British Bulldog.

British Bulldogs should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval.

Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) and adjustments will be required as their needs change with age. Some dogs are prone to getting overweight so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Keep your British Bulldog in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.

The British Bulldog is an average shedder. An all-over brushing with a soft brush for 10 minutes two or three times a week will keep the Bulldog looking his best. During periods of heavier shedding, it can help to use a rubber brush first.

Brush the British Bulldog’s smooth, fine, short-haired coat two or three times a week with a firm bristle brush. The wrinkles on the Bulldog’s face need to be regularly checked to make sure the skin is clean and dry, as food or moisture can get trapped and cause irritation or infection.

Wipe his face with a damp cloth every day, taking care to clean inside the wrinkles. Be sure to dry the inside of the wrinkles completely after they’re washed. Some people suggest wiping the wrinkles with baby wipes that have lanolin and aloe vera. If your Bulldog’s skin is irritated inside of the wrinkles, ask your vet to recommend a soothing ointment. After you’ve cleaned the wrinkles, wash your Bulldog’s nose and apply petroleum jelly to it to keep it soft and prevent it from becoming dry and flaky.

Other grooming needs include nail care and dental hygiene. Trim your Bulldog’s nails once or twice a month. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long. The earlier you introduce your Bulldog to nail trimming the less stressful the experience is for both of you.

Brush the teeth at least two or three times a week — daily is better — to remove tartar and bacteria. Starting when your puppy is young will help to get them accustomed to it.

As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Ears should smell good, without too much wax or gunk inside, and eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.

Like all dogs, British Bulldogs require daily exercise. Bulldogs should never be exercised in the heat of the day. Two relatively short walks at a steady but not terribly brisk pace should be adequate. If not properly exercised it is possible for a Bulldog to become overweight, which could lead to heart and lung problems, as well as place stress on the joints.

Due to the multitude of health problems that occur commonly in the breed, vet bills can be quite high throughout the lifetime of a British Bulldog.

Veterinary care is essential to a dog’s health and wellbeing, however the frequency of treatment and checkups will depend on the dog.

Scheduled six-monthly health check visits with your vet are important to ensure your British Bulldog is healthy and happy throughout all life stages. In these annual visits, your vet will complete a physical examination, take your dog’s temperature and check his heartbeat, among other things. Routine maintenance for your dog gives you a chance to track your dog’s growth and development and discuss any concerns with your vet, and forms a key part of preventative care.

The English Bulldog has fast become a popular family pet and their gentle yet protective nature means that they are very personable and loyal family members.

His amiable temperament and bulk make the Bulldog an excellent companion for children, even young ones. A Bulldog will put up with a lot from a child, although he shouldn’t have to, and he’ll walk away if he gets tired of being tormented.

Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Teach your child never to approach any dog while he’s sleeping or eating or to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

British Bulldogs are sweet-natured, devoted and easygoing and they want to please their owner. Early socialisation is vital to help give the dog a good start in life. Puppy training classes are highly recommended to allow the owner to learn how to curb any undesirable behaviours early-on. Bulldogs love to chew and most will continue to enjoy chewing toys for their entire life. They also love playing tug-of-war but its important to teach them when they are young to release what’s in his mouth on command. They should also be taught to accept having people take food from his bowl while he’s eating so he does not develop a habit of being protective of his food.

British Bulldogs can also be stubborn and lazy. The Bulldog is unlikely to be an obedience-trial star, but once he learns something, he never forgets it. He learns best through fun training sessions that involve repetition and positive reinforcement through food rewards and praise.

To train a British Bulldog, use consistency and firmness but beware that this dog is very sensitive to the tone of voice. It will not take kindly to being screamed at and will probably choose to end the training session and curl up on the sofa to studiously ignore you.

With their pacific nature, Bulldogs also get along well with other pets, dogs and cats. They may be less sociable toward strange dogs, however.