Is a Bulldog the Right Dog For You?
The Correct Way to Buy a Bulldog Puppy
Finding a Puppy—Helpful Advice
Selecting Your Bulldog Puppy
I Want a Bulldog Puppy NOW! How Do I Find One?

Is a Bulldog the Right Dog For You?

If you're looking for a dog that will take a 10-mile hike with you, swim across the lake, go on field trips in 99 degree weather, jump over high obstacles, or locate and retrieve game, a Bulldog is not the best choice for you. However, they do a great job of locating T-bone steaks out on the grill!

Bulldogs, for the most part are laid back, smooth and easy going. The heat is the Bulldog's worst enemy. An air-conditioned home is required if you live anywhere where summer temperatures rise above the mid 80's. They tolerate cold weather well, within reason of course. Bulldogs love going for rides in the car, and sleeping at the foot of your bed, on the couch or in the easy-chair. They must have plenty of love and socialization and will offer you the same in return.

Bulldogs are very alert, even when they appear to be sleeping. They can rise quickly if all is not well! Bulldogs will generally get along well with children, other pets and people. They seem to enjoy being part of the family. The Bulldog is a breed that holds its "beauty" as a puppy and as an adult. Many dogs look cute as puppies, but lose some physical appeal as they mature. The Bulldog looks great at any age! They are by no means considered a guard dog. They will, however, protect the people they love and will offer some security.

The Bulldog is a medium-sized breed and belongs to the Non-Sporting group of dog breeds. They do well in a home or apartment setting. Bulldogs have a short-haired coat and do shed some, but the shedding will be less of a nuisance with regular brushing. The folds and wrinkles of the face should receive daily care. It is strongly recommended that you locate a veterinarian with plenty of Bulldog experience so that your dog is assured the best care for his unique anatomy. Bulldogs often require c-sections for delivery of their puppies.

If you need assistance locating a bulldog breeder in the Colorado area, the Bulldog Club of Denver would be glad to help you through the process – Please use the breeder referral section of this website.

The Correct Way to Buy a Bulldog Puppy

1. Contact the Bulldog club in your area. Inform them that you would like to join their club. This is the best way to find local and national breeders who care about the breed. Usually club member/breeders that are active in the club tend to be more ethical in their breeding practice (remember, they have to face other Bulldoggers often!)

2. Plan on attending a couple of club meetings or events. This is an way to see dogs and meet active breeder/member.)

3. Decide what type of Bulldog you want to buy. (e.g., color, sex, size, attitude, age, etc.)

4. Look for a breeder who questions you extensively as a buyer about how you can provide for the puppy.

5. Look for a breeder that will be there in the future to give you advice and direction.

6. Try to look for a breeder who is keeping a puppy out of the litter for themselves. This means that the litter isn’t just “for profit” - but for quality dogs that the breeder himself wants to keep.

7. If possible, check out several litters before you buy.

8. Be very picky. You are choosing the animal that you will fall madly in love with and will control you and your family for the next ten years or so!

9. Remember you are not just buying a puppy, you are also buying a breeder, so choose them carefully!

10. Repeat steps 1 thru 9 again and again until you find your new best friend! Then get ready for the kind of love that only one animal in the world can give (along with some snorting, farting, snoring and slobbering too!).

If you need assistance locating a bulldog breeder in the Colorado area, the Bulldog Club of Denver would be glad to help you through the process. Use the Breeder Referral section of this Web site.

Finding a Puppy—Helpful Advice

So, you have read all the books, talked with other owners, saw that cute Bulldog puppy in the pet store window and now you are ready to make a ten-plus year commitment to a dog. Please make sure you do understand the commitment needed to raise a dog BEFORE you buy one. Never buy a puppy on impulse or as a Christmas present. On this page we will assume that you have already taken the time to research the breed and made sure you will have the time and ability to care for a pet.

Where do you go to find one? Well first, STAY CLEAR OF PET STORES. If you learn nothing else from this article than that, then it was worth the time to read it. You may have heard this advice before and wondered why. The answer is simple: pet stores buy from pet brokers and puppy mills. They will all tell you they have a special breeder they work with or that the puppies are from a "local breeder", but you can't contact them or even get the breeder's name without buying the dog. No ethical dog breeders will sell to a pet store because ethical breeders want to be the ones to screen the homes to which their puppies go. The puppies in pet stores are acquired from puppy mills through brokers.

So where DO you find a bulldog puppy? We have a referral page, breeder referral, which allows you to email local Bulldog breeders and send your puppy request to all of them. Please contact us if you would like to participate in this program. Often, if an ethical breeder doesn't currently have puppies, they can suggest others who may have a litter. Most breeders will screen you and verify to their satisfaction that you will make a good owner for one of their puppies. This is not only common, it should be expected. Be wary of someone who is willing to sell you a puppy without properly checking you out. Ethical breeders care about where their puppies end up and will be your best resource to answer questions you may have in a week or in five years.

A responsible breeder is the best source for a well-bred, healthy dog. The breeder will carefully select the parents of each litter to emphasize desirable attributes and minimize faults in their progeny. Some people breed dogs only to produce puppies to sell. These individuals have no regard for the advancement of that breed; they are motivated solely by profit. Responsible breeders will never breed a litter without considering the advancement of the breed Another good reason to buy a puppy from a breeder is that it gives you the opportunity to interact with the puppy's siblings and dam and also possibly the sire. You can, therefore, form a general impression of what the future holds for the puppy you take home. Buying from a breeder means that you are part of an extended family. Most breeders expect a call if the dog has a crisis at any stage in its life so they can help you understand and cope with the problem. This can be especially comforting for the first time dog owners who can't even imagine what kinds of questions they'll have in the future.

Visit as many breeders as possible for your breed. Examine the premises to make sure they are clean and that the dogs appear to be well cared for. Puppies should be clean, well fed, lively and friendly, without any signs of illness such as runny nose or eyes, skin sores, or dirty ears or fleas.

Your puppy may be sold with a requirement for spay/neuter or on limited registration. Breeders who carefully evaluate the puppies their dogs have produced, will want only those dogs that have something to offer the breed to be used for breeding. As the puppy buyer, it is your responsibility to respect the wishes and experience of the breeder. Talk with the breeder and get all the details worked out in advance. A written contract with all terms and conditions carefully layed out and understood by both parties is a necessity. Keep in mind that not all provisions of a contract need to be enforced, but a carefully written document, fair and agreed to by both breeder and purchaser, is the best protection both can have.

While it is possible that a dog acquired through an ethical breeder or through a referral from BCD (Bulldog Club of Denver) can turn out not to be of the quality you would wish, working through those channels certainly reduces your chance of disappointment. Every breeder at some point will have a puppy that does not meet the standard or has one of a number of problems. That doesn't make the dog inferior, but you need to know what you are getting. Buy from an ethical breeder and ask questions, look at the dogs, see if things sound right, then make your decision. Below are some helpful questions to ask a breeder.

Questions to ask a breeder before buying a puppy from them:

Are your Puppies A.K.C. (American Kennel Club) registered?
Do you have the litter registration forms now?
Do you have a pedigree available for me to see or have?
How long have you been breeding Bulldogs? (if the answer is for only a short period of time, then ask from where or who did the Breeder learn about Bulldogs?)
How many litters have you raised?
How many litters has this bitch produced?
Is the sire or dam on your premises for me to see? (you should see at least the dam)
Are you a member of any recognized Bulldog clubs?
What food are you feeding the pups?
Where does the breeder keep his Bulldogs? Be sure and inspect their living conditions.
Do you have a sales and/or breeders contract?
What type of health guarantee do you offer?
Do you provide some type of "Care Package of Instructions" to help me care for my new puppy?
How is the puppy being sold, Limited or Full Registration, and/or a spay/neuter contract?
Do you have a record of the shots, meds, vet visits, etc., that the pups have had?

These questions should be asked and answered to your satisfaction. The same will apply to the breeder’s questions to you.

In this day of the Internet it's possible to buy a puppy from another state and have it shipped to you. Keep in mind that doing this requires absolute trust in the other party. Get recommendations, talk with other buyers, and don't skip checking the references. There are many sides to the shipping issue. Some people don't think twice about shipping a puppy based on faith in the breeder, others will only buy a dog this way if they can personally pick up the puppy. Still others won't fly a puppy or adult dog for any reason. It's a personal choice you have to make after carefully checking out the alternatives. There are merits to all sides of this issue. The most important thing to keep in mind is that Bulldogs and heat (and stress) are not a good mix. Part of the formula for decision is knowing the personality and health of the puppy or dog.

Another great option for becoming a Bulldog owner is to rescue a Bulldog from a local shelter or rescue organization. Visit any of the sites on our rescue link or the BCA web site for more on that option. It's a great choice!

If you need assistance locating a bulldog breeder in the Colorado area, the Bulldog Club of Denver would be glad to help you through the process – Please use the breeder referral section of this website.

Before you buy a Bulldog – even if it is to be a pet – never to be shown or bred, read and re-read the Standard. Talk with reputable ethical breeders. Find out the advantages and disadvantages. The Bulldog has short hair – but he does shed. If his white hair gets on your navy blue suit and this is something you cannot accept – then don’t buy a Bulldog. He can’t help that nature has made shedding a part of his normal existence. If he is going to be alone all day and only “brought out” for a time on Saturday, this is not fair to your dog. Perhaps you should not have a dog at this time.

Do not feel pressured to buy any puppy with which you are not comfortable. Don't forget, you have the option to shop around and be totally confident with your purchase. If you are buying as a gift, let the eventual owner do the final selection.

Only buy from an ethical breeder with a good reputation. The breeder should provide you with a wealth of information as the puppy matures.

When you buy your puppy, you should get a sales contract and a receipt for your payment, a copy of the puppy's 3 or 4-generation pedigree, a copy of his medical records and his American Kennel Club (AKC) registration application or the actual signed AKC registration certificate. The puppy should be at least 8 weeks old and weaned, wormed and have at least its first set of immunization shots.

You will find that Bulldog puppies are expensive. It is costly to breed and raise a litter of Bulldog pups. Stud fees, brood bitch care, whelping (generally Cesarean section) and puppy shots and care are all expensive. Infant mortality is generally higher than in other breeds. Litters are often small. Do not buy a Bulldog puppy with the thought that you will retrieve your investment by breeding him or her a few times -- it seldom works out. Most Bulldog breeders are dedicated to the breed and are only breeding in an effort to create a superior animal. It is not uncommon for a breeder to sell a so-called "pet quality" puppy for a little less and with limited registration or without papers (so that his "pet qualities" will not be passed on to future generations).

Choose a puppy that is friendly, outgoing and not aggressive. Verify that his eyes and nose are free of discharge. Make an appointment with your veterinarian (or a recommended Bulldog veterinarian) as soon as possible to check the health of the puppy. Have your veterinarian contact the breeder's veterinarian for information about the litter. Make sure the contract has a clause for a return of the puppy within a reasonable specified time (say, 3 days) if the veterinarian finds a major health problem.

If you are purchasing a puppy for showing, it is most important to do research. Go to as many dog shows as you can and find a breeder that you trust who will work with you. Try to buy a puppy that is 5 to 8 months old so that you can better see what he might look like at maturity. A great deal of research is a must if you intend to show or use your Bulldog for breeding.

Remember; be sure you want the dog. He will be a part of your life and will not be expected to spend his time in a wire prison and only taken out to relieve himself. He wants to be with you!! And if your meticulous home is too good for him, then he is too good for you!

If you need assistance locating a bulldog breeder in the Colorado area, the Bulldog Club of Denver would be glad to help you through the process – Please use the breeder referral section of this website.

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I Want a Bulldog NOW! How Do I Find One?

Nope, there is nothing cuter than a Bulldog puppy, those rose ears, those wrinkled faces and that mellow personality. All it takes is one meeting and most of us are smitten. Well, you are thinking about adding a totally dependent, living breathing creature to your life. This is a big decision and not one to be taken lightly! You might first want to ask yourself a few questions and ponder a few realities...
• Why a Bulldog? They are great companions, cuddlers and entertainers. They are NOT good "stable" dogs, exercise/running partners, and are not heat tolerant.
• I want one NOW! Bulldogs are a slightly more unusual breed and you may wait, a long time if you have your heart set on a certain age/color/sex. Be prepared to be patient. Personally, I would be suspicious if a breeder had puppies available all the time and in any color.
• I want to pick mine! With a breed like Bulldogs litter sizes are small and the breeder will probably call/email and tell you a puppy is available. Not like when we were kids and just went over to the breeder's house and picked one up! With Bulldogs the personality should always be loving, warm and fun. The differences between the puppies personalities, in my experience, is relatively little. They all should be great companions

• I saw a Bulldog from Russia in the paper, what about them? Of course, we cannot lump all dogs from one country together under one umbrella of shame, but the USA has been flooded with puppies from Russia and Eastern block countries and it is a very disturbing situation. As a rule, these puppies are shipped over here at a VERY young age, sorted out to the various "brokers" throughout the country and sold. They are marketed as "more healthy, natural, free breeders, papers available," all kinds of sales oriented phrases. These poor little dogs are NOT the same Bulldogs that we have here in the USA. Our Bulldogs are usually MUCH softer and sweeter in temperament, smaller in size and as a rule easier to live with. Rescue has been flooded with Russian Bulldogs - almost always due to aggression and temperament issues. These unfortunate dogs are also often sold through pet stores (another deplorable situation) by commission greedy sales people. This situation is very, very upsetting to most of us breeders that have the best interest of the Bulldog at heart. I do not wish to disparage reputable breeders in Russia, this is about the brokers importing and selling these puppies.
• What can I expect to pay? Pet Bulldog puppies will probably range in price from $1500 on up WAY UP - depending on sex, color, availability, part of the country, etc. Keep in mind, any breeder has the right to charge what they feel is fair - the puppies are THEIRS. If you find a puppy markedly less expensive than this, I would wonder why! Especially if the puppy is well under $1000. Yes, you get what you pay for and this is a ten year plus commitment, don't take chances over a couple of hundred dollars!
• What about newspaper and internet classifieds ads? There are many ways to sell/place Bulldogs. Many times breeders prefer to sell their puppies close to home and utilize newspaper ads. So, I do not personally demean anyone for their choice of advertising venue. I would advise that you look for a few certain "red flag" type situations. Does the breeder have several breeds of dogs available? Does the breeder have all colors/ages/sexes available? Does the breeder just flat seem too commercial? Does the breeder belong to any Bulldog organizations (not belonging is not always bad - some people are just not club types)? Does the breeder seem interested in the BREED as a whole? Do they show or are dogs shown at AKC shows? These are just a few tips, but in today's information saturated world, there is no excuse for saying, "I didn't know!" Take the time to find out and most importantly, BE PATIENT!!! If you are in a big hurry to find a Bulldog, well, you have been warned...
• I want a Bulldog from a GOOD breeder, tell me what to do! Well, call/email/contact breeders that have either been referred to you or that you like the looks of their dogs and/or their philosophy. Please, do NOT send a one line email. "How much are your puppies?" is NOT going to elicit a positive response from most breeders! Tell the breeder about yourself, your home, your situation (kids, other pets, etc.) and ask a few well thought out questions. If you do not hear from them within a coupe of days, try again. Most people in today's world are BUSY and the person that follows up is the smart one! Personally, I just get behind and do not always get back to people as quickly as I plan or wish. Establish a rapport with that breeder and then ask to be put on their waiting list. I also try to refer potential puppy buyers to other breeders if I do not have any puppies - ask the breeder you are working with to do that also. Keep in touch with the breeder and if you are working with more than one breeder, give them all the courtesy of an email if and when you DO find a puppy. This is a very simplistic nutshell bit of advice on how to find a breeder, but I will stress that YOU should take the initiative on keeping in touch with the breeder. I have gotten jobs, cool stuff and more by being tenacious!
If you need assistance locating a bulldog breeder in the Colorado area, the Bulldog Club of Denver would be glad to help you through the process – Please use the breeder referral section of this website.
Good luck in your search for your Bulldog puppy!