Bulldog Health

First, let me say that it is totally false that Bulldogs are prone to health problems. I have heard this statement made many times, some by veterinarians, and it always makes me cringe when I hear it. It is just TOTALLY FALSE! 

I have owned Bulldogs for over 25 years and I have never had one with serious chronic health problems.

It is true that some Bulldogs, just as with any breed, do have health problems. This is especially true of purebreds because of controlled breeding. However, if a breeder is consistently producing Bulldogs with health problems this is from BAD BREEDING! A reputable breeder will always give you a written guarantee against congenital health defects. This should include a reasonable amount of time for you to have your new friend examined, normally three days, and it should specify the length of time this guarantee covers, sometimes up to one year. That is always our policy at Alpha Bulldogs and we put it in writing.

Not all veterinarians are knowledgeable about treating Bulldogs and their idiosyncrasies. It is best to use a veterinarian who has experience with Bulldogs, especially for any procedure that requires anesthesia. If at all possible you should try to get a veterinarian referral from an established Bulldogger in your area. 

Bulldogs do have some special needs and do require some special care.  If you are looking for a dog you can just throw out in the yard and forget, except to provide food and water, look elsewhere! That kind of treatment will not work for a Bulldog. However, if you are looking for a loving, loyal companion who needs, craves, and enjoys the daily care you must give him, and if you enjoy having someone dependant on you in that manner, a Bulldog may be right for you.

First and foremost, let me say that Bulldogs are NOT yard dogs. Living in Florida, this is something we must be especially aware of. Bulldogs require a climate controlled environment. You must know that, to a Bulldog, heat is a killer! Our dogs have their own air conditioned and heated house. Of course, they get lots of time outside but only during appropriate times of the day. If it is at all warm we monitor them closely and bring them in before they get overheated. Heat stroke can happen quickly and suddenly with a Bulldog.

Here are some areas you need to be especially aware of with any Bulldog you are considering adding to your family.

BREATHING - The major potential problem with a mature Bulldog is airway obstruction. This can be influenced by any of the following as well some other possibilities, but is usually a combination of more than one. Tracheal Restriction: You would think that a dog with this size head and mouth would have a large and free-flowing airway, but this is often not the case. Stenotic Nares: this means the nasal openings are pinched rather than wide. Elongated Soft Palate: this involves the soft tissue at the back of the throat. Raspy, rattley, noisy breathers probably have this condition, however, a certain amount of that is expected in any Brachycephalic (smashed face) dog. Breathing difficulties are especially important in selecting a puppy as any problems will only intensify with age.

SKIN PROBLEMS - This is especially important because, although not life threatening, it can be a constant headache and a real challenge to keep under control. The best thing to do is to investigate thoroughly and avoid bloodlines that have shown any tendencies toward skin problems. Unfortunately, a couple of the more well-known and popular bloodlines in Bulldogs today have problems in this area. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to avoid them totally; no matter how good they look, how strong the pedigree, or how good the deal. The main condition to avoid is Demodex: this is commonly called "Red Mange." It is a decreased resistance to hair folicle mites. All dogs have these mites but most are not affected by them. This reduced resistance causes severe hair loss and often, in more severe cases, causes raw, weeping, lesions. This condition is hereditary and is inherited from the parents of the puppy. Again, investigate thoroughly and avoid these bloodlines as treating this condition can be very costly and is an ongoing situation.

EYE PROBLEMS - Bulldogs, as do many other breeds, sometimes have Entropian: which is the rolling in of the eyelid causing irritation to the eye. They can also have Ectropian: which is a rolling out of the eyelid leaving the eye exposed to foreign material. Another condition to be aware of is "Cherry Eye" which is the protrusion of the gland at the inner corner of the eye. Any of these eye conditions can be repaired with a very minor and relatively inexpensive surgery, but it is better to avoid them.

SKELETAL DISORDERS - I consider this and breathing problems to be the most life threatening and serious of the conditions to be concerned about. Luxating Patellas: this is a looseness of the knee joint and is potentially crippling. Dogs with this condition almost always require major and very expensive surgery to have a lengthy and active life. Avoid this condition! Hip Dysplasia: this is a structural deformity of the hip joint and like knee problems is crippling and requires major and expensive surgery. It too is to be avoided. Bulldogs do have a somewhat looser joint structure than many other breeds and this can often be misdiagnosed as a problem by those who are not as experienced with the breed. This is one area where experience is very valuable. 

As I said before, these health conditions are not rampant in the breed of Bulldogs and it is not intended that you should expect to be forced to deal with them. However, you should be aware of them and educate yourself about them. Investigate, ask questions, and avoid those bloodlines that are having these conditions occur.

We have been blessed at Alpha Bulldogs and have not experienced any abnormal health problems. I believe this is because we have been very selective about our foundation stock and what we breed to. Getting healthy, show quality Bulldogs that have great personalities is very expensive. Cheap Bulldogs are just that, CHEAP. Be sure that they will have a deficiency somewhere; either in quality, health, pedigree, or personality. If you cannot afford to make this type of investment right now you are much better off to wait and save up some more money.