Breed: Victorian Bulldog
Name: Trudalls Brittany
Pet-name: Millie
Born: 5th November 2001
Height: 18” (45 cm)
Weight: 45lb (20.5 kg)
Sire: Marinmor Minstrel
Dam: Marinmor Mayflower
Breeder: Trudie Hallat, Norfolk, England
Owner: Chris Gaynor, England

Millie was one of a litter of seven (5 boys 2 girls) born on 5 November 2001. I had been waiting for a Victorian bitch to become available for some time and so was really pleased when Martin Moran, the then VBS Chair, phoned to tell me about Millie. I called Trudie immediately and arranged to call and see her and the pups the first week in January.
Once we had her home, house rules were set out early and clearly. As my children were aged 1 and 3 I didn’t want her playing biting games so these were discouraged and thankfully she was quick to learn. I am pleased to say that she was not much of a chewer through her teething period, limiting her attentions to doormats, which are cheap and easily replaced, rather than furniture. She does though like to steal hand towels if she can get them, not to chew, though, just to rest on in her bed, but I think that is for the comfort she gets from our scent on them.

As Millie grew she was able to accompany me on longer walks. I have found that she walks slower and demonstrates less enthusiasm and interest if walking a familiar route (for example going around the block) than she does if she is headed somewhere new. Then she has real bounce, especially if she thinks there’s a chance to run free at the end of it!
She is also a consummate scrounger, always looking for edible items that may have been dropped when we are out. (Here I should point out a deficiency in the undershot jaw – the lack of a scissor bite does not lend itself to allowing its owner to easily collect dried chewing gum from the pavement, which in Millie’s case is probably a blessing!)

She is a friendly dog and waits patiently outside the local shop if I take her to buy a newspaper or milk. Usually I will return to find she has made a new friend and is being patted or talked to by someone. That said she is also alert to strangers, especially if they are carrying umbrellas, walking sticks etc. There have been a few occasions when she has surprised me by threatening people who have made sudden movements. In these cases she has lunged forward instinctively, barking and growling.

Millie is very attached to my children, especially to Joseph, the youngest. If he accompanies us in his buggy when we go for a walk she is reluctant to leave him and will walk alongside the buggy so she can keep an eye on him. On one occasion when we were all at the local park I left my wife with the kids in the playground whilst I continued walking Millie. When I let Millie off the lead she looked directly at me for a second before turning and running back to Joseph.

She enjoys being outside and will lay down and try to sleep outdoors even in icy conditions. She will amuse herself for ages on a springpull or, in warmer weather, by pawing at her reflection in a bucket of water before sticking her head in it!
Inside, she readily settles down usually selecting a place next to a radiator and in the same room as us.
Millie has provided me with much entertainment and amusement since she joined the family. My only concern about breeding her is that I will most likely want to keep the entire litter!

Chris Gaynor, England.

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