Bulldogs are incredibly loyal pets. They like to be with their families and they don't wander off much at all. In fact, they don't do much at all unless they need to. Our bulldog, Rufus, is particularly loyal, even as a puppy. It was as if he just knew we were his family and he wanted to be with us at all times. However, he does have to sleep in the laundry room to muffle the sound of his snore at night, otherwise you won't be able to sleep.

Bulldogs can be so funny. They might not do a whole lot, but when they do you never know what it is going to be. Lying around the house for a bulldog usually means flat out on the belly with legs splayed and tongue hanging out. They can literally sleep like this for hours and our dog does all the time, it is like his signature or something.

When we do yard work in the front yard, we don't have to worry about him leaving. He stands guard in the driveway and watches the kids and cars go by. He never even thinks about leaving our yard. He really doesn't get too far away from the house. If you're pulling weeds in the flower bed, he sits right next to you while you work and keeps an eye out on whatever is going on around him. If he gets bored, he passes out in the grass. So, I wouldn't necessarily depend on him for complete protection. And he certainly doesn't excel at dog training. In fact, it can be really hard to get him to participate in dog training at times. However I found that making the lessons a bit of fun really changed his attitude.

Walks are great fun as well, especially with the kids. After a while he gets tired and his stubborn side comes out. I don't think he is from the same line of bulldogs known for their long distance walking. When he gets tired, he sits down, even if it is in the middle of the street. So, that's why the kids bring their wheelbarrow. They haul him back the easy way without having to drag him all the way home.

The evenings are fun with our bulldog as well. He just likes to hang out with the family. He has his own bed in the living room so you can tell him to "go to bed" if he gets in your way, and he happily obliges. He is a surprisingly obedient dog and is willing to please.

As a puppy, Rufus was pretty wild. You've never seen a chubby dog waddle so quickly. The breed is known for their destructiveness as puppies so when you bring one home be prepared. We found it was best to look at our house from his point of view – lying on the floor. We then went around and picked up anything that we thought he might chew on, which was pretty much anything lying around on the floor. In fact, if it was lying on the floor, Rufus thought it was his. Don't worry though, this is only a phase. They grow out of it pretty quickly.