5 Things To Know About Your Bulldog
While Bulldogs are some of the most recognizable canines on the planet, they are also quite a mysterious breed. Their signature looks and characteristics also bring about a lot of questions of how to best care for/deal with/manage/solve many of the issues that Bulldog owners are constantly presented with.
So, the more you know about your Bulldog, the better equipped you will be to provide a happy and healthy environment for them.
Here are 5 things you should know about your Bulldog...
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1. Bulldogs Are Incredibly Social and Strongly Seek Companionship
While the perception of many is that Bulldogs are lazy and sleep all the time, they are actually very social and crave your attention. If you are looking for a loving, loyal dog that will follow you around and be your biggest fan, a Bulldog is an excellent choice!
Since Bulldogs are highly social, they seek frequent interactions with you. Whether it's playing, walking, or just laying on the couch together, a Bulldog will be your perpetual shadow and side-kick.
However, if your are constantly away from home and need a very independent dog, please don't choose a Bulldog to be part of your family. They will become very unhappy, lonely, and display destructive behaviors.
Bottom line...owning a Bulldog is a privilege. If you are not willing to spend hours each day with yours, please do not consider bringing one home. Successful relationships are a two-way street and require effort and energy from all involved. A Bulldog will do their part, will you do yours?
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2. Bulldogs Need Constant Mental Stimulation
Your Bulldog is intelligent and loves to learn. Sure, they can be stubborn and seem indifferent to your desire to teach them new things. But, they actually crave mental challenges and are happier when they get to use their brain. Without this stimulation, they will quickly get bored, even depressed, and begin to behave badly.
Look them in they eye, speak to them lovingly and directly, praise them, play games with them, reward them. Constantly teach them and show them new things. A stimulated Bulldog is a happy Bulldog!
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3. Bulldogs Remain Young-At-Heart Most Of Their Lives
As humans age, many lose their sense of happiness, love of laughter, and forget the excitement of discovering and learning new things. Thank goodness your Bulldog is not human! In fact, most Bulldogs are the complete opposite of this.
Even full-grown, older Bulldogs are still young-at-heart. They are natural-born comedians who love life and are always looking to make you smile. The "little things" in life to us are not so little to them and will continue to excite them and bring them joy all throughout their lives.
This level of curiosity and engagement does not decrease, even if their energy-level does. Just because your Bulldog may not be as physically active as he/she once was does not mean they don't look at each day with bright and optimistic eyes.
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4. Pay Attention, Bulldogs Are Excellent Communicators
Bulldogs have many ways to communicate, and we can learn something from each method they exhibit.
Wagging their nubby tail means they are happy and engaged. Jumping and rolling means they want to play. A low and constant grunt/purr means they are content. Snoring, even while they are sitting up, means they are ready for a nap. Wheezing means they have had enough exercise. Growling means they feel threatened. Barking means they want something, are surprised, or feel they need to protect you. Constant burping and farting may be revealing that they have an allergy to their food.
These are just a few ways Bulldogs communicate with us, both consciously and subconsciously. This is how they express their feelings and warn us of potential issues. Pay attention, and react accordingly.
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5. Bulldogs Are Prone to Torn ACLs
No other dog looks like a Bulldog. Their large heads, barrel-chests, and short legs are part of their signature looks. However, these looks and traits can be caused by genetic and structural conditions such as Chondrodysplasia.
"Chondro" means cartilage and "dysplasia" refers to abnormal growth, which makes your Bulldogs’ more susceptible to joint and ligament injury...specifically the ACL.
A torn ACL is very painful and possibly even debilitating for a Bulldog, not to mention very expensive to surgically repair.
So, please be very careful allowing your Bulldog to jump off your bed, couch, the stairs, etc. What may be easy and normal for other dog breeds can be dangerous for your Bulldog. Also, make sure they maintain a proper weight, as obesity puts extra pressure and stress on the joins and ligament. Proper exercise is fantastic, but avoid activities that involve a lot of jumping or running on uneven surfaces.
While your Bulldog is very strong, they can also be pretty fragile. Please choose their activities wisely to help protect them from this common injury.
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We hope you picked up some new and useful information about your Bulldog, today!
If you'd like to learn more about Bulldogs, please visit The BDAWG Blog, presented by Bulldog Grade.