I got me a bulldog..

star-pants

I have snipped the name of the breeder - NOT because we're interested in protecting anyone, but rather protecting ourselves/yourselves from any potential libel.
I'm leaving the rest of the posts in tact, so all the information is still there as well as the advice.

Whispered

BengaLover wrote: »

I AM taking whats said here on board, and getting more info.

That's all you can do really. Also watch her behaviour carefully to see if she's used to being in the house.

With regards to food, I think it really depends on the dog. Why are you looking to change her food? I found RC very rich for mine, a lot of scratching, loads of poos and windy. Harleys anal glands really were terrible on it. But then I know others who are very happy with it.

I have my two on Bewi, it's a German brand which I happened to find through our local kennels. Harleys anal glands immediately improved, their coats are great. Even Phoe, who was baldy when he arrived thrived on it and looks great now.

I don't know what to suggest for a bitch who will need a lot of dietry support after pups, but I suppose I just wanted to point out that if you must change food, it might take a few tries to get something which suits your dog. If it doesn't suit her, it doesn't mean it's a bad food, just not the right one for her.

getz

BengaLover wrote: »

Been toying with the idea of a puppy, as its probably one of only 2 or 3 breeds I would want, an English bulldog, but we have older kids and despite the puppies being soo cute we have decided to go for a retired female, she is 5.
I am going to switch the food that the breeders give her and try to source the best food for that breed for optimum health and condition - but dont want to ask the vet as i know that they endorse a brand for profit.
Can any bulldog experts/owners advise a good food that suits that breed - do they need extra protein or anything, or just regular good dried food like red mills.

most of these posts have not been very helpfull over the years i have had two staffies, and i am on my third bully,each of my bullies liked a different food,the one thing i have been consistant on is to give him a little goats milk, and a egg,in his food,if you are still bothered about what to feed her,go on any bullie web site,the breeders will be so happy to give you their experience on bully food, bullies have a different outlook to other dogs,if you let them they are quite happy to be couch potatoes,so make sure you give her a walk ,or like humans who dont walk she will get overweight and may have health problems,on the down side ,they also get very stubborn[like the british in a way] and dont they snore,at times its like a motorbike in the house,the other problem is to expect to be stopped by people in the street, if you want to know more , you can send me a message,and i will give you my e/mail

BengaLover

Thank you for all your informative replies - My priorities are that the dog (IF i take her) is in top health, well socialised and has proof of pedigree and vets history.
So I will be taking a list of questions that I will ask, and like you said, watch to see if she is used to being in the house, how she acts around other dogs and our daughters, and her owners. I may also borrow my mother in laws spaniel to see how she reacts to a strange dog.
I would LOVE the option of a rescue dog of this breed, but in Ireland they seem few and far between and may come with the risk of behavioural problems.

marley123

On topic - Royal Canin does breed specific food which is prob one of the best..

Off topic - Andreac, am sure you are one who will remember this plenty of "Show dog " owners mistreat their animals including below

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2004359/Crufts-winning-mother-daughter-plead-guilty-keeping-104-dogs-horrific-conditions.html

BengaLover

just rang EGAR and left a message on the offchance they may have something.

toadfly

BengaLover wrote: »

just rang EGAR and left a message on the offchance they may have something.

Sarah who runs EGAR is sick at present and unable to answer the phone. Try emailing her: egarbullbreedrescue@gmail.com

Best of luck OP, sorry if I seemed to be preaching but I have strong opinions on this and just wanted to warn you.

toadfly

A dogs life have an American bulldog, only Bulldog I can find on irishanimals.ie

andreac

Sorry guys, im up to my eyes at the moment in work and dont have time, plus i just got an appt in the vet college for Flo in the morning to be seen so im bit all over the place.

I really dont have much to add, ive said what i had to. I wouldnt recommend that breeder esp knowing what ive heard shes done. Having her bitches in pup for sale is a huge no no for me and i wouldnt touch someone like that if you ask me.

BengaLover

UPDATE: Several phonecalls today confirm what you have said here, in fact she was kicked out of the Irish Bulldog Club, I WONT be taking the dog and am now concentrating on finding a rescue one of this breed.
Thanks everyone.

toadfly

BengaLover wrote: »

UPDATE: Several phonecalls today confirm what you have said here, in fact she was kicked out of the Irish Bulldog Club, I WONT be taking the dog and am now concentrating on finding a rescue one of this breed.
Thanks everyone.

Thanks OP, most people don't listen.

tk123

Ah you're making the right decision OP! In the meantime while you find the right dog you can give yourself a meltdown trying to figure out which foods you're going to try lol :pac:

meoklmrk91

BengaLover wrote: »

UPDATE: Several phonecalls today confirm what you have said here, in fact she was kicked out of the Irish Bulldog Club, I WONT be taking the dog and am now concentrating on finding a rescue one of this breed.
Thanks everyone.

Fair play to you OP, you stuck by your word. I know a lot of people that come to the animal issues website may be a little overwhelmed by the response's regarding their choice of breeder etc. people sometimes feel like they are getting a lecture. However I rarely see one of those ''preachy'' posts that not dead on. Anyone who is in anyway involved in animal welfare is frustrated at the way things are done in this country, and especially trying to educate people on Animal Welfare issues and at this stage responsible breeding is at the centre of the whole thing. People see a pup/dog on a website, all looks well, they are IKC registered so it must be okay right?, sadly wrong, I know I was one of those people but I now know better and so will do better.

I wish you all the best with everything and I hope you find the right dog for you and your family.

pokertalk

BengaLover wrote: »

UPDATE: Several phonecalls today confirm what you have said here, in fact she was kicked out of the Irish Bulldog Club, I WONT be taking the dog and am now concentrating on finding a rescue one of this breed.
Thanks everyone.

fair play to ya done the rite thing

Wibbs

Fair play to BengaLover and I have to say fair play to meoklmrk91 for this;

meoklmrk91 wrote: »

sadly wrong, I know I was one of those people but I now know better and so will do better.

Few enough admit feckups, even less change. Kudos.

Honey-ec

As someone has already mentioned, A Dog's Life have a beautiful American bulldog named Blue who has been in foster for an age and really needs a forever home, would you consider him at all?

getz

Honey-ec wrote: »

As someone has already mentioned, A Dog's Life have a beautiful American bulldog named Blue who has been in foster for an age and really needs a forever home, would you consider him at all?

does not the american bulldog come under the restricted breed in ireland ?,if anyone is looking for a resque english bully,you may have a long wait,even in england there a very few about,the bulldog resque in the UK has a long waiting list,so i would think in ireland it would be next to inpossible to get one,but i believe in northern ireland there are a lot of bully breeders.you could try your luck there

Honey-ec

getz wrote: »

does not the american bulldog come under the restricted breed in ireland?

No, the American Pit Bull is on the RB list, not the bulldog. In fairness, even if the bulldog was on it, I wouldn't see it as an issue. The whole thing is a complete load of crap.

BengaLover

Yea he is lovely but comes with health issues, that involve skin irriration and breathing, I have 3 cats so may not be a good idea. Would ye look at the size of the lad on him too..:D

Honey-ec

BengaLover wrote: »

Yea he is lovely but comes with health issues, that involve skin irriration and breathing,

You'll be hard pushed to find an English bully without breathing issues too, I'm afraid. It comes with the territory.

BengaLover

I was thinking more along the lines of him being allergic to the cats..Dont know if its possible.

Toulouse

He's not allergic to cats. His skin issue is food related and he will need to be on meds and cereal free food for life.

Not sure where you see he's got breathing problems as he doesn't. He'll only go to a home where there is a second dog and someone home most of the time so maybe not really suited.

getz

Honey-ec wrote: »

You'll be hard pushed to find an English bully without breathing issues too, I'm afraid. It comes with the territory.

mine has not,and he walkes for ever, maybe i have been lucky,only one of my three buldogs had breathing problems,and he was overweight when i got him at two years old,mind you he lived untill he was thirteen