Bulldog tail: Want a healthy one? Just follow these EASY steps!
VET’s Edition for Non-VETs!
How to properly take care of Bulldog’s tail! When talking about Bulldogs, one of the main things that make them stand out from other breeds is their lack of a proper tail. It’s a common misconception that their tails are docked.
Edited by Dr. Jo
Bulldogs Tail Care – Why?
They are actually one of the few breeds in the world that have been bred to have almost no tail.
In this article you’ll learn:
#1 – The description of the different types of Bulldog tails.
#2 – Some of the issues Bulldog tails are prone to develop.
#3 – All about their anal glands and how to clean them.
#4 – And more interesting facts about Bulldog’s tails!
When you finish reading this article, you’ll be free of any doubt regarding those beautiful stumpy tails. Let’s get started!
Types of Bulldog tail
There are two types of accepted tails in Bulldogs:
#1 – Stumpy and straight
#2 – Stumpy and corkscrewed (but not curly)
The American Kennel Club doesn’t put a preference on the type of tail, however, the perfect tail would be ‘either straight or “screwed” (but never curved or curly).
In any case, must be short, hung low, with decided downward carriage, thick root, and fine tip.
If straight, the tail should be cylindrical and of uniform taper.
If “screwed,” the bends or kinks should be well defined, and they may be abrupt and even knotty, but no portion of the member should be elevated above the base or root.’
UFAW
Reasons for a short Bulldog tail
Historically, Bulldogs used to have much longer tails than the ones we see today.
But gradually, breeders selectively-bred their dogs to produce Bulldogs with shorter tails. Why?
Bulldogs have a dark history. They are related to the original ‘Bulldog’ breed which was used for bull-baiting and fighting several centuries ago.
This has since been banned, but selective line-breeding to create the Bulldog, led to progressively shorter tails.
While this might have originally been advantageous as the tail would not get damaged when the dog was fighting, breeders now breed Bulldogs with very short tails for cosmetic appeal.
Bulldog anal glands
Bulldog anal sacs or anal glands require a bit of attention. It is rather common that their anal glands become engorged quickly.
This is directly related to their diets and poop. When their diets are not right or if they’re having digestive issues accompanied by diarrhea or soft poop, their anal sacs will get filled.
This happens because harder poop, obtained when they have fiber-rich diets, press them naturally, and take care of the issue while they do their business.
Other reasons for their anal sacs to be filled are deformed anal glands, which can be caused by recurrent infections or mispositioning when they developed.
If you don’t pay enough attention to them, they can get full and infected, and this will cause immense pain to your dog.
How often should I clean my Bulldog anal glands?
If your dog has had anal gland issues in the past, he may need his cleaned occasionally. If that’s the case, a good rule of thumb is to do this every time he gets a bath.
So, if you stick to the recommended bath schedules, you should clean them every two to three weeks.
It’s important to note that if your dog is undergoing bowel movement issues such as diarrhea or food allergies, you’ll need to clean them on a need-to basis.
How to know if a Bulldog’s anal glands need some squeezing?
When your Bulldog starts to:
Signal #1 – Smell fishy around their derriere.
Signal #2 – Leave brownish or yellowish stains wherever they sit.
Signal #3 – And scoot their butt on the floor or walls.
Yikes!
How to express Bulldogs anal glands: Practical and easy STEPS!
Even though it’s recommended that a vet does this, you can easily do it at home if you want to, saving you at least 20 bucks per month if this is a recurrent issue. Here’s how to do it:
Step #1 – Place your fingers
Thumb and index ones on both sides of your Bulldog’s anus.
Step #2 – Swipe up and down a few centimeters while gently pressing
You should notice a little pea-sized bump on each side
Step #3 – Again
Gently, yet firmly press one inch beside each gland until you can fill them with the inner parts of your fingers
Step #4 – Squeeze gently
But remember to cover the exit with a wipe!
Step #5 – Reward!
“Who’s a good boy?” Giving your Bulldog a reward will help you to train him and even look forward to getting his wrinkles cleaned every day.
TOP TIP: Get some Grooming Wipes and do this in a splash-safe place.
This is not something most people are willing to do for their dogs, yet that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know how it’s done.
The Natural Dog Company
Other issues of Bulldog tail
There are other issues directly related to Bulldog’s tails that you must pay attention to. The most common ones are:
#1 – Hemivertebrae
Deviation in Bulldog’s tails causing nervous-system related issues. It is more common in Bulldogs with corkscrewed tails.
This results in abnormal spine shapes, trouble walking, and hind leg impairment. Typically, they wobble and scuff their toes as they walk.
Some Bulldogs are directly born with this condition and they need special care for life.
#2 – Skin-fold infections
Similar to the infections that can occur in their flat-faces, these can be caused by an excess of humidity and poor hygiene habits.
Bulldog tails can be so tight to their back, that the skin fold at their base can be hard to notice, let alone clean, leading to localized infections.
Some also have a small tail pocket, where they curl tightly over the anus. Making sure to both clean and dry the areas directly eliminates this annoying issue.
Check out the wrinkle care page, and apply the helpful steps to your Bulldog’s tail too.
Bulldog Breed Council
Useful products to treat Bulldog’s Anal glands
Aside from some gloves, an apron, and a mask (you can thank us later!), you should get two more items to help you with your Bulldog’s anal gland cleaning:
Product #1 – Grooming wipes
They are useful to clean all residues. Still, you need to get alcohol-free ones, and not human wipes. The perfect brand to get is Earthbath, specifically Earthbath’s All Natural Grooming Wipes.
They are easy to use, itch-free, and completely safe to use around sensitive areas.
Product #2 – Dog shampoo
A little bit of your good ol’ dog shampoo can be really helpful to wash away everything if they get extra dirty. The most recommended one would be from Earthbath.
Get Earthbath’s All Natural Shampoo in any of their different presentations to obtain the best itch-free results.
If your dog is allergic, there’s also a completely hypoallergenic version. Only the best for your Bulldog’s derriere!
Product #3 – Wrinkle balms
Yes, this is a thing! Wrinkle balms are lifesaving options to put on your Bulldog’s butt if it’s inflamed or if there’s a mild infection.
Natural Dog Company Wrinkle Balm is especially good because it has antifungal properties. Try it out to soothe their itchy behinds!
Frequently Asked Questions – Bulldog Tail Care
In Bulldogs that have had issues in the past with them, yes, you must do it manually. If that’s not the case, you still should check them occasionally to see if they’re full or not, or simply pay attention to the mentioned signs.
Yes! When they’re full, anal glands can get infected, inflamed, and in extremes cases, develop abscess filled with pus. This can be really painful for them!
The tail is a feature that has been selectively-bred to excess in the Bulldog breed. While this does make them cute, it results in more problems than normal, since the folds and tail pockets are bigger, and the vertebrae are malformed.
Conclusion
Bulldogs’ tails matter! Tails are often overlooked pieces of an Bulldog’s health, especially since they barely have tails!
When you realize that they can cause trouble, it’s probably already too late, which is something you can directly avoid taking care of your Bulldog’s rear-end from the beginning.
Knowledge on how their tails should look, some attention on how your Bulldog’s unique tail looks, proper diet, and hygiene should eliminate all of the issues they may suffer.
As we said; tails matter. They are actually one of the most important tools Bulldogs have to communicate with us, whether they control it or not.
They might not have much of a tail, but they can certainly wag it enthusiastically! If you take that into account, you would protect their tails as much as you protect their eyes!
That makes sense, especially if, as all of us at BulldogsClub.org do, you love an Bulldog’s waggy tail whenever you get home.
Editor’s Choice – Cleaning a Bulldog’s Tail
So, are you paying attention to your Bulldog’s butt?
