English bulldog when we already have a house cat

[crispyshark]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this part of the forum but as a family we are BIG animal fans. We currently own a beautiful 3yo blue mitted rag doll called jago. He is great with all humans and when younger was raised through kitten hood alongside a Birman and briefly with the family golden retriever.

We are now considering a puppy and feel an English bulldog would suit our needs best iro of not needing huge walks or being too boisterous AND good with other pets.

The cat has never had his jabs for going outside but with a dog going out what would we need to get for the cat and with him being 3 would this affect his behaviour ie when castrated he calmed a little?

Can anyone recommend a bulldog breeder in London/Essex? Would you consider any other breeds in our situation?

Thanks

Chris

[telecat]

My Son is a Big fan of the English Bulldog so I did a bit of digging. Generally a healthly Well bred Bulldog is not as sedentary as you think. I do not think you'll need to exercise at Border Collie level though!! They can be very stubborn but are also very loyal. Check the blood line and use a reputable breeder as the well known Breathing problems tend to be from those breeders just after that "look". They DO NOT need to have the problems previously associated with the breed. Lastly even if you are set on a Pup the Bulldog rescue people could be help guiding you to a heathly Dog or bh.

www.bulldogrescue.org.uk

[Simpo Two]

Seems like you're going to do it whatever the cat thinks. But it cope; it will either spend the rest of its life hiding in a bedroom, or run away.

[Johnnytheboy]

I think bringing a Bulldog puppy into a house with a cat already will be fine, the cat will probably be 'the boss' from day one.

My bulldog is only hostile to cats that enter the garden, when he meets them out and about he's fine with them.

Another thumbs up for the bulldogowners.co.uk forum. ETA there was a post above mentioing them as a forum, don't know where it went.

There's a PHer called moo27 on there though I don't think she's posted here in a long time.

Edited by Johnnytheboy on Wednesday 9th January 18:24

[crispyshark]

Thanks guys, it's not 100%yet as priority 1 is the cat as he was here first. Just want to know that as a breed they are generally ok with cats. As I've said, he did spend his first year around a golden retriever.

[dai1983]

I'm in a similar dilemma. The mrs has a 4 year old cat and she's been pestering me for a dog the last few years. She wants a Siberian Huskie though so I have my reservations. I'll probably say "I told you so" when the cat lives on top of the fridge. Her explanation is that the cat will boss the pup from day one like he has done with other dogs she's had stay before we met.

[RWA441]

As an owner of two Bullies, one is just over 7 the other just over 2 and we've had both from 8-10 weeks old I think you'll have no problems.

Mine are both a pair of wimps and will creep up to other dogs/animals very cautiously until they know all is well. When anything walks through our garden be it cats, wood pigeons, squirrels etc they just look at it then roll over to snore again! Not interested in the slightest.

I'd imagine as a puppy provided the cat will accept it they will become best of friends and snuggle up together! There's nothing quite like Bullies snuggling up to keep you warm and the snoring becomes theraputic!

[crispyshark]

RWA441 said:

As an owner of two Bullies, one is just over 7 the other just over 2 and we've had both from 8-10 weeks old I think you'll have no problems.

Mine are both a pair of wimps and will creep up to other dogs/animals very cautiously until they know all is well. When anything walks through our garden be it cats, wood pigeons, squirrels etc they just look at it then roll over to snore again! Not interested in the slightest.

I'd imagine as a puppy provided the cat will accept it they will become best of friends and snuggle up together! There's nothing quite like Bullies snuggling up to keep you warm and the snoring becomes theraputic!

Thanks, this was my hopes. The cat is pretty chiiled out and would be happy for the company i'm sure!

[Ilikebeaver]

I've no experience with bulldogs but have a 4 year old cat which 2 years ago had a very good friend which was a Bishon Frisé. The dog lived close by with a neighbour and our cat would wait at the neighbours door for it to be taken for walks so that they could play. The neighbour also revealed that she let our cat into her house sometimes when he wanted to and the cat and dog would just sit together and snuggle.

Other than that our cat hates other cats.

We have since moved and I think he is lonley and also gets on even worse with the neighbours cats where we are now.

I'm desperate to get a dog and think it will benefit him, but having trouble persuading the husband!

Edited by Ilikebeaver on Wednesday 9th January 21:28

[gfunk]

dai1983 said:

I'm in a similar dilemma. The mrs has a 4 year old cat and she's been pestering me for a dog the last few years. She wants a Siberian Huskie though so I have my reservations. I'll probably say "I told you so" when the cat lives on top of the fridge. Her explanation is that the cat will boss the pup from day one like he has done with other dogs she's had stay before we met.

You will have problems with a husky, they have a high prey drive.
When I meet my partner she had a cat I have a husky they have lived together
For a year and he goes for it every time they see each other.
We will never leave them in the same room unattended or there would be blood.
They are a lovely dog though just as you can put the time in they require,
10 mile walks everyday,and training is hard as they are very head strong and will only do something if they want to
Generally in return for food.

[dai1983]

gfunk said:

You will have problems with a husky, they have a high prey drive.
When I meet my partner she had a cat I have a husky they have lived together
For a year and he goes for it every time they see each other.
We will never leave them in the same room unattended or there would be blood.
They are a lovely dog though just as you can put the time in they require,
10 mile walks everyday,and training is hard as they are very head strong and will only do something if they want to
Generally in return for food.

Deposit paid and we pick him up the first week of Feb. Time will tell but hes coming from a house with cats and kids. Hes not too quiet or too ballsy so hopefully will be a nice dog. I will take him running with me as I do 6 to 8 miles 3 times per week and the mrs has promised she will walk him too. Hopefully he will get us out of the house more as we live right on the North Devon coast.

[bexVN]

There's no hopefully about it, you'll have to!! I see so many hyper huskies (and very few calm ones) due to the lack of knowledge by the owner. They are a fashionable breed but often kept in entirely unsuitable home life!

I am not accusing you of this though! Just make sure you really learn about the breed, look into husky clubs etc and be prepared for lots and lots of hard work, which will be worth it in the end

A well trained husky owned by someone who understands the needs of the breed is a great dog to know and a real pleasure to meet. A badly trained/ poorly trained or more commonly completely untrained husky (because owners have given up trying), is a nightmare to know!

Very cute looking so will want pics of the pup

[bexVN]

OP bulldog pup should be fine with your cat. The cat should be fine as Kong as it is not already a nervous/ timid cat.

My boss took on an adult Bulldog and he is a nightmare with cats, he would easily try and kill one if he ever got chance but it's because he didn't grow up with them.

[crispyshark]

bexVN said:

OP bulldog pup should be fine with your cat. The cat should be fine as Kong as it is not already a nervous/ timid cat.

My boss took on an adult Bulldog and he is a nightmare with cats, he would easily try and kill one if he ever got chance but it's because he didn't grow up with them.

Thanks, cat has never had jabs forgoing outside as is a house cat. Seeing as the will dog go outside what jabs will the cat need and will there be any side effects with him having these at 3yo?

[dai1983]

bexVN said:

Very cute looking so will want pics of the pup

Photos added to the dog photo thread. Sorry for the hijack OP!

[DannyScene]

A woman at work had 2 cats and got a bulldog, no issues at all and they all curl up and sleep together, even share food etc

Cant say its the same for every situation though