HOME                                         Choosing a Bulldog as your Pet !                     By Vicky Collins

                                                    Choosing a Bulldog as your Pet !                     By Vicky Collins

            Bulldog’s are in the Kennel Clubs Utility Group , basically the Companion dogs and dogs that don’t fit into the other 6 groups, and that’s what they excel at being your best  friend… They are extremely loyal, protective if needs   be, and really enjoy human company.

            Before choosing the Bulldog as your pet , ask yourself if your lifestyle would suit a bulldog , i.e. if you  like trekking up hills for miles everyday this breed is not for you…some bulldogs are extremely athletic but others just enjoy a  regular walk around the park or  down the road, make no mistake they do love and need regular exercise to tone them up.They should be hard and muscular not flabby  and fat, this will help insure your friend reaches an old age…..no over feeding!

They don’t like spending hours alone especially when young, chewing from boredom is the likely result of this ,just like any other puppy. They don’t enjoy  going into Boarding  Kennels and many are not keen on taking them so if you like going away a lot  train your bulldog to sleep in a crate , mine have been welcome in many hotels  , they are  a great  talking point and friend maker!

Breed Specific Care

       Because of the creases on the face in this breed these need daily care and can soon become sore if neglected, tails should be straight but are  more often screwed and tight , these need cleaning and creaming  to be comfortable, walking on the pavements will  keep the nails short without clipping but if walked on grass they can soon become long and splay the feet.

Where to find one ?

When you have made up your mind  to get a bulldog , start by looking to join your nearest Breed club, a full list can be obtained from the Kennel Club or from the Breed council website  www.bulldogbreedcouncil.co.uk  most clubs hold regular shows where you can meet breeders and exhibitors, find out more about the breed ,try not to buy from weekly bargin papers as  there are many crossbreeders claiming to breed healthy bulldogs and these ofcourse cannot be registered as  Bulldogs  however they are just as costly and temperament may be not as a stable.Read  as much as you can about the breed ,books are avalible from Our Dogs publications or Amazon Books on the   www.

Buying the puppy

 When choosing your puppy look at the nostrils ideally they should be wide not pinched   without too much overhanging nose roll this makes for unrestricted breathing,and soreness underneath is avoided,too many wrinkles although attractive can be a long term care issue . Meet the mother of the puppy  and see she is of good temperament, choose the outgoing puppy who  has been properly socialised in a home environment .

Considerations

Bulldogs     belong to a group of dogs called  Brachycephalic ,  ie short nosed, if  this head shape appeals to you there are special needs to consider..  these dogs may  have problems in  hot weather., as can others with  this type of face. They are also  not a novice dog to breed , many problems and heartaches  can occur ,and pedigrees should be studied  to avoid problems caring breeders have been trying to eliminate,advice and a mentor is recommended .

  Living with a bulldog

This is  like no other dog, once  you have they are part of you, you can never go anywhere in a hurry with one, everyone likes to talk to us about our ’National Breed’, however they are in danger of being  overbred  as a’ designer dog’ and this is reflected in the prices being sort.

 If you were to ask me the worst personality trait of a Bulldog I would tell you Possesiveness, over toys food and definitely over their favourite person , especially in a multi bulldog home, bitches  can be worse than dogs  at fighting amongst themselves , however  they mix well with other breeds and adore childen, the only reservation I have about that  is that when young they are a’ puppy dog’ and can be extremely   boisterious  knocking toddlers flying! The couch potato image comes with maturity !! Bulldogs generally are not big on barking…..but they do moult all year round in our centrally heated homes !! Very few Bulldogs do obedience as I would say they are rather stubborn and like to do things in their own time

Rescue Bulldogs

 We have an active Bulldog Rescue/Rehoming service here in the Uk  :website   http://www.bulldogrescue.co.uk or telephone…Tania Holmes 01730 815422…,yes they do end up in rescue  , surprisingly..

You can get advice by phone 01773711172 or e mail me    vicky@keziabulldogs.co.uk