BULLDOGS WHY WE LOVE THEM: “Bulldogs are two-year-olds in fur suits,” says Diana Engeszer, president of the board of directors of the Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network. “They’re very busy, delightful, friendly dogs. They don’t see themselves as dogs but as kids, and they make excellent family pets.” With a muscular build and a
signature underbite, bulldogs weigh in at about 40 to 50 pounds. They don’t crave exercise the way some of their other companions on the top 10 list do, so if you’re not highenergy yourself, they may be a breed to consider. (Though keep in mind that they need some regular activity to avoid excess weight gain.) Bulldogs, who ranked fourth in popularity in 2015, are usually calm and gentle in personality and have short coats that are easy to care for.
WHAT TO CONSIDER: “Bulldogs are a high-maintenance and high-care breed,” Engeszer explains. They can be willful and manipulative, demand attention and can be challenging to train. They’re prone to breathing issues due to their flat, “smooshed” faces and, as a result, may overheat quickly in hot weather. They may develop skin and orthopedic problems, and their face wrinkles and ears — while super cute — need daily cleaning.
TO THE RESCUE
THINKSTOCK
To find out more about dogs who need new homes, contact one of the organizations below or another reputable rescue group in your area.
SOS Beagle Rescue Inc., which has chapters in Alabama, New Jersey and Tennessee sosbeagles.org
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue shepherdrescue.org
Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue Inc. yorkierescue.com
Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network and Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue rescuebulldogs.org stlbulldogrescue.org
Labrador Retriever Rescue Inc. labrescue.com
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