Where did the bulldog breed originate?
Bulldogs were originally bred to be tough working dogs. Most were bred for herding and guarding and some were bred to fight with bulls. Exact origins are disputed but in general involved breeding with Mastiffs, pugs, and other like breeds.
Breeding for a short muzzle and compact muscular shape has caused many of the different bulldog breeds to have noisy breathing, heat sensitivity, allergies, problems with their skin, eyes, and eyelids, and abnormally shaped joints and vertebrae. If you think about the outside physical differences between the wolf (distant ancestor) and bulldog, it isn’t too hard to imagine how intense the breeding had to be to produce such changes and how such internal changes could lead to chronic medical problems. When we breed for a look, we may be unknowingly breeding for a change in body structure or function that is not beneficial to the individual. That is the source of many of the medical problems in the Bulldog Breeds
For example, the soft palette is often too long (actually it is probably the right size for a dog with a normal sized nose) for the throat. It is jammed up against the windpipe and can cause snoring as the airway is restricted. The palette can be sucked right on top of the windpipe when affected dogs take a breath. The sounds we hear can be mild or very loud depending on how much tissue is sitting on the windpipe. In addition nostrils can also be too narrow or pinched and the throat can be smaller than normal due to the breathing stuff jammed into a small space.
If your dog snores loudly or has trouble breathing, your vet can examine, take x-rays, and check out the back of the throat under anesthesia to see if surgically shortening the palette or enlarging the nostrils will help ease the breathing difficulty.
Exercise, heat, obesity, or stress can turn a small breathing problem into a big one as the lungs and brain put demands on a restricted breathing passage. That is why the breed is so prone to overheating or “heat stroke”.
In fact, this is the reason bulldogs and pugs have the most medical problems during air travel. Some have trouble breathing and regulating body temperature when temperatures swing from cold to hot in a short time.
Obesity will put pressure on the diaphragm and lungs and decrease the ability to breathe in and out effectively. Fat dogs are much more prone to heat stroke, bronchitis, and exhaustion. Learn what types of foods cause obesity.
Loose skin has its advantages when fighting. It doesn’t tear as easy. However when bunched up in folds, is too moist and will grow yeast and bacteria. The musty, dark, creased areas develop skin fold dermatitis, which is a fancy term for a moist area that grows bugs. Some deep folds need to be swabbed daily with an antibacterial swab or cleanser to prevent infection.
Breeding for loose folded skin has caused the eyelids to sometimes fold inward and rub on the eyeball, or sag outward and leave the eye and membranes exposed to lots of dust and constant irritation and infection. Fortunately these conditions can be surgically corrected by your veterinarian. Breeding for bulgy eyes promote eye problems like ulcers, cherry eye, and dry eye because the lids and glands do not wash, lubricate and nourish the eye as intended. Using artificial tears daily may help prevent irritated or under-lubricated eyes.
Breeding for short compact bodies has caused back problems in over 50% of the various bulldog breeds. Pressure to become shorter has caused abnormally shaped vertebrae which are prone to more wear and tear. This may cause the discs of the back to wear out faster, causing pain, paralysis, arthritis, and back pain.
Hip dysplasia, or the defective ball and socket joint of the femur and pelvis, and problems with the knee cap “going out” and displacing to one side or other of the knee joint or stifle are also common orthopedic or structural problems associated with the bulldog breed.
Glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM joint supplements or feeding crock potted, raw, or smoked bones may help nourish damaged joints and delay arthritis.
Obesity or the accumulation of fat will put pressure on the diaphragm, making it harder to breathe and will pull down on the back. This can stress already compromised breathing and bad backs. That is why keeping your bulldog trim is the most important thing you can do
Allergies to food ingredients and pollens cause bulldogs to have hives, ear infections, hotspots, skin infections, stomach upsets, and diarrhea. Inflamed skin and bowels will often let parasites in. Demodex mites love to set up housekeeping when the skin is irritated. Giardia will colonize an inflamed bowel much easier than a healthy one. Yeast and bacteria love an inflamed ear.
Bulldogs need to avoid the food ingredients that cause the inviting inflammation and welcome invaders to the skin, ears, bowels, or bladder. Glutens and beef are the most common allergens in commercial foods. In addition the high carbohydrate content and low moisture of commercial kibble or dry food can also lead to obesity and urinary problems (bladder infections and stones) in some dogs. Doggy “fast food” and treats turn some dogs into heavy, itchy, pooping nightmares.
In my book, Dog Dish Diet (www.dogdishdiet.com), I will teach you how to avoid or prevent these chronic medical problems that can occur when allergies and the type of commercial food combine with the bulldog’s sensitivities. In fact a better diet will help any dog with medical problems, or prevent future ones.
Fortunately, Bulldog mixes are now introducing new genes and may reduce the long laundry list of health problems. Remember, we made ‘em and we can fix ‘em.
