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Blackhawk Bulldogs
All about the English Bulldog
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HomeExercise Requirements: 20-40 minutes/day
Energy Level: Laid back
Longevity Range: 8-10 yrs.
Tendency to Drool: High Tendency to Snore: High
Tendency to Bark: Low
Tendency to Dig: Low
Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
Coat: Length: Short
Characteristics: Straight
Overall Grooming Needs: Regular cleaning of the face and ears will keep the Bulldog healthy and looking good. Having handy pet wipes at the ready will make this daily process a breeze. Their nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Skin fold should be cleaned regularly to avoid infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.
The English Bulldog
The English bulldog is a brawny little powerhouse whose characteristic crablike waddle exudes great strength, stability and vigor.
The dog's head is large and spherical, and the muzzle is extremely short, giving the face a flattened appearance. The English bulldog's eyes are dark and set low and wide on the forehead in the frontal plane. The nose is black and slightly upturned. The jaws (or "chops") are massive, broad and undershot. The lower jaw juts out in front of the upper jaw to scarcely expose the lower incisors, producing a comical grin. The lips are fleshy and pendulous. The cheeks are well rounded and protrude sideways. The ears are thin, small and angle forward like flaps that frame the forehead.
The English bulldog's neck is short and thick; the shoulders are massive, muscular and broad. The chest is deep and full, and the back is barreled and slightly arched. His rounded hips protrude slightly above the level of the back. The stubby tail is thick and either straight or screwed. His short, stocky legs have great muscle definition. They are splayed out and slightly bowed at the elbows and hocks to form a sturdy, base-wide stance.
The English bulldog stands about 16 inches tall. The female weighs about 50 pounds (23 kilograms), and the male weighs about 54 pounds (24 kilograms).
The English bulldog's skin is loose and pendant with heavy wrinkles and thick folds on the face and a dewlap hanging from the throat. The coat is short and fine textured. The various color patterns are brindle, piebald, and solid white, red, fawn or fallow.
Personality: The English bulldog has a sweet, gentle disposition. Dependable and predictable, the bulldog is a wonderful family pet and loving to most children. People-oriented as a breed, they actively solicit human attention. However, they have retained the courage that was originally bred into them for bull baiting, so they make fine watchdogs. Although they generally get along well with other family pets, English bulldogs can be aggressive to unfamiliar dogs.
Living With: English bulldogs make fine apartment pets and do not require a yard. Typically low-endurance dogs, they need only a moderate amount of exercise. They thrive best in temperate climates; they readily overheat and have breathing difficulties in hot weather, and they chill easily in cold temperatures.
Generally loud breathers, English bulldogs tend to snore and wheeze. Many drool as well. They are moderate shedders and their short coats require little grooming. However, the wrinkles on the face should be wiped regularly to prevent skin infections.
History: Named for its use in the sport of bull baiting, the English bulldog seems to have originated in the British Isles sometime prior to the 13th century. One of the few references to the sport dates back to 1209, and talks about a butcher's dogs that chased a bull through the English town of Stamford. This pursuit so pleased the earl of the town that he inaugurated bull baiting as a sport in his domain.
Today, the English bulldog makes a fine family pet. The AKC recognizes the breed simply as the bulldog.
Bone and Joint Problems
Over the years, Bulldogs have been bred to have an abnormal build, but this build is actually a structural defect, known as chondrodysplasia. This defect causes a range of problems with bones and joints. One of the biggest issues is hip dysplasia. Roughly 75 percent of all English Bulldogs have been found to have hip dysplasia, according to the Orthopedic Foundation of America. However, this figure is likely to be higher, as x-rays which clearly showed evidence of dysplasia wouldn’t be sent off for further evaluation. For proper bone and joint support we recommend the following two products: Dasuquin w/MSM and Cosequin Double Strength Chews
Many bulliepost fans know when you use those two products you are doing a great thing for your fur-babies long term bone and joint health.
Breathing Issues
Due to the short length of their muzzles, all English Bulldogs suffer from brachycephalic syndrome. This is more serious in some individuals than others, but manifests itself as difficulty breathing. These dogs can’t tolerate excessive exercise, and some can’t run at all without experiencing severe shortness of breath. Owners have to be especially careful with these dogs during the summer months – keeping them in air-conditioned areas and not allowing them to overexert themselves – as they find it hard to breathe in hot weather and are more susceptible to heat stroke. Some breathing problems, such as the ones caused by common cough or allergies can be alleviated. If you baby is coughing, try out Nectadyn COUGHFree Cough Syrup. Specially formulated for your fur-baby, many have commented on its effectiveness in helping ease breathing issues due to cough and cold.
Skin Infections
Bulldogs are prone to getting bacterial skin infections, or pyoderma. The primary cause of this is down to the characteristic folds and wrinkles in their skin. The area between these wrinkles is warm and damp, making it the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent these infections, owners must have a strict grooming regime in place, thoroughly cleaning and drying these wrinkled areas every day. A great way to keep up on daily skin fold cleaning and making sure you are keeping bacteria away is with DermaPet MalAcetic Wet Wipes/Dry Bath . These premoistened, unit-dosed medicated wipes can be used on feet, faces, tails, anals, skin folds, ears, and around eyes to spot-clean and deodorize any pet.
Eye Problems
Another casualty of Bulldogs’ wrinkled, droopy skin is their eyes. Members of this breed are prone to a number of different eye issues including entropion (the inward rolling of the eyelid), ectropion (the outward sagging of the eyelid), distichiasis (where extra eyelashes grow inside the eye rim and cause irritation), corneal ulcers (ulcers on the eyeball), and conjunctivitis (an inflammation of part of the eye, caused by infection or irritation). Not much can be done to prevent these eye issues, but regular veterinary check-ups can catch any problems before they become too serious. If the issue is less severe but still a concern such as tear staining, consider using Angels’ Eyes. Angels’ Eyes works to prevent tear staining by tying up circulating porphyrins, a compound that reacts with light to produce a reddish-brown stain to the medial canthus (the meeting spot of the upper and lower eyelids). Dry and irritated eyes can also be uncomfortable for your bullie, if that happens, a simple ointment such as Lubricant Ophthalmic Ointment can provide some instant relief from the bothersome dry and irritated eye.
Heart Disease
Various kinds of heart disease are common in English Bulldogs, including pulmonic stenosis, mitral valve disease, septal defect and subaortic stenosis. These dogs are also prone to having heart murmurs, which can have varying degrees of seriousness. Many of these heart problems are congenital, but keeping your Bulldog generally fit and healthy can reduce the risk of certain heart issues. It’s advisable to have tests, such as EKGs and ultrasounds of the heart, carried out on your pup on a semi-regular basis, to catch the early signs of any of these conditions. It is also common sense to avoid salty diets, and try to get some daily exercise even if just a short walk.
While these are the major health issues that English Bulldogs suffer from, there are other conditions which they are prone to, including tumors, allergies, head tremors, hypothyroidism and demodectic mange. As an English Bulldog owner, you should always make sure your four-legged friend gets a thorough veterinary check-up at least once a year. You should also take your dog to see the vet if you suspect he’s suffering from any medical issue.
Here are some great facts about the 4th most popular dog breed in America! Please make sure when purchasing a puppy that the breed you are picking is right for your family! This is a lifetime commitment - and not to be taken lightly!
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Jacki & Bradley Musser
McNabb, IL 61335
815-993-4320
fffotofarm@gmail.com
