Bulldog dog breed

Ask the breeder which dog food they have been feeding your Bulldog puppy, you should continue to feed your dog this food when you take it home. Do not change the food brand or type quickly as it will cause an upset tummy.

To change the food, add small amounts of the new food to the old food, gradually removing some of the old and replacing with some of the new.

A Bulldog puppy should be fed three to four times a day, reducing the times and increasing the amount per portion as they get older. An adult Bulldog should look to be fed one to two times a day. Splitting the food into two meals will keep your Bulldog feeling satisfied for longer.

Bulldogs are chunky by design, but don’t give them the chance to tip over the scales. Make sure you weigh their dog food, using the guidelines on the back of the food packaging.

Nutritional content is also available on the packaging; speak to your vet if you are unsure of the nutrients you need to keep your Bulldog healthy.

Bulldog grooming needs are fairly minimal; they do shed but not as much as other breeds. Brushing your dog once a week will help to remove loose hairs.

You should bathe your English Bulldog at least once a month to keep their coat clean and skin healthy. Clean their face and ears with a damp cloth but not with dog shampoo, to avoid causing any irritation.

Check your dog’s eyes and ears regularly for signs of infection, including redness or inflammation.

Your dog will need their claws trimming every three to four weeks. If left too long they can curl around and dig into the paw, causing pain and an infection. You can learn to cut the nails yourself or take your dog to a groomer or your vet. When cutting nails be careful of the quick (the centre of the nail), as it has nerves and blood vessels within it.

Walking your dog is the best form of exercise. Your English Bulldog will need about 30 minutes of exercise daily; it's best to split this time into two shorter walks, especially in hot weather conditions. This will prevent your dog from getting too hot. Playing games with your dog is another great form of exercise and will mentally stimulate them.

Bulldogs are obedient and learn quickly. They're food driven so use treats as a reward to help with the training. You will have greater success if you start teaching your dog from a young age. Most breeders will have started toilet training your English Bulldog training as a puppy, but this is usually done with puppy pads. To continue this on to house training, give your dog lots of chances to go to the toilet outside. Every time they head towards the puppy pad, let them go out or take them out. You may have more success if you put a puppy pad outside to start with. For more training tips, you can attend training classes.

Eye problems are common in this Bulldogs. Distichiasis is where extra eyelashes grow too close to the cornea, causing irritation and pain. A prolapsed nictitans gland is where the edge of the gland protrudes as a red mass in the corner of the eye.

Entropion is when part or all of the eyelid rolls inward. Ectropion is when the eyelid rolls out, the most common form being a sagging of the lower lid. These conditions can affect one or both eyes and upper or lower lids in English Bulldogs. If the eyelid rolls inwards, the eyelashes can rub against the eye and cause painful scratches. This can lead to ulcers and blindness if left untreated.

Generally, these are inherited conditions, but they can also be caused by eye irritations. Both conditions will need surgery to fix the problem, and English Bulldog health insurance can help cover the cost.

Dystocia refers to a difficulty giving birth, which can cause health problems and possibly death for both the mother and the puppies. Bulldogs suffering from dystocia need medical therapy from a vet, and in some cases, a caesarean section is needed to deliver the puppies.

This condition is common in short nosed or brachycephalic breeds. The nose and throat are made up of tissues; short nosed dogs have the same amount of tissue but in a smaller space. The tissues are squashed causing folds and wrinkles, which obstruct the airways making it difficult for them to breathe. First signs of the condition include noisy breathing, loud snoring, and reluctance or inability to exercise due to the increased demand for oxygen. Overweight dogs are more at risk of this condition. To treat the problem, surgical removal of some of the tissue is needed to clear the airway.