English Bulldog Health & Welfare : a University project

[MoodyMudi]

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Hi,

My name is Ella and I'm researching English bulldogs (as part of a University project).

As a student of Animal Management (University of Hertfordshire), I am compiling a research report on health issues of the breed. As well as speaking to vets and pet insurers, I would love to understand this from the perspective of the owners of this iconic breed.

I would greatly appreciate a few moments of your time to answer a few (14) questions below

Many thanks,
Ella

Q1: How long have you owned dogs? (years)
Q2: How long have you been an owner of English bulldogs? (years)
Q3: If you currently own a bulldog, what is its age?
Q4: What specific health issues have led you to visit the vet with your dog?
Q5: Are there any long-term conditions that your dog suffers from? (Please list)
Q6: What surgical procedures has your dog undergone? (Excluding neutering)
Q7: Is your dog registered with The Kennel Club? (yes/no)
Q8: From what type of organisation did you acquire your dog? (KC Registered breeder/Non-registered breeder/Rescue/Other - specify)
Q9: What led you to choose this particular breed?
Q10: How much did you know about Bulldog health issues before you got your dog? (Nothing/A little/Did some research/I knew a lot)
Q11: Do you feel that the established breed standard of The Kennel Club is sufficient to maintain a healthy stock? (Explain)
Q12: What is your view on those who cross breed English bulldogs in an attempt to create an alternative bulldog?
Q13: Do you feel that the pedigree English bulldog, as a breed, has a viable future? (yes/no. Explain)
Q14: If you've previously owned British bulldogs, how long did they live and what was the cause of death?

 

[MoodyMudi]

I am fully aware all breeds (pedigree or mixed) of dog may suffer from health issues or have a predisposition to carry or present genetic diseases.

 

[DixD]

I met a bulldog cross youngster yesterday running about madly - bulldog cross cocker Spaniel. The weight and low venture of gravity of a bulldog, the speed and energy of a cocker spaniel. Not something I would fancy getting bowled over with, if it wasn’t watching where it was going!

 

[MoodyMudi]

 

[MoodyMudi]

Dicussion with; American bulldog, Olde English or Leavitt bulldog owners would also be useful and much appreciated.

 

[MoodyMudi]

I'm assuming there are no bulldog owners present on this forum then.
I apologise if my request came across negatively.
To compile a balanced report the experiences and opinions of; the veterinarians, the breeders and the owners.

 

[Buddy1]

I don't think your request came across negatively at all. I am just not aware of any Bulldog owners on the forum.
Good luck with your research.

 

[DixD]

I think people are rightly wary of putting lots of specifics out in the ether, on the request of someone they don’t know. It’s like shouting out all your personal details and opinions in the middle of a market place, just because someone asked you to You might have better luck emailing the associations, groups and individuals you need to, and providing credentials of who you are.

This isn’t aimed specifically at you. It’s just an observation.

 

[MoodyMudi]

If there are any questions that are too specific they can be answered as n/a.
What questions appear too specific?
From you review I can change the questions to be more ethically sound.

 

[DixD]

I don’t have a bulldog but there would be no way I’d put my dog’s personal medical history on what is basically a public forum, for example. Research is really hard work, a real slog, and part of the legwork is tracking down the information you need, not asking people to divulge information on public forums.

what type of accurate research will you produce, if participants simply put “not applicable” as an answer to questions?

How would you also know the information people gave you was accurate. Short of providing written details on medical conditions, for example, from the vet, information given would be anecdotal not primary source, or even secondary source.

 

[MoodyMudi]

Why would stating my dog has had issues with entropion, be parlous?
I do agree Q6 asks too much.
Using forums for surveys is an research method.
I would have sent a link to a survey monkey to ensure privacy but this chat unables me.

 

[DixD]

I’m trying to give you some good research advice here. My daughter has multiple degrees from Oxford and Cambridge, She did accurate, time consuming research, went to various countries to track down primary sources on her subject. If you want to be an average student, then do it the easy way, ask other people to provide evidence for you, whether it can be confirmed or not. If you want to be an excellent student and do research tgat will stand up to scrutiny, do it the hard way. I am pretty sure you are well capable of it.

 

[MoodyMudi]

Giving the participant an option to not answer is for the ethics of research.

 

[MoodyMudi]

I have done secondary research and have a list of scientific journals.
In the report you discuss the reliablity of the data that has been collected.
Im meeting up with a bulldog owner club tomorrow.

 

[DixD]

Now, that does sound a better idea, the bull dog club.

Hypothetically, if I’d decided to complete your questions on an imaginary bull dog I owned, and sounded very feasible, would you have included it in your research. I can sound VERY feasible,if I want to. . How would that have affected the accuracy of your research?

 

[Josie]

Sorry @MoodyMudi I just don’t think we have many (if any) members with those breeds.

don’t take offence

 

[MoodyMudi]

Sorry @MoodyMudi I just don’t think we have many (if any) members with those breeds.

don’t take offence

@Josie thank you , its okay I was just trying out different platforms of research .

 

[MoodyMudi]

I don’t have a bulldog but there would be no way I’d put my dog’s personal medical history on what is basically a public forum, for example. Research is really hard work, a real slog, and part of the legwork is tracking down the information you need, not asking people to divulge information on public forums.

what type of accurate research will you produce, if participants simply put “not applicable” as an answer to questions?

How would you also know the information people gave you was accurate. Short of providing written details on medical conditions, for example, from the vet, information given would be anecdotal not primary source, or even secondary source.

n/a means:not applicable, not available or no answer - if the dog was rescued they may not know the dogs history and some owners may not have wanted a post-mortem and thus won't know.