For many people, a bulldog is the perfect pet dog to own. It is loyal and makes an excellent companion, and can also look pretty intimidating to would-be burglars (though usually bulldogs are too lazy or soft to actually do anything about a burglar other than perhaps bark). They make good pets for families, and usually enjoy being with children.
However, as with all pedigrees, bulldogs have certain health problems that come from being bred for appearance over so many generations. In order to breed for appearance, there is often a lot of incestuous breeding that takes place or has done so historically. This has led to genetic abnormalities as well as physical deformities that are seen as desirable in a breed but that can cause problems for individual dogs. For example, bulldogs and bulldog puppies can find it hard to breathe because of their short windpipe and nose.
Bulldogs and bulldog puppies are particularly prone to overheating, and whilst so far this year there hasn’t been much sun they can suffer very quickly when the temperature does eventually rise. Bulldogs have very short noses and are usually very stocky and find it hard to pant, which is how dogs normally keep cool.
If it gets warm outsider or in your home, check your bulldog regularly for signs of heat stroke, such as loud breathing, being sick, appearing to ignore you or being unaware of your presence. Their gums may also be dry to the touch. If you think that your bulldog is suffering from heatstroke, take them somewhere cool and give them some fresh, cool water to drink; take a towel and moisten it with cool (not cold) water and gently rub your dog with it, on its nose, head and back. If your bulldog doesn’t improve, or if it suffers any kind of fit or loses consciousness, take it immediately to your local vet for urgent treatment.
Of course, prevention is better than cure and so get your bulldog puppies accustomed early on to keeping to the shade in sunny weather and don’t take them out in the hottest part of the day (11am – 2pm) if it’s very warm. When travelling, always take cool water with you (carrying it in a flask will keep it cool even on a hot day) and don’t let your bulldog keep playing when it starts to get hot – the dog will want to keep going because they love to play, but you must be responsible and stop the games to help your dog to cool down.
If you want a bulldog as a pet, you can often adopt them through animal charities such as the RSPCA because they are often available for re-homing. If there are none available when you are searching, you can always ask to be contacted when one becomes available.
However, as with all pedigrees, bulldogs have certain health problems that come from being bred for appearance over so many generations. In order to breed for appearance, there is often a lot of incestuous breeding that takes place or has done so historically. This has led to genetic abnormalities as well as physical deformities that are seen as desirable in a breed but that can cause problems for individual dogs. For example, bulldogs and bulldog puppies can find it hard to breathe because of their short windpipe and nose.
Bulldogs and bulldog puppies are particularly prone to overheating, and whilst so far this year there hasn’t been much sun they can suffer very quickly when the temperature does eventually rise. Bulldogs have very short noses and are usually very stocky and find it hard to pant, which is how dogs normally keep cool.
If it gets warm outsider or in your home, check your bulldog regularly for signs of heat stroke, such as loud breathing, being sick, appearing to ignore you or being unaware of your presence. Their gums may also be dry to the touch. If you think that your bulldog is suffering from heatstroke, take them somewhere cool and give them some fresh, cool water to drink; take a towel and moisten it with cool (not cold) water and gently rub your dog with it, on its nose, head and back. If your bulldog doesn’t improve, or if it suffers any kind of fit or loses consciousness, take it immediately to your local vet for urgent treatment.
Of course, prevention is better than cure and so get your bulldog puppies accustomed early on to keeping to the shade in sunny weather and don’t take them out in the hottest part of the day (11am – 2pm) if it’s very warm. When travelling, always take cool water with you (carrying it in a flask will keep it cool even on a hot day) and don’t let your bulldog keep playing when it starts to get hot – the dog will want to keep going because they love to play, but you must be responsible and stop the games to help your dog to cool down.
If you want a bulldog as a pet, you can often adopt them through animal charities such as the RSPCA because they are often available for re-homing. If there are none available when you are searching, you can always ask to be contacted when one becomes available.
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