If you just got a British Bulldog or are considering getting one in the near future, you probably have many questions about their care and hygiene. This is especially true if it's going to be an indoor dog, which is highly recommended. By looking at them, you may think taking care of them will be difficult, but it's not actually any more difficult than any other dog.
The British Bulldog should be brushed regularly with a rough cloth and/or a bristle brush. Start his grooming when he is just a puppy so he gets used to the procedure. Giving him a treat when you're finished will help him to enjoy it more often, or at least deal with it while it's going on. If you choose to bathe him, you can use a basic dog shampoo. Do not bathe them too often though, as this will strip the body of the natural protective oils that they need. A couple times a year is more than enough for their bathing, unless the dog smells and you really feel it needs a bath. Be sure to rinse the shampoo out very thoroughly. When bathing your British Bulldog, always do his head last to avoid shampoo leaking in his eyes while you are doing the other parts of his body.
There are specific parts of the bulldog's body that need extra care. The British Bulldog's tail is set like a tight screw and may get moist and irritated in the tail area in warm weather. If this happens, wash the affected area with a mild disinfectant, dry it thoroughly and powder with a little talcum powder to keep it dry. Occasionally the dog may become bothered by lesions between the toes, making it very difficult for them to walk. To eliminate the pain, help the bulldog to soak the foot in warm water with sea salt, dry thoroughly and add tincture of iodine on the feet. The cause may be from them being flat footed or from excess hair between the toes. Try to keep the hair between the toes trimmed to minimize this problem.
The ears of the British Bulldog require very little care. If they do seem dirty, you can clean them with a cotton wool ball, being careful to not go too deep in the ear. Many bulldogs suffer from tear staining, which is when the wrinkles around the eyes and nose get dirty, and if these are not kept clean, they may become infected. You can clean this area with a tear stain remover. Always make sure to clean the wrinkles every day and make sure they are dried well. Many owners will put a little dab of Neosporin in the wrinkles to avoid infection.
The British Bulldog is a couch potato by nature, so try to avoid over feeding them. Giving them exercise to wear the food off is never an easy task with the bulldog.
|
