Rehoming my Dorset old tyme bulldog

foreign_correspondent

Is there any chance your partner's ex would have her, knowing the alternatives?

Have any of the rescues come up with anything?

I think, seeing as these dogs have been together for so long, with no problems there is something underlying this - it may just be the new dog etc... or it may be that she has an underlying health problem - I really do think a vet check is in order, from a humane point of view, and also for the sake of not potentially putting a sick dog into a new home, or kennels...

Frugalista

lyssa wrote: »

she took chunks of fesh from Lewis right down to the bone, bite Lewis pad off his paw and he lost nails. My kitchen was like a blood bath, never experienced amything like it. I'm not risking that again, Lewis was very lucky to be alive. I've never seen so much blood and I'm a nurse.

What did the vet say about Lewis' general health when you took him to have his wounds attended to? Maybe something about Lewis triggered the fight? Why did the vet think he was lucky to be alive?

chris_n_tj

I am so glad someone put what I guess many of us were thinking.
Everyone has given some great advice and all the rescue numbers, I couldnt understand how none would help.
I do hope the dog finds a good loving home soon.
Chris n tj

zzzLazyDaisy

lyssa wrote: »

I tried everything I could think off to stop that fight, a bucket of mop water went over her and she still continued, she took chunks of fesh from Lewis right down to the bone, bite Lewis pad off his paw and he lost nails. My kitchen was like a blood bath, never experienced amything like it. I'm not risking that again, Lewis was very lucky to be alive. <snip> I've never seen so much blood and I'm a nurse.

Am I the only person to be worried about re-homing a dog that has shown this level of aggression?

You say she is a timid and nervous dog who had probably been distressed by the arrival of an exuberant female puppy. Added to that the fact that her human is probably not paying her as much attention now that there is a female human in the house. And now she is going to be expected to cope with a move to new surroundings with new people. Even if there are no children or other pets living in the new house, they may still visit. They may pass other dogs or children in the street - who knows if there might be another unprovoked attack?

If you are so determined not to risk a repeat of this incident in your home, I believe that you should be equally concerned about what might happen if she is re-homed as a pet in some-one elses home. If you are not willing to take responsibility for reassuring and retraining this dog and creating a happy environment for her, then think I would seriously think about having her pts.

I am very sorry, and I fully understand why some people might be upset by my view.

foreign_correspondent

Dog on dog aggression has no correlation with the chances of the dog biting a child - many dogs are fab with people but not keen on other dogs - unless of course, the dog is more reactive and 'not itself', due to pain or confusion due to illness...

I would be less worried if Nahla had never liked other dogs - some dogs are just like that - but, the fact that these dogs have lived together for years, then suddenly this happens - there is something wrong - it may just be changing dynamics at home, or it may well be that the dog is in pain, ill, confused, or it's perception, thinking and reactions are being affected, by say, a neurological problem... then it may well behave unpredictably again.

For the sake of the dog, and for the sake of any potential new owners, a vet check is the first port of call here... I first mentioned this on page one of this thread, but it does not seem to be being considered by the OP...?

If it was my dog, knowing how difficult it will be to find a better home for her, and what the alternatives are (8,000 unwanred dogs put to sleep a year because there just arent enough homes) I would get her vet checked first, get both girls speyed, work on re-introducing Lewis and Nahla, seperate them when not in and generally do what I could to keep her. If I could not manage this, (as you say you can't and I accept that) and could not find a reputable rescue, or rehome her myself (speyed), then I agree with posters who have said that, very regrettably, it may be kinder to take her to the vets yourself for that final journey than let her end up there with someone else.

undaunted

In my opinion there is no reason to believe that a dog which has suddenly & at present unexplainedly attacked another dog has instantly become dangerous or deserving of death.

The vet check would seem an obvious & good idea to me.

The poster acknowledges a lack of experience / ideas with her but a truthful description to rescues / potential owners with suitable experience & abilities will not necessarily mean that others cannot help her.

Personally I don't think that many dogs reach such a level of agression with no warning whatsoever (to a knowledgable / more experienced eye) or that she will necessarily prove as hard to rehome as some breeds would despite this incident (due to her being a relatively rarer, sought after and expensive breed to buy)

I appreciate she's not a KC reg. bulldog but as an example KC registration figures for the bulldog show less than 4,500 per year over 10 years http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/download/5670/10-yearly-Breeds-Stats-utility.pdf

Please don't just pts without trying the rescues etc

foreign_correspondent

Please do try all the rescues, try everything, but she is not en expensive or sought after breed - she is an "Olde English Bulldogge" x with american bulldog... rescues are full of American Bulldogs and their crosses, sadly.

This is an 'olde english bulldogge'


And an ABD


As someone posted earlier, do speak to bullies in need or these guys: http://www.americanbulldogrescue.co.uk/index.html

I imagine the dog will be like so many of the ABD crosses that are flooding into rescue at the moment... she may have a better chance of rehoming if she looks more bulldog-like, but sadly, if she looks like an ABD/Staff/Pit type, the odds are not as good... if she is considered to be 'of type' under the dangerous dogs act (she may fit that criteria, or she may be a million miles away, I have no idea, but it a possibility worth mentioning) she faces more serious problems.

http://www.ddawatch.co.uk/campaign_one.html

undaunted

The poster says she is an old tyme dorset bulldog, eg the link I posted above, which does look more like a Bulldog than an ABD, x or "type dog" in my opinion.

http://www.bulldogrescue.co.uk/oldetymedorsetbulldog.htm

I can't speak for your (or the posters) area but you don't see too many of either breed around here & when a bulldog pup is advertised in the local paper they are usually not cheap.

Just had a quick look at a well known classified site & with one exception at £300 pups elsewhere are selling from £500 - "from" £1000. Even one bulldog - another type bulldog x's are starting at £400

foreign_correspondent

lyssa wrote: »

Take back what i said about her being a Dorset old tyme bulldog, shes a Olde English Bulldogge x with american bulldog, just found some paper work from her parents. Any further suggestions???

undaunted - the OP posted this a while back

devildog

I personally would not be overly concerned with "this level of aggression". Yes we have all heard the news stories where (mainly) a couple of breeds have attacked and even killed-but when further reporting on these stories is done, more often than not it becomes apparent why it could have happened(not saying the dogs are blameless but equally not 100 % at fault either)

Bully type breeds are generally extremely well suited both to families with children and other pets BUT if they are upset (as obvious in Nala's case) they will fight until exhaustion(if left to it)
A one off incident in a three dog, working owners household is nothing in the grand scheme of things and rehomed in the right household shouldn't lead to any further problems