So frustrading, infuriating and sad...UPDATE

RiiSi

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Lately, englishbulldogs have been in presented in the finnish newspapers in very poor light. Some people want to ban the breeding of bulldogs all together. They say that there's no healthy bulldogs and it is cruelty against animals to breed them. Most of these people have never seen a bulldog in their lives and they also don't even wan't to hear about healthy bulldogs. If a bulldog is sick, it's cause it's a bulldog. The people in the Kennelclub of Finland are giving very confusing statements to the media and we're waiting to hear what is their official stand is in the matter. We all know that banning the breeding of a breed will not stop it, but take it under ground and to the mills. Where nobody thinks of anyhing else except the money. I am a member of the Finnish Bulldog Club and will be attending their meeting about breeding next month, even though I'm not a breeder and never will be. I too am worried about the breed and want to know what kind of actions the breeders are taking to ensure that the most wonderfull breed in the world will survive and thrive.
Not all bulldogs are sick, allergic and breath badly. I think that a lot of people that breed bullies just cause they have one, think so and breed bullies that have those problems. Of course bulldogs will never be grayhounds and run like the wind, but they can be active and take long walks. There are breeds that have huge black fur and it would be mdness to take them out for a walk in the warmest hour, but nobody thinks that breeding a dog with huge black fur is cruel.... In my opinion bulldogs are attacked, cause they look so different from other breeds and it's just making my blood boil. But bad breeding is making my blood boil just as well. I just found out that one breeder had a litter from almost 8 years old bitch that had her last litter 7 months ago and has had 5 litters all together and they're all registered.

Sorry about the rambling, but I'm really upset!



So THE meeting was on sunday and I'm cautiously optimistic that we will have significantly better englishbulldog in the future. In the next two years our club is conducting a health study together with the university and the kennel club were 30 to 50 english bulldogs will under go a thorough health check with X-rays (trachea, elbows, hips, back....the works) CT-scans (head and pelvis), different functionality tests and a 6 minute walking test. Based on the findings englishbulldogs will have a breeding suitability test and only the pups from parents that have passed the test will be registered. It takes time, money and effort from a lot of people, but this test will be free for the owners whose bullys are selected.
 

nycbullymama

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

I think that's the problem, at least in the U.S
Too many people breeding for money and not health. Even known breeders aren't health testing the way they should, and stud out their dogs to just anyone.

With bulldogs, you need to be very careful since it's much easier to have an unhealthy litter, than a healthy one. And with so many puppy mills and back yard breeders, that what most people see- the unhealthy dogs.

Even here, how many times do we see "I love my dog, I want him to have puppies". These people are clueless. They don't health test, and they don't care. They also don't understand what they're doing to the breed as a whole by breeding their "1 in million dog" :rolleyes:.

I think there needs to be stronger laws for companion animals. Tougher on breeders, puppy mills and any one who decides to breed. There need to be standards put into place, and breeders need to meet those standards before they're allowed to breed. Every pure breed litter should be registered, and traced, and every dam and sire health tested for the most common genetic defects in their breed. If someone can't follow the the rules, then they should not be allowed to breed. If they do, they should be forced to pay extreme fines for each puppy in the litter.

Eventually, people won't buy these dogs anymore and most mills and breeders would go out of business. But this will never happen here as there's no one in Washington lobbying for animal rights loudly enough to be heard.
 

mackbob

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

Majority seems to be clueless about dogs in general and what it takes to keep them healthy. I believe the more educated you are about your dog, the healthier they will be even if they have hereditary issues. Also, any breed that is overbred irresponsibly is going to have issues. Not just bullies.

When I was on the search for a bulldog puppy, I was looking for parents both came from health tested lines and I also wanted a bully that had more of a snout so he could breath more easily. Bob, my EBD has more a thick rope over his nose, but when you pull it back you can see that he does have a snout, you just can't tell my looking at him.

Anyway, Bob had a vaccine and had a reaction. Within the next few days/weeks he was having major skin breakouts and respiratory issues (green phlegm, allergies, hives etc). My regular vet couldn't figure it out, said it was typical bulldog and prescribed steroids and antihistamines. The derm specialist was just as clueless. So I took him to a holistic vet. He told me that the skin issues were indeed because of the vaccinations. And that bulldogs are EXTREMELY sensitive. Note, he didn't say they were sick dogs, but that they were SENSITIVE dogs. He said that they just cannot handle some of the medications and vaccinations and foods that they are given. He said he firmly believes bullies need to be fed raw food and vaccinated very minimally and that they need to be fed supplements from the beginning to build their immune systems. He prescribed him some Chinese herbs, and i have to say, my puppies derm issues have pretty much disappeared! I believe nature can heal anything. It just takes a lot of time and effort but it can be done.
 
OP
RiiSi

RiiSi

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

Just accord to me that some of you may be thinking that I'm bashing your bullies if they have allergies or don't breath so well. NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT! Every bully is special and worthy of our love, but don't we all wan't the future pups of ours be healthier?
 

nycbullymama

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

[MENTION=12722]mackbob[/MENTION] I agree about raw feeding as I just think it's better for dogs period. So I did have Blue on it for six months. His allergies didn't go away. In the end, he still needed steroids to get the itching under control so we took him off.
 

Texas Carol

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

@mackbob I agree about raw feeding as I just think it's better for dogs period. So I did have Blue on it for six months. His allergies didn't go away. In the end, he still needed steroids to get the itching under control so we took him off.

But you tried, you did your best and in the end, each dog is different
and responds differently. Kisses to you & yours!
 

Texas Carol

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

Lately, englishbulldogs have been in presented in the finnish newspapers in very poor light. Some people want to ban the breeding of bulldogs all together. They say that there's no healthy bulldogs and it is cruelty against animals to breed them. Most of these people have never seen a bulldog in their lives and they also don't even wan't to hear about healthy bulldogs. If a bulldog is sick, it's cause it's a bulldog. The people in the Kennelclub of Finland are giving very confusing statements to the media and we're waiting to hear what is their official stand is in the matter. We all know that banning the breeding of a breed will not stop it, but take it under ground and to the mills. Where nobody thinks of anyhing else except the money. I am a member of the Finnish Bulldog Club and will be attending their meeting about breeding next month, even though I'm not a breeder and never will be. I too am worried about the breed and want to know what kind of actions the breeders are taking to ensure that the most wonderfull breed in the world will survive and thrive.
Not all bulldogs are sick, allergic and breath badly. I think that a lot of people that breed bullies just cause they have one, think so and breed bullies that have those problems. Of course bulldogs will never be grayhounds and run like the wind, but they can be active and take long walks. There are breeds that have huge black fur and it would be mdness to take them out for a walk in the warmest hour, but nobody thinks that breeding a dog with huge black fur is cruel.... In my opinion bulldogs are attacked, cause they look so different from other breeds and it's just making my blood boil. But bad breeding is making my blood boil just as well. I just found out that one breeder had a litter from almost 8 years old bitch that had her last litter 7 months ago and has had 5 litters all together and they're all registered. Sorry about the rambling, but I'm really upset!

Excellent post, Riikka and I totally agree, it makes me sad, mad & frustrated too.
And so heartbroken for these randomly bred bullies that develop issues and for
their owners who don't know (and can't know) who are then burdened by huge vet
bills or have to put their beloved ones down :( As you say, there ARE healthy bulldogs
and ethical breeders and this is the most wonderful breed...yet so misunderstood &
ignorance about them. Keep us informed about what you learn, thank you for your post.
 

Texas Carol

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

Majority seems to be clueless about dogs in general and what it takes to keep them healthy. I believe the more educated you are about your dog, the healthier they will be even if they have hereditary issues. Also, any breed that is overbred irresponsibly is going to have issues. Not just bullies.

When I was on the search for a bulldog puppy, I was looking for parents both came from health tested lines and I also wanted a bully that had more of a snout so he could breath more easily. Bob, my EBD has more a thick rope over his nose, but when you pull it back you can see that he does have a snout, you just can't tell my looking at him.

Anyway, Bob had a vaccine and had a reaction. Within the next few days/weeks he was having major skin breakouts and respiratory issues (green phlegm, allergies, hives etc). My regular vet couldn't figure it out, said it was typical bulldog and prescribed steroids and antihistamines. The derm specialist was just as clueless. So I took him to a holistic vet. He told me that the skin issues were indeed because of the vaccinations. And that bulldogs are EXTREMELY sensitive. Note, he didn't say they were sick dogs, but that they were SENSITIVE dogs. He said that they just cannot handle some of the medications and vaccinations and foods that they are given. He said he firmly believes bullies need to be fed raw food and vaccinated very minimally and that they need to be fed supplements from the beginning to build their immune systems. He prescribed him some Chinese herbs, and i have to say, my puppies derm issues have pretty much disappeared! I believe nature can heal anything. It just takes a lot of time and effort but it can be done.

Great post and thank you for this great knowledge shared, I agree. Also, too
early spay/neuter before maturity causing many problems as these hormones
help in proper bone structure, brain development, urinary function, etc. I get
minimal vaccinations spread out & individual, not grouped together. After
maturity, I only give Rabies. So many dogs & cats are increasing developing
autoimmune diseases, I believe there is a direct link w/excessive vaccinations,
poor diets, etc.

Welcome to EBN and so glad you took Bob to a holistic vet & doing great :)
 

2BullyMama

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

So, what the so called 'leader' that want to band a breed should do,,,, is band stupidity and ignorance! But, then they would be out of a job, because we would not be allowed to have politicans any longer. :D. Just my opinion.
 

cefe13

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

Interesting post! I just read on the Swedish EB Club's homepage that the Swedish Kennel Club wants to make some drastic changes regarding EB breeding too. I don't know more than that - it was just a comment in passing on their homepage.

I assume the EB population is small in Finland, like in Sweden? Although I hope most breeding is done in a responsible way, the mere fact that there are so few EBs around ought to be a risk factor in breeding.
 

bullmama

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So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

I agree with you completely! A breed ban won't solve anything. There needs to be more stricter laws regarding breeding altogether.

Like, for example, you can get Akc papers for a litter, even if the sire and dam are under a year old!!! WTF???!

Those who get caught doing bad breeding with Akc get a slap on the wrist, or if they get kicked out, the use the ckc instead which only requires photos of the parents to get new papers.

Also, importing puppy litters should not be allowed! How are people even able to do this?

And why is it that even though puppy mills are known, they are not shut down? I remember a few years ago a state passed a law that you cannot have more than 50 dogs. No more than 50??!!! Sadly this was a huge improvement on what was happening, and many breeding bulldogs were saved by rescues.....but 50 still says puppy mill / puppy factory!!!

Don't even get me started on the registration process. Akc & ckc should require photo documentation of litter with a paper on it stating sire and dam's name, at the very least. Or better yet, field personnel who visit home and pups prior to giving out papers along with DNA testing. Papers should be much harder to get than they are.
 

dolphin

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

And why is it that even though puppy mills are known, they are not shut down?

This is the million dollar question that can never be answered because the muti-billion dollar American corporations will continue to cover it up. :(
 

mackbob

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

Great post and thank you for this great knowledge shared, I agree. Also, too
early spay/neuter before maturity causing many problems as these hormones
help in proper bone structure, brain development, urinary function, etc. I get
minimal vaccinations spread out & individual, not grouped together. After
maturity, I only give Rabies. So many dogs & cats are increasing developing
autoimmune diseases, I believe there is a direct link w/excessive vaccinations,
poor diets, etc.

Welcome to EBN and so glad you took Bob to a holistic vet & doing great :)

thank you and i agree with you in regards to both your methods of vaccination and neutering! I've been doing titers on my other pup and plan to do the same with bob!
 

mackbob

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Re: So frustrading, infuriating and sad...

@mackbob I agree about raw feeding as I just think it's better for dogs period. So I did have Blue on it for six months. His allergies didn't go away. In the end, he still needed steroids to get the itching under control so we took him off.

how is he doing now? My vet gave Bob something called Canine Dermal Support.
 
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RiiSi

RiiSi

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So THE meeting was on sunday and I'm cautiously optimistic that we will have significantly better englishbulldog in the future. In the next two years our club is conducting a health study together with the university and the kennel club were 30 to 50 english bulldogs will under go a thorough health check with X-rays (trachea, elbows, hips, back....the works) CT-scans (head and pelvis), different functionality tests and a 6 minute walking test. Based on the findings englishbulldogs will have a breeding suitability test and only the pups from parents that have passed the test will be registered. It takes time, money and effort from a lot of people, but this test will be free for the owners whose bullys are selected.
 

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