What to Look for in a Healthy English Bulldog

Bulldogs, sometimes referred to as English bulldogs due to their English heritage, are one of the most popular breeds of dogs, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). This is attributed to their loyal and gentle nature combined with an endearing face. Unfortunately that endearing face does come with some common health problems. There are several areas to focus on when looking for a healthy bulldog.

  1. Bulldog Health Concerns

    • Know the common health concerns of pure-breed bulldogs so you can look for these conditions when evaluating a bulldog. Due to the design of their face they can often have a lower jaw that sticks out too far, eye-lid abnormalities and skin irritations. They can also suffer from hip problems. All bulldogs are brachycephalic (having a head that is disproportionately wide). This is because their upper jaw is bred to be short and their face to have extra skin. This can lead to multiple respiratory problems.

    Evaluating the Bulldog by the Standards

    • When you are looking at a bulldog to determine his health there are a few areas you can concentrate on. First take a good look at the overall appearance and shape of the bulldog. Healthy bulldogs will better live up to their breed standards. They should have a strong and fit appearance, their back should not be completely flat, the top of their head should be flat and they should be longer than they are tall (as measured to the base of the neck). According to the AKC, the teeth should only be barely visible when the mouth is closed and "the six small teeth in front, between the canines, [should be] in an even, level row." Dogs that do not meet the standards may have been poorly bred and could have more severe health problems overall.

    Look for Common Health Problems

    • Next take a closer look at the bulldog for specific health problems. Check in between the skin folds for irritation, redness or infections. Check the eyes and around the eyes for redness or swelling. Listen to the dog breath. Most bulldogs are noisy breathers, especially after exercise, but some suffer more severe cases of what is known as brachycephalic respiratory syndrome. Those with severe brachycephalic respiratory syndrome may have exceptionally small nostril openings, may breath louder and may snore louder than most bulldogs. Keep in mind that all of these health problems do come with the breed; however, they can be much more severe in some individual dogs.

    Buying from a Breeder

    • If you are buying a bulldog from a breeder, thoroughly investigate the breeder to evaluate the health of the bulldog puppies. Reputable and responsible breeders will aim to breed bulldogs that are the best of the breed (per AKC standards) and not have deformities or defects that can cause health problems. These breeders will do genetic tests on the parents and not breed dogs that they know will pass on health problems to their puppies. By choosing a high-quality breeder you have a better chance at getting a healthy bulldog puppy.