You make perfect sense. I think it's hard for people like me (and probably Sue), that waited YEARS to get a puppy and it's so exciting and we want to rush out there and join the fun. When it doesn't happen as perfect as we envisioned, it's disappointing. I did spend many months looking at puppies and talking to 'breeders'. I probably would have chosen different puppies if I had taken the time to learn even more. (my 2 aren't related) I didn't really know if I would show or not, I've done rescue for years (Dogue de Bordeaux) and have taken rescue dogs to shows and always thought I would like to try being in the ring. I am having fun with it and definitely want to continue. After last weekend I think I've gotten more patience! No more shows for Havok this year until he matures some more. A couple close by ones with Phoenix so I can have fun! She needs to mature as well though. I really do appreciate everyone's comments on here, you guys so rock!
Thanks again,
Suzie

sometimes the ears are fine, sometimes not...he's so cute though!


Suzie, Fabulous Phoenix & Havok

I just don't want people to pick him apart..
I have heard some preety nasty things..

*************************
Heard nasty things about who? Dogs in the pedigree?

We all have. Big deal.

This is why you need to learn for yourself, not relying on the words of other people exclusively.

Just because someone wins a lot, has a lot of champions and has been around a while does not always make him or her an expert. Trust me.

Pick your mentors and tutors wisely.

e

...at shows you tend to look at folks with their big mature dogs, champions, etc...

What you don't stop to think about is the "gawky teenagers" they have at home, staying at home until they come out of this stage.

When someone has a "Special" often times showing class dogs goes on hold during that campaign.

If you are getting envious of the "fluffy" puppies that are beating you, just wait. There is a fairly good chance that once that "rolly polly" puppy is finished his championship, you will never see him again and there you will be with your dog, maturing at a more measured pace. One of my favorite dog terms, taught to me by a famous Collie breeder;

"Quick to ripe, quick to rot".. a puppy that comes out of the gate fully fluffed rarely goes on to greatness as adult. Yes, there are exceptions to this, but that is a general rule.

If someone is rude to you at a show, consider first why. Lots of times people stress themselves out so bad they are almost non functional.
If, after it is all said and done, they are still rude, write them off, likely no one likes them that much either.
Don't confuse rude with shy. Even a "famous" dog person can be shy. This often gets confused with rude or snobbery, particularly when they seem so well known to you.

Learn what makes a good bulldog good. This way you won't be so impressed with all the mass and such of these mature males, but rather with the underlying structure. This way you won't be so upset with the different stages your dog may be going through. Plus you will start to get a better understanding about judges and breeding programs and frankly, if some of these dogs are worth all the hype.

Patience! There is so much to learn and you will not learn everything anytime soon.

e

Thatss the secrete show charlie in outdoor shows with long grass..will remember that for next year

I just don't want people to pick him apart..
I have heard some preety nasty things..

You have to have PATIENCE, if you are in a hurry you will screw up. Take your time and enjoy the ride.
Ward

a fast maturer anyday. The slower the better, the longer they hold IMO

That will make their legs look shorter (and maybe the chest wider?)

Suzie, Fabulous Phoenix & Havok

This is such a great, supportive board. I haven't gone to very many shows (about 10), but some people just can't help but be rude if they don't think your dog is as good as theirs. However, there have been SO MANY outstandingly nice people at the same shows, that it makes it all worthwhile. It's about having fun with your dog and hanging out with other people who love their bulldogs too.
Sue...calm down! Charlie is going to do great and you're going to have so much fun with him! I certainly don't think my dogs look the same as all those compact, little, round, rolly-polly puppies that I see at shows...mine probly look like American Bulldogs next to them (I hope not)! But, they are also about Charlie's age, so I know they have a lot of changing to do over the next couple of years. Plus, it's certainly fun going to see all the rolly-pollies in person, they're so remarkable!
Hang in there!

Here's Mr.Havok from Saturday's show...I look like I'm strangling him! He will be 7 months tomorrow and you can see how 'athletic' he looks right now with those long legs and lean body! He does lots of running, there's nothing lazy about him!


Suzie, Fabulous Phoenix & Havok

a very successful show career, I can tell...please let me know how things go.

[IMG][/IMG]
Andrea, Ruby, Lola and Jigger
XXOO

he's a real momma's boy and his personality is better then his looks. He's the best hugger in the house and a real funny boy.

He seemed so leggy to me for quite a while... but when the chest came the legs were perfect. Any shorter and that would have looked strange. Sorry bout the tall grass... but I think you can sure see the changes.

My boy Butkus just turned 3 yrs old. He has been in the ring since he turned 6 mths old. I don't show alot, but show enough. Butkus has 11 pts but needs both majors. 8 of his pts come out of bred by class and has only took a 1pt single at 1 show-his other 10 pts come from 2 pt shows and a couple were majors that broke. So I beat myself up regularly about putting him up and saying forget it. Then I look at his track record....really not bad when 1/2 his pts he achieved under 2 yrs old and from the bred by class. So long story short-E is right, give your boy ALOT more time. I'm having to let my boy mature and we're hitting as many majors as we can along the way. Showing him this long I don't have the heart to put him up. He's such a joy to show and if we can he deserves to finish-Sugar Ray Leonard once said:
"You have to know you can win. You have to think you can win. You have to feel you can win."
Good luck-you can do it.
L

Laura
Thunderstruck Bulldogs
http://sitekreator.com/thunderstruckbulldog/index.html

To those who understand no explanation is needed. To those who don't no explanation is possible.

People are always wondering about pedigrees. It's a great way to learn more about the breed.

Cathy Miller

http://www.marshillbulldogs.com
http://www.bulldogclubofmetropolitanatlanta.com

Naw just deep grass to go with one wide chest!!! I love pic comparisons....really shows how much these guys really do change

Elizabeth, I love the comparison!! It speaks volumes for patience and pay off! Nice

I am sure this will change. Good luck.

Honestly, all puppies go through the uglies at some point.....and believe me I have seen some spectacular ones completely fall apart. A judge's job is to judge that dog on THAT day. You could have a gorgeous dog that does well one day and the next day wakes up with a flaming hotspot or a limp and get dumped. A breed like this grows in so many different ways....some get fab bodies and the head takes a couple of years to catch up....give him time.
Enter the show as you normally would....remember, you are competing against pups around the same age who may be going through even worse!!! I really appreciate that you asking the community for advice. Remember it is always a learning curve with dogs.

wow.. what a difference.. its like his legs shrunk!
beautiful boy

what a difference a day makes!!

But Alfie never looked goofy to me. Must be your imagination! He's lovely now and always was.

since she has gotten older. (she'd break the camera haha) Looked gorgeous as a puppy...lots of bone..nice shoulders...beautiful deep red brindle.

She is too skinny now because she is busy constantly. Loves to fetch sticks and can jump straight up like a retriever. Daughter has put her on higher calorie food though and she does look a wee better. (just saw her an hour ago)

Took her to the Strawbully Cluster last month and saw pics of her online.....yuck! Back legs twice as long as the front ones and she is long and lean. She definitely has a top line. Too much. Butt sticks up high in the sky. Funny because her great grandmum had no topline and that was the first thing I strived for. Her dad's butt was a bit too high when he was her age though so I haven't completely given up hope for her but she sure isn't going to nationals this year.

Here are a couple of pics that show just how ugly Alfie went early... I thought he was the goofiest looking thing... and his grandson is doing exactly the same thing.

about 4.5 mos



just at 6 mos



around 10 mos



all grown up

he is going through what we call the fuglies, this happens right in time to bring them out to show. You can show him now he looks nice and in 1yr he will look even better.

Vicky,
Bosco, Bella, Breve' & Holly

www.LangagerBulldogs.com

PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF LANGAGER BULLDOGS, YOU MUST HAVE WRITTEN PERMISSION FOR ANY USE OF THESE PHOTOS FROM LANGAGERBULLDOG.

This only shows head development, but you get the idea. This dog was just as rangy as a youngster before he grew up.

Thanks everyone..I just see so many very nice bullies that charlie cannot compare too.. but they are usually older.
His jaw is wonderful so I am told..
Again, thanks a bunch!

definitely got a show career ahead of him! I think he's really lovely, what does he move like? how's his jaw? I think he's gorgeous.

I would not say he's falling apart at all, he's at that gangly teenager stage, the judge will take all that into account. Going to the show is of great importance right now..for practice for the big stuff! he may surprise the heck out of you, never discount his great qualities, he has a very nice topline, well let down in the hocks, great tail set, great nostrils and his jaw LOOKS wonderful in those pics of him. You go, girl, show him like he's the best dog in the world!

He is very 'SHOWY'...his color and his 'expression' couldn't be better!

Please let me know how you are doing as you go along.

[IMG][/IMG]
Andrea, Ruby, Lola and Jigger
XXOO

I think he looks great for his age.... I go months with out looking at them, just kinda through them....lol, I have good blinders... then there growth spirts don't bother me!!!! If he were mine I would show him if entered, what doya have to loose.. he is in the puppy class.

www.symarunbulldogs.com

No need to send it. I can get an idea. Bit of advise, learn his pedigree. Not just nasmes, find the pictures too, or see the dogs live if they are still with us. Might give you insight on how he might mature. Plus, if you go on to start breeding *successfully*, you HAVE to know these things.

e

I would love to see pics of the girl!

and I cant say i have know you to ever care what people think... thats why I love ya!

i get scared when people ask this...
i have to look it up..
i know he has milcoat, prestwick,cherokee..and grandad is beautis amo..
if you email me..i will send you his pedigree

if I ask who is mom and dad are?
e

remember you said that when you see my ugly a$$ 8 month old this weekend. She looks nasty..front does not match the rear half at all. I'm only showing her to please my daughter. Hopefully I can get someone else to take her in the ring...I'm embarrassed! Oh well..since when have I cared what people think?!? LOL

and he doesn't look leggy to me...just looks like a teenager.

That last picture looks like he is telling you "MOM! I AM NOT UGLY!"

He looks like he has all the parts in all the right places, just needs to mature.

He's a baby... they dont look perfect all the time, they are growing and changing... 7 mos is way to young to write off a dog... Our 8 month old has all his length, all his leg and none of his chest and ribs... He's a teenager, take him out, practice with him for the benefit of both of you and give him time to grow up... you could be amazed at the changes just in the next year alone.

I am having trouble not yelling here...
You HAVE to have patience!! He is just a baby!
I am upset because this is such a common mistake people make. So many nice dogs are given up on way too soon.
Most dogs don't look their best until they are 3-4 years old and some even older. I am not home now, when I get there I will post some progression pics of a male for you, unless someone else can do it until then.
Don't put him up, the practice is excellent for you and him.
Sorry to sound so passionate here, this is a sore spot for me.
E

i love the colouring..wish charlie was as dark..
Dogue de Bordeaux..my love of them is huge...if i had a bigger place an more energyi would have one or 2...

sue (one finger typing with a papillon in my arms)