Our Golden retreiver is 10 years old. Best dog (she doesn't know she's a dog) you could ever want.

I've actually done a goooood bit of reading and talking to owners about English Bulldogs. The temperament and lifestyle requirements seem pretty correspondent with what I'm looking for. The "high maintenance" aspect was a detail that made me start considering things though (hip dysplasia, respiratory problems, skin problems, and intolerance to heat). I've actually talked to a couple of folks who own "Olde English Bulldogges", which are a modern re-breeding of the early 1800's version of the English Bulldog - a little taller, a little more of a pronounced snout, more athleticism, and they've worked to breed out most of the major negatives of the traditional English Bulldog. It's the primary breed I'm considering at this point.

 

Wikipedia - Olde English Bulldogge: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olde_English_Bulldogge

We had one, and I have trained dogs all my life, and many different breeds. I must say, that is the single dumbest dog I've ever been around. Nightmare. I gave him away to a friend who had a farm.

I've actually done a goooood bit of reading and talking to owners about English Bulldogs. The temperament and lifestyle requirements seem pretty correspondent with what I'm looking for. The "high maintenance" aspect was a detail that made me start considering things though (hip dysplasia, respiratory problems, skin problems, and intolerance to heat). I've actually talked to a couple of folks who own "Olde English Bulldogges", which are a modern re-breeding of the early 1800's version of the English Bulldog - a little taller, a little more of a pronounced snout, more athleticism, and they've worked to breed out most of the major negatives of the traditional English Bulldog. It's the primary breed I'm considering at this point.

 

Wikipedia - Olde English Bulldogge: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olde_English_Bulldogge

The English Bulldogs and Olde English Bulldogges have very different lifestyle requirements from everything I know about the two breeds. English Bulldogs are lazy and require very little to no exercise. Olde English Bulldogges are very active dogs that need a lot of exercise. They are both pretty awesome breeds for the right owner, but I don't believe the Olde English Bulldogge is simply an English Bulldog without the vast array of health problems.

w/out any unusual breeding!

 

:lol:

I will probably be in the minority here but I love Rottweilers. Best dog I ever had was one, not to say I don't love my boxer but he was just fantastic. The only proviso is that they are not good for you if you don't have experience with bigger dogs and cannot be firm with training. They are smart and strong willed animals who want to work and please but don't give them too much downtime or they can get into way too much trouble. Early socialization is a must as well, improperly socialized dogs are the ones that give the rest of the breed a bad name.

I love Rotts too. I've never known one that wasn't a big baby. Very sweet dogs.

Our Golden retreiver is 10 years old. Best dog (she doesn't know she's a dog) you could ever want.

Our golden will be 8 on News Years day. Without a doubt the best dogs ever.

The English Bulldogs and Olde English Bulldogges have very different lifestyle requirements from everything I know about the two breeds. English Bulldogs are lazy and require very little to no exercise. Olde English Bulldogges are very active dogs that need a lot of exercise. They are both pretty awesome breeds for the right owner, but I don't believe the Olde English Bulldogge is simply an English Bulldog without the vast array of health problems.

 

Oh, I definitely knew they're more active. I guess that's what I meant by "athleticism".

 

We had one, and I have trained dogs all my life, and many different breeds. I must say, that is the single dumbest dog I've ever been around. Nightmare. I gave him away to a friend who had a farm.

 

That's interesting to hear. I've seen a couple of the Olde English Bulldogges, and both seemed intelligent enough, so I'd be interested to know what leads to some being less intelligent than others. I know they've primarily used boxers and American bulldogs to "re-breed" the dogs...and those two breeds have a reputation for lower intelligence. I wonder if that played any role...

Oh, I definitely knew they're more active. I guess that's what I meant by "athleticism".

 

 

 

That's interesting to hear. I've seen a couple of the Olde English Bulldogges, and both seemed intelligent enough, so I'd be interested to know what leads to some being less intelligent than others. I know they've primarily used boxers and American bulldogs to "re-breed" the dogs...and those two breeds have a reputation for lower intelligence. I wonder if that played any role...

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I took it to mean you thought they were just a healthier remake.

 

In regards to your second part, I like boxers but they definitely get it honest in regards to their reputation for lower intelligence.

Get an Italian greyhound. Good medium sized dog .... GREAT temperament ....not to mention they have the muscular greyhound look (just smaller).

I'm not partial to any particular breed, and honestly, I'm an ardent supporter of shelter/rescue dogs. My little guy is quite an outdoorsman, but is perfectly content to be a lap dog when I want him to be. :lol: I'm partial to mix-breeds, myself. And having been around dogs all my life, most of which were rescue dogs or strays or dogs dumped on my grandparent's farm, I find mutts to be loyal and grateful.

 

I agree with Rockmom, I volunteer at our local shelter and I think them main thing is to get a dog (regardless of the breed) that fits your lifestyle. Even within breed, their energy level is not the same, and I find that to be very important. A high energy dog, will need a lot of release, but that release can come in many ways. I recommend spending some time at a shelter...walk the dogs...take your time...I guarantee you will find one you can't leave without, if not the first trip..one of the first. I admit, I am somewhat partial to Labs...I have three and a birddog mix, and two labs and the bird dog came through rescue who keep me sane.

The English Bulldogs and Olde English Bulldogges have very different lifestyle requirements from everything I know about the two breeds. English Bulldogs are lazy and require very little to no exercise. Olde English Bulldogges are very active dogs that need a lot of exercise. They are both pretty awesome breeds for the right owner, but I don't believe the Olde English Bulldogge is simply an English Bulldog without the vast array of health problems.

 

I had one for 11 years when she passed and I recently rescued another from a rescue in Indiana. Both required the same amount of grooming, a good brushing once a week, and several times a week a good face and ear cleaning. The first EB was very active for the breed, she would run, play tug, and enjoyed walks. You do have to be very cognizant of the weather though. The new bully was in a kennel most of her life but two months in she is starting to become more active every day. Both were very intelligant and fairly easy to train, but some take their stubborness to be stupidity. The fact is that if you have a bully you need to do some things on their time. I will say though that both dogs were very eager to please and have a great tempermant around kids and specail needs people.

Bluegrassboxerrescue.org is a great place to rescue a great boxer that needs a home. Wonderful organization!

Go to the pound and pick one out

Does size matter?

 

I'm partial to German Shepherds.

As far as demeanor, you can't go wrong with golden retrievers or labs. My neighbor has rotty that is as nice as can be. I would love an english bulldog but they are very pricey. I have had many dogs in my life and currently own 3. I had a husky for 16 years and I loved him, but he was very energetic and would run any chance he could get. Of all the dogs I have had, my favorite is one of the one's I have now, an Australian Blue Heeler. Best trained and loyal dog I have ever had. I take him camping with me all the time.