Bulldogs Puppies – The Ultimate Guide
VET’s Edition for Non-VETs!
While we can all agree on English Bulldog, puppies are incredibly cute with their furrowed brow and heavy wrinkles, this is not the only reason why people breed them. Did you know that even though English Bulldogs look like well-muscled bruisers, they are actually extremely friendly, docile, and loyal?
Written by Dr. Jo
These are just some of the amazing characteristics of English Bulldogs which are probably drawing you to get an English Bulldog puppy, and what a wonderful decision it will be to add an English Bulldog or English Bulldog mix puppy to your family! It will certainly not be one that you’ll regret!
Learn how to look after your English Bulldog puppy correctly, to make sure he stays in perfect health so that he is a happy, bright, and playful English Bulldog!
How are English Bulldog puppies different to adult English Bulldogs?
Difference #1: Different Diet
English Bulldog puppies need a different diet to adult English Bulldogs to help their bones and muscles grow strong.
Difference #2: Puppy vaccinations
They are essential to make sure they build up immunity to deadly diseases.
Difference #3: Extra care
English Bulldogs are not an energetic breed, but exercising a puppy requires extra care.
Kind but courageous, friendly but dignified, the Bulldog is a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose “sourmug” face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity. These docile, loyal companions adapt well to town or country.
American Kennel Club
Difference #4: Home adjustments
You will need to make some adjustments to your house to prepare it for a new English Bulldog puppy addition.
Looking after your English Bulldog puppy from the outset will reward you in the future, as a healthy start in life will increase the chances that your English Bulldog puppy has a healthy adult life too so that he can reach the full extent of his English Bulldog lifespan.
Reading up on how to look after your English Bulldog puppy is really important to ensure you are prepared for your new family member.
Get ready to start choosing what English Bulldog name and English Bulldog color you want!
Follow our practical (and easy) steps to ensure you end up with a healthy English Bulldog puppy, who doesn’t struggle with genetic diseases and grows up to be strong and fit.
How do I make sure my home is ready for an English Bulldog puppy?
If you have not had a puppy before, you might wonder where to start with the preparations to make your home puppy friendly. There are things that need to be purchased, and alterations made, but in general, making your home puppy friendly is not difficult.
The first place to start is making sure your home is secure for an English Bulldog puppy. You might think your home is very secure, but a small English Bulldog puppy might surprise you by sneaking out a small hole under a fence which you haven’t noticed.
Ensure you check your fence is secure around your entire garden, and that your gate has both a latch and a lock. Being a pedigree breed, English Bulldogs have a financial value and so you should make sure that your back yard is suitably secure to prevent theft.
If you have a swimming pool or pond in your garden, you must ensure this is covered, as English Bulldogs are notoriously poor swimmers.
Next, if you live on a busy road, you should check that your English Bulldog puppy cannot squeeze past you at the front door. Being small, it’s easy for them to get past you unnoticed.
If you have a front garden and gate, it should be kept closed at all times, and you may wish to even place a sign on it to remind visitors to close it after them.
Indoors, you can install a stair gate to keep your English Bulldog puppy behind, to stop him from having the opportunity to squeeze past you when the door is open.
Also, when preparing your home, you need to be prepared for the toilet accidents that your English Bulldog puppy will inevitably have. If you have carpets, you may wish to restrict access to these areas when your English Bulldog puppy is not under supervision.
Or if you wish for him to have free reign of the house, you might want to invest in a carpet washing machine to help clean up the mess from his accidents.
When you go shopping for your new English Bulldog puppy, not only will you need the obvious items such as dog bowls, a collar, and a leash, but it is worth considering what sort of bed your English Bulldog will sleep on and whether you want him to sleep in a crate.
While crate training your cute English Bulldog puppy can be challenging initially, when he looks at you with those puppy eyes, getting him used to being in a crate will help you in the long run.
If suitably crate trained, your English Bulldog puppy’s crate will become their safe haven and will make traveling with them, toilet training them, or leaving them at home much less stressful in the future.
Your English Bulldog puppy will also need a comfy bed, as he should not be encouraged to sleep on your bed, no matter how tempting it might be. It does not need to be a large bed as English Bulldogs are only small.
In fact, dogs generally prefer size-appropriate beds as it helps them to feel comforted to feel the sides of the bed surround them.
How to have a healthy English Bulldog puppy: Practical (and easy) steps!
Starting out your English Bulldog puppy’s life in the healthiest way as possible will reap rewards later on in life. If your English Bulldog puppy suffers from ill-health or poor nutrition early on, it can be detrimental to his growth and future health.
Investing in pet insurance for your puppy is wise, as this will help you budget for any unexpected surprises that might come your way.
You might think there is a difference between male vs female English Bulldogs, but generally, both can be very healthy if you look after them.
If you follow these practical (and easy) steps on how to have a healthy English Bulldog puppy, your English Bulldog puppy will stand the best chance to grow up into a wonderful, healthy dog.
Step #1: Always buy a puppy from a reputable breeder
English Bulldogs are a breed that is overbred, and sometimes in horrendous conditions.
The backyard and inexperienced breeders don’t care about the health of their dogs, and often they breed dogs with genetic conditions.
English Bulldogs are brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs, which means they are prone to having breathing difficulties due to genetically small nostrils and a long soft palate.
Buying an English Bulldog puppy from a reputable breeder, who cares for their dogs, will ensure that the parents of your puppy are healthy, with minimal genetic problems, which in turn will reduce the chances that your puppy will have these problems in the future.
Step #2: Vaccinate your puppy
Vaccinations have undoubtedly saved the lives of millions of dogs around the world against devasting and deadly canine diseases. Vaccinating your puppy will ensure that he has immunity against these diseases.
Puppy vaccines involve your puppy having injections two or three times, between the ages of eight and 16 weeks old. The most common diseases vaccinated against are parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, and rabies.
Your vet may also offer vaccinations against kennel cough, leptospirosis, and coronavirus depending on the risks in your area. These vaccines are then boosted every year.
Step #3: Feed a good quality puppy food
Puppy food is absolutely essential for your puppy. Puppies require completely different nutrition from adult dogs as they are growing at a fast rate.
Muscles require protein to develop, and bones require calcium and phosphorus to grow and become strong.
Therefore, if you feed your puppy a poor-quality diet, which is not suitable for puppies, they may develop muscle and bone problems, such as a disease called rickets.
Step #4: Let your puppy exercise efficiently but not intensely
Puppy joints are still developing and hard exercise can damage them earlier in life. Damaged puppy joints can lead to early-onset arthritis later in life which is a debilitating disease.
On the other hand, lack of exercise is also not healthy for your puppy either, as the muscles and bones need exercise to develop strength. A chubby English Bulldog puppy, whilst maybe cute, is unhealthy and will put a strain on the breathing, heart, and joints.
How to care for your English Bulldog puppy: Helpful tips!
So now you know how to have a healthy puppy, what important tips can you apply to ensure that you care for your English Bulldog puppy as best you can.
Here are some helpful puppy care tips, so that your English Bulldog puppy can receive the best care possible:
Tip #1: Ask lots of questions
Before you commit to buying a specific English Bulldog puppy, the breeder loads of questions about their establishment, the parents and the puppies themselves.
Ask to see the paperwork of the parents, so that you can ensure they are pedigree dogs and don’t have any health problems.
Also ask whether the puppies have been feeding well, what they have been eating, and whether they’ve had their first vaccinations and deworming.
Ask to see both the parents as well as the puppies, and handle them as much as possible to learn what their personalities are like.
Tip #2: Find a vet you really like
Vets should become part of your family.
Like how you always go back to the same hairdresser or doctor, because they know you, your dog should always go back to the same vet, so that they know all your dog’s clinical history, and that your dog feels comfortable and confident around them.
This way, you can be sure that your English Bulldog will receive continuity in his health care.
PetMD
Tip #3: Choose a dry puppy food that is good quality
Dry dog food will help preserve your English Bulldog puppy’s teeth. English Bulldogs have notoriously poor teeth, which are clustered and catch food, leading to dental disease.
Dry Bulldogs food for puppies provides abrasion against the outsides of the teeth which helps clean them as he crunches through the kibble.
Dry dog food, however, is notoriously full of filler ingredients of a poor nutritional value, so be sure to choose a good quality one. This should have a meat protein at the top of the ingredients list, not a carbohydrate such as maize or rice.
Also, the ‘guaranteed analysis’ on the back should have a protein content of over 25%.
Finally, make sure it is specifically for puppies and not adults, as puppy diets will have more protein, calcium, and phosphorus in them to ensure healthy growth.
Tip #4: Get your English Bulldog puppy used to being handled
As you will read in our other care articles, English Bulldogs require lots of attention to keep their wrinkles, ears, eyes, nails, teeth and coat clean and healthy.
If your English Bulldog puppy isn’t used to being handled, he may wriggle and get stressed.
Not only will this not be fun for him, but it will prevent you from providing him with proper health care.
Therefore, at this early age, play with his paws and ears, and get him used to bathe. Make it a positive experience with lots of praise and treats.
Tip #5: Time his exercise
Getting the balance between too little and too much exercise can be tricky for a new puppy owner, and therefore a good rule to follow is don’t exercise your puppy for more than one minute every week they are old.
For example, if your English Bulldog puppy is 15 weeks old, he can go out for a 15-minute walk. This will protect their developing bones and joints.
Remember English Bulldogs are not very good breathers due to their short-noses, so if it is hot weather, take it easy to avoid him from overheating.
PetMD
Useful products for your English Bulldog puppy!
Check-out our detailed reviews for English Bulldogs to pick the best product for your English Bulldog. We have invested time and effort to ease your buying decision!
Product #1: Harnesses for English Bulldogs
Since you will be training your English Bulldog puppy to walk on a leash, they might pull to start off with.
This can cause damage to their delicate little necks, so it is best to use a harness that doesn’t apply pressure to the neck.
Product #2: Leashes for English Bulldogs
When training your English Bulldog puppy, you will want to be able to have him walk close to you, but still occasionally give him plenty of space to play.
Therefore, a retractable leash that can lock at a short distance, but also extend out at least 5m will be the best for him.
Product #3: Training treats for English Bulldogs
Training treats should be very small, as you will need plenty of them for teaching your English Bulldog commands.
This can take up a large number of his daily calories, and therefore small, low-calorie treats are the best.
Product #4: Crates for English Bulldogs
If you are going to crate train your English Bulldog, or simply have a crate for him to use as a den, then there are lots to choose from. It should be made from sturdy material and have good ventilation.
It shouldn’t be too big, otherwise puppies sometimes toilet in it when left alone.
Approximately 1m in length will be big enough for your English Bulldog.
You can place blankets and his favorite toys in there to make it a cozy and happy space for him.
Product #5: Beds for English Bulldogs
Your English Bulldog’s bed should not be too big, as he will appreciate the snugness that the sides provide him.
English Bulldogs can be prone to hip and back issues as they grow up, and therefore one made of quality memory foam will support his body and joints the best.
Having a removable cover is a good idea so that you can easily put it through the wash.
Frequently Asked Questions – Bulldog Puppies
There must be a reason why you’ve been drawn to English Bulldogs already. Maybe you have a friend who has one that you like, or maybe you think they’re cute. But regardless of why you want one, you must think about whether they are the right breed for you first. If you know of someone with an English Bulldog, try to spend some time with him before you commit to an English Bulldog. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a dog breed that is loyal, friendly, calm, and dignified, then an English Bulldog might be the one for you.
Finding a reputable English Bulldog breeder is essential to make sure you buy a healthy English Bulldog puppy. The best place to start is by looking at the list of breeders registered to your national Kennel Club. These breeders have to pass rigorous checklists to become registered and maintain certain standards to remain accredited. English Bulldog prices from reputable breeders are likely to be higher, so do not be fooled into buying an English Bulldog for a cheap deal.
English Bulldogs are stubborn little characters, and therefore training them is important. Once your English Bulldog puppy has had his first vaccinations, it is best to enroll him in your local puppy school. This will ensure he receives weekly training and socialization.
The best way to house-train your English Bulldog puppy is with a crate. Your puppy’s natural instincts tell him not to soil where he is sleeping, therefore when you let him out of his crate, immediately take him outside. When he toilets, give him the command that you have chosen for this. It is important that the crate is not too big, otherwise, he will sleep at one end and the toilet at the other
All puppies need deworming every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then monthly until they are six months old. After that, they can be dewormed every three to six months. This is because puppies are prone to roundworms and tapeworms, causing them to have diarrhea and stunted growth. Depending on where you live, you might also need to give monthly tick and flea preventative treatment.
Introducing your old dog to your new puppy can be a moment full of enthusiasm, or a moment that is far from that. When deciding on getting an English Bulldog male vs female, a dog of the opposite gender of your current dog is likely to get on better. Make the initial introductions outside, rather than in your current dog’s territory, and always ensure they are under supervision at first. Even though your English Bulldog puppy is very cute, you must remember to make a point of petting, saying hello, and feeding your current dog first to reinforce his status (in his eyes).
Like human babies, puppies teethe. When their teeth are erupting through the gums, or when they are losing their baby teeth for their adult teeth, they will want to chew on everything for comfort. It is impossible to stop this instinct, so instead try to redirect the chewing onto something else, like a toy of theirs.
Conclusion
Having a new English Bulldog puppy addition to your home can be both highly entertaining and extremely rewarding, however you must be ready to take on a new member of the family.
English Bulldogs are wonderful companions and so if you start off his life right with the correct puppy health care, then you are certain to have a happy, healthy puppy as he grows up.
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So, are you ready now to care for your new English Bulldog puppy?
