up arrow The Times Magazine Focuses on the English Bulldog

By cmrineer | Published November 27, 2011 | 1 Comment
 

The Sunday Times Magazine focused their coverage on the English Bulldog this week. If you missed it, click the link below for more. The initial focus of the article is the UGA line of bulldog mascots at the University of Georgia. I have a good friend who once worked for the university, and he told me that the dogs couldn’t be rolled over because they couldn’t breathe. They’re cared for by the school’s veterinary program.

University of Georgia Mascot UGA VI
University of Georgia Mascot UGA VI, 1999–2008.

It’s no secret that the English bulldog has some serious health issues, and their current popularity clearly isn’t helping the breed. As the article mentions, bulldog clubs in the breed’s homeland of England are changing the breed standard in hopes of creating healthier animals. However, the American Kennel Club has been unwilling to bend their standards to breed dogs with larger hind quarters, longer noses, and fewer wrinkles.

At Where’s Pom, we’re behind any effort to make the English Bulldog healthier and more comfortable. While the exaggerated features of UGA are beautiful to me, I was heartbroken to learn that the latest UGA (UGA VIII) only lived to be two. He passed away in February 2011 of lymphoma, which the article mentions is becoming common in the breed.

To all those who would like to own a bulldog, please read our advice on selecting a dog.

Our first bulldog passed away just six months shy of his 13th birthday. He had few health problems, but he did have a few “bulldog” related issues that had to be managed including keeping his wrinkles clean and his eyelashes trimmed. The Pom has longer legs, the larger hind quarters, and the slightly longer nose that the article mentions as good improvements to make for health. He does, however, have a tight screw tail that requires careful attention.

One thing I would add to this article is the caveat that all dogs need to be managed, exercised, and cared for. Veterinary care should be an expected expense when you’re purchasing any dog. You should also expect to spent time cleaning, grooming, and exercising your pet to keep them in good health. After all, they’re yours for a lifetime.