DumDog
Posted : 8/12/2008 5:59:35 PM
the health problems vary depending on the bloodline and TYPE of bulldog. if its Johnson(looks like a GIANT english bulldog) then you may expect breathing problems, hip/joint problems, and they dont handle heat very well.. which falls under breathing problems.
mine are Scott/Williamson straight working lines. the only "health" problem i have run into is when Kaydee herniated a disk which paralysed her. the vet didnt say it was a hereditary thing or not. he just said "it happens..... it even happens to people for no reason". When i told him Kaydee had been playing HARD the day before with a 90 lb dog (he body slammed her, flipped her in the air and she landed on her back) he said that probably did it..... and that can happen to anyone/dog.
If your friend is GIVING you this pup then, other than doing homework and thinking long and hard about it, i dont see any reason not to go for it... i would be leery of a giant big headed bulldog though. i know people who own them and work them in protection, so its not an "All Dog" problem.
i think thats mostly because the AKC hasnt gotten their claws in them.... yet. the majority of people who own Am Bulls use them for some sort of sport or protection.
They can do just about any job. one guy in Australia uses them to herd sheep and cattle... he's on youtube showing off his handy work.
I wont compare them to a bull terrier... they're more like..... German Shepherds... only a bit more laid back. I've heard people say they're hard to set off.... that is people who train them for protection. Its harder to provoke one when compared to a shepherd.. but when you do, look out. There isnt a warning like "growlsnarl" ... its more like "watch watch watch-bite!" you can see it in their eyes if they dont like or trust someone.. sometimes thats all the warning you'll get.
To have a dog like this i highly recommend a strict training routine - professional if you can afford it - and must always be the boss. they will happily take over your bed, kitchen, sofa if you let them. they're a very dominant breed....... but they have to be in their line of work. they also tend to challenge you in subtle ways, but its nothing to freak out over.
they're not like a pit bull... they arent dog aggressive like a pit bull. but they can be gender aggressive. Kaydee does NOT like another female..... there was only one female dog she tolerated, and even then she was trying hard to tolerate her. But Kaydee has never met a boy she didnt like. Same goes for Ben.... he loves the ladies, and he does a better job getting along with boys.. but he has been in one fight, with another male dog... it could have been worse than it was (my fault.. i underestimated Ben because he WAS getting along with that dog until i handed out treats to everyone) Since that day i just dont risk it... and you find that will be your life after a while.... dont risk it. no dog parks. no offleash beaches with other dogs.... you'll find that if you go to a secluded area with your dog you'll call him/her in a hurry if people show up suddenly.
Now to sum it all up....... THERE IS NEVER A SURE THING .... with any dog. its all about what you expose it to and train it to do. mine are GUARD DOGS so i dont expose them to strange dogs. and I dont scold them for barking at strangers who drive up or knock on the door..