Do You Have a Bulldog or Know Someone Who Owns One?

I don't own one, but they are expensive and a lot of maintenance. They can get infections in their cute little wrinkles and they are too heavy for their poor little joints. They are also a short snout dog, so they can not handle the heat too well.

Forgot to mention people steel them! Big demand!

http://www.thebca.org/

If you're worried about cost don't get one. They have some of the most health problems of any breed and if you don't go with a reputable breeder (which will likely charge 1200-1400) you'll only have more vet bills. My brother in law bought a puppy for 800 or 900 and has easily spent over 5000 in vet bills already.

think about WHY you want one. if it's only looks (what else is there to like?) go another direction. as many have said they are prone to health issues, behavioral issues, and cost WAAAAY TOO MUCH MONEY. not to be a witch about it but i really think nothing of people that spend money like that for a dog- ANY dog- but i feel that bulldogs especially are the epitome of EVERYTHING that is wrong with "purebred" dogs. go to a shelter, get better quality, do a good deed, and have a lot more GREAT years with a beloved family pet.

English bulldogs are a veterinarian's dream dog!

There are also plenty at shelters because people can't afford them once they get them. Keep looking if you really want one. But be aware that it will probably cost you thousands and thousands on top of the rescue fee or breeder cost once you actually have it in your home.

They have skin problems, vagina issues, breathing issues, knee and hip problems, cherry eye issues.... the list goes on and on. My ex (who is a vet) told friends of ours NOT to get one many years ago. They didn't listen. They ended up spending almost $16,000 over the 7-year-life of the dog to take care of all of its issues. And their story isn't unusual.

If I were you I'd keep looking. Nothing wrong with a good mutt from a shelter. Those are the best kind of dog.

My vet told me that the healthiest dogs are mixed breeds. Plus, most important....you would be saving a life...I will never buy one again. The bullies have quite a few health problems that can arise, as in alot of pure breeds. Pro adoption here.

I know quite a few people... there's a breeder nearby, so there are a lot at the local dog park and I've spoken both with her and other owners on several occasions.

The expense (more so than other bred dogs) is the double surgery bulldogs require

1) Caesarean delivery
2) Surgical removal of the puppy's tail from it's anus (many to most bulldogs are born with the tail inside their rectum. Sometimes the breeder has this done by their vet, sometimes it's done after adoption).

In our area pups run from about ###-###-####. The upper end are showdogs and dogs who have their tails perforating their rectum or large colon requiring more complicated surgery to fix the tears, or drain the cysts that formed in utero, and repair the intestine wall. Since that surgery is about $1500... that's what bumps up the price.

You'll have more luck finding a 1yo bulldog in shelters, from people who don't understand the breed (needing to clean the folds and tail daily) and have gotten sick of the vet bills from infections when they don't. ALSO check breeder pages for older dogs, though. Because all reputable breeders insist on having any puppies/dogs returned to THEM instead of rehomed by the owner. The cost on an older/returned dog is usually identical to shelter costs.... apx 200-400

$900 is only the beginning. It's a breed prone to many health problems (as are many specialty breeds) so you will likely be spending a lot at the vet.
They also don't tolerate the heat very well so keep that in mind.
I love this breed (so does my husband) but we have been too worried about the potential cost/problems to get one :(
Keep checking the shelters/rescue groups, you'll find something sweet AND healthy, I'm sure!

My in-laws get those.I think that's what they spent on their latest one. Choose carefully. Their last two have been nutty dogs that destroy their house and snarl at people. For whatever reason, they love that breed so they stick with it. The first one they had was apparently very calm and sweet, so I guess they keep hoping they'll luck out again.

Have you tried Petfinder.com? You can search for breeds on that one. But I'm almost certain you'll have to go to a breeder if you want this breed.

Oh my. My cousin has had 2 (at separate times).
Do you have young children?
My cousin has no children. She doesn't need any-her dog takes up all her time and energy! And money.
And he has destroyed her house.
And no, it is not because she is a bad doggy mama.
It is just the nature of the dog.
Sure they're cute...but I think you would live to regret it.
I have a dog whose only flaw is that she barks incessantly and is as stubborn as a mule.
I couldn't imagine having the problems my cousin has had w/ her 'beloved' and trying to raise kids at the same time.
HTH! GL!

This does sound like the going rate for puppies in our area. Make sure to check out potential health issues they could have. My Sister in law and her husband had two (1 died recently of old age). She complained a lot about what I think were normal health issues for them. This is true of any purebred though, many seem to come with potential health issues specific to the breed.

Maybe keep your eye out at shelters and rescue as someone suggested. Purebreds do end up surrendered for many different reasons and having a purebred lab and beagle lab mix who were surrendered and both really great dogs, I can attest it's a nice way to go.

All the best!

My cousin in AL has two English bulldogs now, and has ALWAYS had English bulldogs, since the late 80s. Also a lady that used to be in my old playgroup had one and would bring him along to the playground or any outdoor playdates. I think they're a great breed, and super loyal and cute in their "ugly" way. NEVER seen a snarly snappy one (not to family or those that have been properly introduced, certainly not!) but they do definately need to be trained so they don't get too stubborn. They need exercise but not very much. (Not getting exercise is what causes weight problems, which lead to the joint problems someone mentioned....that's not just a bulldog trait; I had a neighbor who had a labrador in a small yard and didn't walk her, and she has hip displasia (however you spell it), problems in her joints, poor thing. It IS true however (I say this because I see you're in El Paso) that they do not do well in heat. If you lived a little north I'd say run get one, but to be in El Paso with one would be like me being in South Carolina with a Husky or St Bernard (my dream dogs, but I simply don't live in a climate that would be "happy" for them, so I stick with short haired dogs that can take it a bit better). The price doesn't sound too far out there. They aren't the "easiest" dogs in that yeah, you'll have to deal with hygiene issues (although they're short haired so you don't have so much shedding as with other breeds) and WOW to what Riley said about tails (never heard that). But they are super loving and sweet, to those that are family....you'll have to train them on how to handle strangers.....but again, they don't like heat too much, drink a lot, and overheating can be a factor in cardiac deaths (the leading cause of death for bulldogs).

I have some friends that have owned 4 bull dogs. They don't live very long, and you are at the vet a lot. They finally decided not get a 5th. It's a hard breed to care for, did you know they cant even reproduce without help?

My friends have had their bulldog for over 4 years now and have spent over $10K in health costs alone associated with the dog, on top of the $2K they paid for it. This was in the DC area where everything is more expensive. Also, their dog doesn't really like their kids. He was a rescue and had problems with kids in the past, but I hate the idea of keeping a dog separate from kids that live in the same house.

My next door neighbors had one. Sweetest thing ever. She died in the spring so they went out and got a rescue dog. Not nearly as well trained as theirs but to be expected since she wasn't a puppy. They worked with her all summer and now she is fine.

So if you are looking to save some money and do a good thing, look into rescue groups in your area.

Oh it took them a couple months to find one.

They are wonderful BUT - they have some very serious health problems. I would NEVER own a bulldog in Texas - they have way too much difficulty breathing in the heat - even the ones with the most 'normal' airways - for which you are going to need to go to a good (translation $$$ breeder). If you like the look, I would look at a French Bulldog (much smaller, still congenital problems but more able to breathe) or a boxer (they get a lot of cancer, life expectancy only about 8 years but they can breather).

I have worked with several breeders of English Bulldogs and $900 is actually cheap. I have seen them go for about $1400 on average. On top of that the other posts are correct when they say the cost of owning a bully is astronomical when compared with other breeds. They often have allergies, eye problems, ear infections, dental problems. They are difficult to keep at an ideal weight and will most likely get arthritis very early in life due to their conformation. I would look into after costs of owning a bully before you make your final decision. They aren't' inexpensive dogs in the least. Also one thing to consider is depending on the previous history I have known several bullies to be aggressive. Not are but they are listed on some lists as an aggressive breed

900 is VERY cheap for an English Bulldog.. I have a few friends that have them... They all paid "at least" 1500 for one... My one friend had 2 shipped from another country and he paid almost 4k for one...
Be pre-warned- they can be high maintenance dogs.. You have to clean their wrinkles almost everyday, they have problems with breathing sometimes, they sometimes have issues with their tails,they don't live a long time...
They are ADORABLE puppies though~

I have had 3 olde english. one has died and we still have 2 they are 6 and 7. Yes they have a shorter life but we are not at the vet a lot. they are great with the kids these are the best dogs we have ever had. Pretty even tempered they can be bullheaded but you can train them. You can find bulldog rescues but its hard at least where we are. It is a hard price tag to swallow but in the end toally worth it.
Just wanted to add i think some people think your talking about just english bulldogs there is a difference between olde english and just english. The english have way more health issues and shorter lifes then the olde english. English are smaller and the olde are larger. Olde english are not in the AKC.