The Conti shines with a high level of family and child friendliness (4/5) and, thanks to his high suitability for city life (4/5), also fits well into a larger flat – provided he doesn’t have to climb lots of flights of stairs every day, as this would strain his joints. His energy level is moderate (3/5): he is happy to accompany you on long walks but doesn’t demand high-performance sport.
Don’t underestimate his Molosser-typical independence, however. Trainability is 2/5. The Continental Bulldog is by no means slow on the uptake, but he questions commands with a charming stubbornness. In training you will need patience, humour and loving consistency. With other dogs he is usually reasonably sociable (3/5), as long as you invest in good socialisation from the start. Grooming is very straightforward at 2/5, but there is one important caveat: the short, smooth coat has no undercoat. Your dog doesn’t shed much (2/5), but he gets cold quickly when you stop during winter walks and needs a well-fitting dog coat in wet, cold weather.
Your checklist for the first conversation with the breeder
We recommend that you look closely during your visit and ask to see the originals of all the documents:
- Ask to see the X-ray results: Insist on seeing the official scoring sheets for hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) for both parents.
- Check breathing and exertion: Ask to see the results of the exercise test for brachycephalic syndrome, and watch the mother closely when you are there: does she breathe completely silently, with wide-open nostrils, both at rest and when moving around the garden?
- Look at the DVL2 and dental results: Ask to see the genetic test result for Robinow-like syndrome (DVL2) and the breed judge’s documentation on the parents’ dental status.
- Ask about metabolic issues: Ask directly about any known cases of cystinuria in the breeding line, especially among the males in the extended family.
- Observe how they move: The parents and puppies should move freely and fluidly, without a stiff gait, and should be open and friendly towards people.
On HonestDog, a breeder’s profile only goes online once the breeder has completed registration: identity verification by ID and selfie, proof of club membership or a §11 permit where applicable, a knowledge test on breeding and animal welfare, and agreement to the HonestDog breeding standards, which rule out, among other things, breeding with traits that cause suffering. Any health test results for the parents that breeders upload are shown directly on their profile; ask to see the original results when you visit. Your next step: compare the profiles of Continental Bulldog breeders on HonestDog, look at the health evidence they have uploaded and ask directly about the next litter.
