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Before you adopt a Bulldog...

A Bulldog may not be the right choice for every family. Living with a Bulldog can be very rewarding, but you must be committed to meeting the Bulldog's particular needs.

Some things to consider:

Bulldogs are perpetual children: they never grow up. A Bulldog does best in a loving environment, free from fear and neglect. They are happiest when with people and require lots of attention from people. When left alone, Bulldogs can be very destructive. They may chew throughout their lifetimes. They may need to be crated when they are not being supervised. A Bulldog should never be left unattended in your backyard. Not only is it dangerous to your Bulldog's wellbeing, but Bulldogs are often targeted for theft.

Possible Health Problems

Bulldogs have numerous known genetic defects and are subject to various illnesses that affect many breeds. Common Bulldog health problems you may encounter include: elongated soft palate, small trachea, allergies, dermatitis, demodetic mange, eye lid anomalies, hip dysplasia and heart problems. Some of them have a tendency toward self-mutilation (especially if they have itchy skin), so owners should watch carefully for signs of skin irritation and scratching. If you are adopting an older dog, many of these conditions will already have been identified.

Twenty-four hour care by a qualified veterinarian must be available. Since not all veterinarians are knowledgeable about the health problems Bulldogs may have, you should consult experienced Bulldog owners or the rescue to find a capable veterinarian. Any veterinarian who will be doing surgery on your Bulldog should have previous experience with putting Bulldogs under anesthesia.

Danger of Overheating

Bulldogs are extremely intolerant of heat. They must be kept in an air-conditioned area with limited trips outside when the outside temperature is over 80 degrees or the humidity is high. Close supervision is required during outside activity, especially in spring and summer to prevent over-exertion leading to over-heating. They also are not usually capable of prolonged physical activity whether the temperature is very warm or cold: a Bulldog is not for someone who enjoys taking a dog for long walks through the countryside.

After Adoption

Although all Bulldogs that we place are subjected to a thorough veterinary examination and are evaluated for soundness of temperament, we do not guarantee that they will not have any problems in their new homes. In fact, a period of adjustment is expected during which the Bulldog and the new owner will be getting acquainted with each other, and the Bulldog will be "settling in" to a new routine.

If we have any doubts about a Bulldog's ability to deal with certain situations, we put restrictions on the type of home in which it will be placed (for example, by requiring no young children and/or no other pets.) We also provide guidelines for the new owners to ensure that they are aware of any special treatment the Bulldog may require. With the application of a little common sense in following the guidelines, new owners will find the transition into owning a rescue Bulldog to be relatively simple.

"The Importance of Temperament"

When selecting a pet, the most important breed characteristic to consider by far is its temperament or disposition. Failure to thoroughly investigate temperament is the biggest mistake anyone can make in selecting a pet, especially a Bulldog.

The modern Bulldog cannot tolerate isolation. Some breeds are able to thrive on only occasional human contact, but Bulldogs simply cannot stand to be ignored. They crave attention, and they will do almost anything to get it.

To the dismay of their owners, many Bulldogs prefer to pursue the role of a lapdog. They fail to comprehend that some humans find their typical weight of 50 to 60 pounds less than comfortable on their laps.

It is nearly impossible to lavish too much love and attention on a Bulldog - and only he decides when he has had enough of it. When he has had enough loving, he will finally wander off somewhere to find peace and quiet. If you’re not a hands-on type of dog lover who enjoys close and frequent contact and a few wet kisses, a less affectionate pet may better satisfy your needs. The Bulldog’s constant craving for attention and the need to entertain humans and be entertained by them is not for everyone.

There is a limit, however, to how much strenuous physical activity a typical Bulldog can safely tolerate. Their short muzzles and narrow windpipes, relative to the size of their bodies, limits their oxygen intake and causes them to become easily winded. This can result in acute respiratory distress and sometimes death. Like it or not, most Bulldogs do not have great physical endurance. They are more like short-distance sprinters than long-distance runners. Bulldogs don’t realize this; your own common sense must prevail.

Neither do Bulldogs respond obediently to heavy-handed physical discipline. Both male and female, instinctively detest and resist violence or the threat of it. This is especially evident with regard to children. A screaming child immediately causes grave concern and routinely triggers a decidedly protective response. They seem to sense trouble, and they are likely to intervene in their own special way to end the disturbance.

Nonetheless, Bulldogs are not easily provoked by other dogs unless they are seriously threatened or attacked. A Bulldog that has been carefully bred for temperament and lovingly cared for and properly socialized from birth likes to meet other dogs and strangers. Visitors to the household are always welcomed, often enthusiastically. It never occurs to a Bulldog that other dogs and other people might be less than friendly. An intruder might even be a welcome guest, but it is difficult to say what might happen when you are away.

Modern Bulldogs are not by nature good guard dogs or attack dogs. However they are fairly reliable watchdogs. They will normally alert you to any unusual activity in the home or yard.

A common misconception is that Bulldogs are "one-man" dogs. It may sometimes seem apparent that one family member is preferred over another, but Bulldogs regard each family member as their own personal property. Bulldogs can be possessive to a fault. You don’t own them, they own you, and don’t ever forget it! If you can’t appreciate their possessive nature, you certainly will not appreciate their inherent stubbornness and determination. Training takes lots of patience, but they can be successfully trained for obedience and agility competition.

Unless they choose to behave otherwise, we don’t believe there is a more obstinate creature alive. And while a Bulldog might appear to be lazy or stupid, that’s only a facade.

Bulldog Health Awareness
Bulldogs are prone to a number of health problems. It would be next to impossible to list every possible problem; this is NOT to say that YOUR bulldog will have all these problems, just that these are fairly common problems!
Heat Stroke: Bulldogs are prone to heat stroke because they cannot pant well enough to disperse heat. Provide your dog with plenty of water and shade. Most dogs enjoy a child's wading pool during the summer months.
Facial Fold Dermatitis: Some bulldogs have heavy wrinkling above the nose; these need to be kept clean and checked often.
EYE PROBLEMS
Cherry Eye: The tear gland of the third eyelid becomes enlarged, often to the size of a marble. It would be on the inside corner of the eye.
Distichiasis: Small hairs abnormally grow on the inner surface or the edge of the eyelids.
Entropian: The lower lid margins of the eye roll inward, causing hair to rub the eye.
Ectropian: The lower lid margins of the eye roll outward, rather than inward like the entropian.
All of these conditions can be repaired with a very minor and relatively inexpensive surgery, but it is better to avoid them.

Hypo Thyroidism: An "underactive" thyroid gland; not enough thyroxin is being produced by the thyroid gland.
Pyometra: All unspayed female dogs are prone to pyometra, but the bulldog is particularly prone. Pyometra follows a heat cycle, typically within 2-4 months.
Gastric Torsion or Bloat: The stomach becomes excessively dilated with gas. As the stomach swells, it can rotate or twist on its axis.
Hip Dysplasia: The ball and socket of the hips do not fit each other well. More than 80% of bulldogs have poorly fitting hips.
Hemivertebrae: Defect in the bottom half of the vertebral body of the spinal cord.
Stenotic Nares: Pinched nostrils.
Demodex Mange: There are 2 forms of this skin disease: localized and generalized. Dogs with generalized demodex should not be bred.
Tracheal Hypoplasia: Underdeveloped trachea or windpipe.
Elongated Soft Palate: Excessive tissue in the rear of the mouth.
Autoimmune Hemolatic Anemia: Immune disease where the dog's own immune system destroys its own red blood cells.