...They SHOULD be a PLEASURE to OWN... by Gary Hammonds

...Through the years with the bulldogs and their owners, I have noticed a unique dilemma that many people find themselves in. The example I have seen and hard to justify is the one dog family where they got old GEORGE when he was six weeks old and he was with them for a decade when he died of old age. GEORGE was a dandy puppy that the kids thought he was great eve when he would destroy their personal belongings. GEORGE was pretty much a couch potato and wouldn't do things pitbulls are famous for, like play ball or frisbee and only rarely liked going for a walk. He would be seldom bark at strangers and wouldn't and wouldn't think of protecting his owners or their property. He would only on occasion, step out of line and dig up a shrub, leave a surprise in the kitchen or take the clothes off the clothes line. While this dog was not a huge liability, he was certainly was no asset to his family. When he died, his owners actually breathed a sigh of relief and swore again to never own another dog.
...AS MUCH OF AN ASSET AS A DOG CAN BE, I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND, PEOPLE FEELING COMPELLED TO KEEP A DOG THAT JUST ISN'T RIGHT,
YEAR AFTER YEAR AND NEVER CONSIDER DOING BETTER. AS SHORT AS LIFE IS, i FEEL IT IS TOO LONG TO GET INTO AND STY INTO A BAD RELATIONSHIP, WHETHER IT BE A HUMAN BEING OR A DOG.
...The other scenario I have a hard time with, is the one where some folks stumble onto a dog, usually a give away or pound puppy. They have absolutely no idea on its breeding but like it so much they actively run down another dog to breed it to with out knowing the bloodline background on a dog, the chances of getting problem dogs is very likely, as well as to increase the population of mongrelized dogs. This is a practice that is rarely justifiable.
...I think we all agree we all have things we like about certain dogs and dislike about others. I have heard it said, "many a peoples favorite dogs
were love hate relationship with the animal" this often keeps the owner on their toes and makes life interesting for those types.
...The dogs I champion are those that are a pleasure to own. Problems are inevitable as with anything in life but the GOOD MUST OUT WEIGH THE BAD. Many will say "how bad id bad enough to cull?". THAT ONE NEEDS TO GO! The other end of the spectrum is the that will occasionally "mark the couch", which is something I don't like but can be dealt with.
...As a breeder I have to ask myself these questions everyday. Personal likes and dislikes have had and probably will always have a lot of bearing
on the dogs used in my breeding program. A good example is back in the 70's when Rufus was my number one stud dog. I had three other pure Alligator dogs at stud, Kybo, Choctaw and Booker T, not to mention the others I had and others I had access to. Many times I was asked why I bred to Rufus over those other studs. The answer was simply "I liked him better and really liked his offspring".
...Since a bulldog is slightly harder to get rid of that a gold fish that you can flush, i do admire those folks who do "give'em every chance".
In most cases a dog can be funneled successfully into a situation in where they will fare better and both the dog and owner will be happier for it.
...This article was not intended to point an accusing finger at anyone but rather stimulate thinking that will make us more realistic in our decisions about our dogs and the endeavors we undertake.
signed...Gary J. Hammonds (circa 94' gazzette)

 

Thanx Elias

 

Good article but if I remember right Gary was the one who took everyone's culls .None the less good read from a good breeder.