Are You a Bulldog Person?

Lets look at the answers to these questions, one at a time:

1. You can work and own a dog, but you will need to plan some time during the day to take care of his needs. Your Bulldog will need quality time spent with you, just like a child. He must be fed on a regular schedule and exercised several times a day. He needs to be hugged and loved, and he will enjoy accompanying you wherever he can. You must work with him to have an obedient dog who has good manners. Your dog should have at least two good outings a day, and that means a walk or a good run in the morning and again in the evening. Walks should be on lead and runs should be in your fenced yard or another securely enclosed area; never let your Bulldog out loose to run the neighborhood.

2. Do you have a fenced-in yard? A yard should give you enough space to play with your dog, to throw a ball and for your dog to run with it. And remember, it is your responsibility to keep the yard clean of feces. Further, when out walking your dog, it is essential to carry a plastic bag or two to pick up droppings. These can be easily discarded in a handy trash receptacle on your way home.

3. Are you interested in a dog that will be with you, sitting next to you, following you around the house? The Bulldog is not a dog that you can leave alone for hours in the yard and expect him to be content. He is a companion dog, meaning that he expects and needs your companionship and attention.

4. Have you owned a dog previously? This will give you a good idea of what a dog expects from you and what you must do for your dog. All dogs need lessons in manners. The Bulldog is a smart dog, and he likes his owner to be at least as smart as he is!

5. The Bulldog, like many other breeds, is excellent with children, but he needs to be taught how to treat his new young family members, just as the kids must be taught how to treat their dog. They cannot ride on his back, pick him up and drop him, pull his ears or otherwise handle him roughly. When the puppy is brought home, the children must be taught how to pick him up and hold him properly, just as they would be taught with a new baby brother or sister. Interactions between the dog and the kids should always be supervised.

6. Although overall grooming is minimal for this breed, a Bulldog will need to have his coat brushed on a regular basis and have his toenails trimmed, ears and eyes cleaned, wrinkles cleaned and teeth brushed. You will want to make sure that he is kept clean, healthy and smelling good. Are you willing to take the time to do this with your pet?

7. The Bulldog, as well as the Boston Terrier, the French Bulldog, the Boxer and several other breeds, is a brachycephalic breed. This means that they have flat faces, wide heads and pushed-in noses. They must have the folds of skin around their eyes and noses cleaned, often on a daily basis. In addition, they are quite susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke and must not be allowed too much time outdoors in heat and humidity. They will require more care, in both the heat and the cold, than will dogs of breeds with regular-length muzzles.

8. The Bulldog is not a guard dog! If this is what you are looking for, you may want to consider another breed, like the Doberman Pinscher or Rottweiler.

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