Your Bulldog may enjoy lounging around the house all day, eating and staying cool in the air conditioning, but they need to exercise too. Daily exercise is a requirement for Bulldogs to stay healthy. Maintaining a good weight is essential to a Bulldog’s well being. As a responsible dog owner you will want to create an exercise routine for your dog that meets his or her needs.

·        Speak to the Veterinarian – This step is essential to your dog’s health since the level activity depends on his or her age, size and health status. The veterinarian will provide information on how much exercise and what kind of exercise is best suited for your Bulldog.

·        Walking – Your Bulldog required daily exercise to maintain good health. Take your dog for a brisk short walk at least two times a day. Some dog owners have been successful training their Bulldog to walk on a treadmill. This is beneficial during hot summer months and harsh winter weather. Even if your dog can’t go outside in due to weather conditions, he or she can still get exercise indoors via the treadmill.

·        Fetch – Choose a toy or stick to play fetch with. Throw it a short distance away from you so that your Bulldog has to briefly run to retrieve it quickly. You can choose to play fetch outdoors or a safe place indoors.

·        Dog Parks and Play Groups – Dog parks are a great place for your Bulldog to get exercise while playing and socializing with other dogs their size. Some pet parents have even created play groups that meet at the park or a variety of different places throughout the week or month. This is a great way for your dog to play with other dogs as well as it allows you to socialize with other dog owners.

·        Sprinkling of Fun in Water – While this may not seem like exercise and more like fun, it actually provides plenty of required exercise. On summer days, turn your sprinklers on in your fenced yard and allow your Bulldog to run around in the water. Most Bulldogs enjoy splashing around in the water and drinking it by catching it in their mouth directly from the sprinkler. This activity provides exercise, fun and drinking water. It’s also an exercise activity the entire family can have fun doing.

 Bulldogs are prone to getting overheated quickly. Keep your eye on your dog during exercise at all times. If he or she is panting hard, lying down on the floor or is vomiting, lethargic and their gums are bright red, you need to seek veterinarian assistance immediately since these are signs of heatstroke.

Bulldogs are sensitive to extreme cold and heat. As a dog owner you will want to carefully balance your dog’s physical activity with rising or falling temperatures. During extreme cold weather provide your Bulldog with a sweater, coat and protective boots. During hot temperatures keep your dog cool by finding shady spots to rest during your walk and carrying fresh water in a bottle along with a portable water bowl. Always keep in mind that if weather conditions are too extreme for you, they are the same for your Bulldog.

Photo credit: Vane Parra/Flickr