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6 bulldog problems that are easy to avoid
Most bulldog heartbreak comes from a handful of problems. Almost all of them are easy to avoid if you know what to look for before you buy, and what to watch for after.
Before you buy: check the line
- Cherry eye. The gland in the corner of the eye pops out like a red bean. It runs in families, so ask whether the parents or grandparents ever had it.
- Tail pocket. Some lines have a deep pocket under the tail. Ask about it, and look.
- Breathing. Watch both parents walk and play. Loud, labored breathing on a normal day is a warning, not a breed trait.
- Structure and movement. A straight, strong back and a strong front and rear keep a bulldog moving well into old age. Watch the parents move.
After he's home: watch for these
- Bloat. Throwing up with nothing coming out, a hard swollen belly, pacing. That's an emergency. Go now.
- Heat. A well-bred bulldog that breathes easily handles hot weather. The ones that struggle were bred without breathing in mind. Use common sense on the hottest days, and never force anything into the mouth of an overheated dog.
- Upset stomach. Check the poop. Giardia and coccidia are the usual reason a puppy goes off. Caught early, it's simple.
- Five minutes a day. Wipe the wrinkles and the tail pocket, rinse the ears. That alone prevents most small problems.
Want the full list?
Everything I check before anybody pays for a bulldog, in one place.
