I haven't had any negative incidents regarding their health but I have had a few people ask about health problems with the breed (in the same way they would ask about health issues with another breed). One guy actually talked about hip dysplasia in his GS before asking me what sort of issues are common with bullies. I am okay with that.
We DID however have two negative incidents in the last week:
1) We were at an offleash park. Earlier in the day Chance had joined Stiggy, Punkin, Gregory and other TO bulldogs for a bully meetup. Because I couldn't join them at the time and because it was a great day, Chance's dad took us back to the park that afternoon.
One dog was barking at Chance and Chance barked back. We sat Chance down, as did the other dog's owner and continued talking. This lady (whose dog was not involved) hurried over to tell me that the "law" said that an uncastrated male isn't allowed in an off-leash park. The guy whose Shiba Inu was barking at Chance didn't seem concerned and was actually taking pics of him (and came to our defense) but the lady was adamant. While I cannot fault her in that there were signs on the park gate, there had been several uncastrated males running around earlier during the event. On top of that, the law has actually changed in Toronto but the sign was out of date. (I looked up the off-leash by-law last year before Chance had finished his shots so I'd know whether he could run off-leash).
I didn't want to argue with the lady so we left but it really put a damper on my day being told to leave a park.
2) Chance went to the vet yesterday to get his eye looked at. A whole host of things pissed his dad off but the icing on the cake was the vet saying "there's a guy who wants to breed with Chance. Can I give him your number?" Sean told him (politely) that any type of inquiry like that would have to go through our breeder (which was his nice way of saying "WTF dude...we're not randomly breeding our dog with some guy.") The VET actually responded with "What? Really? Are breeders that picky?"
For real?!
And they wonder why there are health problems with the breed.
We DID however have two negative incidents in the last week:
1) We were at an offleash park. Earlier in the day Chance had joined Stiggy, Punkin, Gregory and other TO bulldogs for a bully meetup. Because I couldn't join them at the time and because it was a great day, Chance's dad took us back to the park that afternoon.
One dog was barking at Chance and Chance barked back. We sat Chance down, as did the other dog's owner and continued talking. This lady (whose dog was not involved) hurried over to tell me that the "law" said that an uncastrated male isn't allowed in an off-leash park. The guy whose Shiba Inu was barking at Chance didn't seem concerned and was actually taking pics of him (and came to our defense) but the lady was adamant. While I cannot fault her in that there were signs on the park gate, there had been several uncastrated males running around earlier during the event. On top of that, the law has actually changed in Toronto but the sign was out of date. (I looked up the off-leash by-law last year before Chance had finished his shots so I'd know whether he could run off-leash).
I didn't want to argue with the lady so we left but it really put a damper on my day being told to leave a park.
2) Chance went to the vet yesterday to get his eye looked at. A whole host of things pissed his dad off but the icing on the cake was the vet saying "there's a guy who wants to breed with Chance. Can I give him your number?" Sean told him (politely) that any type of inquiry like that would have to go through our breeder (which was his nice way of saying "WTF dude...we're not randomly breeding our dog with some guy.") The VET actually responded with "What? Really? Are breeders that picky?"
For real?!
And they wonder why there are health problems with the breed.
The wait was at least 45 minutes. Soooo who comes and gets in line behind me? My ex vet that I "fired" because of the way we were treated when we had to euthanize our sweet Rottie, Ana. (Long Story). Well, we hadn't really spoken since I cut the cord and moved on to a new vet. We started with small talk about the holidays..blah..blah..blah. Eventually the conversation turned to pets and she asked what we had in our menagerie now. I talked about Dena Dog, whom she knew, and the cats. Then I said, "Oh ya..we got our first puppy after 20 plus years!" She asked what we got, and the look on her face when I said English Bulldog, was priceless!! "Oh my gawwwwd," she exclaimed! "Are you crazy? Do you realize the health problems you have just purchased? Their eyes..their skin, their hips??". I let her go on and said yes, of course I was aware. We had done plenty of research and tried to get a healthy pup. How are his eyes?? She asked this at least 4 times! I informed her that he had been a very healthy guy and such a joy. She just kept shaking her head..I finally said.."look Dr. D......, we spent thousands and thousands of dollars, with you, on mixed breed dogs and other "healthier" breeds. And then the thousands on cats we've spent! I'm thinking your more worried you might be missing out on our money than you are about our Jake."That shut her up and I felt sooo good. :D
But I do get more compliments that outweigh the negative ones! If you can't say anything nice than don't say anything at all....I've always liked that old saying!
it!
