26 April 2007

Bulldog or Bust

This is the official kick-off of the "Bulldog or Bust" campaign. You see, I want a bulldog. Kristen absolutely refuses on the grounds that bulldogs are, as a breed, notably flatulent. I didn't want to believe it, but apparently it's true. I say that's a small price to pay for the companionship of a beast that is, in all other respects, a paragon of beauty and delicacy. She disagrees with me there, too, claiming that bulldogs look, and I quote, "disgusting."

I've tried to appeal to her "frenchness" by suggesting a french bulldog, but she's taken up the habit of ridiculing them. She particularly likes to mock their prominent ears, and even suggests comparisons with bats, of all creatures.
Not being one to surrender easily, I've hoarded up some pleasing pictures of bulldogs.

If the pictures so move you, gentle reader, please consider replying to this post and expressing your support for the Bulldog or Bust campaign. I'm only one man, and I can't do this alone. Together we can overcome the evils of prejudice toward our stocky little buddies!

Here's the bulldog parade:































This is the French Bulldog. Notice the elegant ears.

36 comments:

Kris said...

i say bust.

and there is nothing "elegant" about those ears.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to turn on my own flesh and blood, but bulldogs ARE disgusting looking. And excess flatulence? Having had a dachsund that had that problem, "disgusting" applies here too. I'm going to have to vote for no bulldog. Having taken that position, I must add, however, that if you do go ahead and get such a dog - I will do my best to be tolerant and kind, and even learn to love said canine. I have known people whose looks and body odors were, at times, less than lovely. When truly known, they are very lovable, indeed.

I can only pray that you are blessed with a baby in the not-too-distant future. This would give you the chance to love someone who depends on you completely (as a pet does), who smells at times (as a pet does), but is highly likely to be the epitome of cuteness (at least in your eyes).

Is this bulldog thing about school mascots from your past? Will you be considering a pet cougar as well? What is the school mascot at Western Ontario?

Your concerned but always loving mother :)

P.S. - I'm SOOOOOOO happy you two will be staying with us this summer for several weeks!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I vote BULLDOG! (English, not French) They look really cool and Betsy says that she just loves them. (I'll let her vote for herself though.) How could you not want a dog that reminds you of Winston Churchill? That's like not going to see Star Wars when you know Yoda was modeled after President Kimball and the Force represents the Priesthood. Seriously. You have to get one.

Anonymous said...

I've wanted a bulldog for years now--ever since I saw my very first bulldog puppy. It was the most adorable creature in the world and luckily it visited the vet clinic often (that's not to say bulldogs have a lot of medical issues--I won't mention anything about that). So, I say definitely get a bulldog. I very much see you, Dan, having a bulldog companion. I agree with Russell that english instead of french is the way to go--and smaller is better than bigger.
--Betsy

Anonymous said...

Juan Pierre Says,
There has never been a clearer decision, EVER! Bulldog or Bust!? Are you kidding me? If Dan doesn't get a bulldog I will move wherever he and kris move and I will terrorize them with my incredible impressions, impersonations, and accents. May I recommend a French Bulldog? It is a commonly known fact that Frenchies make the best Bulldogies. hahaha, birdie num num.

Anonymous said...

I heard once that the noisey back end comes from the noisey front end.
The later generations of breeding for the pushed in face have caused sinus and nasal passage problems that cause the wee beasties to swallow alot of air resulting in a musical best friend.
I too live with a dog hateing Pallin woman(my beautiful and talented Jill)but now have two dogs Kelsey and Stinky.Although they have been with us for in Kelsey's case 9 years Jill's unfettered dispite for them results in daily jabs and digs regarding their usefulness,beauty and intellegence.
I thought time would dull my darlings wit and she might re-evaluate her low opinion of our loving companions,but no it 's not to be.Just the other day she went into a small funk when i told her i would not be putting Kelsey down as a solution to the poor animals weight problem(i told her it was a genetic thyroid problem not a result of inactivity).She has since cooled on the idea of Kelsey's early demise when i informed her of my intent to replace her(Kelsey not Jill hmm!) with either a French Bulldog or a Boston Terrier.
Any way Dan,if Kristie is any thing like 99.9% of the other Pallin women and i can't imagine it being any other way you are in for a long hard road.
all the best
mike

Kris said...

Mike, don't get me wrong, I'm a dog lover through and through, just not a bull dog lover. I really want a dog, for sure, just not a stinky, fat, slobbery bull dog.
My dad doesn't exactly love our dog, I wonder what happened to the Pallin children? ha ha.

daniel said...

Thanks for the support, Mike. Kristy definitely is one of those Pallin women, and that's one of the things I love about her -- if she wasn't so fiesty and adamant about not getting a bulldog, it wouldn't be so funny that I'm dying to get one.
By the way, I think Boston Terriers are awesome and I wouldn't mind having one of those.
Vivan los perros!

Meredith said...

Ok guys...my first advice is DO NOT GET A BULLDOG. My second advice is that if you do, the French ones are the only way to go--at least they are small. My French husband's family has a Boxer (which is kind of like a bulldog) and I honestly can't stand that dog at all (Kris has an excellent point with the flatulence issue). They also slobber constantly. I'm actually afraid that someday when we have children we will risk them being eaten if we take them near that dog...Don't tell Baptiste I wrote this, but there is my opinion. Kris, you have my full support.

Anonymous said...

As the owner of a french bulldog I will have to vote in favor of you GETTING ONE. as to the breed of dogs mentioned above, the boxer is COMPLETELY different from the bulldog both in terms of temperament, drool factor, exercise rates, heritage, etc-- DO YOUR RESEARCH. just like humans, dog flatulence rates are due to diet. my frenchie is currently on a human-grade pork diet with some natural fruit added in and we never had a problem. additionally, the frenchies don't drool like the english and have less genetic issues. with bulldogs in general, it is extremely important to find a responsible breeder who does not mill their dogs out to pet stores. a responsible breeder should screen for genetic issues, require you to sign a contract for purchase, and should stay in contact with you for the life of the dog. bulldogs are a wonderful, MELLOW breed!

dcdobias said...

Vote from a complete stranger? Bulldog. French. Go for it and enjoy the hell out the cute little bugger! I have a Pug and there were all the same comments -- flatulence, runny nose, drooling, snoring -- were thrown around during the lead up to purchasing the little guy. I say, "so what? Like people never fart, sneeze, or snore?" We put up with all sorts of wacky bodily sounds and functions from those we love, why shouldn't that be true for our canine pals as well?

I would also second the comments in an earlier post: go with a reputable breeder and get a quality dog. It may cost a bit more, but you really won't regret it, there is something to be said for reading the "contents label" -- and though no one can predict exactly how your pup will turn out, at least with a breeder you have a better than average chance at good genetics and temperment.

So-called "disgusting" and "ugly" dogs RULE!!

dcdobias said...

Oh, by the way, something to think about when choosing a dog. There is an adage that says:

"Female dogs love you, male dogs are IN love with you."

If you want a dog that's forever mooning about and stares longingly at you ... get a male!

Anonymous said...

dont the big adoreable eyes get you?... they are so gorgeous.. any dog is gorgeous... pure breed or mut...

Anonymous said...

I definitely vote BULLDOG! I say French bulldog is the way to go! They are easy-going and well tempered. Frenchie's are great with children of all ages and are not as prone to the health problems commonly found in english bulldogs. They are usually 20-25 pounds, so they are great house dogs. Either or, bulldogs are the best. I do not know how people see these dogs as ugly. My girlfriend and I think it's the cutest thing ever and I also love their tough, stalky look. GET A FRENCH BULLDOG NOW, there a must have friend!

Anonymous said...

I definitely vote BULLDOG! I say French bulldog is the way to go! They are easy-going and well tempered. Frenchie's are great with children of all ages and are not as prone to the health problems commonly found in english bulldogs. They are usually 20-25 pounds, so they are great house dogs. Either or, bulldogs are the best. I do not know how people see these dogs as ugly. My girlfriend and I think it's the cutest thing ever and I also love their tough, stalky look. GET A FRENCH BULLDOG NOW, there a must have friend!

Anonymous said...

As for the gender, our breeder said that female's are generally much more "clingy". They will follow you around everywhere and, also, are easier to house train then males.

Anonymous said...

i like bulldogs - MUCH cuter than 'disgusting' breeds such as the poodle, clearly the most heinous dog to walk the planet - but i ADORE frenchies. they are the cutest, most adorable little guys. i think it's bulldog all the way!!! and the ears are *the best*. good luck, man.

Anonymous said...

I HAD A FRENCHIE WHO DIED LAST WEEK, HE WAS A DOLL AND WILL BE MISSED~THEY ARE GREAT DOGS AND QUITE ADORABLE. I OBVIOUSLY VOTE BULLDOG!!!

Anonymous said...

So here's the thing... I came across this blog searching for a French Bulldog. For years and years I wanted an English Bulldog... My boyfriend finally bought me one for my graduation from grad school. Anyway, I love, love, love him... but he does fart... a ... lot! Sometimes even so loud it wakes us up! But we laugh because he's so darn cute. My stepdad says he looks like a frying pan slammed him in his face but our opinion is either you think bulldogs are cute or you don't. They snort and fart a lot but they are the best dogs. Growing up I have had Great Danes, Springer Spaniels, and Golden Retrievers. Nothing has beat the love and attention I get from my little bulldog, Gus. He is the greates thing in the world. Even though he may fart every now and then... but trust me... it's still less than a man!

Anonymous said...

I say BULLDOG. I have a Frenchie and my husband and I both adore him. We also have a golden retriever who is amazing, but I can vouch that our little Frenchie does not fart or snore any more than our retriever does! And my mom has some Yorkies who could kill you... all dog breeds are potential farters (and snorers). I'm telling you, there isn't a breed with a better personality than a bulldog -- they are wonderful, and well worth every penny!

Tracy said...

Well Dan I don't know how it turned out for you it has been over a year since you posted you bulldog or bust. But I have the same problem I really really really want a french bulldog & my husband says no not because he thinks they fart which he'd probably think is funny or because he thinks they're disgusting because they kinda look like a smaller version of a boxer which he loves. The price is what has him saying no. I have a plan though because we have 2 kids & I have a mission so I have made my background a pic of a french bulldog and change it from one cute puppy to the next, my kids help me too, I also point out every french bulldog I see which there are a lot on tv these days, let me just say I have a lot of time and can wait, so I say BULLDOG!!! I have also seen other bulldogs and they are cute too, but like the french bulldog the best. Good luck if you didn't get one yet.

sethelwt said...

Hi I raise french bulldogs and the are so good with my kids including my daughter,she has trisomy 18 (a rare genetic diorder) the dogs love to be played with, extremly friendly they do have their little quirks, but out of all the different dogs we have had Frenchies are by far the most wonderful companion dogs we have owned and they are not to big and not too small to lose. Shawna

Anonymous said...

I am the proud owner of a Frenchie...she is the best dog ever. There is no love like Frenchie love. And she has occasional gas, nothing more than any other dog I have had...just feed them the right stuff :)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE bulldogs, my grandma breeds them and i have been lucky to have been brought up around them.

They do have flatulence probs and they also snore, REALLY LOUD.

BUT,
they are the most loving, playful, comical creatures.
They are very expressive and totally in tune with their owners, not boring in any way, totally rewarding as a companion and so many people will want to talk to you in the street about your beautiful dog.
I love frenchies too, and pugs.

I need a dog too and you have all my sympathy.

Good Luck
Anonymous Bulldog Fan

Anonymous said...

I have a french bulldog and he is a handsome guy! He is so good with people and dogs, loves to cuddle, and is so laid back. He snores (which some people don't like) but he is great! He has a great personality and is so loving! My favorite dog! and a great companion!

Anonymous said...

Why decide on one or the other?? Bulldogs are GORGEOUS ... I have boxers and love them as well ... anything with that bully face is irresistible. Tell your woman that the flatulence is a bonus - she can blame hers on the dog ... hehe I'm sure that will go over well.

I say get one of each ... Frenchie AND English :D Add a boxer and you'll have a full family!!!!

Anonymous said...

Bulldogs are beautiful! Especially Frenchies:)

Anonymous said...

French Bulldogs are amazing I have a baby of my own, well she is one now, and she is the love of my life. My boss has two and my mother in law has one. We are going to have puppies when she is two and I can't wait. Although they can be very stubborn they love you to death and can't get enough of you. Plus they have the perfect face to give kisses to. I would not trade my frenchy for the world!!

Anonymous said...

Oh and I left out a comment about their tendancy to be gassy. It all depends on how well you feed them. All organic will lessen the stench although they will let out the gas no matter what....as gross as it sounds you get use to it :)

Unknown said...

After reading some of these comments I must say it seems as though you have been unfortunate enough to be surrounded by dog haters. We have an English and a French (we rescued the Frenchie) and they are two of the most loveable mugs you could ever hope for. The small petty people that call them "ugly" must be pretty sad looking themselves, I am a former model and I see such beauty and humor in them (right now my Frenchie is trying to get at my sweet tea martini, a bit of a wannabe lush I suppose:-)) that I cannot imagine the pathetic souls who consider them smelly and ugly (mine do pass gas but no more than my husband does and if you meet a female who says she doesn't, she is an alien). You deserve a bulldog or 3 and I hope you get one. Best of Luck!!!

Anonymous said...

I love bulldogs. I think they are adorable and such sweet dogs. They make great companions. My in laws have an american bulldog and my son loves him. And he would protect my son if he felt the need. And once my husband comes home from Iraq we are getting a French bulldog.
I SAY BULLDOG!!!

Unknown said...

I have been well won over by english bulldogs...my husband gave me my first dog, an english bulldog...and i will never turn back. not only is she loyal and loving, but she is also so friendly and happy around other dogs and people. she loves attention!
for the people that say they are disgusting, ugly, etc...obviously they have never really had a pet or a dog. not only are they incredibly cute and loveable, but yes, some do have a little smashed face...but then again you could say any dog, cat, etc is disgusting looking.
i am in total vote FOR the bulldog. they are great pets and wonderfuly companions!

AleKsro said...

I just adopted a frenchie...a female...the owners are leaving the country.I think bulldogs are the most playfull dogs .It`s a bit like me....lazy and we both snore.
Alex 24 Romania

Anonymous said...

Id say gat a french bull dog. I love all Bulldogs BUT English bulldogs have a lot of extra healthcare needs. I used to work at a vets office were we had to do plastic surgery on a dogs nose so he could breathe better. They have a lot of skin issues to. And if you ever decide to breed a female u will probably have to get a c-section.

excellante said...

I have an english bulldog.. We grew up with them.. Are they little farting machines..?? yes if you have them on cheap dog food and if you give them human food.. IF you have them on the wet dog food it is brutal.. we give it as a treat and live with it. Otherwise if you have them on a good dog food and keep their human treats to a minimum you'll be odor free. We love our ENGLISH bully.. she's alot of fun.. Once you get one you'll not regret it.

Anonymous said...

As the girlfriend of a man that has been in love with bulldogs as long as he could remember, I tried to support the decision to adopt a bulldog.
WORST MISTAKE EVER. They are dirty, slobbery, and they stink (even when sent to the groomer every 2 weeks, and having their rolls cleaned daily). They fart non-stop, and our dog is a money pit. I regret the decision every day. As a woman that likes a clean house, its not a possibility unless you walk around behind the dog with a mop.