Bringing home a new dog is always an exciting time, but being a dog owner comes with a few challenges. Before you commit to becoming a dog owner, you need to learn the basics about your responsibilities and you need to learn as much as you can about the breed of dog you plan to get. Keep reading to learn some important information about becoming a dog owner and, specifically, about the Bulldog breed.

Bulldog Temperament and Personality

The Bulldog is a naturally friendly breed that loves to spend time around people. These dogs are very social and highly affectionate with family – they also tend to become very attached to their owners. Bulldogs do not require a great deal of exercise, but they do need a lot of attention. A Bulldog that is left alone for too long or too often may develop destructive tendencies, so think about hiring a pet sitter if you will be away from home all day. Other than that, however, Bulldogs are wonderful pets. These dogs are friendly with cats, children, and other dogs – they also tend to make friends with strangers fairly quickly. They may not be the most playful breed, but they are very people-oriented.

Bulldog Energy and Exercise Needs

The Bulldog has very low needs for exercise, but they still need a daily walk. You should be mindful, however, that this is a brachycephalic breed (a short-faced breed) which means that the dog has a low tolerance for rigorous exercise and heat. If you take your Bulldog on a walk, make sure to bring fresh water and think about walking him in the cooler hours of the morning or evening.

Bulldog Training and Behavior

The Bulldog is a moderately intelligent breed and they are fairly trainable as well. This breed can be a little stubborn at times, but they are highly motivated by food. The key to training a Bulldog is to use plenty of praise and food rewards – this type of training is called positive reinforcement. One thing to be aware of is that Bulldogs can develop bad habits fairly easily, so be sure to set and enforce some basic house rules and be consistent in training your Bulldog.

Bulldog Nutrition and Health Problems

All dogs have the same basic nutritional needs – plenty of protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrate content. With the Bulldog, however, you need to be mindful of feeding him too many calories because this breed gains weight easily and obesity is extremely dangerous. Look for a high-quality dog food that is rich in protein with moderate fat and moderate to low carbohydrate inclusions. In terms of health problems, Bulldogs are prone to several genetic defects, so be sure to purchase your puppy from a responsible breeder who does DNA testing on his breeding stock. You should also keep up with regular vet visits to monitor any developing health problems your Bulldog may have.

In addition to keeping the above information in mind as you think about getting a Bulldog, there are some general things to consider about becoming a dog owner as well. You need to realize that a dog is a living, breathing thing that deserves respect and care – if you can’t commit to providing for all of your Bulldog’s needs, you shouldn’t get one. It is also your job to make sure he gets the nutrition he requires and that he stays happy and healthy for his entire lifespan (this could be 8 to 10 years or more). If you are able to make all of these commitments, however, a Bulldog could be the perfect pet for you!

Photo credit: Grigorita Ko/Shutterstock