English Bulldog Health Concerns

The English bulldog is a medium-sized dog that features a large body and head and short legs. English bulldogs have wide, short muzzles and large jaws. The tails can be either curly or straight, and the coats can vary in color from red brindle to solid white. English bulldogs grow 12 to 16 inches high and weigh between 49 and 55 pounds, depending upon sex. This type of dog is commonly raised as a pet but is prone to a variety of health problems.

  1. Skin Problems

    • English bulldogs are prone to both parasitic and non-parasitic skin infections. Some of the common skin diseases to cause problems for this breed are eczema, canine atopic dermatitis, seborrhoea, acute moist dermatitis, pyotraumatic dermatitis, allergic reactions and acne. English bulldogs with skin allergies may itch, scratch, and bite at the problem, causing it to become irritated and in some cases infected. The most common of all skin problems in bulldogs is eczema, which causes lumps and blisters on the skin. Itching and scratching often results in open sores. Flare ups of this problem often occur wen the dog is stressed, has allergies, or is bitten by insects. Generally, this problem is the worst in the hot summer months.

    Elbow and Hip Dysplasia

    • English bulldogs often have abnormal development of the joints in the elbows and hips, resulting in dysplasia. As bulldogs mature, the soft tissue around the joints weakens. This can result in dogs running, walking and moving differently so that they do not have to fully extend their joints. This disease progresses until movement is restricted and muscle tone is lost.

    Breathing Problems

    • English Bulldogs often feature malformations of the face resulting in narrow nasal passages and small sinus cavities. This breed is also prone to malformations of the larynx and trachea, which further complicate the breed's breathing problems. Because of these respiratory difficulties, the dogs often breath through their mouths and snore when sleeping. Panting is common in bulldogs, even while in a restful state, because they are not able to breath through their nose properly. Bulldogs that have trouble breathing are at an increased risk for heat stroke in the hot summer months. This breed of dog should not be left in outdoor temperatures that exceed 80 degrees.

    Flatulence

    • English bulldogs have frequent problems with their gastrointestinal tracks. Active tracks are very sensitive to food, so bulldogs should be kept on a strict pet diet and never allowed to eat human food without the permission of a veterinarian. Because each dog is different, it may take time to find the right food for a specific bulldog. Even healthy bulldogs often have problems with flatulence.