When looking for that perfect puppy, make sure to take the time and check out everything from your breeder. They should be willing to offer you advise and answer any questions you have. Tell the breeder you want to know about the puppies parents and pedigree. What screening has been done on the parents and if there have been any tests done on the puppies.....

Remember that Bulldogs and heat do not mix well so make your Bullie an inside dog and see to it he has all his new toys, crate,collar and anything else he needs ready for him.

Did you know that the AKC registers over 140 dog breeds and that the Bulldog has been in the top 40 every year? In the past 25 years (1973 thru 1998), there were 234,600 Bulldogs registered with the AKC. In 1973, there were 6,608 registered compared to the #1 registered breed of that year (the Poodle) with 28,899 registered. In 1998 there were 13,836 Bulldogs registered compared to 157,936 Labrador Retrievers in the same year.

When getting food bowls for your bullie, invest in solid heavy duty stainless steel bowls. They will reduce the rash and redness from the bullies face, can be cleaned easily, and provide a much better feeding and watering system than plastic.

Bulldogs get along great with other pets and children as a general rule. They enjoy a soft couch and a belly rub, love and attention. Bulldogs have a gentle beauty in them and I know of no other breed that can offer the love and devotion that a Bulldog can. Bulldog owners are special people who really are concerned about this breed and its future.

You should consider joining the Bulldog Club of America and your local Bulldog club as well. They can help you in locating a good Bulldog vet which is very important. Bulldogs need a vet who has expertise with this breed to safely meet their needs. Bulldogs are not your average dog when it comes to their health care and well being.

Get a good Bulldog book or two and start reading about the breed as there are many great books out there that are an asset to read and own.

Bulldogs belong to the AKC's non-sporting group and are considered to be the best breed for the all around family dog. There is only one Bulldog sometimes referred to as the (English) bulldog, but their AKC name is just BULLDOG.

Puppies should be sold on a contract that benefits and protects seller and buyer and ensures that the breeder/seller will be contacted if at any time with the dog's life an owner can no longer keep the dog. Breeders should provide buyers with written instructions for the feeding and general care of their puppy, and with a schedule of dates and types of innoculations and worming received.

Your new puppy should be at least 8 weeks old before going to his new home. The breeder may require a deposit to hold him but you should not take a puppy before he is 8 weeks old because the sixth to eighth weeks contain critical litter and older dog socialization lessons. There are many health issues to read about and they can be found along with the medical items you might need on our site under heath issues. Because of the possibility of trachea damage, it is generally better to use a harness than a collar for your Bulldog when you take him out in public.

Bulldogs, unlike some breeds, have no cosmetic surgery done such as ear cropping and tail docking. It is not uncommon for show breeders to glue the ears of puppies. This assists the ears in developing the proper crease and the desired "rose" appearance. Glueing should only be done under supervision of those with experience.

Consider getting a microchip implanted in your dog and registering it so permanent identification can be made of your dog in case it gets out or lost.

There are many Bulldog rescues thru the country and your local Bulldog club or the BCA might be able to help you locate one in your area. Rescue is a great option for giving some Bulldogs a second chance at a good home and should be considered.

Bulldogs need a little daily grooming but not much. A brushing, cleaning their wrinkles, and many kisses will do the trick.....

A final note: Bulldogs require that you give them attention and love as they are a very social breed and need special care and love. "Sourmugs" will repay you with love 100 times what you give and that's a great feeling. Visit our other links for more information.

New Bulldog Owners Guide

First of all you will need a place your new puppy can call his own.You may want to purchase a crate two feet by three feet. Purchase one that has a place to hang water and food bowls. The crate will be used to housebreak your puppy, a safe place for your puppy when you are away, and a place for your puppy to sleep. The choice is up to you, and you know best on what kind of schedule you will be keeping. If you don't want a crate for your new puppy a nice doggie bed will do just fine as long as you are still able to confine you puppy.

FOOD
You will want to feed your new bulldog puppy food four times a day until he is three months of age, from three to six months of age feed three times a day, from six to twelve months of age feed two times a day, when your Bully is one year old feed once or twice a day. Switch your Bulldog to adult dog food at 10-12 months of age. Always have plenty of water available for your Bulldog all the time. Feed your new puppy dog food that is all natural. DO NOT FEED SOY! Some Bulldogs are allergic to soy. When soy filler is mixed with water it will expand and can cause gastric tortion that may be fatal to your Bulldog. Follow the amount recommended on the bag of food and adjust it to your feeding schedule.

CHEW TOYS
All new puppies will chew on most anything. Purchase safe chew toys for your puppy. These toys should be almost indestructible.You will want to teach your new puppy what he is allowed to chew on. Never buy your puppy any toy he can swallow or get stuck in his throat. Nylon chew toys are safe and are available at most all pet stores. Chew toys will help in your Bully's dental hygiene. Don't give your bulldog puppy rawhide sticks, pig ears and pig hooves these are not safe chew toys.

HOUSEBREAKING
Your crate will be your aid in housebreaking your Bully. Put your puppy in the crate when you are not home and to sleep in during the night. As soon as your puppy is let out of its crate take it outside and do not allow it to come back in until it goes. (A little praise goes a long way) Most all dogs will not soil where they sleep if they are left out often enough.

OVER HEATING Bulldogs overheat easily. This can be from the temperture, excitement, exercise, or stress. Bulldogs can die from heat exhaustion. Whenever you and your Bulldog are out in warm weather take water with you. If you are going to be out for a while take along ice and lemon juice. If your Bulldog begins to overheat and starts to bring up phlegm you must act quickly to cool him down. Get your bully out of the heat. Squirt lemon juice in his mouth to clear away the phlegm. Put a wet towel on him and keep him calm. If your Bulldog goes down from heat exhaustion, and his tongue turns blue. Wet him with cold water or cool him with ice. Lay him in ice or cool water if you can. You must bring his body temperture down.

VOMITING Bulldogs who have elongated palates and sometimes vomit or bring up phlegm This is normal . If your Bulldog is doing it constantly when he is not overheated or excited consult your Vet.

SWIMMING Bulldogs are not natural swimmers. Never leave your Bulldog unattended near water.

POISONS Antifreeze,chocolate, onions,certain lawn chemicals,rodenticides,certain plants,etc.

FACE WRINKLES Keep you Bully's wrinkles clean and dry. Wipe all of the folds on his face with a wet towel, then dry them really good. Once they're nice and dry, sprinkle in some gold bond medicated powder and he's all done.

VACCINATIONS Your new puppy will require an initial series of four vaccinations. Yearly boosters are required after the initial series. Follow your veterinarians recommendations, Your Vet will tell you what the State Law is requiring rabies vaccination.