English Bulldogs are amazing creatures and are known to be extremely loving house pets. More and more families today are choosing the Bulldog to fill the role of “man’s best friend” oftentimes not completely understanding that the Bulldog requires a bit more TLC than some other breeds. For the health of this animal, it is crucial that we educate ourselves on the methods of care that must be applied to him as our pet.
Let’s go over some key ingredients for taking care of an English bulldog.
The Bulldog Facial Folds
One of the most obvious characteristics of the English Bulldog is his wrinkles. The nose rope and other deep wrinkles on the face are what make the Bulldog unique and different from most other breeds. While these wrinkles are attractive, they can pose a significant problem for your pet if they aren’t kept clean. It is recommended to clean between the folds of the skin at least once or twice a week to keep those wrinkles free of any debris and bacteria. If the facial folds aren’t kept clean they can breed bacteria and become infected so it really is a necessary part of hygiene care for your English Bulldog. A popular and effective tool for cleaning these wrinkles is a Stridex or alcohol wipe of some kind. Remember to dry the area after cleaning or else your time will have been wasted.
The English Bulldog Coat
This is one area in which there aren’t huge differences in the type of care needed in comparison to the more common breeds, but it is still a commonly misunderstood part of the English Bulldogs hygiene needs. Be sure to use a shampoo that is specifically designed for your dog. Many times people think it is ok to use regular shampoos that are intended for human use not knowing that they are almost certainly making their dog uncomfortable or even harming them. Your dog’s skin is more delicate than ours and can’t stand up to the more harsh chemicals used in something like head and shoulders. A shampoo that has a neutral ph is needed to ensure the quality and health of your Bulldog’s coat. It is recommended to use an oatmeal based shampoo for the English Bulldog as it is extra easy on the skin and has a neutral ph. Your Bulldog should be washed.
The Tail of Your English Bulldog
Because English Bulldogs cannot reach their tails like most other dogs the they rely on their owners to keep this area cleaned. The tail is another area on your Bulldog that has folds or crevices that need to be cleaned at least once a week to prevent infection or an undesirable smell. Each Bulldog is different and will require a different amount of attention. Now, don’t get confused here. The area needing cleaned is not the dog’s rectum or area around the rectum. I think a common thing being said about Bulldogs is that ” you have to clean their tails after they poop”. Well, this saying while may be true in a small minority of Bulldogs is definately not the “norm” or something we have found to be true in our experiance with our Bulldogs.
