Crossfire Bulldogs READ ME!!! (others can read too) =)

[BXRchic]

Hi, I gather from your posts, username, and signature that you either own a "pack" of Bulldogs or your breed....

What all can you tell me about them as a breed?
I'm asking because eventually (maybe, in a while) I might get another dog (after we move and get settled).
The [breeds] that are canidates as the "next dog" position are only a few...
I was thinking about going thru a shelter (No Kill) or a rescue regarding either another Boxer (a white boy this time maybe) or a Doberman (maybe rescuing one of the albino boys).
But I've been seeing a lot of Bulldogs lately (maybe a "sign" from above) ...

so... a few question... (if you can help)
1.) whats the general temperment of the breed?
males v. females?
(so far, I've just met ones that are happy to meet you but not overly excitable-they've all been over the age of 3)

2.) What are their downfalls?
regarding health, temperment, physical limitations, etc.

3.) Are they a "go-places" kinda breed?
like, would they fair well, on say the beach? or camping?
(b/c they're bachycephalic (sp?) like boxers, and their size as a factor as well, I would assume that lengthy hikes are out as is anything that may cause any level of overexertion (?). )
4.) What's maintenance like with these guys? I assume pretty easy b/c of the short coats.

Okay, I guess thats it for questions. If you can help (and ya feel like it ) feel free to elaborate on any details that you feel are necessary!

Thanks!!!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Hi Carrie,

I'd be happy to answer anything you'd like to know about the breed and yes, we are a show home but we don't breed often. Our breeding is strictly and only done when our own bloodline is in need of a new generation for the show ring.

If your not overly concerned with getting a pup please choose to adopt a rescue, our breed just as others have so many dogs in need of loving forever homes. As for your other questions posted here we go

1.) whats the general temperment of the breed?
males v. females?
(so far, I've just met ones that are happy to meet you but not overly excitable-they've all been over the age of 3)

Answer: General temperament of the breed overall is excellent, very loving, easy to please and always looking for a way to please their owner. Pups tend to be fairly easy to train as their always looking for that approval from their family. You'll find that the males tend to be a bit more easy going however. Females can at times be a bit more head strong and when the mood strikes them full of PMS. Always remember what this breed was originally used for....bull baiting. They can be head strong and do not feel pain in the same way as other breeds. A bully will literally go until death if needed and no amount of pressure to the jaw or pain compliance with make them give. Early socialization as well as bonding, respect and a complete understanding of the alpha structure in the household is a must.

2.) What are their downfalls?
regarding health, temperment, physical limitations, etc.

Answer: This is far from an unhealthy breed as a whole but just like with any other they do have certain health related issues that their prone to - canine hip dysplasia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, shoulder luxation, internalized tail

Minor concerns: entropion, ectropion, distichiasis, elbow dysplasia, cherry eye, patellar luxation

Occasionally seen: urethral prolapse, vaginal hyperplasia

Note: Precautions must be taken when anesthetizing a Bulldog. An experienced Bulldog vet is always your best choice.


3.) Are they a "go-places" kinda breed?
like, would they fair well, on say the beach? or camping?
(b/c they're bachycephalic (sp?) like boxers, and their size as a factor as well, I would assume that lengthy hikes are out as is anything that may cause any level of overexertion (?). )

Answer: This is not a breed for long walks, hikes or to be out for any length of time in hot or humid weather. A bully will go with you when ever and where ever you as an owner request but due to their intolerance to heat they can and will literally stay by your side until they drop from heat stroke. A bulldog must be watched very carefully for signs of exhaustion and as pups may even have to be crated for rest should play get too far out of hand for their breathing.

4.) What's maintenance like with these guys? I assume pretty easy b/c of the short coats.

Answer: Although I find the maintenance pretty easy its a myth that since they have short coats that their a low maintenance dog. Bulldogs require daily care of their facial folds and wrinkles, the wrinkles and folds of their body as well as cleaning of their tail and genitals often.

If you don't mind following your dog with a diaper wipe in hand to clean up under his or her tail after they've been out at times then you'll do fine. Due to the bulldog's overall structure it is almost physically impossible for them to clean themselves, they just can't really reach that back end. Depending on how the tail is set will determine how often the dog will require it to be cleaned.

Bullies are wonderful loving family members, very good with children and typically good with other dogs if properly socialized. This is however a breed that is not only costly to purchase but costly to maintain, just as with other short nosed breeds they are prone to upper resp. infections and nothing about a bulldog is ever cheap, easy to diagnose or treat. I keep records of every time mine go in for one thng or another and I've yet to have even one go under a thousand dollars a year on veterinary care. ( Yes, my vet loves me....I've put two of his children through school and I believe I've about got his house paid off. LOL )

Ask just about any veterinarian and they'll tell you that a bulldog is a vets nightmare. You can't ever get actual good breath sounds listening to their chest, its impossible through all their snorts and snores and although things have advanced over the past few years anything that requires anesthetizing the dog presents more risk than with most other breeds. Taking a bulldog to be spayed for instance to a vet with little to no bulldog experience can kill your bully! Trying to put a bulldog under by weight or with the wrong anesthetic will kill them and I can't even begin to tell you how many people I hear of every month that lose their bullies to something this simple.

I could go on and on about the breed and how very wonderful they are but, they aren't meant for everyone and just as with any other breed they do have their quirks and downfalls. The very best advice I can give someone considering a bulldog is to not only research the breed to the extreme but to try and be around one as much as possible before making a final decision.

[BXRchic]

thanks for all of the wonderful info!
Extremely helpful.
A rescue would likely be my number one option because of the trouble that I've had with my boxer girl who we supposedly got from a "breeder" if ya know what I mean... <sigh>
Besides, its like you already said... there are sooo many dogs out there that are already born and in need of a good home, so why put your name on a waiting list for a new litter when you could likely just go get one (provided that you were approved by the rescue organization).
At any rate... The Boxers and Bullies seem to have so much in common. I have also heard people refer to boxers as "tall bulldogs".
I do have to follow my girl around after she eats and "clean her face" (she usually gets a face wipe before bed too ).
Not so much the heiny wiping, just once when she was sick .
But she can "reach herself" not like your "kids"


Now, among the dogs with the "excess skin" (we'll call it), Boxers included as well as Shar-pei's and the like... have any of your bullies ever had/gotten/do have Skin Fold Pyoderma (I think that's it). the under the neck skin issues.
Have you ever seen it?

They are just too cool. I'm going to do some more personal research on these guys and see what I come up with. I'm in no rush to make a decision... jeez... we haven't even found "our house" yet!

PS: i just love the pic of "tillie" (sp?) Such a cute dog!
Thanks again for everything!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Your very welcome

I've had secondary pyodermas as the result of a food allergy in my big boy Drew but have been lucky enough to not have had to deal with the issue in my own other than that. Have had plenty of rescues come in with it as the result mostly of bad hygiene but a few that it just didn't seem to matter what was done it was always a constant battle. ( Usually found in OVERLY wrinkled bullies )

I have a good friend who raised Boxers for years and your right, they are very much like the bullies except the boxer tends to be a bit higher energy as pups and young adults.

I always try to warn people before getting a bulldog to remember that they are very much like having a small child but one that never grows up. If your not fond of small children....a bulldog is not for you. I always push for rescue before a breeder even when I have pups on the ground, its the rescues that should always come first and any breeder in my opinion that thinks differently needs to re-evaluate their responsibilities to the breed as well as what their giving back to it.

Thank you for the compliment on Tillie she just had her very first show over Halloween weekend.

[BXRchic]

Not a problem! And thank you for all of your help and information!
I'm going to look into some rescues and do some more research on the breed!
Thanks again!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I've posted our national club rescue link in the rescue info