by Owen Makita
There's no doubt about it - English bulldogs make for friendly companions and are one of the few dogs that are safe to have around the house when small children are present. Their amicable personalities make these wrinkled, lovable dogs the best of pets. However, sometimes you have to resist the cute face and the hugs and kisses - there are many English bulldog ailments you need to check for prior to making the commitment of bringing the pup home.
These dogs are classified as brachycephalic dogs, or dogs with short snouts. This commonly results in compression of the upper jaw. Unfortunately, this is the cause for man respiratory problems in this breed. Nasal openings could be pinched or blocked, making breathing very difficult. Other respiratory issues could be attributed to narrow nostrils and windpipes.
Skin infection is another health issue that tends to attack English bulldogs in particular. Often, these dogs will get pododermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, around the paw area for reasons that are hard to identify. It is also common that parasites, bacteria and fungi can find a home between the thick, heavy wrinkles in the bulldog's skin, causing infection of the skin and even the hair follicles.
English bulldogs' shallow eye sockets make poor vision a big issue for this breed. Most English bulldogs have eyes that protrude out of the head, and in some cases, the eyelid will not completely close. In other cases, drooping layers of forehead skin will interfere with eyesight or rub against the eye. In extreme cases, this could result in the dog's ultimate blindness.
It is a well-known fact that English bulldogs, unlike most dogs, are extremely sensitive to high levels of heat. This is due to the fact that they are often affected by breathing problems. Since dogs cool themselves off by panting, this is difficult to do with a respiratory blockage and could cause the dog to suffer from a heat stroke. This is something, though, that can be managed by the dog's owner.
As long as an owner is willing to pay lots of attention to the bulldog pup and give it the care it needs, the English bulldog ailments shouldn't get too bad unless it is in an extreme situation. However, these dogs desperately need a home where they will be paid attention to, and should not be left alone or outside for too long. Otherwise, they are extremely cute and loyal animals.
These dogs are classified as brachycephalic dogs, or dogs with short snouts. This commonly results in compression of the upper jaw. Unfortunately, this is the cause for man respiratory problems in this breed. Nasal openings could be pinched or blocked, making breathing very difficult. Other respiratory issues could be attributed to narrow nostrils and windpipes.
Skin infection is another health issue that tends to attack English bulldogs in particular. Often, these dogs will get pododermatitis, or inflammation of the skin, around the paw area for reasons that are hard to identify. It is also common that parasites, bacteria and fungi can find a home between the thick, heavy wrinkles in the bulldog's skin, causing infection of the skin and even the hair follicles.
English bulldogs' shallow eye sockets make poor vision a big issue for this breed. Most English bulldogs have eyes that protrude out of the head, and in some cases, the eyelid will not completely close. In other cases, drooping layers of forehead skin will interfere with eyesight or rub against the eye. In extreme cases, this could result in the dog's ultimate blindness.
It is a well-known fact that English bulldogs, unlike most dogs, are extremely sensitive to high levels of heat. This is due to the fact that they are often affected by breathing problems. Since dogs cool themselves off by panting, this is difficult to do with a respiratory blockage and could cause the dog to suffer from a heat stroke. This is something, though, that can be managed by the dog's owner.
As long as an owner is willing to pay lots of attention to the bulldog pup and give it the care it needs, the English bulldog ailments shouldn't get too bad unless it is in an extreme situation. However, these dogs desperately need a home where they will be paid attention to, and should not be left alone or outside for too long. Otherwise, they are extremely cute and loyal animals.
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