Tails & Wrinkles

Bulldogs are famous for their wrinkles & folds of skin . It is important to keep these areas clean & dry at all times , to prevent your Bulldog becoming sore & maybe infected . It only takes a few moments each day to wipe the face & head and under the nose roll . I use babywipes , but a moistened cloth or cotton wool work well too . Make sure the creases are dry afterwards , you may like to use a little powder .

Another area to pay particular attention to is the tail ; many Bulldogs have tight , screw tails (I will be placing pictures below). High up , beneath the tail, it can become very itchy & irritating for them - there is no air circulating there, and the area becomes sweaty & uncomfortable; you may see your Bulldog shuffling along on his bottom, trying to relieve his discomfort. Regular cleaning & drying of the area is important. Use gentle babywipes or a damp cloth & thoroughly remove all debris, dead hair etc from high up beneath the tail. Ensure it is dry afterwards, & maybe apply a little powder too. Sterzac powder, as used for new babies' umbilical cords, is ideal .

Eczema 

Bulldogs also tend to suffer occasionally from eczema , some more so than others . Wet eczema is particularly common . It is important to take great care of affected areas to prevent infection . The area should be kept clean & dry . Most have their own methods of treating wet eczema ; I use diluted Hibiscrub (also called Hibiclens) , the pink antibacterial scrub used by doctors etc - it cleans & destroys bacteria, preventing infection , & also has skin drying properties. The sterile powder "Sterzac" is also ideal for drying the area after cleansing, & protects from infection. There are also preparations available from your vet , who must always be consulted if you are in any doubt . If the area is infected , ie having a green or yellowish appearance , a short course of oral antibiotics in addition to treating the area will help .

Exercise & Heat

Contrary to popular belief  Bulldogs do enjoy exercise, & it is beneficial to them. Many do not need a great deal, & certainly over-exertion can be harmful; but others are extremely athletic & their energy will know no bounds! A nice stroll of a mile or even two each day will be appreciated by most Bulldogs; some will require less, others more! He will let you know when he has had enough & needs a rest - his breathing will start to become laboured & he will be panting heavily. Let him rest, until he is ready to resume.Offer him a drink. Bulldogs are in fact quite an active, playful breed when allowed to be, & have far more energy than is commonly believed of them. Get to know him, and set his limits according to his capabilities, as each Bulldog is an individual .

A good tip is to take a drink for him along on walks; I take water in a small spray bottle, should my Bullies want a drink or become hot .

Knowing your dog & his limits is the key to safe, happy exercise .

Overheating

Bulldogs do not easily tolerate heat. Exercise should be severely restricted or preferably completely withdrawn during spells of hot, humid weather.  A Bulldog of mine was once rescued from the brink of death due to overheating - after just five minutes outside for toileting…... It really is that easy for a Bulldog to become fatally overheated. Luckily I have a vet only five minutes away and my boy was quickly treated with oxygen & effectively cooled…….Five more minutes would have spelled his certain death .
Indoors can become hot & sticky too, again uncomfortable and a risk for your Bulldog. Ensure you have adequate ventilation, invest in ceiling fans or portable fans for his comfort and safety .
If you should find your Bulldog distressed due to overheating, act quickly…..call the nearest vet, tell them to be ready…..stand him in a bath of cold water, up to his shoulders. STAY WITH HIM.......Dogs lose heat through the pads of their feet, and this method is excellent for quick cooling. If this is not possible, throw cold, wet towels over your dog and place one beneath his feet also, spray water into his mouth…...lemon juice too, if he is struggling to breath - lemon juice helps him to release a good amount of frothy saliva that may be trapped in the throat area, thereby restricting his breathing. 

I have heard of inserting a hosepipe into the rectum & flushing with cold water - drastic maybe, but this is a life-or-death situation. Use ice-cubes to cool him…..direct fans onto him…...Do whatever you can to cool your Bulldog quickly, then rush him to the vets, where he will require oxygen. Your quick actions could save his life - NEVER "wait and see".

I hope this section has proved helpful for the novice Bulldogger…...but don't feel deterred - these are just examples of situations which may occur, but may not. I feel it is better to be prepared & know how to deal with a situation should it arise, as problems can with dogs of any kind .
Happy, Healthy Bulldogging !!!!!

NEXT - Picture Gallery