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I have a French Bulldog and he's a total love bug. They're called "clowns" and that's exactly what they are. I also have three Boston Terriers and an old Lab. There's never ever been any aggression here.
As for the American Bulldog, while I've not owned one, I do know in the right hands/home, so to speak, they can be excellent family dogs. I always say...most times it's not the dog but an owner not knowing how to train and handle their dog.
I completely agree with your statement.
Going a little off topic here, can I ask a few questions about your French bulldog.
Was he hard to house break?
I heard they can be picky eaters, is that true?
Have you encountered any health issues with your pup? I heard they are prone to hip and breathing problems and cherry eye so I'm wondering if I do adopt one down the line, how much financially I should be prepared.
As for the American Bulldog, while I've not owned one, I do know in the right hands/home, so to speak, they can be excellent family dogs. I always say...most times it's not the dog but an owner not knowing how to train and handle their dog.
Agreed.
The best family dog is a dog that doesn't require a training/handling savvy owner in order to be so. A dog that is naturally affectionate, touch/noise/movement tolerant and calm with no resource guarding tendencies. Not saying a dog that doesn't require basic manners training...they all do. Not saying kids shouldn't be taught how to appropriately interact with dogs...they should. JMHO.
I agree they have a high prey drive and thus are likely to chase/hunt small animals. I think generally (there are of course individual exceptions) the breed is not great with other dogs (but in my experience most of the bully breeds aren't). I personally would not take one to a dog park especially if it's growling and showing teeth. Your friend is wrong in stating that the other dogs are "too submissive". I'd be wiling to bet at some point there will be a fight at the dog park if she continues to go. I would not let your dog around hers again.
The breed is usually good with people. Dog/animal aggression is very different that people aggression. However, as stated above are not a good choice for a novice dog owner.
My English Cocker sometimes growls and (very rarely) shows teeth - if other dogs are bouncing on/off him when he did not initiate play and they don't leave him alone. Fortunately, he is happy to leave a confrontation; and the few times he has forcefully escorted a dog away from him, or pushed another dog down, he has not bitten or even nipped the dog. I would not put growling in the category of dangerous aggression; it is a warning (to the owner too, to remove her dog from a situation where the growl might escalate to a higher level of aggression).
I have seen an American Bulldog be quite pleasant to people, but pushy to aggressive with other dogs. I've also seen some American Bulldog mixes be fine with other dogs. All in all, I can't say I've seen enough American Bulldogs in action at the dog park to form a definite opinion of how the breed tends to behave with other dogs.
I've had a couple of really bad experiences with American bulldogs. The only time I thought I was going to die was an American bulldog and a loose American bulldog killed one of my papillons.
The breed is used by marijuana farmers and in the dog magazines there are ads for American bulldogs that are bred to be man fighters.
I know there are good ones out there. But it is a breed that you really have to be careful who you buy from.
Your friend, OP, is a jackass and irresponsible on top of it. She might think it is cute, but either she or the dog are going to pick the wrong victim someday and it will get ugly.
I've had a couple of really bad experiences with American bulldogs. The only time I thought I was going to die was an American bulldog and a loose American bulldog killed one of my papillons.
Oh no! That must have been beyond horrific. My heart broke reading this.
Going a little off topic here, can I ask a few questions about your French bulldog.
Was he hard to house break?
I heard they can be picky eaters, is that true?
Have you encountered any health issues with your pup? I heard they are prone to hip and breathing problems and cherry eye so I'm wondering if I do adopt one down the line, how much financially I should be prepared.
No he was not hard to housebreak. Picky eater? lol I've never seen Wolfgang turn down a bite of anything. Health issues...yes. They are a dwarf breed and some issues are simply inherit with the breed. I've not encountered cherry eye...I've not read nor heard of hip problems but their spines can be fragile. All are born with a degree of hemivertebrae and sometimes require surgical repairs with long recoveries. Most brachycephalic breeds have an elongated soft palate...some need it trimmed, some don't. Stenotic nares sometimes need to be widened.
Now...my Frenchie had bilateral arthroscopic surgery in Aug. 2013 on both elbows. Just two weeks ago he broke the humerus bone right at the elbow. Both surgeries combined, about $10,000. And counting. This recovery is in its second week and will continue for at least 9/10 more of confinement, then physical therapy. I always tell people interested in Frenchies to have deep pockets...just in case. That's not to say that all Frenchies have these issues. They don't.
On the up side, they are the sweetest, sweetest dogs I've ever had and let me tell you, Bostons are sweet too. Frenchies are known as clowns and that they are. Funny, funny little dogs. Little in stature, sometimes a bit hefty in weight...and huge in heart. LOL My Frenchie was a rescue so may not have been well bred but he's a hunkalicious hunk of burning love...lol...that's what I call him.
I've never seen any aggressive behavior...or guarding. Although he'd prefer to have me all to himself but that's not allowed and he complies. They defiintely aren't for everybody. They can't jog with you and long long walks aren't their thing either. But Wolfgang loves a good fame of fetch when it's not to hot outside. When it is, we use our long hallway inside. Otherwise, he's content to lollygag around the house.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jumpindogs
The best family dog is a dog that doesn't require a training/handling savvy owner in order to be so. A dog that is naturally affectionate, touch/noise/movement tolerant and calm with no resource guarding tendencies. Not saying a dog that doesn't require basic manners training...they all do. Not saying kids shouldn't be taught how to appropriately interact with dogs...they should. JMHO.
Excellent statement. I totally agree. I've learned to be a savvy owner over the years, reading some excellent books by Patricia McConnell, Ian Dunbar and Sofia Yin.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dualie
A french bulldog is a whole different critter and should not be placed into the discussion. The Frenchie is a pet.... bred for nothing more.
Any of the working breeds- you will find this and that. Hard core, high prey drive, extreme social or aggression.
You must know the line you are dealing with- what attributes are the breeders selecting for... remember, all puppies are cute!
Very true. A Frenchie is simply a pet to be adored. They're very sensitive and expect to be the center of your life. lol
Thank you for the info.
I did not know the breed had a high prey drive, explains her need to chase after furry little animals.
In general dogs have prey drive. It's in their DNA as a species. Some more than others. The question is to what degree your friend controls her dog. I think the problem is more with the friend, not her American Bulldog.
I am not a canine specialist, but when well bred, AB are wonderful dogs. It's a versatile working breed that can do it all. Watchdog, herding, pulling carts. They are a people oriented breed, very much attached to their owners, that's why I suspect your friend. But it's also possible that her dog wasn't well bred or wasn't cared for as a puppy. Since they are so powerful, they can be dangerous, but that is true with any large working breed.
When it comes to aggression, some people mistake that with over excitement. For example, my lab/pit mix is very hyper and gets super happy when she meets a new dog. Her hair will stand, her ears up, tail up and stiff and play by poking and gently mouthing the other dog's neck. Some owners panic thinking my dog was being aggressive and attacking but she was just overly excited and wants to play fight.
Where you able to curb this behavior? My bulldog/beagle mix does the same thing. She barks, pulls on her leash, and tries to jump at other dogs while we are going for walks. She has never been aggressive toward other dogs, but her excitement can scare the crap out of people. She has gotten a little better, but there is still much room for improvement.
American Bulldogs can be aggressive if not trained right as a pup. They are extremely good hunters and trackers.
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