*breathes deeply*

[mrose_s]

One of my best mates wants an English Bulldog as her next dog. Her biggest attraction to them is the way they look but she likes that they have lower energy requirements etc. I've told her as much about them that I know off the top of my head and I've told her I'm going to help her find a good breeder because of how important health testing is with this breed imparticular.

I've explained to her she needs to keep it as an indoor/outdoor dog because it does get hot here in summer and they need to be kept cool and she's fine with that.
She's also mentioned American Bulldogs but I've told her they're big, drivey dogs that will likely need a lot more excercise/stimulation etc and it would be harder to find an ethical breeder. Plus she's not really keen on their size.

Then last night we're sitting down having a few beers with friends and the convo turns to dogs... and breeding and I hear her say "oh yeah, I'm going to breed my next dog"
I told her with that breed, C sections are very common, along with small litters etc. And an emergency C section could cost her thousands.
And my head is screaming "if you do get a dog from a good breeder, no way will they let you do that and if you get one from a dodgy breeder you should NOT be breeding on... ARGHHHHHH"
We're close friends and she knows that dogs are my "thing" so I hope I can keep quietly explaining this to her...

 

[mrose_s]

Btw, could someone tell me what sort of health testing I should be asking breeders about with British Bulldogs?

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

How frustrating! Hopefully because you are a good friend she will listen to your advice. I don't know enough about BB's to help you out with your health testing questions, sorry

 

[BostonBanker]

From my understanding, it is very difficult to do live cover on Bulldogs, so perhaps the expense of AI will turn her away.

 

[Dreeza]

when dealing with friends, I personally find it easiest to SHOW them the evidence, not preach it. I can't necessarily say this method works better, but I feel like I get much more across & I do feel like they are more likely to listen.

Maybe print out some really good info for her. Print out good stuff too so it isn't ALL negative. Like if it isn't too much work, if you can help her find a good breeder & what not to show her after you have given her the more negative information. Maybe even find a bad breeder that would allow her to breed...and show her WHY they are bad.

GOOD LUCK! these situations suck

 

[milos_mommy]

English Bulldogs are one of, if not THE MOST expensive breeds to buy from a good breeder because of the massive amounts of health testing and delivery trouble. At least here, a well bred English Bulldog puppy costs upwards of 2000$ for pet quality.

If you can't talk her out of breeding, try and talk her out of an English Bulldog.

 

[mrose_s]

I've mentioned Aussie Bulldogs, they are still developing and it would probably be harder to find a decent breeder (I've only met 1 from a BYB but he was a sweet dog)

I'll try to find her some examples of good and bad breeders. I'm looking for a dog at the moment and she knows I'm likely going interstate to get it and that I'm being very careful about breeders so hopefully she'll see the difference. Although I am looking for a totally different type of breed than her.

I'm trying to stress that eventhough it'll cost more, she's better off paying more for someting with health tested parents. It'll likely save her int he long run.

 

[Pops2]

don't talk her out of English bulldogs. if she gets into a healthier breed then she'll definitely breed. if she gets into the english and she can't get a natural breeding then hopefully the expense of AI and all the previously spent money will persuade her to not bother w/ breeding.

 

[ShopieCha]

Dog breeding is a lot of work and a full time job. It doesn't seem like your friend really has an understanding of what she is getting into if she starts to breed dogs.

The best thing to do is to make sure she knows what is coming. This can be difficult because she probably already has her mindset on becoming a breeder.

So the trick will be more getting her in a receptive mindset than telling her the truth about dog breeding.

 

[Maura]

Take her to a dog show and head for the English Bulldogs (shows usually post how many of each breed are coming to the show). After the dogs have gone into the ring, you can (she can) find a handler who is willing to talk up the breed. This person will know how much a pet quality puppy from good bloodlines will cost. They will know about AI, C sections, pallet problems, breathing problems, ... There's a reason you don't see too many of them.

But yea, let her talk herself out of them. My DD was set on getting an Irish Wolfhound, until we went to the Detroit dog show a couple of years ago. There, we met Spinone Italianos. Now, she's sold on that breed, much smaller more practical, and longer lived.

 

[Grab]

I don't know...Bulldogs are really, really common with BYBs here. (school mascot is a bulldog, so everyone thinks they have to have one) working at a vet who does AI, I can say that I've seen plenty of people who I would guess have problems paying their other bills or buying groceries, yet they'll scrape together the change to pay for the vet visits. They just tack it on to the puppy price, and there are always idiots who will pay that amount. And no one here health tests their bulldogs

 

[mrose_s]

Going to a dog show is probably a good idea, she's a nice girl but she's clueless as far as different breeds go. So exposing her to a few she hasn't seen before is probably a good idea.

I've had a quick look online and found a couple of registered breeders in the area that i might get in contact with aswell.