Are bulldogs good with children?
--Yes! Bulldogs are not skittish around children, and are usually extremely patient with them. Due to a bulldogs large bulk, they are not as easily harmed by an inquisitive toddler, unlike smaller and thinner dogs. A bulldog's laid back personality also helps them to be pretty tolerant as well. We have found the English bulldog to be a perfect family pet for our home.
Do bulldogs shed?
--Bulldogs have a medium hair coat. It should be smooth and lay flat. Bulldogs are not heavy shedders, but they do shed. Shedding is easily controlled by using a de-shedding tool such as a furminator.
--Yes! Bulldogs are not skittish around children, and are usually extremely patient with them. Due to a bulldogs large bulk, they are not as easily harmed by an inquisitive toddler, unlike smaller and thinner dogs. A bulldog's laid back personality also helps them to be pretty tolerant as well. We have found the English bulldog to be a perfect family pet for our home.
Do bulldogs shed?
--Bulldogs have a medium hair coat. It should be smooth and lay flat. Bulldogs are not heavy shedders, but they do shed. Shedding is easily controlled by using a de-shedding tool such as a furminator.
Do Bulldogs Need Vitamins?
--Bulldogs, like any living thing, will benefit from having vitamin and mineral supplements, especially since with dogs you typically don't change their food frequently. When any living thing intakes the same food on a consistent basis, deficiencies will develop, so a good multi-vitamin helps fill in the gaps in your bulldogs diet and health, just like a vitamin helps you and your children to get all you need. We recommend Nuvet Labs multivitamin.
--Bulldogs, like any living thing, will benefit from having vitamin and mineral supplements, especially since with dogs you typically don't change their food frequently. When any living thing intakes the same food on a consistent basis, deficiencies will develop, so a good multi-vitamin helps fill in the gaps in your bulldogs diet and health, just like a vitamin helps you and your children to get all you need. We recommend Nuvet Labs multivitamin.
Our oldest daughter & Boots, 2010
Can Bulldogs die in the heat?
--Yes! Bulldogs can NOT tolerate heat, and MUST be kept indoors. Due to their short noses, they are not able to pant enough to cool their great bulk. This causes overheating, and can kill a bulldog left outside on a sunny day, even in temperatures as low as 70 degrees. If you are considering becoming the owner of a bulldog, please note they will need to be inside dogs. An outdoor kennel or shaded run is not sufficient for a bulldog.
Are bulldogs great for colder climates?
--No, Bulldogs can NOT tolerate extreme cold, and must be kept indoors. Again, this is due to their short noses...Their nasal passage is not long enough to warm cold air up as they breathe in, so bulldogs get very cold very quickly from breathing all the cold air. Another reason why bulldogs must be indoor pets.
--Yes! Bulldogs can NOT tolerate heat, and MUST be kept indoors. Due to their short noses, they are not able to pant enough to cool their great bulk. This causes overheating, and can kill a bulldog left outside on a sunny day, even in temperatures as low as 70 degrees. If you are considering becoming the owner of a bulldog, please note they will need to be inside dogs. An outdoor kennel or shaded run is not sufficient for a bulldog.
Are bulldogs great for colder climates?
--No, Bulldogs can NOT tolerate extreme cold, and must be kept indoors. Again, this is due to their short noses...Their nasal passage is not long enough to warm cold air up as they breathe in, so bulldogs get very cold very quickly from breathing all the cold air. Another reason why bulldogs must be indoor pets.
Louie, adopted by the Blumberg Family
Can Bulldogs swim?
--Many bulldogs enjoy splashing in water, however Bulldogs can NOT swim, especially as they grow and their shoulders and head become very large. They are too top heavy and tend to sink rapidly. Their short noses and limited breathing also cause them to become exhausted easily. All too frequently a bulldog drowns from exhaustion and over exertion trying to keep their massive head above the water. If you are considering becoming a bulldog owner and have a water feature in your yard, you will need to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of your dog.
Are Bulldogs supposed to be overweight?
--Although bulldogs should be robust in their build, they should not be obese. Most bulldogs really love food and could easily eat you out of house and home. However, bulldogs are not a particularly active breed to counteract a large calorie intake. A responsible bulldog owner will need to monitor their bulldog's food and exercise to ensure they stay at a healthy weight. To determine if your dog is obese, we recommend using the body condition score chart. Obesity in bulldogs is one of the leading causes of hip dysplaysia, heart conditions, and shortened life spans.
--Many bulldogs enjoy splashing in water, however Bulldogs can NOT swim, especially as they grow and their shoulders and head become very large. They are too top heavy and tend to sink rapidly. Their short noses and limited breathing also cause them to become exhausted easily. All too frequently a bulldog drowns from exhaustion and over exertion trying to keep their massive head above the water. If you are considering becoming a bulldog owner and have a water feature in your yard, you will need to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of your dog.
Are Bulldogs supposed to be overweight?
--Although bulldogs should be robust in their build, they should not be obese. Most bulldogs really love food and could easily eat you out of house and home. However, bulldogs are not a particularly active breed to counteract a large calorie intake. A responsible bulldog owner will need to monitor their bulldog's food and exercise to ensure they stay at a healthy weight. To determine if your dog is obese, we recommend using the body condition score chart. Obesity in bulldogs is one of the leading causes of hip dysplaysia, heart conditions, and shortened life spans.
Boisebulldogs Sugarcoated Lemondrop
example of ideal weight for bulldogs when looking top down. |
How can I tell if my bulldog is obese?
--When looking from the top down on your bulldog, you should see an hourglass shape at the waist. Only the last rib bone should be visible beneath the fat layer. Our Lemondrop's topdown picture is an example of ideal weight on a bulldog and how your bulldog should look. When looking from the side at your bulldog, the stomach should sweep up towards the hips, as Lemondrop's does (even though she has some saggy teats from her recent puppies, her weight is still ideal). The muscles should be visible under the fat layer and even in spite of having extra bulldog wrinkle skin as Lemondrop does across her shoulders, her stomach is still muscular and sweeping upwards. |
Boisebulldogs Sugarcoated Lemondrop
example of ideal weight from side, showing the stomach having a nice sweep up towards the hips, muscle layers visible under the skin. (she does have loose belly skin hanging down from a recent litter...there is no shame in a good momma feeding her babies!) |
How much should I feed my bulldog?
--Not as much as you think! Since bulldog's generally are less active than other dog breeds, contrary to some mistaken beliefs, they do NOT need a lot of calories each day. Their robust build and bulky look comes not from fat but from their thick bones and dense muscles, which is what makes them one of the smallest large breed dogs. They are the jumbo shrimp of the canine world! LOL
My adult male dogs that weigh 55lbs. eat ONLY 3 cups of kibble total in a day. Some of my lighter weight females that enjoy running back and forth...and back and forth... can also eat 3 cups in a day and only weigh 40lbs. They are more active and have a faster metabolism. Some of my adults who weigh 50lbs, such as Lemondrop pictured above, only need 1.75 cups of food total in a day or she becomes obese! I kid you not, that big girl Lemondrop only eats 1.75 cups of food each day and is still that thick. On average, the majority of my adult bulldogs eat 2 cups of premium dog kibble one time a day and are at their ideal weight and body score.
We always recommend using a measuring cup when feeding your dog so you can know exactly the amount you are giving them and can see what their weight is with the type of and amount of food you are feeding, their individual activity level, and their metabolism. Your bulldog's food and caloric intake needs can vary as much as we all do from one another. Seriously, I even look at a croissant and I gain 2 pounds. My husband eats a Costco box of croissants and is skinny. Makes me sick, but that's metabolism for you. It is also metabolism for your bulldog, too.
Puppies under 15 months generally will need more food than adults, as their bodies are growing larger as well as developing muscle, and their activity level is usually higher than adult bulldogs. When I have teenaged puppies they will eat 4 or more cups in a day, depending on their individual metabolism and activity level. Again, if you find your growing puppy that is 15 months or younger looks skinny, increase by 1/2 cup of food for a few days and reevaluate. If your growing puppy is looking a little plump (they should look like the body condition score chart too) then cut back a little. Even little human children can become overweight (yeah, that was me too...) and need to cut back calories to be within a healthy weight while growing.
--Not as much as you think! Since bulldog's generally are less active than other dog breeds, contrary to some mistaken beliefs, they do NOT need a lot of calories each day. Their robust build and bulky look comes not from fat but from their thick bones and dense muscles, which is what makes them one of the smallest large breed dogs. They are the jumbo shrimp of the canine world! LOL
My adult male dogs that weigh 55lbs. eat ONLY 3 cups of kibble total in a day. Some of my lighter weight females that enjoy running back and forth...and back and forth... can also eat 3 cups in a day and only weigh 40lbs. They are more active and have a faster metabolism. Some of my adults who weigh 50lbs, such as Lemondrop pictured above, only need 1.75 cups of food total in a day or she becomes obese! I kid you not, that big girl Lemondrop only eats 1.75 cups of food each day and is still that thick. On average, the majority of my adult bulldogs eat 2 cups of premium dog kibble one time a day and are at their ideal weight and body score.
We always recommend using a measuring cup when feeding your dog so you can know exactly the amount you are giving them and can see what their weight is with the type of and amount of food you are feeding, their individual activity level, and their metabolism. Your bulldog's food and caloric intake needs can vary as much as we all do from one another. Seriously, I even look at a croissant and I gain 2 pounds. My husband eats a Costco box of croissants and is skinny. Makes me sick, but that's metabolism for you. It is also metabolism for your bulldog, too.
Puppies under 15 months generally will need more food than adults, as their bodies are growing larger as well as developing muscle, and their activity level is usually higher than adult bulldogs. When I have teenaged puppies they will eat 4 or more cups in a day, depending on their individual metabolism and activity level. Again, if you find your growing puppy that is 15 months or younger looks skinny, increase by 1/2 cup of food for a few days and reevaluate. If your growing puppy is looking a little plump (they should look like the body condition score chart too) then cut back a little. Even little human children can become overweight (yeah, that was me too...) and need to cut back calories to be within a healthy weight while growing.
How often do I need to bathe my Bulldog?
--Due to the heavy wrinkles that characterize the English Bulldog, some bulldogs will require skin fold care. This could be as simple as a brief periodic wiping of the creases in the face, or a more complex routine that may require washing and applying of powders to absorb moisture in the creases. The amount of care each bulldog may need will vary by each dog. As for regular bathing, my dogs usually get a bath every 2 to 4 weeks. Some of them love it, some of them not so much! They are all good for me in the bath tub though :)
How common is the condition 'Cherry Eye' in Bulldogs?
--Cherry eye is fairly common to bulldogs as well as other snub nosed dog breeds. If a dog has a 'cherry eye' it is actually a prolapse of the third eyelid gland from the lower eye lid. Normally, this inner gland is held in place by a connective tissue. Since bulldogs have such short noses, the connective tissue that would normally hold the gland in place is longer and allows the gland to slip out, especially if the dog is rough housing and shaking it's head. Cherry eye, although it looks a little shocking, is not life threatening and is easily treatable. However, if left untreated it can cause eye infections that could eventually compromise the health of the eyeball. It is easily correctable, and frequently dog owners can successfully 'roll' the inner eyelid gland back into place, as shown on this youtube video.
--Due to the heavy wrinkles that characterize the English Bulldog, some bulldogs will require skin fold care. This could be as simple as a brief periodic wiping of the creases in the face, or a more complex routine that may require washing and applying of powders to absorb moisture in the creases. The amount of care each bulldog may need will vary by each dog. As for regular bathing, my dogs usually get a bath every 2 to 4 weeks. Some of them love it, some of them not so much! They are all good for me in the bath tub though :)
How common is the condition 'Cherry Eye' in Bulldogs?
--Cherry eye is fairly common to bulldogs as well as other snub nosed dog breeds. If a dog has a 'cherry eye' it is actually a prolapse of the third eyelid gland from the lower eye lid. Normally, this inner gland is held in place by a connective tissue. Since bulldogs have such short noses, the connective tissue that would normally hold the gland in place is longer and allows the gland to slip out, especially if the dog is rough housing and shaking it's head. Cherry eye, although it looks a little shocking, is not life threatening and is easily treatable. However, if left untreated it can cause eye infections that could eventually compromise the health of the eyeball. It is easily correctable, and frequently dog owners can successfully 'roll' the inner eyelid gland back into place, as shown on this youtube video.
Are Bulldogs chewers?
--All puppies chew, it helps their teeth come in. Bulldogs do enjoy a good bone, however they typically outgrow the annoying chew on everything phases some other dog breeds exhibit. Bulldogs can not have rawhides, it makes them choke because they try to eat them whole as soon as the rawhide softens up. You can give your bulldogs nylabone or kong chew toys, they love them!
Do bulldogs snore?
--Yes, they do! It's not super loud but it is super cute. We love to hear them snore, it puts us right to sleep.
--All puppies chew, it helps their teeth come in. Bulldogs do enjoy a good bone, however they typically outgrow the annoying chew on everything phases some other dog breeds exhibit. Bulldogs can not have rawhides, it makes them choke because they try to eat them whole as soon as the rawhide softens up. You can give your bulldogs nylabone or kong chew toys, they love them!
Do bulldogs snore?
--Yes, they do! It's not super loud but it is super cute. We love to hear them snore, it puts us right to sleep.
Boise Bulldogs "Sparta" Feb 2011
Why do Bulldogs cost so much?
--There are many elements to breeding dogs, from the cost of purchasing the dogs, to veterinarian fees for c-sections and artificial inseminations, to stud fees and overnight shipping of semen, quality dog food and general cost of upkeep, and on and on... People who breed dogs are not rolling in the bucks, although there is some profit to be made, it is not without a lot of hard work and caregiving. On average, if I were to 'pay' myself an hourly wage for the 8 weeks we have new puppies in our home, the pay rate would be $5.50 an hour for a job that demands 24 hours a day on call performance (assuming all goes perfectly). Bulldogs cost a lot to buy because they cost a lot and demand a lot to breed. An honest dog breeder is not in business because it is an easy job, but because they love the breed and the joy it brings the families that adopt the puppies.
Are bulldogs gassy?
--Just like your diet, it depends on the type of food your dog is eating. Always choose a dog food that has a meat as the first ingredient, and avoid dog foods with corn and/or wheat as one of the first 3 main ingredients, or better yet, avoid corn and wheat completely, unless you are using an organic food. Always read your dog food's list of ingredients, even if it is one you buy all the time, as manufacturers change their recipes from time to time. Just because it is sold for a high price in a fancy store, or even recommended by your vet (I think Hill's Science Diet is trash.... yet it is in every vet office....) does not mean it is the best food for your bulldog to eat. Many people are finding great benefits from feeding a raw food diet. If you can do that, it is great for dogs! They are naturally predators who would be eating raw dead things... so give them what their bodies were made to have! You probably won't have any gas issues if you do. But I get it, raw food is not for everyone (Me for example). So look for a high quality, organic dog food for your furry friend's best health.
What is with the crusty nose some bulldogs get?
--Brachycephalic dogs (the fancy word for snub nosed dogs) tend to be more prone to developing a dried out nose, frequently called hyperkeratosis . At times, a dried out nose can be an indication of dehydration, allergies, or other health concerns, but for an English bully, it is usually just part of the package. It is easily and inexpensively correctable at home by applying a small amount of coconut oil onto the nose daily until it is soft and moist again, then staying on top of it by weekly applications. There are expensive and fancy 'nose butters' for your dog you can buy, but I personally feel the less ingredients my dog eats the better, and just stick to the coconut oil!
--There are many elements to breeding dogs, from the cost of purchasing the dogs, to veterinarian fees for c-sections and artificial inseminations, to stud fees and overnight shipping of semen, quality dog food and general cost of upkeep, and on and on... People who breed dogs are not rolling in the bucks, although there is some profit to be made, it is not without a lot of hard work and caregiving. On average, if I were to 'pay' myself an hourly wage for the 8 weeks we have new puppies in our home, the pay rate would be $5.50 an hour for a job that demands 24 hours a day on call performance (assuming all goes perfectly). Bulldogs cost a lot to buy because they cost a lot and demand a lot to breed. An honest dog breeder is not in business because it is an easy job, but because they love the breed and the joy it brings the families that adopt the puppies.
Are bulldogs gassy?
--Just like your diet, it depends on the type of food your dog is eating. Always choose a dog food that has a meat as the first ingredient, and avoid dog foods with corn and/or wheat as one of the first 3 main ingredients, or better yet, avoid corn and wheat completely, unless you are using an organic food. Always read your dog food's list of ingredients, even if it is one you buy all the time, as manufacturers change their recipes from time to time. Just because it is sold for a high price in a fancy store, or even recommended by your vet (I think Hill's Science Diet is trash.... yet it is in every vet office....) does not mean it is the best food for your bulldog to eat. Many people are finding great benefits from feeding a raw food diet. If you can do that, it is great for dogs! They are naturally predators who would be eating raw dead things... so give them what their bodies were made to have! You probably won't have any gas issues if you do. But I get it, raw food is not for everyone (Me for example). So look for a high quality, organic dog food for your furry friend's best health.
What is with the crusty nose some bulldogs get?
--Brachycephalic dogs (the fancy word for snub nosed dogs) tend to be more prone to developing a dried out nose, frequently called hyperkeratosis . At times, a dried out nose can be an indication of dehydration, allergies, or other health concerns, but for an English bully, it is usually just part of the package. It is easily and inexpensively correctable at home by applying a small amount of coconut oil onto the nose daily until it is soft and moist again, then staying on top of it by weekly applications. There are expensive and fancy 'nose butters' for your dog you can buy, but I personally feel the less ingredients my dog eats the better, and just stick to the coconut oil!
