I have been told the split nose rope is preferred...with the proper nose placement. Easier to clean too!



Mary and Otto, Maisy & Apple
Marby Bulldogs

I had a few pups in litters with split ropes, I'm not a fan... I'm not into cleaning faces at all so a small continuous rope is ideal for maintenance.



http://kristiebarwick.webs.com/

yes I agree, the few girls I have bairly have any rope, I don't mind them and never have to clean them... I didn't realized that some heavy ropes fill gapes.


http://kristiebarwick.webs.com/

I prefer a full nose rope not a split roll.

I'm not a fan as well but wasn't sure if it was the nose placement? Looking under a large nose rope sort of discovered it covered allot(I think the dog would of looked nosey without its huge rope). If the head plane looks good with a large nose rope and you breed that to a split or very small rope and you get the small or split rope with the other dogs nose that looked good with the big rope, then it just looks bad. lol, K that probly doesn't make sence!

http://kristiebarwick.webs.com/

The answer is to breed correct nose placement.. Not a ropey wrinkle to fill the gap.
If they have one.. And they don't have to have one!!! It should not do anything but add to the beauty of the head... Not over hang the nose, cause the eyelids to roll in or to fill any gaps left by a nose that is too long.
The beautiful heads of days gone by hardly had nose wrinkle at all.

I usually don't post but since I did'nt go to nationals and everyone that usually posts is gone, I'll put in my 2 cents.
for me, I would'nt keep a puppy if it had more than one "glaring" fault. I would'nt keep one regardless of the rest of the dog if it had a bad gait, a flat-topline, narrow or bandy front, or incorrect head. (I'm least forgiving on head faults) Things I "could" forgive if the rest of the dog were correct, would be a little too long/short body, too short on neck, ear set, tail-depending, a little bit straight in the stifle. Of course rib spring, brisket, sternum are important to me also but if it was "adequate" and the rest of the dog was exceptionally nice I could live with that.
(As we all know, the difficult part is what is "adequate" for me may not be for others, and that particuliar judge)

Over all balance is really important for me.

Your question and its answers will be quite beneficial for those of us breaking the surface in showing Bulldogs. Keep 'em coming!

Bad movement and your out. I also don't like narrow fronts, sway backs and I don't particularly like bad ears because it ruins the expression.

Ones that I can forgive if I have too are light eyes, split roll & weak pasterns if I must.

Are you referring to the wrinkle that some if them have over their nose?
Is that a preference thing for you? It is not a fault at all so I was curious about you mentioning it.
Thanks!
E

(even though I'm kinda of an "ear person"); high set ears are preferable to heavy button ears, because more length in the skull shows. I have a boy who has button ears (he's my pet and is neutered, and I never had any intentions on showing him), but when he puts them back, his head looks great.
If I had a dog with a gay tail (and I have one...haha!)I wouldn't show him, because to me, that totally ruins the top line...and it's SO obvious.
A front that's wide enough is pretty essential, but sometimes it takes time for that width to develop when you're showing in the puppy classes.
IMO, if a dog looks pretty well balanced overall, several faults can be overlooked if they're not too blatant.