English Bulldog Puppy Care & Training

English bulldogs are much loved and admired right around the world for their striking appearance, clownish behavior and for the unparalleled companionship they provide. When properly bred, socialized and trained the English bulldog of today has a sweet, tolerant and patient nature - they are a lovely family dog.

English bulldog puppies love to be indoors with their human family - all of the time. If you're looking for a jogging or swimming partner then a "bully" wouldn't be a good choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a loyal companion to curl up with you on the couch watching TV, then this may be the right breed for you (as long as you don't mind snoring!).

English Bulldog Puppy Appearance & Size

Personally I like the look of them. The first thing you notice is their massive broad head and those big round eyes. They have a short muzzle and saggy skin droops from the face - this emphasizes their trademark frowning expression.

You can't help but be impressed by the compact and powerful body of an English Bulldog puppy. They have wide muscular shoulders and strong thick limbs. They waddle along with that distinctive shuffling gait.

The coat of an English Bulldog puppy is short, smooth and lays close to the body (they do shed!). The coat comes in a variety of colors including fawn, brindle, red, white, yellow, piebold and any combination of these.

A fully grown English Bulldog stands at an imposing 12-15 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh in at up to 55 pounds!

History And Origin Of The English Bulldog

English Bulldog Temperament & Characteristics

These days "bullys" are highly regarded for being friendly, patient, playful, dependable and cuddly! They are a great all round family dog and are considered one of the best dog breeds for children. Children do need to learn how to respect and treat an English Bulldog puppy and should never be left unsupervised with any dog - regardless of breed type.

If possible, always purchase your puppy from a well respected and reputable English Bulldog puppy breeder. This will give you the best chance of bringing a physically and mentally stable dog into your family. If you find a good English Bulldog breeder, chances are you will also find a great little puppy for life.

A few general thoughts about the English Bulldog:

• English Bulldogs are a breed that craves human attention and companionship. If your dog is to be left outside for long periods or if you are away from home most of the day then a Bully may not be a good choice for you.

• Early socialization is crucial for English Bulldog puppies. Your puppy's breeder will begin this socialization process for you and then it's up to you to keep it going when your puppy arrives home. English Bulldog puppies who miss out on being habituated and socialized can become aggressive towards other dogs (among other things). A puppy Kindergarten class is a good environment to help develop these socialization skills.

• English Bulldog puppies are known to be stubborn at times and can go through periods of trying to exert dominance over their human housemates. Obedience training is the key to dealing with these issues - make it clear to your Bully that you are the boss!

• An English Bulldog puppy is usually a very energetic and often mischievous little beast. Bulldog puppies love to chew and many experience a very long puppyhood!

• Dog food aggression or object guarding is an issue which many Bully owners are confronted with. You can learn more about its cause and also how to prevent it here - English Bulldog food aggression.

• In general you will find your English Bulldog to be laid back and chilled out but they can be protective of their human family if the need arises - they actually make handy little watch dogs.

• Some English Bulldog breeders will tell you that the males of the breed are more affectionate than females.

Health Concerns Of The English Bulldog

English Bulldogs typically live up to 10 years of age - they do suffer from a wide range of health problems. Your Veterinarian and breeder are the best people to give you specific health care advice but here is a list of common health issues:

• English Bulldogs are very sensitive to extreme temperatures - both hot and cold. A nice mild climate is best for a happy and comfortable Bully.

• Keep a close on the weight of your English Bulldog. Overweight dogs are susceptible to a long list of health problems that fit and healthy dogs are not. Make sure you feed a good quality fresh diet and provide adequate exercise (English Bulldogs do not require too much exercise).

• It's also important to clean out the loose face folds on your dog's face. Use a soap and water solution every day or so to avoid the build up of moisture which can lead to infection.

• Depending on what you feed your English Bulldog puppy you may need to brush your puppy's teeth every couple of weeks.

• Their flat face and also soft palate causes many English Bulldogs to have breathing difficulties.

• Other health problems can include - hip dysplasia, allergies, cherry eye, cataracts, senotic nares, inverted tail, shoulder luxation and there's others....

One other thing! English Bulldogs are not good swimmers - be especially careful with your Bully around water.

English Bulldog Puppy Training

It's important that you establish yourself as your English Bulldog puppy's leader. Give him/her clear guidance, in a positive non violent manner. Be consistent in your training, use plenty of encouragement and always enthusiastically reward desired behavior.

Below are some training issues you and your English Bulldog puppy should practice together:

• As soon as your puppy arrives home you need to begin teaching him/her proper household etiquette. This includes things like chew toy training (Bulldogs love to chew!), puppy house training, preventing food stealing and other basic tasks. Preventing problems before they arise is always a better alternative than trying to rectify established problem behaviors.

• Crate training is a good way to supervise and confine your puppy - for your benefit and your puppy's wellbeing. It is also a useful tool to use when housebreaking your English Bulldog puppy.

• All of the basic obedience commands are easily learned by Bullys. They should be taught sit, stay, down, heel, come etc.. Your puppy will enjoy these training sessions and you will build a very strong connection with your dog during the training process.

• Training your puppy to walk nicely on a loose leash is an important skill to master. English Bulldogs grow to be big powerful dogs, so it's crucial to educate your puppy how to behave on the leash.

English Bulldogs can be a bit stubborn or some may say indifferent towards training but if you keep your training sessions short, intense and fun you're sure to achieve pleasing results.

If you plan to train your English Bulldog puppy at home I recommend that you study and follow this comprehensive dog training package - Raise & Train Your English Bulldog Puppy Like A Professional Dog Trainer. All of the training issues mentioned above are covered in detail within this excellent dog training resource.

Bulldog Breeds - www.BulldogBreeds.com provides info, photos, forum and breeders directory for english bulldog related breeds.