HELP!!
Submitted by bulldoglovers67 on May 18, 2015 - 6:54pmHi everyone my name is Joy and my husband is Sean. We became the proud parents of two beautiful English Bulldogs. We did a lot of research on their proper care and diet. We knew about their inability to swim, and due to their large heads and chest the top heaviness of the breed. Well, we learned first hand of their "NO FEAR" attitude! First round, Watson ( Dr. Watson ) decided to jump in a creek. It was shallow and at first it was cute, and then he went out further and the fast running rapids caught him. The next thing we knew our little Wat, Wat was bobbing like a cork down stream. Sean and I took off in a dash! I saw him coming towards the shore and then a tree branch caught his collar and he went under and didn't come up! I quickly grab his collar and pulled him up and out. The goof ball took off like a dart running and playing, meanwhile mom is in tears trying to recover from the scare! We head on up to the lake we were wanting to fish in open the back of the SUV and off they go straight for the dock. We NEVER thought they would go in, and the Holmes ( Sherlock ) behind me as I am baiting my hook JUMPS!!! YES, JUMPS into 15 feet of water! I look down waiting for him to come up closer and he looks up at me total fear hits me as I see bubbles come out of his nose, I instantly reached in as he was sinking and pulled him up and out! We left! That was enough! We will never, never take them fishing or near water without a life jacket! Now for the help I need. Do any of you fellow experienced bulldog owners have a recommendation for a life jacket for them. We have been looking, but they don't seem like they will work as well on a bulldog because of their bigger head and chest. I am not concerned about cost at all! I will spend what I need to to protect my babies!
Sean and Joy
Life vest
With our first bulldog we too had read they could not swim. We didn't believe it. All dogs can swim. Right? We live on a lake. We took Titan down to a boat ramp and I walked backwards down the ramp. Titan followed me down the ramp and then he stopped when I was about mid-thigh deep in the water. I thought he would either stay put or turn around and go back up the ramp. He did neither. He jumped like a fish coming out of the water and landed a couple of feet in front of me. He immediately sunk like a rock. I thank God to this day that the water was shallow enough for me to quickly get to him and pull him out. Needless to say, he would have nothing more to do with going into the lake.
That all being said, I went to Pet Smart and bought him a life vest to use when we went out on the pontoon boat. Titan weighed about 70 pounds. Before we took him out on the pontoon the first time we want back to the same boat ramp. My husband carried him in with his life vest on. He set him into the water and it kept him above water. Titan quickly managed to turn himself around and swam to shore.
I have read of people putting people life vests on their bullies. They secure the vest on backwards with the neck support under their throat to keep the head out of the water.
Either way, as you have learned, they don't swim.
Maggie Porkchop and Bubba
Thank-you!!
I am glad he was ok. The only difference is both of them ran right and tried to jump off again!!! Lord, I almost schnikeed myself! Going to pets art this weekend, try some vests on!
Sean and Joy
Thanks
We thought the same thing, all dogs can swim!!! Well, let me tell you, they SINK! I have made it known to everyone that bulldogs sink. I called my son, who owns an Old English Bulldog. I have told everyone I know. The owner who sold them to us was hospital when we bought them, so he wasn't able to tell us anything. We bought them from a friend of his. He has wanted us to bring them by, and let them play with their daddy. Haven't had a chance yet. I was thinking of breeding them, but have decided not too. I don't want to wind up with someone who dosen't know how to care for the mama. They are a lot of work.
I knew that bulldogs were expensive to purchase and to take care of. I was willing to spend that! I am willing to spend what I have to to keep my babies happy and healthy! They are amazing!!
Sean and Joy
Here's one you might like!
WOW---how scary!!! sooo glad your babies are okay!!!
I like what Maggie said about human life vests turned around----what a good idea!!!
Note how this one has a big thingee in the front to help keep their head up....it's not 100% obviously....I got this
at a wonder-bull site called "Baxter Boo"
Our sweet Archimedes "MEATY" Bones (or as we say...boneSHHH!) ---born 11/28/08---- our first bullllyyyy!!!
And SOPHIE Bubbles *Rapscallion* (LOL!) ---born 4/3/11----our second bulllllyyyy!!!!
ooh cool....lookie here!
I think with bulldogs' extra heavy (and adora-bull!) heads, THIS would be even better than what I posted above...
in addition to a regular life jacket...Sorry, I can't click the link for the site (uggh!!!---) , but it's hedzuppets.com
Our sweet Archimedes "MEATY" Bones (or as we say...boneSHHH!) ---born 11/28/08---- our first bullllyyyy!!!
And SOPHIE Bubbles *Rapscallion* (LOL!) ---born 4/3/11----our second bulllllyyyy!!!!