Skin Care for an English Bulldog

English bulldogs are a popular breed of dog with a loyal nature that can be trained to become loving pets. However, skin care is a very important task for English bulldog owners, because this breed can suffer from a variety of skin complaints. Understanding the risks and knowing how such skin conditions can be avoided are imperative if an English bulldog is to live free from skin irritations, with different areas of the dog requiring special attention.

  1. Coat

    • English bulldogs need to be kept clean to maintain a high level of hygiene. You must bathe the dog with a shampoo that is pH neutral so that the animal's coat does not suffer. English bulldogs have very sensitive skin, and using the wrong type of dog shampoo can irritate the skin and leave it very dry. Try using an oatmeal shampoo when bathing your dog, as it is kind to skin and will not upset the pH balance of the dog's coat.

    Face

    • English bulldogs are famous for their wrinkly faces. While this is a positive trait, which makes them very unique and cute-looking, their natural wrinkles can cause them problems. You will need to wash between these wrinkles regularly with a face cloth, and dry them, so that bacteria does not build up. Bacteria buildup can cause infections in the skin, but by washing your dog's face wrinkles once every other day, problems can be avoided.

    Tail

    • English bulldogs cannot reach their tails, and this can cause problems. A bulldog has folds around its tail area, and this can cause bacteria to build up, especially after they have relieved themselves. When bathing or cleaning your dog's face, make sure you follow the same procedure around its tail area. In extreme cases, if infections set in, bulldogs must have their tails removed. So this is a very important skin-care procedure for all bulldog owners.

    Legs

    • It is the nature of English bulldogs to be prone to irritation of the skin. Areas such as their elbows and under their legs are susceptible to irritation and chafing. If your bulldog happens to be prone to such irritation, applying a cream prescribed by a vet can help heal and relieve skin from chafing and protect it from infection. Speak to a vet if this is a particular problem and for a qualified opinion on the best course of action.