Bulldogs

Bulldogs Information

Physical Appearance of Bulldogs

Temperament of Bulldogs

The Bulldog has a calm and loving temperament. They are also gentle and obedient. Their gentle and loving personalities make them a great pet for families. Bulldogs rarely act aggressively and are almost always in a playful mood, a great combination if you have children and regular visitors. They are known for being protective of their family and can be great watch dogs.

Bulldogs don’t bark very often, which might be because they are not very territorial. They only bark and become aggressive if someone treats them badly. Overall they are very predictable and easy-going pets making it a joy to have them in your home.

Training a Bulldog

Obedience Training Classes

Obedience training classes are a great way to help your dog learn some basic instructions. Obedience training isn’t just for your dog, it also helps owners learn to teach and control their new dog. These classes can teach you as an owner the best ways to teach your puppy.

Clicker Training

Bulldogs need to be trained to understand what is good behavior and what is not OK. Clicker training will help them understand what is good behavior. Clicker training has you make a noise with the clicker when the desired action is done. In addition to the click you’ll give them a treat, at least while you train them. Every time your dog hears the click they’ll know they did a good job and you are happy.

If your dog misbehaves, try not to punish them because it can discourage them. Instead, remember the clicker training and divert their attention to something else. You might have to do this several times to help your dog understand that they are not supposed to do the undesired activities.

Early Socialization Training

Early socialization is helpful for Bulldogs. They need exposure to different sounds, places, people, other dogs, and pets right when they are a puppy. By being exposed to so many things it will help interact more confidently with others and teach them appropriate ways for them to interact with people and other animals.

Kennel Training

Kennel training works very well with Bulldogs. If done right they will see the kennel as their safe space, and a place that they can relax and sleep. Most dogs enjoy small spaces and will find a sense of security while inside it. Getting them comfortable in a kennel early on will save you a lot of headaches. You know that they can’t get into trouble while you’re sleeping or at work if they’re in their kennel. It’s also a great place for them to dry off after they come into the house when it’s wet outside.

Their Compatibility with Children

Bulldogs are friendly dogs and get along really well with children. They are a breed that loves to play with kids. They are very affectionate with children and will often show their love by licking them.

The smaller size of your Bulldog, the lower the chances that they will accidentally hurt children while playing. No matter their size, they will be protective of children and will protect them from strangers.

You can leave them alone unsupervised to play together without worrying. One thing to be cautious about is leaving small toys around. Bulldogs love to chew things and might occasionally chew your child’s toys. Chewing their toys can be harmful to their health. To keep them from chewing things, always have an adult look over the area where they will play and remove anything that could be a problem.

Teach your kids the best ways to interact with your Bulldog. Children should not disturb them when they are eating because they might get bit because your dog thinks their food is being taken away. Until you know how your children and new puppy will react its best to have an adult supervise their interactions. Supervision is the best way to keep accidents from happening.

Best Climate for Bulldogs

Bulldogs are most comfortable in a moderate climate. They can’t tolerate extreme cold or heat very well. If you stay in an area that experiences freezing temperatures, avoid taking your Bulldog outside for longer than necessary. If you must take them out for more than a potty break, try to keep the walk to less than 15 minutes. A coat or sweater can help keep them warm when you exercise them for longer than 15 minutes.

Never leave them outside for more than half an hour on a hot day. The maximum temperature that they can tolerate is 85 degrees. Anything beyond that can be extremely dangerous for your Bulldog. Because of their breathing problems they are very susceptible to heat exhaustion. The situation can quickly lead to heatstroke that can kill them if they are not closely watched in the heat.

Bulldogs have a short nose that does not allow them to pant efficiently. Because of their short nose, it makes it difficult to regulate their body temperature. They need a nice cool place in the shade when the temperature gets past 80 degrees, and plenty of water.

The Attention a Bulldog Needs

Bulldogs are affectionate dogs and require a lot of attention. They will want a lot of your time to play with them or be around them. One positive aspect of having them as a pet is that they are not very active. Bulldogs are known to be a couch potato and can lay for a long time next to family. While they want to be with you, generally they don’t demand a lot of activity from their family. Time spent with their family does not need to be active time, it can just be time spent together.

Though the breed is somewhat lazy and less active compared to other dogs, they don’t like being left alone. Avoid leaving them alone for longer than necessary because over time it can lead to separation anxiety.

Health Issues

Bulldogs are indoor dogs that have overall good health. But some of them can develop certain health conditions. Bulldogs tend to develop breathing conditions and have low energy. While this is not a disease, it is something to be aware of because of how their face is shaped, they may have breathing problems. They may even snore!

Cherry Eye

Dry Eye

Canine Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, or KCS) is a common eye condition with dogs that occurs when their eyes don’t produce enough tears to keep them lubricated and healthy. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, environmental conditions, trauma, and certain medications.

Symptoms of Canine Dry Eye

• Eye Redness
• Eye Discharge
• Squinting
• Cloudy or opaque eyes
• Corneal Ulceration (in severe cases)

Treatment for canine dry eye typically involves artificial tears or ointments to help lubricate their eyes and reduce inflammation. In more severe cases, medications such as cyclosporine may be prescribed to increase tear production.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary problem that can make walking, getting up or laying down difficult and painful. When a dog has hip dysplasia, their hip socket fails to fully cover the ball portion of their thigh bone. The looseness between the hip and leg bone leads to partial or complete dislocation of their hip joint and can cause pain and stiffness. In most cases, medication and exercise restrictions are advised by the vet. Over time the condition could become severe enough that your vet might recommend surgery to correct it.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

Canine Brachycephalic Syndrome is a condition that affects dogs with short, or brachycephalic, muzzles. This syndrome can cause a variety of health problems due to the anatomical abnormalities associated with the shortened muzzle. Common signs and symptoms of canine brachycephalic syndrome include difficulty breathing, snoring, gagging, and exercise intolerance.

The most common breeds affected by this syndrome are Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Boston Terriers.

The primary cause of canine brachycephalic syndrome is the shortened muzzle associated with these breeds. This shortening causes a narrowing of the airway, which can lead to difficulty breathing and other respiratory problems.

Additionally, their soft palate may be too long for their shortened muzzle and can obstruct their airway.

Skin Allergies

Skin allergies are a common issue that can affect any dog breed. Allergies can be caused by environmental factors such as pollen, dust mites, and mold, or they can be caused by food sensitivities. Symptoms of skin allergies include itching, redness, hair loss, and scabbing.

The most common type of skin allergy is atopic dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to environmental allergens. It can cause intense itching and skin redness, as well as hair loss and scabbing. Treatment for atopic dermatitis includes antihistamines, steroids, and immunotherapy.

Food allergies are another type of skin allergy that can cause similar symptoms. Dogs could be allergic to certain proteins or carbohydrates in their diet.

Head Shakes

Canine head shakes can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from medical issues to behavioral problems. Some common causes include ear infections, allergies, neurological disorders, and even anxiety or fear. In some cases, the cause may be unknown. It’s important to consult with your veterinarian if your dog has head shaking symptoms in order to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Head shaking can be a sign of pain or discomfort, so it’s important to rule out any medical issues before attempting to address the behavior. If your dog is shaking their head due to an ear infection, for example, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics or other medications to treat their infection. Allergies may require antihistamines or other medications to reduce the symptoms. Neurological disorders may require more specialized treatment, such as physical therapy or medications to control seizures.

In some cases, head shaking may be a sign of anxiety or fear. If this is the case, it’s important to identify and address the underlying cause of your dog’s distress. This may involve desensitization training, counterconditioning, or other behavior modification techniques. It’s also important to make sure that your dog has a safe and secure environment in order to reduce their stress and anxiety.

Periodontal Disease

Domesticated cats and dogs can get periodontal disease if their oral health is not taken care of. Periodontal disease is a tooth and gum condition that can become serious in a few ways. One of the biggest problems is that this disease can destroy the gums and teeth of your pet if left untreated.

Another major problem if the bacteria in the mouth enters the bloodstream. Plaque build-up in the mouth can damage the gums and let bacteria enter the bloodstream. If this happens it can cause kidney and liver diseases and narrow their blood vessels which can lead to heart problems.

One of the easiest ways to prevent periodontal disease is to regularly brush your pet’s teeth. More than likely they won’t like it, but regular brushing is the best way you can prevent plaque buildup in your pets mouth.

Other

Other diseases found in Bulldog include respiratory, dry skin, and cardiac conditions.

Bathing, Coat, and Cleaning

Special Needs of Corkscrew Tail Bulldogs

Bulldogs with a corkscrew tail have extra grooming needs that straight tail Bulldogs won’t have. Many with the corkscrew tail will have what is called a “tail pocket” where the skin in the area around their tail creates an actual skin pocket. This pocket area is known to be moist and full of yeast and bacteria. Because of the yeast and bacteria in the pocket they will have regular infections. You’ll know they have an infection because the pocket will smell terrible.

In addition to the smell, the infection will likely be extremely itchy for your dog. Because the Bulldogs can’t lick this area they will usually drag their butt across the floor to satisfy their itch.

To clean out their tail pocket you’ll want to use an anti bacterial wipe. Other products can help clean, but they won’t kill off the yeast or bacteria like the anti bacterial wipe will. You’ll need to lift the skin right above their tail, opening up the pocket. Using one or two fingers with the wipe around it you’ll want to insert your fingers in the pocket.

Try to go all the way in and move the wipe around to get as much of the area cleaned as you can. Cleaning their pocket will need to be done twice a day to control the bacteria and the smell. Your dog is going to hate this, expect them to try to get away when you are cleaning them.

The bad news is, that was only the top tail pocket. The same thing will need to be done to clean the bottom side of the tail, which is actually known for being a lot more dirty. Because of how the skin folds are and how the tail sits many dogs will have problems pooping. Poop can actually collect in the skin folds under the tail, and needs to be cleaned out just like the top of the tail.

Feeding A Bulldog

Related Questions:

Can a Bulldog Swim?

No, Bulldogs cannot swim and can drown within a few seconds. They have short legs with a heavy torso which makes it difficult for them to swim. If you are taking them near the beach or you want to take them swimming, they will need to wear a life vest to ensure their safety.

Do Bulldogs Sleep a lot?

Yes, Bulldogs have a reputation of being lazy and sleeping a lot. They need a minimum of 14 hours of sleep a day. Even when they are awake, they generally tend to lounge and rest most of the time.

Do Bulldogs Snore?

This is a big yes! Some Bulldogs can be quiet while others can snore loudly. They are prone to snoring because of their short nose. You shouldn’t worry if your Bulldog snores because it’s not a serious condition. It is a breed characteristic and very normal.

My Bulldog has a Stinky Corkscrew Tail, What are My Options?

These dogs need to have their pocket tails cleaned twice a day with anti bacterial wipes. Even with twice a day cleanings they can still get infections and your dog’s rear can still be sore and itchy. If the twice a day cleanings are too much, or aren’t preventing the infections you do have an option.

You can talk to your vet about having their tail surgically removed. When the tail is removed, the vet will also remove excess skin from the area so that there isn’t a tail pocket anymore. With the tail pocket gone, there isn’t any place back there for bacteria to build up because the moisture will be gone. Your dog will be much cleaner, smell better, and will be thankful they don’t need probe cleanings twice a day.