BREED STANDARD MATTERS
Lately many "breeders" are trying to cash in on the "rare" colors craze, claiming their off-color and non-standard bulldogs are more valuable and desirable than the standard. Unfortunely, AKC is allowing these people to register dogs even though they are expressly excluded in the Bulldog Club of America standard, the guide to bulldogs that was written in 1865. Merle does not exist in bulldog DNA. If you buy a merle bulldog you are buying a mixed-breed dog (see chart above to see what it is mixed with). The same goes for black, grey, blue, etc. Sadly, many of these coat colors are also linked to skin issues, health issues, even deafness, blindness, and temperament issues. Don't be fooled, only buy a breed standard bulldog bred for health and good temperament.
Bulldogs are a special breed, and they need some special care. Just producing puppies is a major undertaking. Both the sire and dam need to have health testing before breeding. The female has progesterone testing, must be artificially inseminated, has prenatal care such as checkups and an ultrasound, and delivers her puppies by cesarean section. Mother and puppies must be supervised 24 hours a day for the first 3-4 weeks, and sometimes the puppies need special attention, such as bottle feeding or hand raising. Producing a healthy litter of puppies is a round-the-clock job. This is part of why bulldogs are expensive.
Adult bulldogs also require more care than many other breeds. Because of their short, flat nose they can overheat very easily and can even die from heat stroke. They cannot be left outdoors when it is too hot or too cold, but they wouldn't want to be anyway. They are very attached to their family, and want to be with you wherever you are. They have bursts of energy, but quickly tire out and just want to sleep on the couch. Do not buy a bulldog as a running companion, because they can't handle that much exercise. Because they can be couch potatoes, they don't require a big yard, but a secure fence is important. They are one of the most frequently stolen breeds, so never leave them unattended in the yard or anywhere they could be taken.
Bulldogs generally have a very easy going temperament, but they need to be socialized from a very early age. Our bulldogs are raised with constant human interaction, but you need to keep it up when they go to their new home. Make sure they continue to get out of the house and interact with other people and dogs, such as in puppy obedience classes, so that they don't become isolated. This can lead to behavior issues.
Bulldogs are prone to several different health issues. These can include sensitive skin, excessive gas, breathing problems, heart issues, bad hips and eye problems. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the perfect bulldog, but many of these issues can be avoided through conscientious breeding and proper care. The wrinkles on your bully need to be kept clean with baby wipes or a washcloth. Since they can't reach around to lick themselves like most dogs can, you may need to clean their tummy or under their tail as well. Just keep an eye out for anything that gets dirty, and keep it clean. Finding a vet who is familiar with bulldogs and their special needs is also important, as is good preventive health care.
Recently a friend called me in a panic, so I thought I'd mention this. Bulldogs are prone to a condition called "Idiopathic Head Tremors". It looks scary, as the dog shakes it's head rapidly up and down or side to side, looking almost like a seizure. It is not harmful, and most times they will only have one or two episodes in their lifetime. Don't panic, just give them a spoonful of peanut butter, yogurt or ice cream, which seems to distract them and stop the shaking. It is not something which requires a vet trip, unless it is repeated over and over, or causes other issues.
Diet is very important for the health of your bulldog. We feed Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice formula, and sometimes add coconut oil. There are many good dog foods on the market, but it is crucial to feed a good quality food, not a grocery store variety. We have found that the right food keeps our dog's wrinkles clean, their coats soft, and they don't have gas. Bulldogs are prone to obesity, so feeding the correct amount is important as well. We used to advise feeding grain-free, but there is some evidence that doing so causes cardiac issues in dogs (dilated cardiomyopathy, DCM, which can be fatal). It appears to be caused by the inclusion of peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes and legumes, so avoid food with those ingredients.
A strong word of caution to anyone who is just beginning to learn about the bulldog breed, or beginning their search for a puppy. Please be very cautious of who you deal with. Run away from any website or breeder who claims they have "rare colors", such as blue, black or tri-colored. These colors are NOT recognized by the Bulldog Club of America (BCA) Breed standard, and are cause for disqualification in the show ring. The same goes for any color of eye besides dark brown or black, any nose color besides solid black, and any dog advertised as a "miniature". These spotted noses, blue eyes or unusual colors may look cute, but they are a sure sign of outbreeding to other breeds, such as pit bulls or Rottweilers. The latest "fad", the merle pattern, does not exist in the bulldog DNA, so those dogs are mixed breeds, and suffer from many health issues. Do not be fooled. Even if you have no intention of showing your dog, those dogs are not good representations of the breed, and actually harm the integrity of the breed. They frequently suffer from health issues, poor confirmation and behavioral issues like aggression, as they are bred for color alone.
Also, please do your research and look on complaint boards to see if the breeder has a history of selling sick or genetically unhealthy puppies. Save yourself the heartache and expense of buying a puppy that will break your bank and your heart. And never buy a puppy without seeing it first in person, and meeting it's parent or parents. If you live far away, insist on FaceTiming with the breeder, to see the puppy, it's mama and littermates live. There are many scams out there, so don't get tricked into paying for a puppy which does not exist. Always pick up your puppy in person, do not have it shipped. If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
These are just a few important facts to know before deciding to make a bulldog a member of your family. There are many great websites and books available about bulldogs. Please read these, and ask a lot of questions of the breeder or other bulldog owners you meet. Every bulldog deserves a well-informed and loving forever family.
Adult bulldogs also require more care than many other breeds. Because of their short, flat nose they can overheat very easily and can even die from heat stroke. They cannot be left outdoors when it is too hot or too cold, but they wouldn't want to be anyway. They are very attached to their family, and want to be with you wherever you are. They have bursts of energy, but quickly tire out and just want to sleep on the couch. Do not buy a bulldog as a running companion, because they can't handle that much exercise. Because they can be couch potatoes, they don't require a big yard, but a secure fence is important. They are one of the most frequently stolen breeds, so never leave them unattended in the yard or anywhere they could be taken.
Bulldogs generally have a very easy going temperament, but they need to be socialized from a very early age. Our bulldogs are raised with constant human interaction, but you need to keep it up when they go to their new home. Make sure they continue to get out of the house and interact with other people and dogs, such as in puppy obedience classes, so that they don't become isolated. This can lead to behavior issues.
Bulldogs are prone to several different health issues. These can include sensitive skin, excessive gas, breathing problems, heart issues, bad hips and eye problems. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the perfect bulldog, but many of these issues can be avoided through conscientious breeding and proper care. The wrinkles on your bully need to be kept clean with baby wipes or a washcloth. Since they can't reach around to lick themselves like most dogs can, you may need to clean their tummy or under their tail as well. Just keep an eye out for anything that gets dirty, and keep it clean. Finding a vet who is familiar with bulldogs and their special needs is also important, as is good preventive health care.
Recently a friend called me in a panic, so I thought I'd mention this. Bulldogs are prone to a condition called "Idiopathic Head Tremors". It looks scary, as the dog shakes it's head rapidly up and down or side to side, looking almost like a seizure. It is not harmful, and most times they will only have one or two episodes in their lifetime. Don't panic, just give them a spoonful of peanut butter, yogurt or ice cream, which seems to distract them and stop the shaking. It is not something which requires a vet trip, unless it is repeated over and over, or causes other issues.
Diet is very important for the health of your bulldog. We feed Diamond Naturals Chicken and Rice formula, and sometimes add coconut oil. There are many good dog foods on the market, but it is crucial to feed a good quality food, not a grocery store variety. We have found that the right food keeps our dog's wrinkles clean, their coats soft, and they don't have gas. Bulldogs are prone to obesity, so feeding the correct amount is important as well. We used to advise feeding grain-free, but there is some evidence that doing so causes cardiac issues in dogs (dilated cardiomyopathy, DCM, which can be fatal). It appears to be caused by the inclusion of peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes and legumes, so avoid food with those ingredients.
A strong word of caution to anyone who is just beginning to learn about the bulldog breed, or beginning their search for a puppy. Please be very cautious of who you deal with. Run away from any website or breeder who claims they have "rare colors", such as blue, black or tri-colored. These colors are NOT recognized by the Bulldog Club of America (BCA) Breed standard, and are cause for disqualification in the show ring. The same goes for any color of eye besides dark brown or black, any nose color besides solid black, and any dog advertised as a "miniature". These spotted noses, blue eyes or unusual colors may look cute, but they are a sure sign of outbreeding to other breeds, such as pit bulls or Rottweilers. The latest "fad", the merle pattern, does not exist in the bulldog DNA, so those dogs are mixed breeds, and suffer from many health issues. Do not be fooled. Even if you have no intention of showing your dog, those dogs are not good representations of the breed, and actually harm the integrity of the breed. They frequently suffer from health issues, poor confirmation and behavioral issues like aggression, as they are bred for color alone.
Also, please do your research and look on complaint boards to see if the breeder has a history of selling sick or genetically unhealthy puppies. Save yourself the heartache and expense of buying a puppy that will break your bank and your heart. And never buy a puppy without seeing it first in person, and meeting it's parent or parents. If you live far away, insist on FaceTiming with the breeder, to see the puppy, it's mama and littermates live. There are many scams out there, so don't get tricked into paying for a puppy which does not exist. Always pick up your puppy in person, do not have it shipped. If it sounds too good to be true, it is!
These are just a few important facts to know before deciding to make a bulldog a member of your family. There are many great websites and books available about bulldogs. Please read these, and ask a lot of questions of the breeder or other bulldog owners you meet. Every bulldog deserves a well-informed and loving forever family.
