breeder you get them from eh???????
ReplyDeleteStop trying to sell your DVD by slating a great dog
Still wondering when somebody is going to answer the questions about what the breed club are actually doing to ensure their breed is healthy? No hip scoring, elbow scoring, eye testing, heart checking prior to breeding. How can anybody say they have a healthy, happy Bulldog? Genes are things you cannot see! Any answers from anybody please?
ReplyDeleteHi Annie.. as a Bully owner myself Id also actually like to see this question answered on here, if only to put the question to rest, also in the interest of integrity and fair reporting, something which I feel Jemima sadly hasn't done (which surprisingly she has been cited as being in the past). That aside, it may be prudent for someone to contact Arthur Rowe at the Bulldog Breed Council. I am aware of the Bulldog Health Assessment programme that was started a few years ago but in all honesty I cannot say here and now what it covers in its entirety, although a number of other breeds have taken up the programme.
DeleteLike I said, I currently own (not a breeder) a bully and have owned many other wonderful breeds including non pedigree and I've seen my fair share of health issues in many breeds other than the brachycephalic type. Agreed Jemima does go out to highlight a number of other dogs with 'problems', and I'm quite happy that this is indeed highlighted but seems intent on demonising the bulldog and more importantly at times, either misrepresenting the facts, and missing others, only to suit her own agenda.
There are breeders out there (bulldogs and other breeds) who will quite happily ignore the importance of any kind of health screening if the canine 'fits the bill', as much as I hate to stereotype and tarnish any journo with the same brush (and its hard not to as of late) I'd ask that not all breeders and owners of bullies, pugs, boxers, etc. aren't either
The bulldog breed council wanted the health assessment to be made compulsory, it was the KC who refused!
ReplyDeleteI am struggling to find the reason for posting some of the pics shown in this blog. Some aren't panting, some have their mouths open only slightly but I saw dogs in the BIS ring panting - does this make them unhealthy specimens?
ReplyDeleteMaybe the writer of this ill-written blog should take a look at www.healthy-bulldogs.co.uk - there's a self-whelping gallery (I know self-whelping is being encouraged in the breed as is natural matings which the breed are quite capable of) along with pics of bulldogs out and about.
Does the very fact that this website needs to exist not raise any alarm bells???? It had also been noted by the defenders on here that pictures can be edited.........just saying
ReplyDeleteI think its reasonable to have this website when you have people quick enough to jump on the breed without knowing full facts!! So many people are quick to say bulldogs are full of faults when those that are well bred will only need to visit a vets for vaccinations, injuries etc just like other breeds. Sure there are tests that the breed can do and are doing but just because there's a test for something doesnt mean every dog has to have it unnecessarily (labs, GSDs etc don't test for HUU) you only have to see a bulldog laid with its legs stretched flat out behind it to know they don't have a hip problem but if a person wants their dog testing thats up to them. There is a health scheme the breed put forward but the KC rejected it but a sub-committee of the breed council continue to work on a health scheme just as other HPBs are doing - im afraid you are preeching to the converted - most show folk are doing their best in the breed (look how far they've come with tails in such a short space of time)and have come on far more than other HPBs yet continue to get slated at every opportunity - the breed is a costly one for puppies so you get those in the breed for money making, not bothered with what tests their dogs have done, not bothered what quality they produce, so long as they get the ££'s.
DeleteYes not all bulldogs shown at Crufts will be good examples of the breed as you only have to fall lucky with your class and get 3rd out of 3 at a champ show to qualify - the same with other breeds, you will get some in the ring that you wonder how they got there, but any bulldog that showed any signs of ill health in the ring was asked to leave. Maybe if the 'writer' of this blog felt so strongly about the poor examples shown at crufts she should write to the KC about making it more difficult to qualify than just falling lucky with 3 in the class, for example maybe there has to be a minimum of 5 in the class at a champ show for the top 3 to qualify, or for any dog qualified to have passed a vet check prior to entering crufts (but then I'm sure the 'writer' will make out the vet used was pro-bulldogs)
Hey its not "the writer" fault the breed is in the state it's in it's the breeders! there is no smoke without fire, the defence is lame, action speaks louder than words...........I agree with you on one thing an independent vet certification should be issued before entry at Crufts, but then the KC would lose money and that simply wouldn't do!
DeleteI am yet to know what the 'state' is that you are referring to (we're going round in circles here) - if you want action see the way tails have come on in such a short space of time - something breeders have encouraged in breeding and showing. I could understand the constant criticism if the breed had shown no improvements but the breed acknowledged there was work to be done and are working with those involved in the HPBs to do what they can to better the breed (and are probably the breed that is most active within those in the HPBs). Instead of coming up with cheap ways to criticise the breed such as 'the bulldogs were panting', reflect on the work that has been done and give them time to continue to better the breed.
DeleteHaving read both articles and comments about bulldogs, I get very upset and angry about how some people (I don't know in which quality do they speak about bulldogs or to what degree they are knowledgeable about the breed)can verbally abuse and talk down this breed! What is wrong with the C-section when is needed? Why make such an issue about it? In humans when there is need for C-section because the babies are too big,or something else,do we disqualify those babies from living because they were born through C-section or in farming for cows, horses, etc?
ReplyDeleteIn the past, hundreads of years ago, perhaps C-section was not an option because the humans and their knowledge has not been developed so much, but do you guys know how many wolfs, dogs, cattles, babies even or their mothers have been lost because for whatever reason there was, a normal birth that could not take place?
I am told that not all bulldogs need C-section and most breeders, at least here in the UK will only use the C-section procedure if is needed, i.e. if the life of the bitch and its puppies are at risk. Again, what is wrong with that? You guys talk about producing meat in labs without using animals, just through some checmical formula, or inject the chickens, turkeys, ducks, etc to accelerate their growing and development so they can be used for and in our meals, so that's ok but to help a dog give birth because most puppies in that breed are quite chunky when they are born is a huge problem!!! Really don't get this!
Then, why so much fuss about hip and elbow scoring when there are guard dogs, or hounds that can't actually move or walk correctly because of their herreditary joint problems, so why this all of the sudden is important for bulldogs, a breed that is not supposed to catch a rabbit, or protect sheep, or do any kind of work in that respect?
Looking at the bulldog standard, a mature specimen should be around 25kg. Now for that weight to be carried along in a body which doesn't exceed 45 cm in height it takes quite a lot of strenght to do it, hence you can't compare how fast they are with a Lab, or BArzoi, Greyhound, or whatever other breed lighter and faster than the bulldog. Same thing you can't do with humans, a bodybuidler will have different qualities from a sprinter, or a football player, and so on ... so once again why all your silly statements like people feel sorry for this breed, why??? To me bulldogs seem to be the most human breed, the most happy breed. Never heard once any bulldog owner to complain about their dogs, they all say how funny, happy, loyal and loving they are therefore what are you people feeling sorry for????
All dog breeds developed health problems over the last 20-30 years so to speak, some more than other breeds but this I put it down to the human greed and stupidity! Bulldogs at least were tamed and from the agressive type was made a docile and living type but look at the german shep, they can't move now because of how much the breeders played with them, the labs, and so on who get artritis, heart issues, etc ... so why you guys are picking on the bulldog for??
Bulldogs today look happy and sound more than ever and their owners are happy with them, therefore if anyone wants something specific you should come with real proofs not pics taken without the owner's agreement after a dog has been away and ''at work'' in the show hall all they long and sneak for a pics or two when it sticks its tongue out and immediately ask for the breed to be banned because it pants! For all those knowledgeable people including the author of this article, dogs have a routine and for a show they miss on their routine for that day at least, therefore when a dog is out and about all day long, it is natural despite the breed the dog is to get tired, get hot and pant! Nothing unusual with that!
Simply, if you can't add any value to the bulldogs, do LEAVE THIS BREED ALONE!
Mario C
I have 2 of the most contraversal breeds discuss in this blog.A Bulldog and a Basset hound. First off, this is such a passionate debating blog site, which shows great love and concern for our greatest companions. The Dog. I have had concerns in regards to both of my dogs. When I bought my Bully from his Breeder, I was asked to sign a puppy guarantee that absolved the Breeder from any recriminations if the purchased puppy developed dermitis,demadix mange,and heart problems. My response was "REALLY! Why have a puppy guaratee?" The disturbing part was not the clause in the guarantee, but the breeders response. " Those are very common defects in Bulldogs, so I cannot warrenty the puppies for these natural defects." WHAT! How can a bad heart and parasites crawling on you even be NORM? Now I know someone could retaliate and say " Yeah but you still bought a Bully." True. But because I love the breed. What my upset is this accepted "norm" by Breeders. My Bully is a pedigree, FCI,CKC,AKC registered and chipped. I looked at a lot of Breeders, Canadian,American,and European before I chosed my Bully. Majority of the Breeders'puppy guarantees had this clause. Is that really such a norm to have bad skin and a defective heart within the first 2 years of life? Sad, really. I feel very lucky that my Bully has not suffered any of these ailments. I believe it was the Breeders,(of my Bully,) care and upstanding devotion to this breed that has provided my Family with the years of Bully love and health. N I absolutely agree that todays Basset Hound is overblown in its excessive skin and short legs. Now before hackles go up. I love my Basset Hound. She is not the overly wrinkled and stubbied legged dog you see in the Showring. Beautiful but no sagging excessive skin skirt and ankles and elbows that can be admired without lifting skin folds, is how I would describe her. Okay I am no professional but at least one can admit that there are character key traits being slightly exaggerated in todays show Basset Hounds. Are these traits creating unhealthy dogs? Who am I to say. What I can say is that if anything these excessive traits are causing more maintenace and grooming demands on the owners to maintain a happy,healthy,fit Basset Hound. My concerns are more towards what seems to be the "Accepted Norm". Particularily the Bassets legs. I know a Breeder of Great Danes, 2yrs ago she purchased a Basset Hound male with the intention of breeding him. Now that he old enough this Breeder is ready to stud him. When I asked her why her male was somewhat limping and why he looked knuckled over in the forearms her reply was shocking. "Oh thats normal with this short legged breed. It can be a deformity that sometimes occurs." WHAT. Okay I accept that she is new to this Breed and that not all Breeders would say this,but after again looking at several Puppy guarantees stating "No guarantee against leg abnormalities" I was shocked. Yet another accepted norm. I am no expert or Breeder but how can society accept these abnormalities/deformities/health concerns as a norm? I believe that this blog is here to point out this bizarre acceptence of what is considered normal in the dog society, not to just critize Breeders, Judges, and Dog Exibitions. Maybe I completely missed the mark on this blog,but I feel we all are somwhat to blame. We as a society have set these standards. The dogs themselves cannot tell us their standards. Maybe we as a whole, Pet Lovers, Show Breeders, Judges,Exhibtors, Vets whomever. Should all own up a bit to these concerns and stop pointing fingers. Our dogs of any breed,cross or mix are going to love you unconditionally no matter what. So why do we have so many "conditions"
ReplyDeletefor them? I leave you with that last thought. CHEERS.