Is a Bulldog Right for You?
Yes, the Bulldog has many charms ~~ many people fall in love with their wrinkly faces or their distinct waddle while others respect the Bulldog for being an enduring symbol of courage, strength, and tenacity. And yes, Bulldogs do possess these traits, (OK, maybe not all of them are courageous, mine is afraid of black garbage bags and the vaccuum cleaner), but there are some other things to consider before making a committment to buy or adopt a Bulldog.
The Bulldog is a meduim sized dog that weighs about 55 pounds and stands about 15 inches at the shoulder. They are not your typical lap dog, but they think they are! Todays Bulldog is bred to be loyal and loving, and they thrive when treated like members of the family.
The Bulldogs coat is smooth, and shedding does occur with the change of seasons, usually in the spring and fall. Frequent bathing is unnecessary if the coat is brushed frequently to remove dead hair.
The ears should be folded back to expose the inside. They are NEVER trimmed or surgically altered.
The tail is naturally short and can be straight or screw-type. The tail is NEVER docked, although they may be surgically altered if the screw-type tail is too tight to the body, which can cause skin infections.
Bulldogs often resist nail trimming, and for this reason, it is best to begin a regular nail trimming regiment in the puppy stage. Be sure to trim nails gently, carefully, and regularly to prevent nail, foot, and joint problems. Dewclaws are NOT removed.
A mild shampo0 is all that is needed for both puppies and adults, however, your vet may recommend a specially formulated shampoo for a Bulldog with skin conditions. Facial wrinkles require frequent cleaning and deep folds should always be kept clean and dry to prevent irritation and infection.
A Bulldog should never be picked up by it's front legs and shoulders - serious injury could result! Instead, pick the Bulldog up by placing one hand behind its front legs and one hand in front of it's hind legs.
A regular adult diet consisting of a good, commercial dry kibble mixed occasionally with canned dog food is recommended for dogs older than six months of age. After six months of age, feeding twice daily is usually sufficient. Ask your veterinarian about adding vitamins or using specially formulated kibble such as a Hills Science Diet selection if the Bulldog has specific nutritional needs. Be sure to avoid obesity, as this can cause more health problems for Bulldogs than other breeds due to their abnormal bone structure and inherent breathing problems. Moderate daily exercise on a leash is recommended, except in very warm climates and summer months. In this case, an air-conditioned environment is best since Bulldogs are easily overheated and prone to heat exhaustion.
Extreme caution and close supervision must be taken around swimming pools, lakes, ponds, and rivers. Bulldogs have great difficulty keeping their heads above water since most of their weight is concentrated forward. Enclosed pools that can be locked are recommended. A fenced yard is also essential since a Bulldog should never be given the opportunity to roam unsupervised. They are very inquisitive and can easily be lured away and abducted. They also think they are indestructible and do not look both ways before crossing the street.
Training is essential and, with puppies, should begin immediately. A use of a crate can facilitate training, especially house training. Taking the puppy outside immediately after meals and upon awaking from a nap or a night's sleep is a must. Daily leash and collar training should also begin right away. Practice for short periods at a time, and always with patience. The Bulldog is very intelligent and tends to be an independent thinker. Despite their well-earned reputation for stubborness, Bulldogs can be successfully trained.
Every year, the number of Bulldogs that require rescue grows, and because of this, you must realize that undertaking the responsibility of Bulldog ownership requires a committment of about 10-12 years.
It is best to leave breeding to the professionals when it comes to Bulldogs. A healthy Bulldog has enough health problems for the pet owner to tackle, let alone adding a pregnancy. Pregnancy and puppies do not come easy for Bulldogs and often the puppies from the first litter do not survive. The ones that do survive often need around the clock care for the first 2-3 weeks. Pregnancy and labor for the mother is a major physical and potentially life threatening event, and will most likely result in a C-Section delivery, which is very costly. The financial reward is not likely to compensate for time spent or to offset expenses. Spaying/neutering your Bulldog will help ensure a happier, healthier pet for years to come. Be sure to discuss the advantages of spaying/neutering with your veterinarian.
Bulldogs are prone to many inhereted and abnormal illnesses and health conditions. Many of these are explained on our Bulldog Health Topics page, be sure to visit it to learn more.
The Lower Susquehanna Bulldog Club is a local BCA club. The Bulldog Club of America (BCA), organized in 1890, is one of the oldest dog clubs in the United States. The purposes of the BCA are:
To maintain a Standard of Excellence for the guidance of breeders, owners, and judges.
To improve the breed by encouraging the degree of excellence set forth in the Standard.
To stimulate interest in competitive public showings of Bulldogs.
To further the interests of the breed.
To work for the general good of breeders, owners, and exhibitors of dogs.
For more information, please visit www.thebca.org.
The Bulldogs coat is smooth, and shedding does occur with the change of seasons, usually in the spring and fall. Frequent bathing is unnecessary if the coat is brushed frequently to remove dead hair.
The ears should be folded back to expose the inside. They are NEVER trimmed or surgically altered.
The tail is naturally short and can be straight or screw-type. The tail is NEVER docked, although they may be surgically altered if the screw-type tail is too tight to the body, which can cause skin infections.
Bulldogs often resist nail trimming, and for this reason, it is best to begin a regular nail trimming regiment in the puppy stage. Be sure to trim nails gently, carefully, and regularly to prevent nail, foot, and joint problems. Dewclaws are NOT removed.
A mild shampo0 is all that is needed for both puppies and adults, however, your vet may recommend a specially formulated shampoo for a Bulldog with skin conditions. Facial wrinkles require frequent cleaning and deep folds should always be kept clean and dry to prevent irritation and infection.
A Bulldog should never be picked up by it's front legs and shoulders - serious injury could result! Instead, pick the Bulldog up by placing one hand behind its front legs and one hand in front of it's hind legs.
A regular adult diet consisting of a good, commercial dry kibble mixed occasionally with canned dog food is recommended for dogs older than six months of age. After six months of age, feeding twice daily is usually sufficient. Ask your veterinarian about adding vitamins or using specially formulated kibble such as a Hills Science Diet selection if the Bulldog has specific nutritional needs. Be sure to avoid obesity, as this can cause more health problems for Bulldogs than other breeds due to their abnormal bone structure and inherent breathing problems. Moderate daily exercise on a leash is recommended, except in very warm climates and summer months. In this case, an air-conditioned environment is best since Bulldogs are easily overheated and prone to heat exhaustion.
Extreme caution and close supervision must be taken around swimming pools, lakes, ponds, and rivers. Bulldogs have great difficulty keeping their heads above water since most of their weight is concentrated forward. Enclosed pools that can be locked are recommended. A fenced yard is also essential since a Bulldog should never be given the opportunity to roam unsupervised. They are very inquisitive and can easily be lured away and abducted. They also think they are indestructible and do not look both ways before crossing the street.
Training is essential and, with puppies, should begin immediately. A use of a crate can facilitate training, especially house training. Taking the puppy outside immediately after meals and upon awaking from a nap or a night's sleep is a must. Daily leash and collar training should also begin right away. Practice for short periods at a time, and always with patience. The Bulldog is very intelligent and tends to be an independent thinker. Despite their well-earned reputation for stubborness, Bulldogs can be successfully trained.
Every year, the number of Bulldogs that require rescue grows, and because of this, you must realize that undertaking the responsibility of Bulldog ownership requires a committment of about 10-12 years.
It is best to leave breeding to the professionals when it comes to Bulldogs. A healthy Bulldog has enough health problems for the pet owner to tackle, let alone adding a pregnancy. Pregnancy and puppies do not come easy for Bulldogs and often the puppies from the first litter do not survive. The ones that do survive often need around the clock care for the first 2-3 weeks. Pregnancy and labor for the mother is a major physical and potentially life threatening event, and will most likely result in a C-Section delivery, which is very costly. The financial reward is not likely to compensate for time spent or to offset expenses. Spaying/neutering your Bulldog will help ensure a happier, healthier pet for years to come. Be sure to discuss the advantages of spaying/neutering with your veterinarian.
Bulldogs are prone to many inhereted and abnormal illnesses and health conditions. Many of these are explained on our Bulldog Health Topics page, be sure to visit it to learn more.
The Lower Susquehanna Bulldog Club is a local BCA club. The Bulldog Club of America (BCA), organized in 1890, is one of the oldest dog clubs in the United States. The purposes of the BCA are:
To maintain a Standard of Excellence for the guidance of breeders, owners, and judges.
To improve the breed by encouraging the degree of excellence set forth in the Standard.
To stimulate interest in competitive public showings of Bulldogs.
To further the interests of the breed.
To work for the general good of breeders, owners, and exhibitors of dogs.
For more information, please visit www.thebca.org.
