28┆ The COI Illusion: When Percentages Replace Knowledge

In this episode, I take a practical look at bulldog exercise and explain how the right approach changes as your dog grows from puppy to adult to senior.I break down what good exercise actually looks like at each stage of life, why socialisation matters more than mileage in the early months, and how to build a routine that works for the breed rather than against it.We consider:How to introduce collar, lead and walking to a young puppy without drama or bad habitsWhat adult bulldogs need day to day and how to gauge whether you're getting the balance rightHow to adapt as your dog ages and what to watch for along the wayWhether you've just brought a puppy home or you've had bulldogs for years, this episode gives you a straightforward, breed-specific framework to work from.===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

In this episode, I take a practical look at puppy teething and explain why biting and chewing suddenly become such a big part of life between four and seven months of age.I break down what is happening inside a puppy’s mouth as baby teeth are pushed out and adult teeth come through, and why this stage can temporarily change your puppy’s behaviour.We consider:Why puppies bite and chew during the teething phaseHow puppy teeth develop and when they are replaced by adult teethSimple ways to manage teething without creating training problemsIf your puppy has suddenly turned into a chewing machine, this episode will help you understand what is normal and how to guide them through it calmly.===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

COI, the coefficient of inbreeding, is often promoted as the ultimate marker of a healthy litter. But does a low percentage really prove anything?In this episode, I unpack what COI actually measures, where it can mislead, and why one number can never replace genuine breed knowledge.In this episode, we consider:What COI truly calculates and why generation depth mattersWhy a low percentage does not automatically equal a healthier puppyHow to recognise when COI is being used as a superficial sales point rather than informed breeding practice===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

In this episode, I take a clear, evidence-led look at early puppy healthcare and challenge some of the assumptions that have become standard practice.I explain what is legally required before a puppy leaves at eight weeks, what I believe is genuinely in the puppy’s best interests, and where routine protocols may deserve more scrutiny.We consider:What microchipping, worming and vaccination protocols should look like at eight weeksWhy maternal immunity, timing and brand choice matter more than most realiseHow titre testing and risk-based decisions can reduce unnecessary chemical exposureIf you are breeding or preparing to bring a puppy home, this will help you move from habit to informed decision-making.===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

In this episode, I explore how a simple debate about Easter eggs reveals a much bigger problem in the puppy market. When the story behind a product changes, people start questioning whether it is still worth the money. The same principle applies when comparing puppy adverts online.This is not about finding the cheapest puppy. It is about understanding the knowledge, responsibility and planning that sit behind a litter.In this episode, we consider:Why price and value are two completely different things when buying a puppy How puppy adverts often become a tick-box exercise rather than a true explanation of quality Why breeder knowledge, stud selection and experience influence the future health of a puppyIf you are searching for a puppy and trying to make sense of the price differences you see online, this episode will help you look beyond the advert and understand what really matters.===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

Toilet training can unravel quickly, especially if you do not understand how early rearing, feeding habits and routine all influence your puppy’s behaviour.In this episode, I explore why some common breeder practices can create unintended habits, why puppy pads can complicate long-term training, and how food timing and diet directly affect overnight accidents.This is not about gimmicks. It is about management, routine and setting your puppy up to succeed.In this episode, we consider:How early feeding and rearing methods shape behaviour later onWhy puppy pads can delay true house trainingHow food type, portion size and timing influence overnight cleanlinessIf you are struggling with toilet training or want to avoid common pitfalls from the start, this episode helps you think a few steps ahead.===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

Endorsements are designed to protect health, heritage and reputation. Yet a recent communication from The Royal Kennel Club has left many breeders questioning how much control they may retain in future.In this episode, I explain what endorsements really do, why responsible breeders use them, and why the idea of automatically lifting them has caused concern.In this episode, we consider:What endorsements are and why they existWhy automatic lifting could weaken breeder protectionWhy pedigree papers alone do not define qualityIf you are buying or breeding, this conversation offers essential context behind the current uncertainty.===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

In this episode, I share how a seemingly promising advert led to a real-world visit that quickly raised more questions than answers. What looked good on paper and in photos didn’t stand up to closer scrutiny, and it became a useful reminder of why buying a Bulldog is rarely as straightforward as it appears.Using this experience, I unpack how health claims are often presented, why assumptions creep in even within established pedigrees, and how easy it is for important information to be missing or misunderstood. It’s an honest look at the gap between what buyers are shown and what they actually need to know.In this episode, we cover:Why photos and paperwork don’t tell the full storyThe role of independent health schemesThe importance of structured and repeatable testing===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

When Crufts trends online, the story rarely comes from the people actually there.In this episode, I break down the controversy surrounding Crufts 2026, from the Best in Show result to the criticism aimed at breeders, exhibitors and the entire pedigree dog community. We look at how quickly narratives form online and why judging dog shows from the outside often leads to the wrong conclusions.This is not about ignoring criticism. It is about perspective, context and experience.In this episode, we consider:Why Crufts still matters to breeders and the future of pedigree dogsHow public opinion is shaped by partial informationWhy responsible breeding knowledge matters more than viral headlinesIf you have ever wondered what Crufts really represents, this episode offers the view from inside the ring.===W: bulldogownersclub.com 

When airway surgery is offered as a “just in case” add-on, we have a bigger problem than breathing.In this episode, I question the growing normalisation of preventative BOAS procedures, particularly when dogs have not been clinically graded. We look at how this affects insurance records, future premiums, and the data used to shape legislation and public perception.This is not about being anti-vet. It is about accountability, evidence and breed protection.In this episode, we consider:Why surgery should follow diagnosis, not breed stereotype How unnecessary procedures create long-term financial and statistical fallout How breed-wide damage happens one “routine” operation at a timeIf you want to protect your bulldog and the wider breed, this episode asks the uncomfortable questions.===W: bulldogownersclub.com