Today's "Censored Dog Breed" is Bulldogs. Some people think they are excessively ugly. For some people they are phobia triggers. From the humanitarian point of view they're not a very functional breed, unless you actually need help to herd bulls; those flat faces and stocky bodies accompany a set of breed-typical health problems that need routine care, add to veterinary expenses, and shorten the dogs' average life expectancy.
As with Manx cats, existing bulldogs can be good pets, but there are valid reasons to breed the special Bulldog genes out of the pool.
Those short noses breathe heavily and "snore" loudly. Some people say Bulldogs snore even when they're not asleep. They really do tend to be short of breath, and it's horribly easy for them to overheat.
Those wrinkly faces trap moisture, dirt, bacteria, and fungi. Though dogs don't sweat through their skins, Bulldogs' wrinkly faces retain enough water and saliva to produce rich crops of pathogens. They need daily grooming to prevent painful skin infections.
Those short coats don't look as if they'd shed a great deal...but they do.
Some Bulldogs have hip and leg joint disorders. A show-quality English Bulldog stands no more than 15 inches high at the shoulder (and can't raise its head much higher) and weighs 40 to 50 pounds. Though most of this weight is muscle, and the dogs can usually move well on those stubby legs that look as if they were always out of joint, sometimes the trait goes too far and the legs really are out of joint. Even when the dogs walk and run well, they can have unusual difficulty climbing stairs and swimming--they're not able to paddle as naturally as other dogs.
Many Bulldogs have surprisingly delicate digestion and pass a lot of stomach gas.
Bulldogs who are kindly treated are usually described as friendly, loyal, calm, brave, reasonably good with other dogs and children, easy-going, and even snuggly. As the American Kennel Club says, "They might weigh 50 pounds, but that won't stop them cuddling up in your lap, or at least trying to." They are not the most intelligent or trainable breed. They are generally considered stubborn and hard to train. They love to chomp, pull on things with their strong jaws, and play tug-of-war, even with their leads on walks.
Still, if you don't mind a little extra work and aren't put off by the look of a Bulldog, why leave a good, deserving dog to languish in a shelter?
The cats...I've ranted about Manx cats here before. They can be excellent pets. They tend to bond with one person, and if you are that person, you'll know it. Often they have wonderfully laid-back, mellow, friendly purrsonalities, tolerate petting by their person's friends and relatives, and may even make good visiting cats in nursing homes. The ones who live to grow up can have as long, healthy lives as other cats. (Some Manx cats do live with horrible-sounding disabilities.) The trouble is that so many Manx kittens don't live to grow up. If you love a cat who has a defective tail, have it sterilized.
Zipcode 10101: Cokey from Massachusetts
Cokey is available as a foster dog. That means you can get to know her well and feel sure that she fits into your family before you shell out $575. About a year and a half old, she's been a pet who's lost her human. She is said to like demonstrations of affection.
Maria from Allentown
Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/maria-1a3323d7-dccd-4a9e-93d8-f919c6aff1ff/nj/allentown/lucky-lives-cat-rescue-nj934/details/
Some Manx cats' digestive systems don't develop normally. Regular readers will remember the one who starved to death, not because he wasn't offered Kitten Chow and cooked chicken, but because he couldn't digest anything but cat milk. It happens. Maria digests food but is imperfectly litter-box-trained, which in her case they think may improve as she grows bigger and sronger--she's still just a kitten, the smallest of the litter, a bit developmentally delayed. Apart from that they say she's friendly and sweet and very good with other cats. They hope to find her a home where she'll have another kitten, or kittens, to play with.
Zipcode 20202: Lincoln from DC
This organization places all adoptable animals in foster homes--they don't have a shelter--so if you want to adopt him, you might as well start building a collegial relationship as a foster human. Lincoln is said to be clever for a Bulldog--house-trained, crate-trained, understanding a few commands. At age 3 he weighed 48 pounds. They warn that he may be friskier than most Bulldogs. He likes walks and games.
Sasha from Herndon
They warn (?) that she knows she's beautiful, but she's a friendly, affectionate pet.
Zipcode 30303: Renita from Decatur
Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/renita-eb7fb511-2409-4c33-9066-ea0c31a01afb/ga/decatur/doggie-harmony-ga627/details/
Renita is a mixed breed and weighs over 60 pounds. She is described as house-trained, crate-trained, knowing at least a couple of commands, and willing to "be your shadow."
Storybell from Newnan
Just another alley cat who was trapped and "rescued" by the Humane Society from the horrors of family life. Storybell was left behind as her kittens were adopted. She is described as a cuddler.
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