As humans we naturally go by appearances for first impressions and how we initially perceive another person or animal. It is very much the same when we choose a dog for our family. I am totally guilty of being the person that initially wanted a Bulldog simply for the way they appear. Uhh, they’re stinkin’ cute and I just really wanted to share my life with one (or two) of these squishy faced pups.
Think about a first date with someone. You probably went out on the date because they were pleasing to look at and then you get on the date and become familiar with their personality type. This can either seal the fate of an on-going relationship or make you realize that first impression based on appearance isn’t enough to keep something going. The same can be said when looking at different dog breeds.
Example: I love Huskies because they are beautiful dogs. I know based on their personality that they are just not the right fit for me personally. It’s important to figure out different personality types of dog breeds before committing to one forever. We really owe it to dogs to know that they’re not all the same and allow them to match up with families that blend well with their specific needs.
I honestly didn’t even anticipate my French Bulldogs personalities to be that much different than my Pitbulls but I was very wrong! My Pitbulls are eager to listen, obey, and catch on very quickly. My Frenchies? Not so much. I am pretty sure they are only eager to see how I am going to please them each day! They are smart but they are also very stubborn which doesn’t allow them to pick on training habits as quickly as my Pitbulls do. You’ll find many Bulldog owners mention the stubbornness of the breed. What is stubborness? It’s when you give a command five times, they stare at you from the corner of their eye, and quickly go back to staring ahead and pretending they can’t hear you.
I would not trade these guys for the world but you just have to know your level of patience and understanding when considering a Bulldog breed. It took a little extra time but Yoda and Luna are fully trained and listen very well 95% of them time. Their extreme stubbornness kicks in for that other 5%. They are also generally always happy, curious, silly, and very loyal. I absolutely adore this breed and hope I always have the pleasure of sharing my home with a Bulldog.
I’ve always wanted this blog to be a collaborative effort. I spend A LOT of time on my Instagram that is dedicated to my dogs. It allows me to connect with other dog owners and see how other Bulldog parents manage their dogs on many different levels (training, health, diet, etc.). Four of my favorite Instagram accounts offered to write a little bit about each of their pups and what it’s like to have them in their lives. These are not all French Bulldogs but please remember that many different dogs fall under the “Bulldog” umbrella and it’s important to understand the breed as a whole.
Each dog parent below has shared their own thoughts because much like me they know the importance of educating new and potential Bulldog owners on the breed. I highly encourage you to check them out and follow them on Instagram. I have gained so much knowledge by being able to see what these awesome Bulldog/Bully parents experience with their pups. Plus they’re all really cute, duh. So here we go! Accounts are not listed in any particular order…
I love Collins because he is an active pup and he always has on really cool shirts! It’s a great Bulldog account to follow as his dad keeps us up on Collins’ health and general Bulldog care. He and his dad are always making me laugh with their captions or sharing a positive outlook. Here’s what I learned about Collins:
“After 17 long years with my previous dog Slider who passed due to old age, I decided it was time for a new addition. After months of research, I decided on a Bulldog. I say research because with Bulldogs, its super important to do your homework beforehand. Bulldogs are not for everyone. They come with their own sets of issues. That said, it was the best decision of my life. In Feb 2019, Collins came into my life. We were drawn together since day one and have not left each others side since. Hes got my back, and I have his. Collins is a character. He loves his ball, his marrow bones and his many many beds. He also loves spending time with other dogs, and does not know when to quit! He can be stubborn, especially in the mornings when its time to get up. On walks, he could be confused for a husky as he would pull a tractor! He is protective and scared at the same time. No one will enter without us knowing, however he would run away from a cat! Hes also very understanding and loving. He and I play rough, but with my mother who is sick, he is so gentle and caring. He did however have some medical issues, cherry eye for example, but all is well now. He weighs a healthy 80lbs. The main thing with Bulldogs is the care. They need to be cleaned daily. Wrinkes and the Butt. Yes, I said Butt! The tail pocket will also need to be cleaned. They are also sensitive to some foods, so please do your homework here too. But if you do decide on a Bulldog, one thing I can guarantee you is that it will be the best decision you will ever make!”
Mason’s account is always making me giggle! I fell in love with this little guy the moment I came across his page. (I might have a real soft spot for fawn/black masked Frenchies.) I can also feel how much his parents adore him through their posts. It’s really amazing to come across dog owners that are literally just obsessed with their pup in the best and most loving way possible. Here’s what I learned about Mason:
“Mason is a constant source of entertainment in our house! He is very smart but extremely stubborn when he wants things his way! He will do anything for food and loves blueberries, banana, strawberries, peanut butter and plain yogurt. He has the sweetest personality of any dog I’ve ever met and he is an absolute mommas boy following me around everywhere I go. He loves people and enjoys the crowd he attracts when we take him places with us. He loves to snuggle and will wait until you fall asleep to sneak onto your pillow. Then he snores so loud you wake up but his face is so precious you can’t be mad. He is a couch potato / lap dog except for the two times a day when his batteries are recharged and he runs around the house at warp speed taking out anyone or anything in his path. Mason did have breathing problems as many flat face breeds do. He had a little doggie plastic surgery to open his nostrils and trim his palate and now he can breathe much better. We are blessed to have him in our life!”
I love Rocky’s Instagram because he is always on an adventure! He is also always sharing great info on great dog products that help keep him healthy -fish oil, hip supplements, and most importantly TREATS! He seriously looks like the sweetest pup and always has the biggest smile! Here’s what I learned about Rocky:
“Rocky is Black tri American Bully and he is not altered in any way. He loves food and cuddles. He also definitely has a preference for people over dogs! He loves to roll in the grass and always has his tongue out. He is big lap dog with lots of love to share.”
Homer and Marge’s account is new to me but I absolutely love it. I can tell these two pups are so awesome and their parents really care about them. Their account is filled with a lot of their fun adventures and it keeps me updated on any health related issues they have going on. Their account is the exact type of account I love because it’s fun but also spreads awareness in regards to common Bulldog health issues. Here’s what I learned about Homer and Marge:
“The handsome Homer and precocious Marge are a both miniature English Bulldogs. Homer and Marge love people as much as their friends with tails. Homer will jump up on every picnic table at the dog park and hand out kisses to anyone sitting there while Marge seeks out people for a butt rub. When you need a snuggle, Homer is right there to make even a bad day better. Marge never fails to bring a smile with her antics and curious looks that she gives. They both have the persistence, stubbornness, and big hearts that the breed is known for. Since they are miniature English Bulldogs, not your standard full sized bulldog, they have more of an athletic build to them. Homer loves going out for hikes, climbing trees (yes…we did say climbing trees) and chasing squirrels/rabbits/birds. Marge loves going on hikes and climbing big boulders as long as someone will give her a boost on top them. Just like other bulldogs, they do love to get plenty of beauty sleep, hey it’s not easy work looking that cute!
They’re definitely not just an ordinary dog. They’re medium size dogs with big personality. They are amazing companions but not meant for everyone. Like other bulldogs, they do require a little more care and work with training. For those that accept everything that makes them great, they will show you a love that is unique.”
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I can’t say it enough but Instagram has been such a useful tool for me to connect with other Bulldog parents. I don’t know what I would do without the accounts I’ve been able to connect with because they give me so much valuable insight. If you’re considering a Bulldog or need to find support from other Bulldog parents then you should consider checking out Instagram to make some connections. The accounts above and many others will be helpful in your journey as a Bulldog owner.
I hope all of these amazing dog parents gave you some insight on their particular type of Bulldog breed. I also hope you can see from the info above that while these pups bring so much joy, they are also sometimes stubborn, have their own special needs compared to other breeds, and sometimes have unavoidable health issues that must be addressed and cared for. They are so lovable though and if you’re up for the challenge I can guarantee your life will be enriched by them.
All pictures above are the property of each individual Instagram account owner. They may not be duplicated or used without the permission of the owner. The accounts above were so kind to give me permission to use their photos on my blog. If you have questions about any of the pictures above please contact the account directly through Instagram.
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