1. 

• Anyone who has ever bred one litter of puppies is a breeder. A person who owns only one female Bulldog, and decides to breed it, is a breeder, as well as the person who has several Bulldogs and breeds them on a regular basis. The difference in types of breeders is the important issue.
  ..
  An owner of only one Bulldog can produce nice puppies depending on the research and education this breeder has sought prior to the breeding, and the quality of that one Bulldog they have. An owner of only one Bulldog can also produce disasters for the breed if they are not educated and do not care what they breed and produce. The same goes for owners of several Bulldogs who breed on a regular basis.
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  One important thing to always think about before breeding is the fact that each pup’s registration paper will carry your name and your address on it forever. There is no way you can escape the blame for poor quality puppies if you are careless in your breeding. Somehow and somewhere in the future, careless breeding will come back and haunt you.

2.

• There is no such thing as a ‘back-yard’ breeder of Bulldogs. Bulldogs cannot be turned loose and left alone in the back yard and successfully breed. If you can do this, then something is wrong with the quality of the two bulldogs. Without human intervention (help) the Bulldog breed could not procreate and would be extinct in about twelve years. You can be a ‘first time breeder,’ as we all were/are sometime along the way. And you can be an ‘ignorant breeder of poor quality pups’ who breeds their dog just because it has an A.K.C. registration paper and you think that piece of paper insures you of having a good Bulldog.
  ...
  The term ‘Back-yard Breeder’ is most often used in a derogative description of someone by the novice owner of a Bulldog(s), trying to make himself seem knowledgeable in breeding practices.

3.

• An established breeder (also referred to as a reputable breeder) is one who has bred Bulldogs long enough to know what they are doing and what they are producing. And have earned the respect of other Bulldog breeders and owners by proving they have been conscientious and caring in their breeding programs. These breeders take a personal interest in the placement of each pup and assume responsibility for any pup they produce. Many established/reputable breeders produce future champions because of the education and research they have put into their breeding programs.

4.

• A ‘puppy miller’ is someone who breeds any quality Bulldog they can find as long as it has an A.K.C. registration paper, and breeds it to just any other Bulldog with a registration paper, and produces puppies for the sole purpose of selling the pups and making money. These breeders could care less about the quality of the pups being produced, the future welfare of the pups, or about the protection (health and physical) of our beloved breed. Their only goal is to make money off the sale of the pups. Puppy millers will sell their whole litters to pet stores, animal research institutions, or anyone willing to buy the pups at prices to resell to make a profit. They have no feelings for the pups, nor do they care what happens to them. Many times the registration papers and pedigrees have been altered or forged and otherwise mixed up.

5. 

• Not necessarily. There are some called reputable and established breeders who have sold their pups through a pet store. And with the new rage of shipping cooled semen to anyone who calls and can afford it, there are a lot of pups being sired by Champions, with their breeders being a person who might sell the pups in the manner of ‘puppy millers.’ The owner of the sire may live thousands of miles away and can only rely on the word of the breeder as to the quality of the pups produced and the welfare of the pups.
  ...
  Check out your Bulldog’s pedigree. Trace it down. Call the breeder. Call the owner of the sire. Do not breed this Bulldog until you are totally satisfied that you have what you paid for and that someone out there can identify him as being the dog he is supposed to be and educate you on his lines.

6.

• If you are on-line via computer, visit some of the Bulldog sites. Notice names and locations. Ask around. When you see a nice looking Bulldog out somewhere, talk to the owner. Ask your veterinarian about a referral of a healthy Bulldog puppy. Purchase a dog magazine and check the breeder ads in the back. Check out the B.C.A. web site and locate your division and call one of the officers. Call the A.K.C. and ask for a referral. Remember, there are many breeders out there and you need to find one where you can visit, and be welcomed to visit, and get to know the breeder before you ever decide which puppy is right for you. Do not purchase sight unseen until you absolutely know what you are doing. Do not purchase without a sale/ transaction contract with a health guarantee. And if you are looking for a Bulldog to become your beloved household pet, check the news- paper’s ads. Many beautiful puppies are produced by persons who only own one female bulldog, but love the breed, and have produced the best litter possible. No matter how many Bulldogs a breeder owns, make sure that breeder is knowledgeable of the breed, and can tell you the bloodlines and history of the pup.

7.

• No. The only thing this A.K.C. registration means is that your Bulldog is supposed to be a purebred Bulldog and both his (reported) parents were purebred and also registered with the A.K.C. The American Kennel Club is a registration agency only. They do require breeders to keep records of the pups produced and they do retain the right to view these records but they do not monitor which two dogs are bred.
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8.

• No, but it does mean he has the tools he needs for education in producing quality puppies, such as the quarterly B.C.A. publication, ‘The Bulldogger’, and a guide to the standards containing illustrations and a written explanation of what a quality Bulldog should look like. And he signed a B.C.A. Code of Ethics stating that he would adhere to producing only the best quality Bulldogs possible. The quality of the pups he actually produces will depend on his ethics and his breeding stock.

9.

• Your breeder has put a lot of time and effort in producing puppies he cares about. Getting you into some clubs will help educate you in the breed and the proper care of the pup. This will benefit not only you but the breeder, too, in that he will be assured the pup is in a good home with educated owners. All caring breeders would like every one of their pups to be shown and become champions. The B.C.A. promotes showing of Bulldogs and this will encourage you to show yours.

10.

• Sure you can. Go to some shows and compare what you have with what is in the show- ring. Chances are you have a winner. Register him for a show and see how he does. Talk with others at the shows and see what they think. The majority of these Bulldog owners and handlers will be friendly and give you their true objective opinion of your dog. No matter who says what, the real test will be when you get him in the show-ring. Just be sure you and your Bulldog are ready and know what is expected of you.

11.

• First of all, no breeder can assure you of a future champion by telling you that a certain puppy is ‘show quality.’ Any A.K.C. registered Bulldog, even the worst example of the breed, can be shown as long as you register him for the show and pay the registration money. A pup may be a good show prospect but what happens to it after you get it home will determine how it matures. Did you feed it the diet suggested by your breeder? Did you teach it commands? Did you socialize it properly? Has he suffered injuries as he matured? So many things are to be considered in the rearing of the dog. And no one can see into the future.

12.

• Bulldogs are just like many other animals. They go through an adolescent stage where they sometimes develop long skinny legs holding up a too large body with a small head and everything out of proportion. Did your breeder mention that this litter of pups may take a little longer to mature, or that they should be early maturing? He will know because he should know the relatives of the pups and how they matured. Not many six months old Bulldogs look like the Bulldogs you see pictured as champions. Between the ages of one year and two years, he will start pulling it all together and end up beautiful. Give him time.

13.

• To my knowledge, there are no books available on showing a Bulldog. You can find information on shows, and on how points are accumulated toward a championship, but not much more. Therefore, you must attend some shows and see what goes on. Pay attention to how the Bulldog is handled, what the judge expects of him, and how well the dog behaves in the ring. Some Bulldogs are natural showmen and love it. These stand out above the rest regardless of color, size and anything else. The demeanor of the dog is so important. Try yours in a show and see how he does. Some of the best looking Bulldogs are the worst in the show ring, and vice versa. And pay attention to how the dog is handled. A bad handler will not show a dog to its best advantage and a good handler can make the worst looking dog look very good. A good handler and a good ‘love to show off’ Bulldog means a new champion in the making.

14.

• During a show is not the time to expect these owners and handlers to be chatty and informative. They have to keep their minds on the showing, size up the other dogs their dog will be shown against, pay close attention to the welfare of their dog, and try for the big win. Handlers are paid to perform the business of showing the dog they are handling. Everyone has their mind on the event and the Bulldog they are interested in. The best thing to do is wait until after the show, go over to an owner or handler, compliment him/her on their Bulldog and ask for a card so that you may contact them some other time and learn more about their dogs.

15.

• Most likely your Bulldog looks so much better than his that he is jealous. But he could be saying that he does not recognize the bloodlines in your dog’s pedigree. If he was a breeder, and you were seeking breeding advice, he could be telling you that you do not have a Bulldog that he believes to be a good candidate for breeding and/or he does not want to breed your dog.

16.

• It is difficult to find a Bulldog pedigree without at least one champion listed on it, granted it may be a ways back. This just means that somewhere along the way, someone used a champion in his breeding program. Careful and conscientious breeding after that champion could mean you have a top quality Bulldog.  Sloppy and careless breeding after that champion could mean you have a poor quality Bulldog. This is why it is so important to know what you are getting before the purchase. One champion, or twenty-one champions, listed on a pedigree does nothing to insure quality forever. What matters is the quality of the female and male that produced your Bulldog.

17.

• Sure you can because they do have champions in their bloodlines as almost all Bulldogs do. Most prospective puppy owners are looking for a pet to take home and love. Many are not concerned about the pedigree, and many would not recognize any of the names on the pedigree anyway because they are not into showing, and they are not interested in breeding. They just want a purebred, A.K.C. registered Bulldog that will mature out to look like a Bulldog they saw a picture of somewhere. Your responsibility is in producing pups that have the best chance of being like the one someone saw in a picture and being as healthy as possible. People serious about showing or breeding will not be shopping in newspapers or magazines for what they want or need. This does not mean your pups are lesser quality in any way, it just means that the show exhibitors and the established breeders have a specific line they are interested in.

18.

• You can do this if you have an extra two or three thousand dollars lying around to invest in the litter. And you can do this if you don’t mind that this is a high-risk undertaking and you may lose your female, all the pups, and lots of money in the process. Who would you love then? You should never consider breeding unless you have studied the breed and have a veterinarian that knows bulldogs and is known to be qualified to safely deliver a litter of bulldog puppies. And you are financially and morally prepared to stand behind your breeding selection and remain responsible for the pups you produce for the rest of their lives. It would be much less expensive to purchase a relative of your dog (like a niece or nephew) or a quality pup from someone experienced in the breeding of bulldogs.

19.

• It would make a lot more sense for you to plan a pregnancy and then let your children watch the miracle of your baby being born. Your children would not be allowed in the room where the c-section surgery was being performed to deliver the pups (so no miracle of birth there). And they should not be allowed to see and handle the pups for at least two to three weeks (so no miracle of development there). What your children will see, and learn, is that their parent(s) can go for days without sleep and very little food and water (a little miracle?). And that children can survive with very little care and attention from their parent(s) (a miracle maybe). And that puppies can poop five times the amount they eat (a real miracle or wonder!), resulting in the whole house smelling as though the Health Department might need to intervene (not a miracle, just a fact). Forget it.

20.

• It is just a flip of the coin as to which sex makes the best pet, and a personal preference. Each Bulldog has its own unique personality regardless of sex. Males tend to mature out/develop the more typical Bulldog look that you see in most pictures of Bulldogs. They are calmer natured and very loyal. Females make just as nice a pet as long as you under- stand that the females become more territorial and may not like other dogs, especially other female dogs, to come around, and the females often do not mature out/develop the popular Bulldog look. In size the female usually is smaller than the male and usually has a smaller head and shoulders.

21.

• God made all Bulldog puppies so cute and adorable so people will fall in love with them instantly and want to take one home. But puppies do grow up quickly. Within six months you will have a pup in an adult Bulldog size. There are some wonderful adult Bulldogs occasionally available through established breeders that have been retired from breeding but still young enough to make you a long time, excellent pet. And sometimes other Bulldog owners can no longer keep their pet and need to find it a home. Shop around. When it comes to Bulldogs, age and size should be no major concern. They are all wonderful. It makes more sense to own an older, excellent quality Bulldog, than to buy a cute puppy with a questionable background.

22.

• Ask this person what they know about his background, and why he ended up being a rescue case? Ask lots of questions. How does he do around strangers? Other dogs? Children? Obvious health problems? Physical defects? Etc. And ask to bring him home on a trial basis. He may be perfect but he could be a nightmare. Even on a trial basis, remember that this poor Bulldog has been displaced and may be very upset about it all. He may be shy and timid at first, or he may be aggressive. Try to make him feel secure and loved, and give him space for a while so he can adjust. Keep in mind that all bulldogs are non- aggressive and very affectionate by nature, but even a Bulldog can become emotionally upset, or have an impairment that causes him to be ill. And try to trace his background. If at all possible, call his breeder or previous owner. Just recently an over zealous ‘rescue’ person has literally abetted in the theft of a Bulldog(s) just to be able to claim success at placing ‘rescues.’ So your rescue person should be able to furnish references too.

23.

• Older Bulldogs no longer good for breeding and sick Bulldogs requiring special health care are the ones most often abandoned. The ones found as strays, well, there is no way of ever knowing their backgrounds unless someone comes looking for them. The ones found in unfit homes or situations usually are suffering from lack of proper care both nutritional and health. The ones whose owners can no longer care for them may have been left behind because of the death of their owner, a job transfer, a new baby in the household, or some other reason. Some make wonderful and devoted pets with the transition to another home being easy for them. Others may be traumatized by the whole process and may never adjust to a new placement.

24.

• While you are able, make arrangements for your Bulldog’s safe keeping should something such as an accident leaving you disabled, or your death, happens, making it necessary for the Bulldog to go to another home. Discuss this with whomever you would like to care for your Bulldog prior to putting this in your will, or in a contract. Most anyone will say ‘sure, I’ll take care of your dog’ but you must be assured this person really wants to, will, and can afford to, provide a good, loving home for it. Talk with the breeder that brought your beloved pet into this world. Maybe they would care enough to assure you no need to worry about its future.

25.

• No, you do not. But you do have to have an A.K.C. registered Bulldog to show.

26.

• The A.K.C. sponsored, and sanctioned, shows require all dogs shown to be A.K.C. registered as purebred dogs. Other registration agencies may sponsor other shows.
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  No, you cannot breed two dogs registered by different agencies and have the pups registered with the A.K.C. The sire and the dam must both be A.K.C. registered before the pups can also be registered by the A.K.C. Other registration agencies may have different rules on this.

27.

• The Bulldog has very strong jaws, a big mouth, and can exert a lot of pressure in his bite. This is why ordinary toys and chews made for the average dog are not suitable for a bulldog. For the safety of your Bulldog, you must choose appropriate toys and chews labeled as safe for the aggressive chewer. Ordinary dog toys can be pulled apart and pieces swallowed, bones can splinter, and rawhides can be swallowed whole.

28.

• What you are reading on the Question and Answer Forums should be used as an educational tool for you in case a problem should arise. These questions are posted by persons experiencing a problem with their Bulldog. The answers are posted by others who also may have experienced this same problem and are trying to help. Compared with the actual number of Bulldogs alive and well, these problems are very rare but they can occur. Chances are, and hopefully, you will never have a problem with your Bulldog, but if you do, then you can refer to the forum for help. If you studied the breed well prior to your purchase, and shopped for a good healthy pup, you will know that some things like hot spots and food allergies are quite common with the breed but can usually be taken care of without too much bother.

29.

• You have to know ‘em to love 'em. Once you have owned a Bulldog, there is no other breed to even consider. It will be your companion when you no longer have one. It can be your child when you no longer have one. It can be your entertainment when you need a good laugh. It will be your ‘hug’ for support and love, and they are wonderful ‘sleeping pills’ hearing them snore will relax you and make you want to join in. If you are timid in crowds, the Bulldog will draw so much attention that you will overcome this anxiety. If you are a couch potato, the Bulldog will appreciate you. If you are limited in ability to exercise, the Bulldog is perfect for you. If you are feeling low and perhaps crying, the Bulldog will comfort you. If you need company while traveling, the Bulldog loves to ride. And if you accidentally expel gas in a crowd at a social gathering, you can blame the noise on the Bulldog and everyone will understand and the Bulldog will join in the laughter. What more could you ask for in a dog?

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