In praise of bulldogs on their special day

BERLIN CENTER — They snort. They snarl (all in fun). They snore. They slobber (just a bit).

They’re built like furry tanks with wrinkled faces. But more than a few people have found this burly canine with the endearing underbite appealing. The breed now holds the 10th spot on the American Kennel Club’s Top 10 Most Popular Dogs in America.

And they even have a day dedicated to them: Monday is Bulldogs are Beautiful Day.

The breed, often chosen as a sports team mascot, remains one of the most recognizable though a tad rare. The AKC Web site, www.akc.org, notes that the bulldog was accepted into the organization in 1886, just two years after its founding. The breed held fifth place in the top 10 in 1915. Though its popularity has fluctuated, for bulldog owners, there is no other choice.

Just ask Jim and Pam Evans of Evans Kennel (www.evanskennel.com). The two dog lovers have bred English bulldogs off and on for some 25 years; they’ve also had Dobermans and Rottweilers. They’ve been back into bulldog breeding for the last five years.

Why the bulldog?

“I just liked the look,” said Jim Evans. Over the years, he said he and his family have come to appreciate their stellar quality as family pets.

“They’re wonderful with children and older people,” he said, noting the breed’s rolling gait is a comfortable walking pace. “And they’re usually not jumpers,” he added. As a certified master dog trainer, he sees that misbehavior in classes he offers.

Pam Evans described bulldogs as “affectionate and loyal.” “They have laid-back personalities,” she added. “They’re happiest next to you, sitting and watching TV ... keeping your feet warm.”

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.