Bulldogs get their day

Bulldogs have secured the 10th spot in the American Kennel Club’s Top 10 Most Popular Dogs in America.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

Vindicator Staff Writer

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.

Bulldogs

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Archie, Bulldog Puppies, and the Evans family, operators of Evans Kennels and Breeders of English Bulldogs, located in Berlin Center.

And they even have a day dedicated to them: Today 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.” She admitted there is a lot of heavy breathing at their house — which usually accompanies excitement (a visitor to the house, bit of sibling squabbling or high temperatures). “They snort a lot,” she said, and noted that humidity isn’t their friend. “It’s best to have air conditioning.”

She said the dogs usually impress people with their easygoing and loving nature. “They’re clowns,” she said.

At the Evanses’ home are Dorothy Jo, known as Dot, who is almost 2 years old, and had her first litter of four male pups four weeks ago; Beulah, 3 years old, who had a litter of seven 10 weeks ago; Lola, 3 years old; Archie, 10 1/2 months old; and Bertha Sue, known as Bertie, 3. The sire of Beulah’s pups is Champion Cherokee Legend Rock, who is a three-time winner of best of breed in Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Archie’s father is Champion Cherokee Legend Crazy Horse, who is Rock’s sire.

The couple said they also are showing their dogs at AKC events, which also can educate people about the bulldog breeds. There are American Bulldogs (Chance in the animal movie, “Homeward Bound”) and French bulldogs, which are small compact canines related to English bulldogs.

English bulldogs present a macho appearance, with their large heads and big chests. Their appearance can be intimidating. Males weigh from 60 to 65 pounds and females, 40-50 pounds, Jim Evans said. “Brindle is probably the most popular color,” he said, noting bulldogs also can be white or fawn, or a combination of colors. Tails are distinctive to the dog, some are like corkscrews, others somewhat short and rounded. Some of the bulldog’s physical characteristics tend to curtail its numbers.

“They’re wonderful, but a bit awkward, as mothers,” Jim Evans said. He said owners of new mothers must be vigilant to make sure the mom doesn’t squash newborns. “We breed for healthy puppies,” he said, and did point out breeding bulldogs isn’t for amateurs. Bulldogs usually have to be artificially inseminated. Litters are usually one to four pups; Beulah’s litter of seven was unusual. Puppies are delivered by Caesarean section because creating the bulldog look has produced big-headed offspring. That characteristic has made natural birth difficult but not impossible. “But a mother dog might have one or two puppies and be too exhausted,” Jim Evans, noting that puts the mother and puppies at risk. The C-section and anesthetic also endangers puppies and mother, so the procedure must be done quickly by a veterinarian. Bulldogs are slow to mature.

Another thing bulldogs aren’t good at is swimming. “They sink,” Jim Evans said. “But ours like to ride in a golf cart, and Beulah likes to play with a soccer ball.” Maintenance is relatively simple. “You have to clean out their wrinkles,” Jim Evans said of the pronounced wrinkle on their faces, where dirt and food often collects. “And brush them weekly,” his wife added.