Within a short period of time, two Bulldogs died after surgery at the same veterinary practice.

The dogs were not related. They belonged to different owners and had no connection to one another beyond being treated at the same clinic.

One was a four-month-old Bulldog puppy who had undergone a cherry eye tack.

The other was a three-year-old Bulldog who had undergone ACL surgery.

Both were described as healthy Bulldogs from health-tested heritage with moderate features.

Both were discharged the same day as their surgery.

After returning home, both dogs developed dry coughing.

At first they appeared stable.

Then each dog deteriorated and died within 24 hours, reportedly during rest or sleep.

Two different dogs.
Two different operations.
Two different owners.

Yet the sequence of events sounded remarkably similar.

​When something like this happens, it is natural for owners to start asking questions.

Bulldogs have an airway anatomy that differs from that of longer-muzzled breeds.

Even well-bred Bulldogs with moderate features still have a shorter airway and softer tissues around the throat. This means anaesthesia requires careful airway management.

During surgery, a breathing tube is placed into the airway to protect it and allow the dog to receive oxygen and anaesthetic gases safely.

When the dog wakes up, that tube is removed and the airway must take over again on its own.

For brachycephalic breeds, that transition can sometimes be more sensitive.

Importantly, complications linked to anaesthesia do not always occur during the surgery itself. They can appear during the recovery phase, or even several hours after the dog has already gone home.
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That is why the period following surgery deserves just as much attention as the operation itself.

Reducing risk begins before the dog even enters the operating theatre.

Owners should follow fasting instructions carefully. Food in the stomach increases the chance of regurgitation during anaesthesia, which in turn increases the risk of material entering the lungs.

​It is also important to tell your vet about any breathing history your dog may have. Heavy snoring, noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, or previous issues with anaesthesia are all relevant details.

Even Bulldogs with moderate features can vary individually in how their airway behaves under anaesthesia.
If your dog is being discharged the same day, it is sensible to plan your evening in advance. Make sure someone will be available to monitor your dog and avoid leaving them alone for long periods during the first night.

One of the hardest things for owners after a sudden loss is not knowing what happened.

Without a post-mortem examination, the cause of death may remain uncertain.

A veterinary post-mortem can identify issues such as aspiration into the lungs, airway obstruction, blood clots, heart abnormalities, or complications related to anaesthesia.

If serious questions arise about the care provided, a post-mortem can also be important because veterinary practices have a legal duty of care toward the animals they treat.
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Understanding the cause of death is often the only way to establish what truly happened.

Anaesthesia is an essential part of modern veterinary medicine. It allows dogs to receive treatments that improve their health, mobility, and comfort.

But informed owners are an important part of keeping dogs safe.

Preparation before surgery, careful observation afterwards, keeping records of advice, and requesting proper investigation if something goes wrong are all reasonable steps for any owner to take.

Because when it comes to our dogs, asking questions is not being difficult.
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It is simply being responsible.

After nearly four decades in the breed, with deep, established female lines behind me, I already have a strong understanding of the health, soundness and consistency within my dogs. Generations tell their own story. Health testing doesn’t replace that knowledge, but it does sit alongside it, and when both align, it’s reassuring.

In Phoebe’s case, this really was low-hanging fruit.

She needed to retake her BOAS assessment for her Crufts entry.  While we were there, we also had her heart tested, which left just one box unticked. An eye test later, and the paperwork simply caught up with what we already knew.

What matters more to me is context, and Phoebe’s context is one I’m particularly proud of.

Our previous three Gold dogs, Dusty, Lewis and Luna, all came from the same litter. That was Aimee’s only litter, bred in 2017, and it quietly went on to become one of the most influential litters I’ve ever bred. Three Gold dogs from one litter is not something you plan for. It’s something that happens when structure, health, temperament and longevity are embedded long before a mating ever takes place.

Phoebe is Dusty’s granddaughter, which means this isn’t a one-off achievement or a lucky combination. It’s a continuation. It’s evidence of a female line doing exactly what it was designed to do, generation after generation.

The Bulldog Breed Council Gold award is a useful external marker, particularly for those newer to the breed who want reassurance or clear points of comparison. It also clearly and objectively demonstrates that Bulldogs bred with knowledge, restraint, and long-term planning can and do meet meaningful health standards.

For me, that’s the real value.

Phoebe’s Gold status doesn’t change how I view her. She was always a keeper. What it does is confirm that the LaRoyal female line remains on the right path, not just in type and temperament, but in health and functional soundness as well.

​And that, scheme or no scheme, is exactly where my focus has always been.

The podcast currently sits at 17 episodes, with the last one recorded back in August 2024. No weekly release schedule. No ads. No production team. Just honest conversations about Bulldogs, ownership, health, breeding decisions, and the realities that sit behind the Instagram squares.

A bit of quick maths puts the average episode length at just under 35 minutes, with one long-form learning audio pushing close to three hours. Altogether, that’s around 9.5 hours of available audio.

Now stretch that across 5,000 downloads.

That’s roughly 2,800 hours of listening time.

Hours spent walking dogs, cleaning ears, on a jog, feeding puppies, driving, sitting in traffic, or just trying to make sense of bulldog life.

When you frame it that way, it stops feeling small. 

If you imagine 100 people in a room, 300 listeners suddenly feels very real. That’s a full village hall, a busy seminar, or a packed ringside. And we’re talking about a niche breed, with conversations that aren’t always light or fluffy.

Episodes have covered everything from puppy scams and dental care to tear stains, travel, lameness, insurance, nail trimming, rescue realities, and the less glamorous truths of responsible breeding.

These aren’t clickbait topics. They’re practical, sometimes uncomfortable, often overlooked, and very much needed.

As far as I’m aware, I’m also the only Bulldog owner and breeder who has committed to this kind of long-form, freely available audio content purely for education and support. Not to sell puppies. Not to build a brand empire. Simply to share knowledge that usually stays locked in private conversations, phone calls, or years of experience.

Hitting 5,000 downloads felt less like a milestone and more like feedback.

A quiet reminder that people are listening.

That the conversations matter.

And that maybe it’s time to dust the microphone off again.

The podcast was never about popularity. It was about communication, clarity, and community. And seeing those numbers roll in, months after the last recording, suggests the appetite hasn’t gone anywhere.

So consider this a note to self.

Sometimes the impact isn’t loud.

Sometimes it’s steady, cumulative, and quietly meaningful.

And sometimes, 5,000 listens is more than enough reason to press record again.

The first few days after arrival are about helping your Bulldog feel safe and re-establish predictability. Extra sleep, quieter behaviour, and reduced engagement are common during this phase and should not be rushed or corrected.

Early settling works best when pressure is low. Short, functional toilet breaks, a consistent routine, and limited stimulation allow your dog to observe and process their new environment at their own pace. There is no advantage in immediately introducing new people, places, or activities.
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Just as importantly, avoid forcing your Bulldog into situations, interactions, or affection. Trust builds when a dog is allowed choice. A Bulldog that approaches you for contact, settles near you, or initiates interaction is showing confidence in the connection. That voluntary engagement is far more meaningful than attention that is encouraged or imposed.

Many imported Bulldogs arrive from climates that are warmer or more consistent than the UK. British weather can feel unpredictable, particularly because it is often damp and humid rather than dry.

As a general benchmark, UK winters typically range from around 0 to 8°C and UK summers often sit between 18 and 25°C. During warmer spells, humidity can make temperatures feel more demanding. Many Bulldog households begin using air conditioning from around 26 to 28°C, earlier if humidity is high.

During the settling-in period, Bulldogs may need a little more support with temperature management than they will later. Providing access to cooler areas and avoiding the warmest parts of the day helps them adjust comfortably.

Many imported Bulldogs will already be familiar with common UK-style verbal cues such as “wee wee”, “good boy”, “good girl”, “stop”, or “wait”, as these are the words I use with them before they leave. Once in a new home, however, those cues can temporarily lose clarity as everything else changes around them.
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During the settling-in period, it helps to continue using the same words initially, or to pair them consistently with any new cues you prefer. Using both together for a short transition period allows your Bulldog to reconnect meaning without confusion while routines stabilise.

LaRoyal bred Bulldogs are raised in a home environment and may arrive with habits that reflect that upbringing. They are dog-flap trained, used to travelling in a crate in the car, eat from raised food bowls, and are allowed on the sofa.
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As a result, your Bulldog may naturally look for a dog flap, prefer to rest on furniture, wait by the car crate, or be more comfortable being elevated rather than eating from floor-level bowls. These behaviours are not entitlement or confusion, they are familiarity. You can choose whether to maintain or adjust these routines, but it is best done gradually once your Bulldog has settled, rather than immediately on arrival.

Because many imported Bulldogs are still developing, some inconsistency is normal. Skills may appear patchy, sleep patterns can change, and confidence can fluctuate. This is not regression, it is adjustment happening alongside growth.
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Physical development continues too. Strength, coordination, digestion, and stamina all evolve over time, particularly once stress levels reduce and routine becomes predictable.

​Most Bulldogs settle steadily with time, structure, and calm handling. If appetite, energy, or behaviour does not begin to stabilise after the initial adjustment period, it is sensible to seek advice early. Small changes often make a significant difference.

If a local puppy needs several days to feel confident in a new home, an imported Bulldog deserves patience measured in weeks. Add a new environment, new expectations, and ongoing development, and calm, choice-based support becomes essential.
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When a Bulldog chooses to engage, rest near you, or seek affection, they are showing trust. That trust grows fastest when it is never forced.

Issue Seven centres on reflection, preparation and informed decision-making. Inside, owners will find:

• A Stop, Start, Continue reflection to help reset and refocus for the year ahead
  
• A Bulldog Emergency Care Plan, including pull-out pages to complete and keep accessible at home
  
• Practical nutrition insights drawn from a Bulldog Owners Club webinar presented by Isobel, Canine Nutrition Coach
  
• Health testing milestones, kennel updates and future plans
  
• Context around why calm preparation matters more than reactive decision-making with Bulldogs
  

Every section is written specifically for Bulldogs, acknowledging their routines, sensitivities and the realities of day-to-day life with the breed.

Owning a Bulldog of LaRoyal heritage includes receiving The Bulldog Broadsheet twice a year, for life.

As Bulldogs mature and age, the questions owners face naturally evolve. Feeding, health, behaviour and care decisions look very different at five or ten years old than they do in the early months.

The Broadsheet is intended to support owners through those changing stages, offering steady guidance rooted in experience rather than trends or quick fixes.

Both dogs consistently demonstrate traits that are genuinely valuable to the breed:

• Clean heads, free from excessive wrinkles
• Short, compact bodies with excellent balance and correct toplines
• Strong, correct bone without heaviness
• Correct shoulders supporting the wide front, the breed is known for
• Sound, unrestricted movement, free from lameness or restriction

​Our boys are presented in hard condition, carrying no excess fat and no over-wrinkling, allowing their true structure, balance and movement to be seen clearly and honestly.
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Structural soundness matters. Movement matters. A Bulldog should be able to carry itself correctly and comfortably, and both King and Luther do exactly that.

Stud dogs should contribute positively to future generations, not simply reproduce themselves. King and Luther represent the next chapter of LaRoyal breeding: independently assessed, health-tested, and built to support welfare without sacrificing breed character.

They will only be considered for suitable, health-tested females where the pairing makes sense for the breed as a whole.
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I’m proud of both boys, not just for the accolade, but for what it represents. Thoughtful breeding, proven outcomes, and Bulldogs that can move freely, live well and strengthen the next generation.

​This article refers to a segment originally broadcast on This Morning (ITV). All video content remains the property of ITV plc and is referenced here for the purposes of commentary and critique.

If you’ve watched this morning’s segment on This Morning, you’ll have noticed the familiar pattern. As we edge closer to Crufts in March, pedigree dogs, and brachycephalic breeds in particular, once again become easy targets. This happens every year without fail.

I’ll be honest, I found Dr Scott’s contribution deeply frustrating. I certainly wouldn’t allow him anywhere near my dogs. Vets often forget that they see the worst cases of every breed, not the healthy majority quietly living normal lives. The more popular a breed is, the more examples will pass through a veterinary practice. That does not mean the breed itself is inherently broken, it means the sample is skewed. If illness statistics were properly balanced against breed popularity and responsible ownership, the picture would look very different.

​What concerned me most was the blanket advice that people should rescue rather than buy from breeders. I understand the sentiment, especially given the segment’s link with the Edward Foundation, but the logic simply doesn’t hold. If a breed is genuinely as difficult, fragile and high-risk as was implied, why would a rescue placement be more appropriate than sourcing a puppy from a reputable, health-focused breeder? Rescue dogs deserve knowledgeable, prepared homes, not to be positioned as a default alternative to ethical breeding.

The example dog, Dakota, was clearly the result of poor breeding choices and was not a traditional breed-standard colour. That is not preservation breeding. That is exploitation. Someone profited from her, then discarded her. These people are not passionate about Bulldogs, yet responsible breeders are repeatedly tarred with the same brush, which is both unfair and damaging.

Dr Scott did at least reference BOAS testing, and on that point we do agree. This is why BOAS grading is a key filter in my new dog directory, and why I actively encourage puppy buyers to check not just parents, but ideally grandparents too. However, access remains a real issue. There are still very few vets properly trained to carry out grading, and if wider participation is genuinely the goal, the system needs to be far more accessible.
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Responsible breeding, informed ownership and honest education are the way forward. Sensationalised soundbites, especially at Crufts season, help no one, least of all the dogs.

A recommendation suggests I am endorsing someone’s ethics, their pairings, how they rear their puppies and the real standards behind their programme. Unless I have seen those things with my own eyes (and why would I have?), I cannot stand behind them. And lovely adverts, warm phone calls and tidy living rooms rarely tell the full story. Breeding is defined by what happens when nobody is watching.

I also have to be realistic about my own experience. When I look back at the last Bulldog I added to my pack from outside my bloodline, it was Gigi, whom I imported from Norway because nothing in the UK fulfilled what I needed for the future of my line. Before her, the last one outside LaRoyal was one of our foundation girls in 1998. That should tell you how little I am out there comparing breeders, viewing litters or forming lived opinions about other people’s puppies.

Yes, I'd agree I am more particular than 99% of Bulldog owners, and for good reason. I put real skin in the game for the sake of safeguarding the next generation. That seriousness also means I cannot casually point someone towards a breeder whose ethics or practices I do not truly know.

And, as you will have heard me say many times, the benchmark for breeding standards in this country is far too low to take anyone’s word at face value.

International buyers often focus on pedigree, colour and price. Far more important is how the puppy is raised before it ever travels.

Most Bulldogs cannot be exported until at least 16 weeks of age, following rabies vaccination and the required waiting period. The 8–16 week stage is a critical developmental window that has a lasting impact on adult behaviour and confidence.

During this time, puppies should be learning:

• House routines and toilet habits
• Collar and lead familiarity
• Calm handling and boundaries
• Exposure to everyday household life
• Confidence through early fear phases

A knowledgeable, hands-on breeder understands how to manage this period carefully. A disconnected or inexperienced breeder often does not.

For imported Bulldogs, this early foundation plays a major role in shaping temperament, resilience and adaptability for life.

​One of the clearest distinctions between UK breeders active in the community and isolated breeders elsewhere is intent.

Community-active breeders are usually breeding to:

• Keep puppies themselves
• Improve specific traits over generations
• Maintain consistent female lines
• Remain accountable to peers and the wider Bulldog community

They are not producing Bulldogs as interchangeable commodities. They are shaping dogs they will live with, show, judge and stand behind.

This long-term thinking is rarely visible in adverts, but it leaves a lasting imprint on the dogs themselves.

Bulldogs are not mass-produced products. They are the result of informed decisions made over generations.

If you are considering importing a Bulldog, look beyond availability and appearance. Seek evidence of education, long-term involvement, health awareness and accountability.

​This is why, for many experienced international owners, the UK remains the benchmark.

​Considering Importing a Bulldog?
If you are researching carefully and would like to explore whether my approach may be suitable for you, you are welcome to begin with my puppy vetting process.