Bulldog

The Bulldog's history runs from the brutal sport of bull baiting in medieval England through to a deliberate softening of temperament once that practice was banned in 1835, producing the calm, affectionate companion recognised today. Unfortunately, decades of selective breeding for an increasingly extreme flattened face and heavy build have also produced a breed with some of the most serious inherited health problems of any in general circulation, and anyone considering a Bulldog needs to weigh its genuinely loving nature against these real welfare concerns.

The single biggest issue is brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, commonly known as BOAS, a condition caused by the shortened skull and soft tissue crowding the airway. Affected dogs struggle to breathe normally, snore and snort even at rest, overheat easily and can collapse during exercise or in warm weather. Not every Bulldog is severely affected, but the structural cause is built into the breed standard shape itself, so buyers should ask breeders directly about BOAS grading and, where possible, choose puppies from parents assessed under a formal breathing scheme with a favourable result. The Kennel Club's respiratory function grading scheme, run with University of Cambridge veterinary researchers, assesses breathing under exercise and is the single most useful piece of evidence a buyer can request.

The heavy facial wrinkles and loose skin that give the Bulldog its characteristic look also create skin fold dermatitis, where moisture and bacteria become trapped in the folds around the face, nose and tail, leading to soreness, odour and recurring infections without regular cleaning. Daily or near daily wiping of the facial folds, kept dry afterwards, is a routine rather than optional part of ownership, and owners who skip it often find themselves dealing with persistent, smelly infections that are far easier to prevent than treat.

The breed's large head and narrow hips mean natural whelping is frequently difficult or impossible, and a very high proportion of Bulldog litters are delivered by planned caesarean section rather than natural birth. This is a direct consequence of selecting for head size without matching birth canal capacity, and prospective owners buying a puppy should understand that this reflects a structural problem in the breed rather than simply a convenient choice by breeders. It is worth discussing openly with any breeder, since reluctance to talk about it plainly is itself a warning sign.

Temperamentally, Bulldogs are typically calm, affectionate and good with children, often described as clownish and eager to be near their people without needing much exercise, which makes them appealing to owners with limited mobility or space. However, low exercise tolerance is itself a symptom of restricted breathing capacity rather than a convenience, and short gentle walks in cool conditions, never in heat, are essential rather than a lifestyle bonus. Training requires patience given a stubborn streak, though the breed is rarely aggressive and generally responds well to food based reward methods delivered with consistency.

Given these concerns, the single most important decision a prospective buyer makes is choosing a breeder who health tests rigorously, including hip scoring, respiratory function grading and screening for inherited conditions such as patellar luxation, rather than buying on cuteness alone. Reputable breed clubs and the Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme can help identify breeders working to reduce exaggeration in the breed, and genuine health testing results should be offered readily rather than extracted with difficulty.

Potential owners should also budget for likely higher veterinary costs across the dog's life, including possible airway surgery, ongoing skin fold management and monitoring for joint problems, and should always view puppies with their mother in a clean, calm environment where her own breathing and mobility can be assessed first hand. Pet insurance with reasonable cover for breed specific conditions is worth arranging as early as possible, since premiums and exclusions can become more restrictive with age.

Done thoughtfully, with a health tested breeder, careful daily skin and breathing care, and realistic expectations about veterinary involvement, the Bulldog can be a devoted, good humoured companion that suits a calmer household well. Done carelessly, buying on appearance from a breeder unwilling to discuss BOAS or caesarean rates honestly, it perpetuates a breed shape that causes the dog daily discomfort and shortens its working life considerably.