Health Concerns of the Breed
Before considering the purchase of an English Bulldog, please do your research!
Like any purebred dog, Bulldogs have their share of breed-specific health problems. Some of these health challenges can be solved with relative ease. One such challenge is skin problems. We have learned that most of the skin problems in the breed are directly related to the dog’s diet. Bulldogs should be on a diet of high quality dog feed such as Eukanuba, Nutro, and Royal Canin. We feed our puppies Eukanuba Large Breed Puppy Food.
Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have flat faces and short muzzles. As such, these dogs have the anatomical components of a regular size muzzle but in a much smaller, compressed space. The jaws develop normally in width but not in length, sometimes giving rise to anatomical and physiological problems collectively known as brachycephalic syndrome.
Brachycephalic syndrome manifests as airway interference and breathing disorders. Some of these Conditions relating to this syndrome include:
- Stenotic nares (narrowed or constricted nostril openings). This condition is easily treated with surgery by highly qualified and recommended veterinarians at Animal Clinic Northview in North Ridgeville, Ohio.
- Elongated soft palate (the palate is too long in proportion to the head, extending into the throat). This condition can also be remedied with surgery by a qualified veterinarian.
- Redundant pharyngeal tissue (folds of excess tissue in the throat);
- Heat and Exercise intolerance (overheating resulting in respiratory stress).
Most pets love the heat; BULLDOGS, however, aren’t big fans! As is often the case with brachycephalic dogs, bulldogs are at increased risk of overheating (hyperthermia), a dangerous condition if not treated quickly enough. Use the following tips to avoid heat stress:
- Keep your dog in air-conditioning during hot, humid weather
- Make sure your dog always has access to cool, shady areas and unlimited fresh water
- Avoid activities during the heat to the day, limiting exercise and play times to early morning or late evening when it’s cooler
- Monitor outside play and exercise so your bulldog doesn’t overexert herself, reducing the length and intensity of exercise during hot spells.
How much for that puppy?
Can you really put a price on love? Actually, yes, and bulldog love doesn’t come cheap. Our Bulldogs presently go from $3200-$3500 at 8 weeks of age. This price reflects the costs of raising a difficult breed. All our bulldogs are delivered by Caesarian section at the highly recommended Animal Clinic Northview in North Ridgeville, Ohio. After hormone testing, our breedings are done by a transcervical insemination, and our puppies are hand raised in our home. This means that for the first 2-3 weeks of the puppies’’ lives, we put them on mom every 2 hours for nursing to keep them safe from accidental suffocation. This is, no doubt, a full-time job!
Bulldog Litters tend to be small. Four or five puppies are an average size litter.
Deposits are accepted once the puppies have successfully been delivered and are home doing well. The first person to make a deposit determines how puppies are selected. Puppies may be chosen by picture alone within the first few weeks, or they may wait until the puppies are 4 weeks old to meet them personally. We invite people into our home at this time to meet the puppies and our bulldog family. By 4 weeks, the puppies have built up immunities, they are on their feet, and personalities are starting to shine!
A $800 deposit will hold a puppy. A personal check is acceptable. Once this deposit is made and a puppy is selected, the purchaser will receive a copy of our health guarantee, contract and receipt. A cash payment is due in full when the purchaser acquires possession of the puppy.