Bringing Your Baby Home!!
English Bulldogs are special. English Bulldogs are different. Those of us who have had English Bulldogs for several years still remember our first English Bulldog and how much we didn't know about English Bulldogs.
All of the information below is from years of researching the English Bulldog on the internet, reading books and journals, and breeding and raising English Bulldogs. This information can be helpful in solving minor problems, but always consult your veterinarian before treating even the simplest problem with your English Bulldog.
Bringing Your English Bulldog Puppy Home
When you arrive home with your English Bulldog puppy, remember - your English Bulldog puppy is a baby English Bulldog. Like all babies, the English Bulldog puppy needs lots of love and cuddling, lots of rest and sleep, lots of good, nourishing food and more love and cuddling.
Moving to a new home, leaving his dam and litter mates and the only humans your English Bulldog puppy has ever really known is a very traumatic experience for English Bulldog puppies, so try to make the move as easy as possible for your English Bulldog puppy. For the first couple of weeks, try not to change your English Bulldog puppy's life style if at all possible.
Follow the English Bulldog breeders feeding routine. The same times, the same amount, the same brand of food. Feed your English Bulldog puppy in the same place at each meal. Be sure your English Bulldog puppy has a special area all his own for his bed. Give your English Bulldog puppy lots and lots of cuddling and petting. DO NOT let your English Bulldog puppy play so long and hard that he becomes exhausted.
During the first week, you should take your English Bulldog puppy to your veterinarian for a check up and a “get to know you” visit. Please try to find a veterinarian that understands the English Bulldog, English Bulldogs are at a higher risk to anesthetize that snouted breeds so be sure that the veterinarian you have chosen is aware of this fact at least, try to only have your English Bulldog put under when absolutely necessary. English Bulldogs also have very shallow joint sockets and a veterinarian that is unfamiliar with English Bulldogs may not only misdiagnose joint problems but may also see you as a license to print money. Almost every English Bulldog will have a slightly elongated soft palate which is why they snore, so be aware - if your veterinarian informs you that he needs to resection the soft palate this may not be the case at all. English Bulldogs with severe soft palate problems will overheat easily, find it very difficult to cope with any form of exercise and may regurgitate their food. If there are other English Bulldog owners in your area ask them who they go to and at least ask your veterinarian what his English Bulldog experience is. Take along the record of your English Bulldog puppy’s immunizations and wormings. Make a list of any questions or concerns you might have and take it along as well, you might forget to ask an important question, so it’s best to have a list with you. When an English Bulldog puppy goes into a vets office, everybody in there flocks to you to get a closer look or to pet the English Bulldog puppy. Don’t be rude, but remember that your English Bulldog puppy has not fully developed his immune system and you don’t want to put your English Bulldog puppy at risk
Once your English Bulldog puppy is settled securely into his new home, you can begin to introduce him to your way of doing things. Try not to make any drastic changes, gradual is better, and always try to make it a fun time for your English Bulldog puppy
If you want to change the brand of puppy food your English Bulldog puppy is eating, the change should be slow and gradual. Substitute a small amount of the old food with the new brand and slowly increase the ratio of new to old until the old brand is completely replaced with the new.
Feeding Your English Bulldog
An English Bulldog should eat out of a pan which has a flat bottom and straight sides. Most English Bulldog owners use stainless steel because it lasts longer and English Bulldogs love to chew, so don’t use plastic bowls.
Most English Bulldog breeders feed a two to four month old English Bulldog puppy four times a day. At this age the dry food is usually softened with warm water. Some add cottage cheese and/or yogurt. There are several good brands of puppy food on the market, if you are not satisfied with the food your English Bulldog puppy is eating, try another brand. You want a puppy food your English Bulldog puppy likes and which produces a nice coat, keeps your English Bulldog puppy round but not obese, and produces solid stools.
You may feed your English Bulldog puppy on a set schedule, or have food available to him at all times. Your English Bulldog puppy will flourish under either regimen. The choice depends on which is more convenient for you.
How much you feed him depends on the English Bulldog puppy. In most cases, a growing English Bulldog puppy which gets sufficient exercise should eat as much as it wants. If your English Bulldog puppy does become obese, you may need to regulate the amount he eats, but DO NOT put a growing English Bulldog puppy on a severely restricted diet unless it is supervised by a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about English Bulldog puppies.
From four to six months an English Bulldog puppy's feeding regimen should remain the same but the number of feedings may be reduced to three. At about six months this number can be reduced to two. In most cases continue feeding the puppy as much as he wants.
How often you feed an English Bulldog one year or more old depends on your preference and your English Bulldog. Most English Bulldogs do well on one meal a day. Some do better on two meals a day. You may prefer to feed in the morning or the evening. This is up to you. If you like it and your English Bulldog likes it, it's the right way.
An English Bulldog usually eats puppy food until it is at least one year old. If your English Bulldog is thriving on puppy food and not getting to overweight, leave him on it until he is at least two years old. You can feed your English Bulldog puppy food all his life, if it agrees with him. Most English Bulldogs are changed from puppy to adult food at around twelve to eighteen months. It is best to change to the adult version of the puppy food you have been feeding your English Bulldog. It does not hurt your English Bulldog to change from one brand of dog food to another and then to another and so on as long as each change is done by gradually, substituting more and more of the new brand for the old. Never make a drastic change in his eating habits or in his food.
Whatever its age, your English Bulldog should have cool fresh water available at all times.
It is not really necessary to add to a good dog food, but you may find your English Bulldog prefers "goodies" on his food, or does a little better with some “icing on the cake” so to speak. The most common supplements are cottage cheese, yogurt and oil. Cottage cheese is especially good for growing English Bulldog puppies since the English Bulldog must grow a lot of heavy bone in a short time. Give your English Bulldog about a tablespoon per feeding. Yogurt helps to keep the digestive system of your English Bulldog working well, about a teaspoon per feeding. Oil helps to keep the coat and skin of your English Bulldog in good condition, about a teaspoon twice a day. All vegetable or canola oil is best - do not give your English Bulldog any oil which contains soybean oil.
Treats for your English Bulldog should usually be dog treats without any soy. It won't hurt your English Bulldog to give him an occasional bite of meat, vegetables, fruit, soda crackers, ice cream, etc. etc. But DO NOT give your English Bulldog chocolate, grapes, raisins, mushrooms or onions.
English Bulldog Equipment
There are several things which will make life easier and more enjoyable for you and your English Bulldog.
First in importance is a wire crate. This comes very close to being a necessity for English Bulldogs. It is much easier to house train an English Bulldog puppy if he sleeps in a crate. If you travel at all with your English Bulldog, he is more safe and happier riding in a crate. If you are staying overnight your English Bulldog has a place of his own to sleep in. It is just as important for your English Bulldog to be in a crate in the car as it is for you to wear your seat belt. If you do not have a crate, or one won't fit into your car, get your English Bulldog a dog safety car harness. English Bulldogs do better in wire crates than in the “Pet Taxi” type because the air circulation through the wire crates is so much better. English Bulldogs like to have a special "my place" so if you don't have a crate, try one, you and your English Bulldog will like it. If you travel with your English Bulldog you'll need a large insulated water jug so that you'll have "home" water available for him. A small water pan that hooks to the side of his crate is ideal for traveling.
A really comfortable big chair you can sit in and cuddle your new English Bulldog puppy, this makes for great bonding time with your new English Bulldog puppy.
A food dish with straight sides and flat bottom. The best material is stainless steel - avoid plastic with English Bulldogs whenever possible.
A water dish, stainless steel is best again for English Bulldogs.
A collar and a lead. A light weight, collar is best for an English Bulldog puppy. It should be long enough to slip over the English Bulldog puppy's head with room to spare but should not have more than a six inch "tail" when around his neck. TheEnglish Bulldog puppy's first lead should be a light weight one, you'll need a strong leather lead as he grows into an adult English Bulldog.
Nail clippers or a grinder is important for trimming your English Bulldog’s nails.
A good brush. You can use almost any brush on an English Bulldog but the best ones have flexible rubber bristles. You want one small enough to fit your hand comfortably.
English Bulldog Medicine Chest
(Always consult your Veterinarian before administering any medication)
Rectal thermometer- for taking your English Bulldog’s temperature.
Vaseline- Use this on theEnglish Bulldog’s nose, on his eye wrinkles, any place you need to soothe and waterproof on your English Bulldog, but don't need to medicate. Use it also on the thermometer when you take yourEnglish Bulldog’s temperature.
Lemon Juice- If your English Bulldog gets phlegm in his throat and chokes on it, a couple squirts of juice from the plastic lemon will help clear it out.
Clear Eyes, Visine, etc.- for irritated eyes of the English Bulldog.
Aspirin- For minor aches and pains. Most English Bulldogs can tolerate aspirin but do not give any other human pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil. Remember that the dosage for aspirin, like most pain relief medication, is based primarily on body weight. An English Bulldog should never be given more than one tablet at a time or more frequently than every twelve hours. Some English Bulldogs are allergic to aspirin, so only use aspirin under the advise and care of a veterinarian.
Benadryl- Either capsule or liquid. Use this if the English bulldog is stung by a bee or other insect, and for minor English Bulldog allergies as recommended by your veterinarian.
Panalog Ointment- A good all purpose ointment for minor English Bulldog skin afflictions. Also good for cleaning English Bulldog wrinkles, tail pockets and ears. DO NOT put this in the English Bulldog’s eyes.
Bag Balm- Also useful for minor English Bulldog skin afflictions.
Pepto Bismol- For minor stomach upset of your English Bulldog.
Kaopectate.- For minor diarrhea, if your English Bulldog has severe diarrhea see your veterinarian immediately.
Q-tips- Use for applying medication and cleaning your English Bulldogs ears.
Cotton balls- Use for applying medication, for cleaning and to keep the ears of your English Bulldog dry while bathing.
English Bulldog Toys
NEVER ever give your English Bulldog a rawhide toy. Even English Bulldog puppies can tear a piece off the rawhide and choke on it.
English Bulldog Puppies like knotted socks to shake and play tug of war with. They also like Nylabone and rubber toys. ManyEnglish Bulldog puppies like to play with balls, but be sure the ball is too big to lodge in the throat or be swallowed.