No longer referred to as the English bulldog, the bulldog is not an easy breed to own.
The bulldog, formerly called the English bulldog, began life as a dog whose job it was to bring down the bull. Trained to hang on to the bull's nose ring and not give up, this ferocious, tenacious little dog is a massive dog in a little body. Accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1886 and a member of the non-sporting group, the bulldog is kind and gentle with children, and a loyal friend and family member.
Instructions
1. Clean your bulldog's wrinkles daily. Use a baby wipe, pet wipe or a damp cloth to clean in between the wrinkles; make sure to use a cotton ball to dry the area when finished. If you notice any redness among the wrinkles, apply a thin layer of medicated powder twice daily to help clear the irritation.
2. Care for a bulldog's tail much as you would wrinkles. Because the tail is so often tightly-wound, the skin beneath the tail is prone to wetness and irritation. Use a baby wipe to keep the area clean and dry, and apply a medicated powder if necessary.
3. Bulldogs need to have a c-section to deliver their puppies.
Keep your bulldog cool. Bulldogs do not tolerate heat well so if you live in a southern state, or elsewhere in the summer, keep your dog in the air conditioning. Since dogs don't sweat, they pant to cool themselves off. Bulldogs have a very short nose, they cannot cool themselves as other dogs do. Because of this, they are prone to overheating. Make sure that your dog is not left outside or in a car anytime when the temperature reaches past 80 degrees. Provide access to air conditioning and/or shade at all times during the summer months. If taking your dog on a walk, be sure to do so in the early morning or during the evenings to avoid the strong sun.
4. Watch for signs of bloat. A bulldog has a massive and deep chest which makes it susceptible to Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV) or, more commonly, bloat. When this happens, the stomach fills up with air and then twists, causing the blood supply to be pinched off. Prevent this life-threatening problem by feeding two small meals a day rather than one large meal. Ensure that your bulldog eats slowly, rather than gulping down his food. Allow ample time to rest after eating before provoking activity. Do not allow him to run immediately after eating.
5. Apply topical flea and tick prevention, and heartworm prevention as prescribed by your vet.
Apply topical flea and tick medications and keep your bulldog up to date on all of his vaccines. Train him early as a puppy in basic training, as he gets older he will be harder to handle. According to the Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network, you should educate yourself on all of the health problems inherent in bulldogs including "...elongated soft palate, small trachea, allergies, dermatitis, demodetic mange, eye lid anomalies, hip dysplasia and heart problems."
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