Bulldogs

Bulldogs have one of the most lovable faces! The wrinkles on the Bulldog make it one of the most recognizable dog breeds. These wrinkles actually served a purpose long ago, which was to prevent the blood from the bull running into the bulldog's eyes. Sadly, Bulldogs have a dark past. The "bull"dog got his name because of his connection with bullbaiting. The first Bulldogs were noble, courageous, powerful and ferocious. Bulldogs were bred to be used in the horrible sport of bullbaiting, which started around the 13 century and was one of England's most popular sports. In bullbaiting, the bulldog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground would be the victor. It was common for a bull to maim or kill the dog, either by goring, tossing or trampling the bulldog. Fortunately, the arena sport of bullbaiting was made illegal in England in 1835. Just as the ferociousness had been bred into the Bulldog breed, it was bred out of the breed several generations later. Today, Bulldogs are a gentle and protective breed with an agreeable temperament. They are typically mild tempered and make a loyal household companion. Bulldogs make great family pets because of their tendency to form strong bonds with children. According to the American Kennel Club Registration Statistics, Bulldogs are one of the most popular breeds due to their lovable and gentle dispositions and adorable wrinkles.

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Life Expectancy - Bulldogs have short lives. Their life expectancy is about 8 years. However, some Bulldogs live 10-12 years. 

Leading Causes of Death - Cardiac related deaths, Cancer and old age are the leading causes for Bulldog deaths. 

Height and Weight - The average height of a Bulldog is 12-16 inches. The average weight is 45-55 pounds for males and 45-50 pounds for females. 

Litter - Bulldogs have an average litter of 4-5 pups. Many of them (about 80%) need caesarians because of the large heads on the puppies. 

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Every dog should be provided with food, shelter and water. It is against the law if you don't provide your dog with these basic necessities. 

One of the first things you should purchase for your new Bulldog is a collar and ID tag. You will also want to micorship your Bulldog and registered your dog with the city you live in. This way you will have a better chance of your dog being returned to you if they ever get lost or escape from your yard. 

Bulldogs also need:

• Collars - Use a soft, adjustable collar. Choke collars are never recommend because they can cause neck injuries.

• Leashes - Leashes should be 4-6 feet in length. Retractable leashes are not recommend. You should always keep your dog on a leash when you take them for walks. This will help to prevent them from getting lost and hit by vehicles, and will give you better control over your dog if it gets into a fight with another dog. 

• Bedding - Provide your Bulldog with his own special place to sleep. If your dog sleeps outside, provide them with blankets to keep them warm. Don't use bedding that your dog can chew on, such as a wicker or wood bed. Washable material is best. 

• Food bowls - You will need two food bowls for your Bulldog, one for water and one for food. You should use stainless steel food bowls. You don't want to use glass food bowls because they can break and cut your dog. You don't want to use plastic food bowls because they can harbor bacteria and because your dog can chew on the plastic. You should feed your adult Bulldog twice a day, 3 times a day if your dog is a puppy.

• Toys - Provide your Bulldog with safe toys. Don't provide puppy Bulldogs with too many toys. Over abundance can lead to boredom. Don't let your dog play with toys small enough to swallow. Bulldogs can choke to death on bones and balls more easily than other breeds because of their unusual bite. Always replace old warn out toys because they can come apart easily. Never let your Bulldog play with battery operated toys or toys that can detach easily. It's always a good idea to wash your dog's toys once a week. Use soap and water for rubber toys and wash soft toys in the washing machine. 

• Treats - Use treats to reward your Bulldog for good behavior. If you don't use treats, use should use praise. You should never use harsh punishment while training a bulldog. Bulldogs respond better to praise, so reward them lots of it.   

• Pooper Scooper - Unless you want to pick up doggy poo with a plastic bag and your hands, you will want to purchase a pooper scooper with a handle.

• Crate - Crates are traveling and sleeping, and are a great housetraining tool for Bulldog puppies. 

• Gate - Gates are good for keeping your dog from wondering off in other parts of the house. Don't use a wooden gate if you have a teething Bulldog because they will chew on it.  

• Stain and Odor Removal - This is a must if your Bulldog is not potty trained. Use ammonia free stain and odor removals.

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This is Ella. She is 2 months old. I can tell you from experience she is like a taking care of a toddler, and in some cases, she is worse than a toddler. She is a teething puppy so you can't really blame her for wanting to chew, explore and get into everything. And she does! Ella is not my dog, she is my daughter's dog. During my first day of pet sitting her I discovered that Ella likes to eat all the flowers in the yard, dig holes near the fence, chew on the garden hose and lawn furniture, and play with the lawn fixtures. In the house she likes to chew on the blinds (as shown in photo), get in the garbage, chew on electrical cords, eat the plants, pee on the floor, chew on the rugs, play with her water bowl and chew on every shoe and slipper she can find. It is imperative that you make your home and yard a safe place for your Bulldog puppy. You should puppy-proof your home before you bring your Bulldog in it.  

Ella is a puppy, she acts like a puppy and yours will too. Have patience with your new Bulldog puppy... you're going to need it! Have you ever heard the expression, "Stubborn as a Bulldog"? Bulldogs can be stubborn, so you will have to be consistent when training it. Bulldogs rank 78 out of 80 in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, holding the lowest degree of working/obedience intelligence. Bulldogs are independent, smart dogs who do not blossom under harsh punishment. They respond best in a situation when trust has been established, so it's important that you build a trusting relationship with your Bulldog. Focus on praise rather than punishment. 

Oh, and I also discovered that a Bulldog snores, loud. So if you don't want to listen to snoring for the next 10 years, don't have your Bulldog sleep in or near your bedroom.  

Keys to Successful Housetraining:

• Patience
• Reward
• Attention
• Containment
• Scheduling

Instead of using harsh punishment when your Bulldog puppy goes to the bathroom inside the house, reward them when they go to the bathroom where they are supposed to. It is important to reward your Bulldog for good behavior. 

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Bulldogs should be brushed 1-3 times a week. If you brush your dog often, you will have to bath them less frequently. However, the Bulldog's wrinkles do need frequent cleaning because they can collect dirt, which can cause irritation. When you bath your dog be sure to check for sores and growths.  

Grooming Supply List

• Brush 
• Shampoo
• Nail clippers (styptic powder in case you cut the nails too short) 
• Toothbrush and toothpaste (use canine toothpaste, not toothpaste humans use)
• Grooming scissors
• Thinning scissors for shaping and thinning the coat

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Just as you would prepare an emergency and disaster kit for your family, you should prepare one for your Bulldog too, especially if your Bulldog takes medication or is a special needs dog.

Here are a few things you may want to including in your pet's emergency and disaster kit:

• 2-week supply of food
• Water and water bottle or bowl
• Blankets
• Carrier
• Medications
• Grooming supplies 
• Medical supplies
• Toys
• Proof of ownership
• Life vest if you are in a flood area

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