Bulldog Puppies...

[MadMen]

Just had a text from my... well... bit on the side, I suppose. He said "be ready for 5, we're going to Wales. Chose one". It was accompanied by a picture of a litter of pups. Bulldog pups.

Now is probably not the best time for me to have a puppy, but I don't want to sound like an ungrateful cow.

I have plenty of time on my hands, and the kids would love a dog, but I don't know anything about bulldogs - apart from they've always been my favorite breed and anyone that knows me knows how much I've always wanted one!

Has anyone any Bulldog experience, and do they really have as many health problems as I've been lead to believe in the past?

Need some help and advice asap. Thanks :-)

[woofgang]

oh arghhhh big alarm bells....and I for one didn't say that you had to have owned one, just that you don't seem to have done any research at all....and no, phoning your sis does not count as research!

[woofgang]

ps the dogs generally can't even mate unassisted
http://celticpride-bulldogs.co.uk/mating.htm
or whelp normally
http://www.bulldog-breeders.co.uk/whelping-aid.html

[ladybirder]

Or even breathe normally.

[rsvp]

I can't tell you how much I admire you for coming on to this site for advice - haven't read through the previous post (which I'm sure are full of good advice) but..... you obviously don't know the breed well even though it's one of your 'favourite breeds' - having friends that know you love bulldogs doesn't necessarily make you a good owner or them the best people to take advice from - how much experience with the breed do they have? - these dogs (like many other breeds) have serious health issues - check it out with reputable breeders and never, ever buy a puppy from a photograph!!!!. Research puppy farms - a terrible industry and one guaranteed to cause heartache to you and your family. You'll make a brilliant owner -you think and you've sought advice -lucky dog who joins your family.

[MadMen]

"you don't seem to have done any research at all"

I haven't done any research on their health problems in that past, as I have never been in a position where I might have been about to get one! My "research" on that particular day, was to come on here and ask for advice from anyone that's had any experience. I wanted conversation, to be able to ask questions, not just read a leaflet. Hope that's OK with you.

Rsvp, thank you for your excellent answer and advice. I realise getting a dog is not like buying a new pair of shoes. I realise it takes a lot of thought, understanding and knowledge - hence why I came on here, rather than just going to 'pick one up'.
I also realise I clearly do not have anywhere near enough understanding of this breed and just because I like them, doesn't mean I'm ready to own one.
I am also, having now read up more on puppy farms, extremely cautious about getting one from West Wales!

I think, for now, I'll just stick with my little Budgie. Bit of Trill, sandpaper and he's happy :-)

[lankeela]

Cue a joke......I used to work in a pet shop but I got the sack - got caught with my fingers in the Trill......

[Baldric]

///not just read a leaflet.///

Ok, bye!

[craft1948]

I would never buy a puppy from anywhere in Wales............

[MadMen]

Lol Lankeela :D

Craft, yeah, I didn't realise they had such an issue with puppy farming :-(

[RATTER15]

We will be moving to Wales and hopefully selling puppies :-(
hopefully people will already know us well enough to know how much we despise puppy farming, we will also hopefully have homes for the puppies before breeding.

[MadMen]

"We will be moving to Wales and hopefully selling puppies!"

Whaaaaat? Please take me and my two (one behaved, one badly behaved) kids with you. We will be good. promise :D