Are English Bulldogs High Maintenance

The features of English Bulldogs include heavy wrinkles and thick neck. They are brachycephalic which means their face is short. Their daily exercise requirements are of thirty to forty minutes. Bulldogs have laid back energy levels with high tendencies to drool and snore. They have low barking tendencies while needing less social attention than many other dog breeds. Their shoulders are broad and muscular. Their coat is finely textured and short.

Adults of this breed stand 16 inches tall. They are dependable, gentle, and sweet. Bulldogs are people-oriented and need human attention. This breed readily overheats and the best suitable climate for them is winter. They can have breathing difficulties in a hot climate.

Various dog breeds are high maintenance for different reasons. Now, the question arises if the English Bulldogs are high maintenance or not? Well, the answer to the question is yes. The English Bulldogs can be a high maintenance breed mainly because of its health reasons. They are prone to skin infections and require special grooming to avoid skin ailments. Another aspect that adds to its maintenance is training. English Bulldog is hard to train and you might need to send them to professional trainers. 

Here, in this blog, we are about to discuss the important things to be taken care of if you own an English Bulldog, along with the characteristics of English Bulldogs that make them high maintenance. 

Things to consider

If you own a Bulldog or planning to own one, there are some things you need to consider beforehand and regularly. As mentioned above, the English Bulldog is big-headed and with short body structure. They are also prone to various health problems, mainly skin ailments. Their exercise and diet are something that should be regulated by consulting your vet. They are not an easy breed to take care of. 

The diet schedule is extremely important to keep your Bulldog healthy and safe. Regular treatment against ticks and pests and routine health check-ups are necessary. There are some food items you should never feed your dog, such as chocolates, avocado, olives, grapes, raisins, etc. Always monitor your English Bulldog’s Body Condition Scoring (BCS) for better knowledge of their health.

Why are they high maintenance?

There are several reasons because of which the Bulldogs can be considered as high maintenance breed. Well, the first reason is that they are very hard to train and you need to spend money on hiring a professional trainer. 

Secondly, they have wrinkled skin which requires regular care. They should be cleaned and wiped over regular intervals to avoid skin infections. They drool a lot. So, the cleaning increases.

Thirdly, they are prone to gain weight and become obese. Hence, it increases your job of monitoring their weight, diet, and exercise to keep them healthy and in perfect shape. 

Health conditions adding to their maintenance

• Infections (viral and bacterial majorly): Major infections are parvo, distemper, and rabies. But the majority of the infections can be avoided with vaccinations. 

• Dental problems: 80% of the dogs develop dental problems by the age of two. English Bulldogs are more likely to develop them. 

• Parasites: There are a lot of parasites that your Bulldog can get, externally, and internally. Ticks and fleas can be present on their skin and fur. Hookworms, heartworms might exist in their intestines. Therefore, proper grooming and deworming are necessary at the proper age and regular intervals. 

• Obesity: As mentioned earlier, they are highly prone to obesity if their diet and exercise are not properly taken care of. 

• Joint and bone issues: Elbow and hips are at risk of dysplasia due to the genetic built. 

• Eye problems: If you notice that the eyes of your dog are becoming red, then you should consult a vet in this regard. However, this is not a serious condition but can be worsened if not treated at the right time.

• Heart diseases: This breed can suffer from various kinds of heart diseases not only at a later but also at the early stages of their life.

These are the multiple major health conditions you must be concerned about when you own an English Bulldog. The treatments and preventions of such health problems in this breed can cost a lot in some countries.

Grooming cost

As discussed earlier, English Bulldogs have a short coat and that is why their grooming requirements are less. Brushing them once a week would keep their coat healthy. However, it should be noted that they have wrinkled skin, especially, on their face. You must be taking the utmost care while cleaning the deep wrinkles because if they are not cleaned properly, it may lead to various skin infections into the fold. They are known as fold dermatitis.

If you are going to get your first pet, decide whether you are ready for a high maintenance breed like English Bulldogs. If you want low maintenance breeds, then you can choose from the breeds such as Beagle, Pug, and Labrador Retrievers, etc. 

Wrap up 

English Bulldogs are affectionate and loving while also being dependable. They do not require much attention and care on a day-to-day basis. They are categorized into the nonsporting group, which means they are no athletes. They are highly lovable with their easy-going nature.

As mentioned earlier, they are great with kids and also other pets. They are courageous which makes them the excellent guard dog that they are. They are very adjustable. They can adapt to different situations very easily. 

Various health problems have been discussed which you should be concerned about. In short, the answer to your question, whether or not the English Bulldogs are high maintenance, is ‘yes’. Hence, it all depends on your capacity to spend time, effort, and money.

Overall, any dog can be trained with hard work and patience. When you own a dog, it becomes your family and they should be treated the same way as any other family member and also with the same amount of love and care.