Bulldogs Articles

Article / Updated 04-26-2016

You and your veterinarian work together to keep your pet healthy, and you want to have a good working relationship. Choosing a reputable veterinarian requires your time and attention. Depending on the area where you live, however, your pool of veterinarians may be limited. Assuming that you have choices, consider the following list when choosing a veterinarian: Who do you know who owns a pet or breed like yours? If your breeder lives in your area, ask her which veterinarian she uses and why. Breed-specific clubs and other pet owners are reliable resources, as well. Do you want to take your pet to a multidoctor or a single-doctor facility? Taking your pet to a small practice may mean that the veterinarian knows your pet better, but if an emergency arises and your vet isn't available, the interim doctor won't know your pet. In a multidoctor practice, you may not always see the same veterinarian, but if an emergency occurs, the on-call veterinarian has access to all your pet's health records. Can you find a veterinarian who understands the potential problems that are specific to your breed? These veterinarians are more aware of what to look for when they're examining your pet. For example, bulldogs have an elongated soft palate and small trachea that can hamper its breathing. How far are you willing to drive? A highly recommended veterinarian may practice 50 miles away, and you may not mind the drive for scheduled visits, but if your pet has a serious problem, will that drive mean the difference between life and death? Considering drive time doesn't mean that you should go to the veterinarian right next door if you don't like or trust him or her. Try a veterinarian somewhere in between the two extremes. Alternatively, you can choose to have a backup veterinarian (one you've seen once or twice and can use in emergencies). What kind of emergency coverage is offered? In a multiple-veterinarian practice, doctors likely have staggered hours. If only one veterinarian practices, how are vacations and off hours handled? Is the staff friendly? Is the waiting room clean? If possible, visit different veterinarians' offices. Ask how they handle emergencies, and find out what their hours are. You want to know that the staff believes you if you have a pet emergency and won't try to give you an appointment in three days. Are you willing to go through trial and error? It may not be possible to find the perfect veterinarian (if the perfect vet exists) without some trial and error. Friends may recommend a particular practice, but you just don't feel comfortable there. No matter how highly recommended a practice is, if you don't feel comfortable, don't stay. What complaints have you heard? If someone complains about a veterinarian, consider the complaint. Was it a one-time incident or something chronic, like a dirty exam room?

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016

As a Bulldog person, you want to get your pet from a reputable breeder, and knowing the right questions to ask gets you on your way. Once you have a Bulldog, you want to start a good relationship with your vet. Then, to keep your pet the picture of health, you need to know which plants, foods, and household items can cause problems, and how to tell when a trip to the vet or emergency clinic is warranted.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

A Bulldog isn't high maintenance, but she does need more care than you may think. The Bully doesn't have a lot of thick, fluffy undercoat to worry about, but Bulldogs do need care. Pay attention to particular parts of your Bully's body: Hair: Those tiny, short hairs shed, but the coat isn't the biggest concern with Bulldogs. Wrinkles: Wrinkles are the biggest issue concerning the Bulldog. Make sure your daily routine includes cleaning the wrinkles and drying them thoroughly to prevent rash, infection, or other skin problems. Skin: Bulldogs are prone to skin ailments and allergies. Check for hot spots and bald patches. Feet: Trim your Bully's foot fur, and check between those toes for any sign of interdigital cysts. Interdigital cysts are pus-filled growths between the toes and are frequently caused by ingrown hairs. Ears: Keep the ears clean and dry. Tail: The base of some Bulldog tails fits into a sort of pocket of flesh, and that needs to be kept as clean and dry as the wrinkles. A dab of petroleum jelly in the pocket helps prevent irritation. Bulldog care includes other functions, besides keeping the body groomed, that you need to perform to ensure a healthy pet: Regularly visit your veterinarian. Keep your vaccinations up to date, and consult your veterinarian if your dog is sick. Even if the sickness turns out to be something minor, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Make sure that your dog has identification. Attach her license and rabies tags to a buckle collar. You may also want to include a tag with your name and phone number. Consider getting your Bully microchipped as another form of ID. Watch what you feed your Bulldog. Control her weight, and don't let her get too heavy. An overweight dog has even more trouble breathing and may develop hip problems and arthritis. Extra weight puts extra stress on her heart and lungs, too. Extra pounds can aggravate any existing problems and may cause others. No matter what you feed your Bulldog, keep her fit and trim and healthy. Keeping a Bulldog healthy can cost more than other dogs' health care. Surgery can be expensive because of certain procedures that are protocol for the Bulldog. Bullies may have small tracheas and elongated palates. When your dog has any kind of surgery, she may be in danger during the recovery period. At that time, she isn't fully awake, and the soft palate can fall over the opening of the trachea, cutting off the air supply. You pay extra for someone to sit with your dog, making sure that she can breathe. Figure out your budget. Make sure that you can afford a Bulldog. The purchase price of the dog is just the beginning. Even if you don't include crates, beds, toys, baby gates, and fencing for the yard, you still have to buy food and pay for regular trips to the veterinarian, corrective surgeries, and emergencies. Know that your Bulldog comes with a price tag. Don't be scared off by the costs; one dog costs a family roughly $6,000 over the lifetime of the dog.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Bulldogs possess behavioral quirks specific to their breed that you should seriously consider before you invest in one of the breed. If any of the traits mentioned in this article doesn't fit your lifestyle or with what you expect from your dog, consider getting a different breed. A Bulldog may be perfect for you if the following list represents your behaviors and the kind of dog you want: Couch Potato is your middle name. Grooming isn't on your list of fun things to do. You leave home for much of the day. You want a companion to hang out with after a hard day's work. Bulldogs love to be with their families, but they also like to snooze the day away. You can go off to work and know that your Bully isn't desperate for an afternoon game of fetch. And when you return home, your pal will be waiting for a snuggle on the couch. When you come home and plop down on the couch, you may notice that your Bully has left behind a present for you. You have dog hair all over your black pants! A Bulldog's short and smooth coat sheds much more hair than you may imagine, and your Bulldog sheds year round, but you won't have the hours of combing, brushing, and trimming maintenance that you would with many longer-coated breeds. Do pay attention to his wrinkles, though; you can easily manage a little touch up during your evening TV time on the couch. You must realize that your Bulldog is your companion; she isn't an athlete. In fact, Bulldogs are predisposed for lounging around. If you want a dog to keep you company in your active lifestyle, consider a different breed. The Bulldog isn't built for speed, and even if she wanted to run, jump, and play for extended periods of time, she just can't. Her short, pushed-in nose doesn't allow airflow like active dogs, and an elongated soft palate and small trachea further hamper a Bully's breathing. High heat and humidity also make Bulldogs unhappy, and hot conditions can affect their health. Overheating poses a real danger for a Bulldog. If you expect to spend a day paddling around the lake with your Bully, you may need to reconsider. Drowning is a major cause of death in Bulldogs. As one breeder says, "They swim like a rock." A Bulldog's temperament slows her down, too. Bulldogs want to please themselves. They aren't driven to work, and they don't act on command to please their owners. You can't force a Bulldog to do anything. He's bred to be single-minded and unyielding to rough handling.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

A good veterinarian discusses standard issues with you when you take your Bulldog for his first checkup, but knowing what to discuss beforehandhelps you cover everything you need to know about your Bulldog and also makes you look like a responsible pet owner. Bring along this list of items to discuss with your veterinarian: Ask how familiar they are with Bulldogs. Veterinarians are supposed to be comfortable with all dog breeds, but be sure that your vet is particularly knowledgeable about the special needs of Bulldogs. Ask about what vaccinations you need. Your vet should know how certain vaccinations affect Bulldogs. Ask about your state’s regulations regarding a rabies shot. Different states have different rules about rabies shots and how often shots are given. Veterinarians send out reminders about shots, but you should know whether your dog will need a rabies shot yearly or every three years. It’s your responsibility to keep your dog up-to-date with vaccinations. Ask about after hours and emergency care. If your Bulldog has a veterinary emergency after your vet’s office hours, you need to know where to take him for help! Ask your veterinarian if he is aware that many Bulldogs have small tracheas. The restricted airway is a big deal with Bulldogs because it tends to cause breathing problems. Ask about surgery for elongated palate and stenotic nares. Again, your vet should be knowledgeable about these issues due to potential breathing problems with Bulldogs. Ask about getting your Bulldog spayed or neutered. Your vet should volunteer this information, but make sure to bring it up just in case. Bulldog breeding is not for the faint of heart, as they have special needs that other breeds don’t.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

You want to keep your Bulldog happy and healthy, so you have to pay attention to her health issues. A fast trip to your veterinarian or local pet hospital is necessary if any of the following situations occur: Your Bulldog has been injured in any way. Some injuries aren’t as bad as they look, but don’t take any chances. Elevated temperature and heavy breathing may mean that your dog is experiencing heat stroke. Your Bulldog vomits or has diarrhea for 24 hours. Take her to the vet before the condition gets worse! Your Bulldog refuses to eat for 24 hours. Your Bulldog may be telling you that something is seriously wrong. You think that your Bulldog has eaten anything poisonous. When taking your Bulldog to the vet, be sure to take along a sample of what you think she ate, so the vet will know exactly how to treat your dog.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Many common household items are poisonous to Bulldogs. You may think that your Bulldog can’t reach or find the items in the following lists, but check your cupboards to make sure. It’s amazing what Bulldogs can get into, and what they find they tend to eat. Keep your Bulldog safe! Drugs and supplements Acetaminophen Amphetamine Antihistamines and decongestants Aspirin Cocaine Iron Marijuana Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Sodium phosphate enemas Tricyclic antidepressants Zinc Insecticides, pesticides, and podenticides Amitraz Anticoagulant rodenticide Arsenic Borate Bromethalin Cholecalciferol or Vitamin D rodenticides DEET Ivermectin (Avermectins) Organophosphates and carbamates Pyrethrin Rotenone Strychnine Zinc-containing rodenticides Foods Chocolate and caffeine Garlic Grapes/Raisins Macadamia nuts Mushrooms Onions Household items Acids Alkalis (Corrosives) Antifreeze Arsenic Borate Bleach Button batteries Citrus oils Detergents Ethylene glycol Iron Isopropanol Kerosene and gasoline Lead Mercury Metaldehyde Moth balls Phenol and phenolic compounds Pine oils Zinc The Peteducation Web site has a complete list of foods to avoid and the reasoning, and the many and varied plants that can do your dog harm.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

When looking for a Bulldog puppy, find a reputable breeder. You want a breeder with experience in breeding Bulldogs in particular, and someone who is giving pups a good start so they are healthy, well-bred, and well-adjusted. Ask the breeder the following questions before deciding on your Bulldog puppy: How long have you been breeding? Is breeding a business or a hobby for you? How often do your dogs produce a litter? Done right, no breeder is going to be able to make a living breeding Bulldogs. If she says that breeding is a business, look for another breeder. Is this breed right for me? A good breeder wants all her puppies to go to permanent homes. Asking this question gives her a chance to ask a few of her own and to talk about the negative aspects of owning a Bulldog. May I meet the parents or at least the mother of the puppies? Any adult dog you meet should be friendly, not shy or fearful. Most breeders should be willing to grant your request. Where do you raise the puppies? Have the breeder show you the kennel area when she shows you the puppies. If the breeder brings out individual puppies and won’t show you where they live, find another breeder. May I see the pedigree and registration form? If you’re thinking of showing your Bully, a pedigree ensures that you are getting a purebred Bulldog. Will I receive a health record? Your breeder provides a health record with each puppy, showing what vaccinations have been given, and the dates the puppies were wormed. How old are the puppies? A puppy needs to stay with his mother and siblings until he is at least seven weeks old. If the breeder is selling younger puppies, find another breeder. What happens if I can’t keep the dog? Most reputable breeders will take back any dog of their breeding at any time.