THE BULLDOG
PATRICIA ROPP I live in San Jose, California. I am an insurance agent full time, my other major hobby is playing golf, I am a member of several ladies golf groups. 1. Your opinion of the current quality of purebred dogs in general, and your breed in particular. Overall the quality is good. I think dogs are better than ever, very keen competition. Many excellent dogs to choose from at most shows, sadly entries are lower it seems at most shows than in past years, (I have been in the breed over 40 years). 2. The biggest concern you have about your breed, be it medical, structural, temperament-wise, or what. Concern for me is the decrease in good reputable breed- ers and exhibitors for the sport. We have a large pet fol- lowing but we need more quality breeders who care, we need to figure out how to get the younger generation to carry on our breed in the right way. 3. The biggest problem facing you as a breeder. Continue to breed quality dogs, that are healthy and competitive. “WE HAVE A LARGE PET FOLLOWING BUT WE NEED MORE QUALITY BREEDERS WHO CARE, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO CARRY ON OUR BREED IN THE RIGHT WAY.”
4. The unique structure of this breed seems to puzzle many people. Do you feel that the average judge has a handle on exactly what the Bulldog should have, and where? I think the head properties are easy to misunderstand. “Large” does not always mean good. We want the char- acteristic lay back, from tip of jaw to top of forehead, 90 degree angle. Large yes, but more important correct brick shape, not over done or over-wrinkled. Topline also seems to be misunderstood, the “wheel” back, rising slightly at the loins to finish at the tail. 5. How important is movement? Movement is very important. Our standard calls for a loose rolling shuffle, free and easy gait. 6. How important is underjaw placement? The upturn of jaw is a very important breed characteris- tic. Our standard calls for sweeping upturn with straight lined teeth, definitely undershot but lips should meet. 7. Advice to a new breeder? Listen to experienced breeders, follow their advice, get a mentor or two! 8. Advice to a new judge of your breed? Get several mentors, watch lots of dog shows, specialties more importantly. Listen to the breeder judges. Study the head and movement first. 10. Anything else you’d like to share—something you’ve learned as a breeder, exhibitor or judge or a par- ticular point you’d like to make: Try to remain positive. Nothing is gained by negative comment or behavior. Quietly try to do the best you can to produce quality, healthy stock, improve each genera- tion, don’t be kennel blind. 11. And for a bit of humor, what’s the funniest thing that you ever experienced at a dog show? Bulldogs are clowns, they are always embarrassing us as owners! I show in Obedience and rally and one of my favorite rally shows, my boy decided to do everything in slow motion, it was hilarious! He just refused to go at my pace and still completed the course as he wished; very independent dog!
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , M AY 2018 • 273
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