Health Questions for English Bulldogs

The English bulldog, over the last decade, has climbed up the American Kennel Club's popularity polls from being ranked No. 21 in 1999 to No. 7 in 2009. The bulldog is particularly popular in California, perhaps because of celebrity owners such as Adam Sandler, or perhaps because they are loving and loyal family dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. Whatever the reason, these dogs possess unique physical traits that appeal to many people, but they come with some expensive health concerns.

  1. Why does my English bulldog snort all the time?

    • The English bulldog's nose structure causes breathing problems.

      The English bulldog has a very short nose and suffers from a condition called brachycephalic syndrome. The compressed face that many English bulldog owners find charming actually compromises the dog's breathing ability, according to Dr. David Diamond in an article on PetPlace.com. Shortened facial bones with overlying soft tissue constrict the dog's airway and lead to snorting noises during inhalation.

    Why can't I let my English bulldog out on a hot summer day?

    • English bulldogs easily suffer from heat stroke, and should be kept cool.

      English bulldogs are extremely susceptible to heat stroke and should only be exercised during the cooler hours of morning and evening. They should never be left out in the heat, in a hot room or car. It is the same short nose that leads to brachycephalic syndrome that makes it difficult for this dog to cool down. English bulldogs are sensitive to cold weather, which is why some owners dress them in sweaters, according to Dog Breed Info Center.

    I want my English bulldog to have puppies. What should I worry about?

    • English bulldog puppies have large heads.

      English bulldog puppies have unusually large heads, making it difficult for the mother to birth vaginally, according to PetPlace.com. Dystocia is the medical term for difficulty birthing and the English bulldog female is prone it. Consequently, the dog must undergo a cesarean section to remove the puppies. This is not only expensive, but also dangerous for the mother and her pups. Birth defects are also common with some English bulldogs, according to Dog Breed Info Center.

    Do I need to worry about my English bulldog's skin folds like shar pei owners do?

    • English bulldog skin folds are on their heads.

      English bulldogs are prone to facial fold dermatitis, according to PetPlace.com. If the folds in your English bulldog's face get wet and retain the moisture, it is likely to get a skin infection. Unlike the shar pei, however, the English bulldog's folds are primarily on their head.

    Why is my English bulldog's eye red?

    • English bulldogs may have eye difficulties.

      English bulldogs are known to suffer from "cherry eye," which is a "prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid," said Dr. Bari Spielman, a contributor to PetPlace.com. While the cause of cherry eye is not readily known, it is believed that the ligament structure surrounding the gland is weak, causing the gland to fall out of place. English bulldogs are also prone to Entropion, where the dog's eyelid rolls inward.

    Do English bulldogs have hip and joint problems like larger breeds?

    • English bulldogs can suffer from joint issues.

      PetPlace.com lists hip dysplasia as a health concern for English bulldogs. Another joint condition the English bulldog might experience is called "ununited anconeal process," which causes lameness and arthritis. Ununited anconeal process happens when the elbow fails to fuse properly with the ulna during growth. Consequently, the bones fracture.