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   Bulldogs, in general, are much less hyper than, say, an AmStaff or a
   American Pitbull Terrier, shorter, and stockier. Again, Bulldogs are
   not performance dogs, they are *clowns*. And no, not all "Pit Bull"
   type dogs eat people just for fun. Pit Bulls were bred for fighting
   other dogs, not for eating people. A fighting dog cannot be aggressive
   to humans, since handlers must break up the fight. In other words, a
   well bred Pit Bull is not aggressive to humans (and as such, a Pit
   Bull doesn't even make a great guard dog). However, as with any dog
   (which has the size and strength to do damage), a combination of poor
   genetics, poor breeding, bad owners, and a little bad luck can lead to
   a problem dog. (And of course, media hype plays a roll in this as
   well). So make sure you do your research and find a good breeder with
   a good history of producing good dogs !!
   
   Q9. Will a Bulldog make a good guard dog?
   A9. No. They *like* people. Like most dogs, one might protect you if
   you were in trouble, but it is unlikely. However, most people are
   terrified of Bulldogs, so this is (sometimes) protection enough. [One
   can use this as a convenient barometer of good taste -- those
   terrified by Bulldogs are Philistines] Whether or not *any* dog should
   be used for guarding is good flamebait.
   
   Q10. Are they barkers?
   A10. No, they are very quiet in general. They do snore, belch and can
   be flatulent, so they tend to be noisy in other ways. Some people
   think this is comforting. Well, at least two people do because my SO
   does and I do. The contented snore of the Bulldog by my bed is the
   best lullaby that I can imagine.
   
   Q11. Why are they soooooooo beeeee-aaaaaa-uuuuuutiful?
   A11. Another imponderable...no one is sure why they are so stunning,
   they just are.
   
   Q12. What do I do if I do all my research, buy a Bulldog and people
   persist in saying that "he/she is so U-G-L-Y he is cute" moronic
   phrase about my lovely dog?
   A12. Inform me. I will deal with them (wilf@io.com) or utter some sage
   and witty repartee like "So's your momma!".
   
   Q13. Why are they often born by Caesarean section?
   A13. As a breed, they have large heads and small hips and therefore
   small birth canals. Well, that's the commonly held belief which is
   probably just a myth.
   
   Here are some other reasons for C-sections:
   
   Bulldog Bitches, due to their high tolerance for pain, often ignore
   nature's signals to "Push" the puppies out. Any dog can take a long
   time to deliver an entire litter of puppies. An hour or more between
   pups is not unusual, and if the litter is large, the delivery time can
   last 8 or more hours. Bulldogs will just forget it, and go to sleep.
   
   Secondly, Bulldogs have a higher than normal record of producing
   "Anasarca" puppies. These are fetuses that do not drain fluid in a
   normal manner, and end up as water-filled puppies, often weighing two
   to three times what a normal pup weighs. They are so large that they
   will not fit through the pelvic opening in the birth canal. If this is
   one of the first puppies in line to be delivered, none behind it will
   get out. Until the availablility of ultra sound, there was no way of
   predicting if the bitch had one of these in-side her. Even with
   ultrasound, it is difficult. A number of years ago, U of Michigan
   conducted a study trying to determine what caused this problem (it
   also happens with human babies). Ultra sound was used to try to
   determine when the water problem developed during the gestation
   period. No predictable patterns were discerned. The problem seemed to
   be related to a zero thyroid function in the fetus. Generally, these
   pups do not live more than a few minutes, even born through
   C-Sections.
   
   So the C-Section is routinely used to avoid having to do one on an
   emergency basis, whether due to an Anasarca pup, or just to make sure
   that all have been delivered naturally... how do you know how many are
   there? The high value of a bulldog puppy makes it cost effective to do
   the C-section rather than risk loosing even one puppy.
   
   Anasarca may be hereditary, but after several years of study supported
   by the Morris Animal Foundation, so familial connects were found.
   Repeat breedings of the same sire and dam did not produce Anasarca
   puppies.
   
   Here are some arguments against C-sections:
   
   Not accepting the puppies is the down side of C-sections. The mothers
   internal hormones are not yet in action, and she doesn't know that she
   has had puppies. Sometimes there may be near disasters in the first 48
   hours. A hormone shot can be given that brings the milk in and starts
   the maternal instinct going. The length of time between birth and
   acceptance depends on when, in the gestation period the C-section was
   performed.
   
   As you can see, discussing whether or not it is right or wrong to
   breed dogs which are often born in this manner is good flame bait.
   
   Q14. What's this Sourmug stuff all about?
   A14. Well, Sourmug is just the name that is sometimes used to explain
   the look on a Bulldogs face. The enlightened Bulldog owner prefers to
   think of it as a look of contentment.
   
   Q15. Why are they always fat?
   A15. They shouldn't be. As is the case with any dog, regular exercise
   and a proper diet will control any weight problems in Bulldogs.
   However, they are *very* solid dogs. Their build is very wide and not
   very tall. So even though they might look fat, they are just stocky.
   (Also, like any dog, you should be able to feel the ribs easily, but
   not able to see the ribs). Excess weight puts undue strain on the
   heart and joints.
   Remember, the AKC breed standard says: "The general appearance should
   suggest great stability, vigor and strength".
   
   However, the AKC breed standard also says: "the size for mature dogs
   is about 50 pounds; for mature bitches about 40 pounds", and this is
   routinely ignored.
   
   Q16. Do they shed alot?
   A16. Well, they do have a short coat but they are *not* a non-
   shedding dog.
   
   Q17. Why are Bulldog aficianados so wierd?
   A17. I dunno; it must be in our genes...
   
   Q18. How come their tails are so short, are they cropped?
   A18. No. They are not cropped, they just have short tails. The tails
   come in essentially two varieties: spiked or screwed [Craig: I could
   come up with a very off-color remark here if given a minute or so, but
   given the readership of rpd, it may not be much appreciated].
   
   Following by Jack Segall:
   The tail can be almost any size and shape, as long as all of it is
   stays below the base of tail. In breeding, a screw tail will usually
   be dominant, that is, both parents must have straight tails to get
   one. In judging a bulldog, the tail is worth about 2% of the score,
   and this includes not only its shape, but its placement on the back.
   Its base should be low on the down side of the rump curvature. Most
   tails do not need any special care. Occasionally, the root of a
   screw tail will be buried deep inside the dog - a finger inserted next
   to these tails will go in to about the first knuckle joint. These
   tails can become infected, particularly if they get wet from
   swimming or bathing in water that covers the dog. Such an infected
   tail usually has a strong odor, and may be red and sore to the
   touch. You may notice the dog scooting around on its rear trying to
   scratch this area. (Impossible for a bulldog to do!)
   
   Treating the infection requires daily packing of an antiseptic powder
   deep into the tail cavity. This may take several weeks to be
   effective. In rare cases, the infection may not be curable, and the
   tail has to be removed. This is not a simple procedure, although it
   would appear to be. The removal must be done at the base of the tail,
   which is attached to the spine. As this area in already infected, the
   risk of transferring this into the spinal column is great. After
   surgery, the same sort of antiseptic packing is done. Over the years,
   out of about 40 dogs that we have owned, 4 or 5 have had these deep
   set tails, three have become infected, and one of these required
   amputation.
   
    Q19. Did they always have such big heads and were built so low to the
   ground?
   A19. No. Very likely not. But the breed standard says large head and
   low to the ground. So bigger is better and lower is better. This too
   is good flame bait.
   
   Q20. What is a "Rose Ear" ??
   A20. Following by Jack Segall:
   The ears are supposed to have a "Rose" shape, and to help the
   cartilige form into this pattern, the ears are [sometimes] glued into
   the proper shape. We use a surgical glue, for colostomy bags, made by
   Duo Adhesive. If you do not know what a Rose Ear is supposed to look
   like, have someone who does know look at the dog. If the ears are
   already rosed, there is no need to glue them. If the ears kind of hang
   like a hound dog, called a button ear in bulldogs, then they should be
   shaped. Five months is about the limit on doing this. If you figure
   out what the ear should look like, glue all parts that fold together
   touching another part of the ear to hold the ear in the proper shape.
   The glue will stay on for a week or so, and can be rubbed off like
   rubber cement Make sure that it is SURGICAL adhesive, not the stuff
   used for false eyelashes. Our local drug store has to order the stuff
   for us, which usually takes a day.
   
   Q21. What special grooming is required ?
   A21. Not much, really.
   For a Bulldog of light coloring, sometimes tear stains might develop
   in the folds of the skin on the face. First, the source of the tearing
   should be determined. Some is normal, but an "entropian", where the
   eye lid has turned inward, and eyelashes are rubbing the eyeball will
   cause excessive tears. This will also cause eye ulcers and loss of
   sight. The surgical correction is minor, if this is what is happening.
   As the dog's head grows, this condition may re-occur, particularly if
   the face is heavily wrinkled. Cleaning the area with peroxide should
   help ward of any infection (which rarely occurs anyway), and a little
   DESITIN baby ointment will act as barrier between the tears and fur to
   prevent staining. USE VERY LITTLE, as it can rub off on to the
   furniture and clothing and is in and of itself a "stain maker".
   
   Putting a little vaseline on your Bulldogs nose from time to time is
   also a good idea. Sometimes there noses get dry, and putting a little
   vaseline (or even some vitamin E oil) on it every day or so will help
   keep it moist.
   
   Q22. What is "the mange" ?
   A22. Mange is something that almost all dogs carry in their blood
   system. It usually expresses itself early in life, sometimes
   associated with stress. It is not contagious, and goes away if treated
   early before the lesions cover large portions of the body. Usually
   dogs that have it, only show signs once.
   
   Mange can be lethal, if you think your Bulldog has mange, TAKE IT TO
   THE VET.
   
   For relief, dogs can be dipped in a solution of Mitaban. Your vet can
   handle the treatments or you can do it yourself.
   
   They will usually lose all their hair in the infected parts, although
   it doesn't take too long for the hair to grow back. If more than 50%
   of the dog is infected it can be fatal, so early diagnosis and
   treatment is important.
   
   Q23. What is this I hear about lemons ?
   A23. Sometimes in the heat your Bulldog might overheat, especially
   during exercise. Squirting lemon juice will tend to cut the "slime"
   and your dog will be able to breath easier.
   
                      13. BULLDOG RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS
                                       


DIVISION II, IN,IL,KY,MI,OH,WV,WI,  Sharon Zakar, 513-696-2657

DIVISION III, AZ,CA,HI,NV,  Lynda Pelovsky, 510-483-8433

DIVISION V, AK,ID,MT,OR,WA,  Kristine Metzger, 503-726-1007
South West Oregon Bulldog Club

AZ, Lynn Tunis, 602-888-0675

AR, Hot Springs, Garland County, Russellville, Arkadelphia,
Searcy, Fort Smith, Sharon L. Britton, 501-525-4332

B.C., Bonnie Wasnock, Home 604-534-6856, Work 800-663-1425

CA, DIVISION III, Lynda Pelovsky, 510-483-8433

CA, Bulldog Club of Greater San Diego
Betty Fisher, 619-588-6491

  Abby Zubov, 619-441-0802

  Marcie Dobkin, 619-748-8848

CA, Lake Elsinore, Riverside, San Bernadino, San Diego, Orange &
L.A. Conuties, Nancy Harrison, 909-928-1440

  Carolyn Whiteside, 909-674-0579

CA, Mother Lode Bulldog Club of Sacramento
Patti Rungo, 916-966-4012

  Bridgette Higginbotham, 916-273-9123

  Ann McIntosh, 916-966-3388

  Ann Chiorino, 916-663-2892

  Mary Brunk, 916-933-5724

CA, Northern CA, Bulldog Club of Northern California
  Pat Ropp, 408-356-0039

  Bob & Betty Hatton, 415-323-0980

CA, Pacific Coast Bulldog Club
  Fran  Crumely, 714-532-2113

CO, Colorado Springs, Rita Morrou, 719-578-9427

CO, Denver, 100 mile radius, Bulldog Club of Denver
  Sandy Coffman, 303-979-6460

CT, Billy & Karen White, 203-269-9030, Work 203-562-4107

CT, Barbara Manigini, 203-281-1409

FL, Diane Albers, 407-322-8980

FL, Tampa Bay Bulldog Club, Jim Lovett, 813-685-7667

FL, Steward L. Wagner, 813-355-5705, Work 813-746-4999, ext.333

FL, Sun Coast Bulldog Fanciers Network, Larry Fagan, 813-921-3320

HI, Tina Sugimoto, 808-826-9673

IA, Bulldog Club of Iowa, Linda Shelburg, 515-225-8743

IA, northwest, Barry J. Meyer, 712-732-4079

IL, Chicago Bulldog Club, Judy Johannsen, 309-764-0243

  Janet Hospodar, 708-683-2553

  Kathy Bergstrom, 815-389-2282

IL, Illiana Bulldog Club, Maura Teresko, 616-426-3930

IN,IL,KY,MI,OH,WV,WI, BCA, Division II
  Phillip Douglas, 317-896-9012

IN, Bulldog Club of Indiana, Teresa Gabbard, 317-539-5289

KS, Greater Kansas City & St. Joseph, MO
  Heart of America Bulldog Club, Pat Sullivan, 913-829-2305

  Heart of America Bulldog Club, Beverly Larrick, 913-829-3737

KS, Chelsea Brown, 316-343-6067

KY, Kentuckiana Bulldog Club, Sheila Lutring, 812-634-1656

MA, New England, Kathy Bernardi, 508-386-5541

MA, New England, Diane Condon  508-869-2981

MA, New England, Part Garrity  508-842-8848

MA, eastern MA to Worchester & CT, Dona Marcham, 617-335-2809

MA, Gertrude Freedman, 508-887-5101

MD, Bulldog Rescue and Education Service, Inc.
  Kimberly Hood, 410-633-7814

MD, Baltimore area, O'Neil Wagner, 410-679-3333

ME, Bulldog Club of Maine, Irene Head, 603-332-3306

ME, Miriam Lundeen, 207-989-6791

ME, Nancy Christensen

MI, Detroit Bulldog Club, George Cromer, 313-352-3707

MN, Saint Paul - Minneapolis Bulldog Club
Marcia Tiegs, 612-445-6836

MO, Greater Kansas City & St. Joseph,
Heart of America Bulldog Club, Pat Sullivan, 913-829-2305

  Heart of America Bulldog Club, Beverly Larrick, 913-829-3737

NV, Anne Murray, 702-677-0513

NV, South Nevada Bulldog Rescue, Lee Kinley, 702-451-2331

NH, ME, MA, Bulldog Club of Maine, Irene Head, 603-332-3306

NH, Ray & Deborah Turner, 603-742-3104

NJ, Rosemarie Strucke, 908-577-0514

NJ, CT, NY, PA, Gary Abalsamo, 201-798-7420

NJ, Monmouth & Ocean Counties, Robert & Ann Howd, 908-681-0355

NJ, Paul Jecas, 908-846-7699

NM, Nancy Morrison, 505-434-8226

NY, Long Island Bulldog Club, Linda Fiordiliso, 516-798-4964

NY, Long Island Bulldog Club, Marlene Hall, 516-694-3776

NY, Jane Rosenblum, 212-677-3050

NY, Sheila & Frank Balik, 716-359-9901

NC, Susan Luck Hooks, 704-375-4307

NC, David Helms, 704-624-5860

NC, Marianne Snellen, 704-233-5674

OH, Dayton, Cincinnati and N. KY
Buckeye Bulldog Club, Elizabeth Harshbarger, 513-278-4108

OH, Amy Hankinson

OH, Cincinnati Bulldog Club, John Zakar, 513-696-2657

OH, Bulldog Club of Greater Cleveland Jerry Watkins, 216-362-6330

OH, Toledo Bulldog Club, Nancy Paul, 419-822-5074

OK, Greater Tulsa Bulldog Club, Dina Foster, 918-241-1402

OR, DIVISION V, South West Oregon Bulldog Club
Kristine Metzger, 503-726-1007

OR, Portland, Hillsboro, Oregon City, Gresham
Oregon State Bulldog Club, Dianne K. Croan, 503-761-0841

OR, Sheila Dunn, 503-746-3335

PA, Deb Street, 717-993-6332

PA, Donna Callahan

SC, Sylvia Arrowwood, 803-899-7460

TN, Music City Bulldog Club of Nashville
Nancy Boniface, 615-459-5411

TX, Austin Bulldog Club, Mike Menasco, 512-282-3423

TX, Elsie Panico, 409-894-2176

TX, East Texas, Bonnie Stansell, 903-687-2464

TX, Bulldog Club of Longview Texas,Essie Massingill, 903-842-3741

TX, Ft. Worth Bulldog Club, Laura Fletcher, 817-280-0735

TX, Ft. Worth Bulldog Club, Ellen Pierson, 817-485-9054

TX, Houston, Southeast Texas, Bulldog Club of Texas
Greg & Tina Byers, 713-997-2253

TX, North TX, Lone Star Bulldog Club, Dixie Little, 214-298-7430

TX, South Texas, San Antonio Bulldog Club
Diana & Jim Young, 210-340-0055 or 800-594-4289

TX, South Texas, Dyanne Welch, 512-439-7279

TX, West Texas, Joanna Smith, 915-520-4714

VA, Pat Butcher, 804-467-2609

VA, Robert & Mary French Hall, 804-721-7334

VA, Bobbie Sandvig, 804-288-3684

WA, northern, Bonnie Wasnock, home 604-534-6856, wk 800-663-1425

WA, Hazel Saari, 206-695-3631

WI, Division II, Ray Knudson, 414-537-2774

WI, Milwaukee Bulldog Club, Adair Templin, 414-332-9095

WI, Maxine Krengel, 608-244-2336

WV, Kyle Fisher, 304-525-3614

If you are doing bulldog rescue and you want to be on future
updates of this list, please send the following information to:

        Diana and Jim Young
        National Coordinators of Bulldog Rescue
        7508 Marbach Road
        San Antonio, Texas 78227
        210-340-0055 (or area code 512 ?)

        Rescue volunteer's name
        Phone
        Area in which you rescue
        Name of local bulldog club or other organization
        with which you are associated, if any.

   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
    Wilfrid P. LeBlanc / wilf@io.com
    
   
     _________________________________________________________________

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