# What exactly is the appeal of English Bulldogs?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [June 26, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617 "2010-06-26T17:40:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@hellpaso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellpaso)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/21 "2010-06-29T03:15:43Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#):
>
> But aren’t lots of purebred dogs popular and able to be sold for high sums of money?
I don’t know about other areas, but here, for whatever reason, they are extremely popular in Monterrey, NL, which is just a short drive away. It’s worthwhile for someone to steal one and simply drive it over the border and make an easy $2000.☹
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### Author:  [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/22 "2010-06-29T03:58:01Z")
An awful lot of people like big, shambling, ugly, friendly, slobbery dogs. No one likes health problems but usually it seems that people don’t consider how their dog’s life might end when they are picking out a breed. Or maybe the traits that they love in a breed are worth the risk. I know a lot of people who have kept and loved English Bulldogs for many years.
I like dogs and have three, but I would never be interested in owning a great number of breeds. To each their own. I like sighthounds: slim, graceful, attractive, affectionate but reserved, and they produce very little residue. 😉
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### Author:  [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/23 "2010-06-29T04:34:46Z")
A good friend of mine had an English Bulldog that matched your description almost exactly. That damn dog was about the sweetest thing you could ever hope to meet. He freakin’ loved toddlers. He’d roll around on his back _in their lap_ so they could rub his tummy. Then he’d lick their faces for a minute(this is where the parents would wince) and spend the rest of the time watching after them. And I don’t mean in the overly-excited-sheep-dog-way where the dog tries to herd the rowdy children and one ends up hurt.
Doesn’t matter if you were the mailman or a burglar–he’d smother you in affection no matter what. Unfortunately he tried to dig a hole under the fence on a sunny day and asphyxiated on his back.
If you’re one of those tiresome people that insist a dog _do_ something then you need to move on to another breed. However, if you want a flatulent clown of a dog that needs a bit more special care then the English Bulldog is where it’s at.
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### Author:  [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/24 "2010-06-29T05:04:10Z")
> [@astro](#):
>
> I’m not pro or anti bulldog and I have never owned one, but out of curiosity in seeing others descriptions of them (who have owned them) and in [looking at wiki](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulldog) they appear to be fairly high maintenance physically, not too bright, lethargic drool machines that fart constantly, and often have severe respiratory issues and a host of medical problems.
>
> Where exactly does the appeal lie?
They all look exactly like Winston Churchill.
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### Author:  [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/25 "2010-06-29T12:09:28Z")
> [@Rick](#):
>
> They all look exactly like Winston Churchill.
It’s settled. When I get an English bulldog I’m naming it Winston.
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### Author:  [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/26 "2010-06-29T12:22:48Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#):
>
> Personally, I do :). . Or squish-faced Persian cats for that matter.
>
> .
You’re off my Christmas Card list now champ 🙂
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### Author:  [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/27 "2010-06-29T12:29:24Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#):
>
> It’s settled. When I get an English bulldog I’m naming it Winston.
Make sure to take pictures of it wearing a bowler hat and a chewing a cigar.
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### Author:  [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/28 "2010-06-29T12:39:56Z")
> [@Alessan](#):
>
> Make sure to take pictures of it wearing a bowler hat and a chewing a cigar.
Yes. I’m doing this.
How hard would it be to get a dog to hold a cigar in its mouth? :3
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### Author:  [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/29 "2010-06-29T14:26:37Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#):
>
> I’m not a fan of these dogs either, and much prefer a healthy breed. It isn’t really hard to see the appeal though. People like some breed and think it’s cute, so the either a) don’t mind the health problems, or more likely, b) didn’t do the research before buying their dog.
I have a pug, and I did do the research. Yes, respiratory issues can be a problem, but early screening and surgical correction can alleviate a lot of the issues (as can weight management). Most breeds have certain health problems. I’m in a place financially where I could accept the risk of surgery if it was needed.
I’m a big fan of pugs, Boston terriers, etc. They’re playful, joyful dogs who are small, but not yappy, and who love to just hang out wth you. I think they’re great family dogs. My pug is a great companion and pretty much spends his time at home either gently playing with the cat (who loves it) or sitting with me. He’s more athletic than people give him credit for, though he’s not great in the heat.
I’m not a huge bulldog fan but that’s because we had an English bulldog when I was a kid, and they had to put the dog to sleep because he bit someone. The dog was a rescue, though, and I don’t really blame the dog. A (male, adult) neighbor came over with something for my dad when it was only us kids in the house and the dog was very protective. I asked him not to come in until I could put the dog away and he insisted. He got bitten, and did a little legal sabre-rattling until my parents agreed to have the dog put down.
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### Author:  [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/30 "2010-06-29T14:45:10Z")
[QUOTE=Rick]
They all look exactly like Winston Churchill.
[/QUOTE]
[Oh, YES!](http://www.churchill.com/churchill-dog/)
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/31 "2010-06-29T15:41:46Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#):
>
> I took a test on [AnimalPlanet.com](http://AnimalPlanet.com) that was supposed to match me with my perfect type of dog. I got English Bulldog and I’m quite happy with that. And anyone who says they aren’t cute doesn’t know what cute is.
American Eskimo dogs are cute. Panda bears are cute. English bulldogs ain’t.
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### Author:  [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/32 "2010-06-29T16:47:04Z")
> [@acsenray](#):
>
> American Eskimo dogs are cute. Panda bears are cute. English bulldogs ain’t.
Are to.
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### Author:  [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/33 "2010-06-29T16:51:41Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#):
>
> How hard would it be to get a dog to hold a cigar in its mouth? :3
You rub the cigar in bacon. Obviously.
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### Author:  [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/34 "2010-06-29T19:29:10Z")
So, what I’m learning from this thread is that I’d like to have a half-English bulldog, with something else mixed in to help correct for physical health problems. I agree with \*\*Manda JO \*\*that poodle crosses can be awesome. Anyone ever known a poodle/English bulldog mix? I can imagine that it would be … pretty funny-looking. But smart! 🙂
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### Author:  [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)
#### Post date: [June 29, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/35 "2010-06-29T19:33:00Z")
I’d like to see a bulldog mixed with a bear. Naming it might be hard though. How about bulldogbear? No, ok… bullbeardog! Hmm…manbearpig?
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### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/36 "2011-05-22T02:12:17Z")
Sorry. Accidently posted in zombie thread. Will report & have mod close.
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### Author:  [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2011, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/37 "2011-05-22T02:42:52Z")
I thought the rules allowed for resurrecting threads now. It’s not like this is a time-sensitive topic. 😕
I’ve always preferred long nosed dogs, but when I was looking for a dog at the local shelter I met an English bulldog who came close to coming home with me (someone else adopted him so all’s well that ends well). I do think that for me the appeal is that they are known for being both courageous and protective but also very gentle and good-natured. While I definitely have reservations about the health risks of short nosed dogs, I’ve also come to view them as “so ugly it’s cute”.
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### Author:  [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/38 "2011-05-22T03:14:01Z")
> [@MandaJo](#):
>
> People’s dog preferences are often set early and are not entirely rational: we have an exceptionally smart and sweet poodle-mix in our family (he’s 17 now!) and I will always have a soft spot now for poodle-mixes. My dad likes rat terriers because he grew up with them.
That’s why I got cocker spaniels when I became an adult. I loved my Sophie and Rufus to pieces for the entire 17 years of their lives. (16.5, actually… she was 6 months older, died at 16.5 and six months later HE died, aged 16.5-kinda cosmic) But those 17 years also broke me of any desire to have a cocker spaniel ever again.
I moved on to Golden Retrievers, and while both of my beloved goldens are gone and I have a Rottweiler/lab/border collie mutt now that I love to pieces, it’s not the same. Goldens are my ideal dog (except for the fur, but I just shave 'em down to the skin): extremely smart, playful, eager to please, and they have that wonderful mushy lovable galumphyness without being all slobbery. I love to be physically close to my dogs, I love to hug and smooch them and goldens are great at giving that back.
I am very much looking forward to being able to get another golden.
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### Author:  [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/39 "2011-05-22T04:01:55Z")
> [@lavenderviolet](#):
>
> I thought the rules allowed for resurrecting threads now. It’s not like this is a time-sensitive topic. 😕
Indeed we have changed the zombie policy. We’ll leave this open for now.
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### Author:  [@YaraMateo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaraMateo)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2011, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-the-appeal-of-english-bulldogs/544617/40 "2011-05-22T05:54:59Z")
Since they’re so ugly, and according to the OP stupid, maybe the owners take delight in seeing how long it takes them to learn to walk backwards. Something that ugly should have have its ass shaved and be taught how to walk backwards.
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