purposes, I find this to be ignorance of the breed. The original mixed-breed dogs that “baited bulls” were butch- ers, mastiff-like dogs that evolved to the make and shape of the current Bulldog. There are many examples of winning dogs from the 1800s that would be competitive today. Handlers are often overboard with “cool coats”— ice, wet towels, etc.—creating the impression that Bulldogs are unsound and fragile. 7. And, for a bit of humor: what’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? DB: Funny things happen, but usually, not on purpose. Many years ago, a group of BCNC members decided to train and entertain with a “Bully Brigade”. They set out to do what no one else had ever done—train Bulldogs to per- form a routine set to music. They never saw their names in lights but they brought us to our knees, on the floor laughing and holding our stomachs. Do you wonder why we love them? FH: I have many funny stories, but I always remember a specialty show where the judge that day was deliberat- ing over Winners Bitch, after looking at his winners for quite some time, he finally brought two bitches forward for further examination. He then took another long time going over the two again, going through the whole process of checking jaws, necks and topline for what seemed like an eternity, he then jokingly turned to the ringside and asked my wife Caroline, “Which one would you give it to?” As quick as a flash, she replied, “The one my husband has just put back in her crate, that you only gave second place to!” JL: One of the most amusing scenes witnessed was at a large Specialty show in the 80s, when a well-endowed female handler bent over to stack her Bulldog and her upper anatomy fell out of her halter top (no bra). She very quickly, and unconcernedly, reinserted the exposed por- tion and proceeded. RN: I guess this is one of the funnier things I’ve experienced at a show. I had very recently had major shoulder surgery. We were at a show in Houston and needed to ship semen. I had my left arm in a sling and driving in Houston traffic was not something for me to be doing. My wife, Nancy, left me at the show and was going to take the semen to the airport and be back in time to show the dog. Well, Houston traffic being what it is, she didn’t make it back until I was in the ring and the dogs had been examined. Not dressed in show clothes, I won BOB over a number of specials. I had no less than ten people ask if they could use my sling for the next day’s judging. RS: Based on two unfortunate experiences, I always have a spare pare of trousers with me when I exhibit.
“BULLDOGS ARE AMONG THE BEST AS LOVABLE PETS;
HOWEVER, THEY DO REQUIRE MORE CARE THAN SOME BREEDS.”
non-standard colors—including blue, lilac and merles (colors never before known to be in the gene pool)—will become DQs as well as blue, green or partially blue or green eyes. RN: The standard has been changed. The Bulldog Club of America Membership approved the change by a 90%+ margin to add disqualifications for eye and coat color. All judges can go to the BCA website and educate themselves of the changes. I’m sure, like most written documents, some parts might be made clearer, however, I am not in favor of changing the standard. I believe if you study it enough and talk about it with experienced Bulldoggers, you will understand its meaning. I try to judge by the standard and health issues are not included. I am very particular about health concerns as a breeder. When presenting the dogs, handlers set them four square which is not correct and they bait them like one does for a Terrier. The Bulldog rear should be narrower than the front; therefore the rear legs should be closer together than the front. I see too many breeders are using dogs with wry jaws as stud dogs. This we would never do. You cannot breed out your faults, if you continue to repro- duce them. I see the dogs are breathing much better in the ring than 40 years ago. Bulldogs are among the best as lovable pets; however, they do require more care than some breeds. If you want a Bulldog, do your homework and try to visit with a suc- cessful breeder or two. Be aware that a lot of promotion on the internet may not, necessarily, be as it seems. RS: Like many breeds, the Bulldog is being exploited by “greeders,” who are producing dogs in a rainbow of non-standard colors for exorbitant prices. BCA has recent- ly changed the standard to eliminate designer colors. Some say this breed has changed well beyond its original
270 • S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J UNE 2017
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