Everything you would ever want to know about a Bulldog...

We will go through a number of topics related to our Great Bulldog Breed

You may not realize it, but the very thing that makes Bulldogs so unique is also the thing that causes them the most health problems. Bulldogs are one of several short-faced breeds that suffer from something known as brachycephalic syndrome. This syndrome cannot be cured but there are precautions you can take to keep your Bulldog safe and healthy.

What is Brachycephalic Syndrome?

The term “brachycephalic syndrome” refers not to a specific disease but to a group of conditions or abnormalities commonly seen in short-faced and flat-nosed breeds like the Bulldog, Boxer, Pekingese, Pug, and Shih Tzu.

The abnormalities included in this syndrome are stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, laryngeal saccules, and narrowing of the trachea. Stenotic nares are simply narrow nostrils and narrowing of the trachea occurs when the windpipe (the trachea) becomes smaller in diameter, restricting breathing. The soft palate is the tissue at the back of the throat – in some dogs it is too long and it blocks the airway to some degree. Laryngeal saccules are small pouches located in the larynx which can sometimes get sucked into the airway, restricting air flow.

What Can You Do to Care for Your Dog?

Your Bulldog may have one, several, or all of the abnormalities described above. If he does, he may exhibit certain symptoms like labored or noisy breathing, gagging, coughing, snorting, exercise intolerance, snoring, and difficulty swallowing. In cases where your dog’s airway is blocked he may suddenly collapse and he will have a very difficult time tolerating high temperatures. At the first sign of brachycephalic symptoms, you should have your dog checked out by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will determine the severity of his condition and will tell you what your options are for treatment and management.

Because brachycephalic syndrome is not exactly a disease, it cannot be cured, per-say. However, there are certain surgical procedures which can help to correct or minimize the abnormalities that cause your Bulldog’s breathing problems. Stenotic nares can be widened and an elongated soft palate can be shortened. Laryngeal saccules can be removed as well. Keep in mind, however, that brachycephalic syndrome can sometimes lead to increased anesthesia risk, so talk to your veterinarian about the best option for treatment.

In addition to these surgical measures, helping your Bulldog maintain a healthy weight can greatly reduce the severity of his symptoms. You should also be careful about over-exercising your dog or exposing him to high temperatures. He needs to be kept indoors during the summer with air conditioning to control the temperature. If your Bulldog spends time outside, make sure he has access to shade and plenty of fresh water. If he starts to exhibit signs of breathing difficulty, take him back inside and make sure he cools down.

While it is easy to predict that your Bulldog might start having breathing problems during intense exercise or in the heat, but the symptoms of brachycephalic syndrome can sometimes manifest when you least expect them. Always keep a close eye on your Bulldog and watch for signs of this condition so you can promptly seek treatment, if needed.

credit: bulldogsworld.com

The best medical advice anyone can give you is, "Find a veterinarian who knows and likes Bulldogs." This is one of the reasons it's a good idea to join your local Bulldog Club. The members can usually refer you to a veterinarian who is familiar with Bulldogs and who likes them. Some veterinarians don't like Bulldogs, and no matter how good a veterinarian is, he's not right for your Bulldog.

The best proactive course is to know your Bulldog. Check the entire dogdaily. Know if he isn't eating, if he isn't playing, if he doesn't seem quite right. There are several minor ailments you can treat at home. Remember that if a home remedy doesn't cure the problem in two days, take the dogto the veterinarian. Also remember that there are medical condition which cannot wait the two days. When in doubt which it is, err on the side of safety for your dog.

As with people, dogs require careful attention to their physical and emotional needs and to their diet. In order for dogs to live happy, productive, and long lives their owners need to be aware of the everyday health requirements as well as be on the look out for any sudden physical changes. This section provides viewers with various hints and tips on general health care, medical terms and what they mean, and alerts on immediate health concerns.

Nutrition plays an important part in the development of a puppy into adulthood. Care must be taken to be sure that dogs are fed proper nutrition to meet their developmental needs at the various stages of their lives. Nutrition encompasses the proper diet combined with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that will help dogs fulfill their life span.

Bulldogs are generally a healthy breed, with much dependant upon the breeder from whom they came. A good start will usually give you years of fun and love from the old sourmugs. A Bulldog should see a vet for shots and checkups regularly. You should also consider spaying or neutering your pet since there are health advantages to that as well. There are many who will think "Breeding" as soon as they get a bulldog. Well, it's not a good choice for the average family pet. Breeding is very difficult and expensive with the bulldog. It's best left to those who have devoted a lifetime to the breed and know what to do and how to do it. Breeding will not improve the health or happiness of a dog and in some cases breeding is fatal. The average life for a Bulldog is around 10 or so although there are many who live years beyond that. A Bulldog needs to be an indoor dog or have the proper air conditioned kennel. Bulldogs can't swim well at all and extreme caution should be taken when a Bulldog is around water to avoid drowning. Although they should be kept out of deep pools, a few inches of water in a kids pool outside is a welcome site to most Bulldogs. The Bulldog appreciates a daily outing but cannot tolerate hot, humid weather. He should not be expected to jog or walk great distances, or to jump from any height. Most Bulldogs wheeze and snore, and some drool slightly. Coat care is minimal, but facial wrinkles and any folds around the tail (which can be deeper than you think) should be cleaned daily.

The Bulldog's heavy-set, low-slung body gives it a low center of gravity. His limbs are sturdy, his gait loose-jointed and shuffling. Major health concerns: canine hip dysplasia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, shoulder luxation, internalized tail Minor concerns: entropion, ectropion, distichiasis, elbow dysplasia, cherry eye, patellar luxation Occasionally seen: urethral prolapse, vaginal hyperplasia Note: Precautions must be taken when anesthetizing a Bulldog. Caesarian deliveries are commonly needed. An experienced Bulldog vet is always your best choice.

Medical terms and more information

Pills and capsules

Open the dog's mouth, push the pill or capsule as far down his throat as possible, then hold his mouth shut and stroke his throat until he swallows. Or wrap the pill or capsule in a bit of ground beef or cheese and feed it to the dog.

Hot Spots

These are red, irritated, weeping, itchy spots. They can be caused by allergy, insect bites, or flea allergy dermatitis. Clean the area thoroughly. You can wash with shampoo, rinse and dry. Or clean with Baby Wipes with lanolin and aloe. Or wash with Bigeloil. Then apply a medications such as Panalog, Bag Balm, Sulfadene, or 1% cortisone cream. Clean and apply medication daily. You should see improvement by the second day. If not, go to the veterinarian.

Interdigital Cysts

This problem appears as a red swelling that pops up between the dogstoes. First examine the paw carefully, especially the underside between the pads to be sure there is no foreign matter (a thorn or such). If there is, take it out. Clean the area. Remedies include: (I) Soaking the paw in warm water and Epsom Salts, dry and rub in Panalog, or (2) Use Preparation H, or (3) Have your veterinarian make this up for you: One part 60% DMSO, one part Gentavet solution 50 mg. per ml. Apply one drop per day; rub in with a Q Tip. Do NOT use more than one drop, do NOT apply more frequently than once a day. (Touching your skin with it can cause a garlic taste in your mouth.) If you start application at the first sign, this solution will prevent the cyst from developing. With all these treatments, it's best to continue the treatment for two to three days after the cyst is gone.

Fungus Spots

These are somewhat like hot spots, but they are not weepy. Be sure you clean away all the "scabby" material. Wash the area and treat with Panalog, Keflex, or any good anti-fungal ointment. You can use Demorex shampoo or a sulfur based soap for the washing.

Facial Acne or Eczema

Bulldogs are forever putting their faces into all kinds of strange places and can get pimples on his face and chin. It can also be caused by using plastic food or water bowls because bacteria collects in the scratches of the plastic and some Bullies are susceptible to topical bacterial infections. Usually you can clear these up just by washing and rubbing in an anti-biotic ointment. Or you can try OXYIO (benzoil peroxide) which you can purchase at a drug store. If they persist, you will need to get an oral anti-biotic medication from your veterinarian.

Eyes

Dust, wind, pollen, the things that make your eyes burn and water have the same effect on your Bulldog. You can rinse the eyes out with a eye solution (such as Clear Eyes).

Cherry Eye

The gland which normally resides under the lower eye lid at the inside corner of the eye will sometimes "pop" out. This is not as horrible as it appears to be and does not require emergency treatment. It does require treatment at the earliest possible time by a veterinarian recommended for Cherry Eye. The quicker the dog gets treatment the better the chance for successful treatment without removing the gland. Removal of the gland often results in a "dry" eye which will require ointment the rest of the dog's life. Always ask your vet to use the "stitch in" method. I can highly reccommend Russel at central city Vets in Rotorua.

Tail

Some Bulldog's have their tail set in a pocket. If yours does you will need to make a special effort to keep that pocket clean and dry. Wipe it out frequently. Be sure to dry it thoroughly and apply an ointment such as sudocreme or a drying powder.

Temperature

You take his temperature just as you take a small baby's - rectally. Use a good rectal thermometer, lubricate generously with Vaseline, insert gently. Hold onto the thermometer, dogs have been known to "suck" them in. Unlike the four to five minutes it takes in a child to get a reading, a Bulldog only takes about a minute to read. Normal temperature for most dogs is from 38-38.8c

Insect Stings

If your Bulldog is stung by a bee or other insect, give him Benadryl (either capsule or liquid) and watch him closely for the next half hour. You may also apply an ice pack to the area where he was stung if you know where it is and remove the stinger if it is still in the bite.

History

The Bulldog is a much different dog today than his ancestors. Descended from ancient mastiff-type dogs, the Bulldog breed was developed entirely in England. The first mention of the breed was in 1500, a description of a man "with two Bolddogges at his tail…” The then-fierce dogs were used in a practice called bull baiting, which involved the dog grabbing onto the bull's nose and roughly shaking it.

Bull baiting actually had a purpose; it was thought to tenderise the bull's meat. For many years, this practice was said to "thin" the blood of the bull and make its flesh tender after it was butchered. This belief was so strong that many areas in England had laws requiring bulls to be baited before they were slaughtered.

More than that, it was a popular spectator sport in a time when there were no professional sports, TV shows, movies, or video games. The angry bull would toss the dog up in the air with its horns if it could, much to the delight of the watching crowd. The dog, on the other hand, would attempt to latch onto the bull, usually at its snout, and pin it to the ground through the force of its painful bite. Upcoming bullbaitings were advertised and crowds wagered on the outcome of the struggle.

These early Bulldogs were taller and heavier than today's Bulldog, and they were bred to be especially adept at this bloody sport. Typically, they crept on their bellies toward the enraged bull so he couldn't get his horns under their bodies and toss them up in the air. And their wide mouths and powerful jaws were impossible for the bull to shake off once the Bulldog had a firm hold on its snout. His short, flat nose enabled the Bulldog to breathe while holding onto the bull's snout. He needed to be tenacious to hang onto the bull no matter how much the bull tried to shake him off. The Bulldog's high tolerance for pain was developed to enhance his ability to excel at this barbarous spot. Even the wrinkles on his head are said to have had a purpose: to direct the blood that resulted from his grip on the bull to flow away from his eyes so he wouldn't be blinded.

In 1835, after many years of controversy, bullbaiting was outlawed in England, and many thought the Bulldog would disappear since he no longer had a purpose. At the time, the Bulldog wasn't an affectionate companion. The most aggressive and courageous dogs had been selectively bred for generations to be bull-baiters. They lived to fight with bulls, bears and anything else that was put before them. It was all they knew.

Despite this, many people admired the Bulldog's stamina, strength, and persistence. These few decided to save the appearance and breed them to have a sweet, gentle temperament instead of the aggression needed for the baiting arena.

And so the Bulldog was re-engineered. Dedicated, patient breeders started selecting only those dogs that had a docile temperament for breeding. Aggressive and neurotic dogs weren't allowed to reproduce. By focusing their attention upon the temperament of the Bulldog, these breeders transformed the Bulldog into the gentle, affectionate dog we see today.

Breeders started showing Bulldogs in conformation shows in England in 1859. The first dog show that allowed Bulldogs to be shown was at Birmingham, England in 1860. In 1861, a Bulldog named King Dick won at the Birmingham show. One of his descendants, a dog named Crib, was later described as being "close to perfection."

In 1864, the first Bulldog breed club was formed by a man named R.S. Rockstro. The club had about 30 members and its motto was "Hold Fast." A member of the club, Samuel Wickens, wrote the first breed standard, using the pseudonym Philo-Kuon. The Bulldog's breed standard reportedly was the first one written in the world. The club unfortunately disbanded after only three years.

In 1875, another Bulldog club was founded, and it developed a breed standard that was similar to the Philo-Kuon. This breed club is still in existence.

Bulldogs were brought to the United States, and a brindle and white Bulldog named Donald was shown in New York in 1880. A Bulldog named Bob was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1886. In 1890, H.D. Kendall of Lowell, Massachusetts founded The Bulldog Club of America. It was one of the first breed clubs to become a member of the new American Kennel Club. In the beginning, the club used the British breed standard, but thought it wasn't concise enough, so they developed the American standard in 1894 for what they called the American-bred Bulldog. The English protested about the name and also some of the items in the new standard. After a lot of work, the standard was revised and accepted in 1896. This standard is still used today.

The American Kennel Club recognised the Bulldog in 1890. During the 1940s and 1950s, Bulldogs were close to the top 10 breeds in popularity. Today, the Bulldog ranks 12th among the 155 breeds and varieties registered by the AKC, a tribute to his solid credentials as a companion.

More than anything else, the Bulldog is a triumph of the human ability to rehabilitate an entire breed and make it into a desirable, affectionate companion through thoughtful, dedicated breeding practices. In the 1800s, cities such as Rome passed laws that Bulldogs couldn't be walked on the streets even on leash due to their ferociousness, and yet, a few years later, the Bulldog was already becoming known as one of the friendliest and most tranquil of dogs. All because some dedicated breeders had patience, knowledge, and a vision of what the Bulldog could be at its finest.

Size

Mature male Bulldogs weigh about 30kg; mature females about 25kg. They stand 30cm to 40cm at the shoulder.

Personality

Sociable and sweet, but with a reputation for courage that makes him an excellent watchdog, the Bulldog is a lover, not a fighter. He's dignified rather than lively and has a kind although occasionally stubborn nature. The Bulldog is friendly and easygoing; he gets along with everyone. He can be a slow learner, but once he knows something, he's got it for good. Bulldogs don't tend to be barkers. Usually their appearance alone is enough to frighten off intruders.

Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who's beating up his littermates or the one who's hiding in the corner. Always meet at least one of the parents-usually the mother is the one who's available-to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you're comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up.

Like every dog, Bulldogs need early socialization-exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences-when they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your Bulldog puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills.

Health

Like all breeds, Bulldogs are prone to certain diseases and conditions. Not all Bulldogs will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them so you can be informed when you interview breeders and can know what to look for throughout your Bulldog's life.

Buying from a responsible breeder will help ensure that you get the healthiest Bulldog possible. A puppy from a reputable Bulldog breeder will be vaccinated and dewormed before you take him home. Responsible breeders use only physically sound, mature (at least 2 years or older) dogs, and test their breeding stock for genetic diseases pertinent to the breed.

Both parents should have health clearances, documentation that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. In Bulldogs, you should expect to see health clearances for hips, elbow, and knees aswell as the following DNA testing for Degenerative Myelopathy, Hyperuricosuria, Multifocal Retinopathy CMR1 (Mastiff/Bull Breeds Type)

Overall, Bulldogs can have a lot of health problems. They are wonderful dogs, but be sure you're willing to monitor their health closely and can afford any medical treatment they may need. The following conditions may affect Bulldogs:

• Cherry Eye: This is a condition in which the gland under the third eyelid protrudes and looks rather like a cherry in the corner of the eye. Your vet may need to remove the gland.
• Dry Eye: This condition is caused when natural tear production is inadequate. Signs include a dry appearance or blue haze to the eye. Your vet can perform a test to determine if your Bulldog has dry eye and prescribe medication you can administer to relieve the pain of this condition.
• Entropion: This is a condition in which the eyelashes turn inward and rub against the eye, causing irritation. It may require surgery to correct.
• Inverted Or Reverse Sneezing: This isn't really a health problem but generally occurs when nasal fluids drip down on the Bulldog's soft palate, causing it to close. It also can occur when your Bulldog gets something in his nose. It sounds a lot worse than it is. Try to calm your Bulldog by stroking his throat and this should pass quickly.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

This disorder is found in dogs with short heads, narrowed nostrils, or elongated soft palates. Their airways are obstructed to varying degrees and can cause anything from noisy or labored breathing to total collapse of the airway. Dogs with brachycephalic syndrome commonly snuffle and snort. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition but includes oxygen therapy as well as surgery to widen nostrils or shorten palates.

• Head Shakes. This resembles a fit, but it affects only the head. It's seen as an involuntary shaking of the head from side-to-side or up-and-down. Sometimes, this is violent. This dog appears to be conscious and aware of what is happening. It may be linked to stress and low blood sugar. Breeders often suggest giving your dog some honey to bring the blood sugar level back up or distracting them to stop the shaking. If the shaking doesn't appear to be related to stress or over-excitement, you should take him to the vet as soon as possible to make sure he isn't in pain.
• Demodectic mange. Also called Demodicosis. All dogs carry a little passenger called a demodex mite. The mother passes this mite to her pups in their first few days of life. The mite can't be passed to humans or even other dogs - only the mother can "give" these mites to her pups. Demodex mites live in hair follicles and usually don't cause any problems. If your Bulldog has a weakened or compromised immune system, however, he can develop demodectic mange. Demodectic mange can be localized or generalized. In the localized form, patches of red, scaly skin with hair loss appears on the head, neck, and forelegs. It's thought of as a puppy disease, and often clears up on its own. You should take your dog to the vet anyway because this can turn into the generalized form of demodectic mange. (Enlarged lymph nodes often are a sign that this will occur.)
  Generalized demodectic mange covers the entire body and affects older puppies and young adult dogs. The dog develops patchy skin, bald spots, and skin infections all over its body. Dogs that develop localized or generalized demodicosis should not be bred because the condition is considered to have a genetic component.
• Hip Dysplasia. This is a heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Most Bulldogs appear to have hip dysplasia based on their hip x-rays, just because they tend to naturally have shallow hip joints, but it's unusual for them to have the associated problems with lameness unless they're allowed to become overweight or are exercised too much during their period of rapid growth. If your Bulldog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, seek a second opinion and look into other treatment options, such as supplements, before agreeing to surgery.
• Tail Problems. Some Bulldogs have screw tails, inverted tails or other types of "tight" tails that can cause them to have some skin problems. You should keep your Bulldog's tail clean and dry to prevent infection.
• Patellar luxation. Also known as "slipped stifles," this is a common problem in small dogs. It is caused when the patella, which has three parts-the femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), and tibia (calf)-is not properly lined up. This causes lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop. It is a condition that is present at birth although the actual misalignment or luxation does not always occur until much later. The rubbing caused by patellar luxation can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease. There are four grades of patellar luxation, ranging from grade I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe and the patella cannot be realigned manually. This gives the dog a bowlegged appearance. Severe grades of patellar luxation may require surgical repair.

Care

Bulldogs are inactive indoors and don't require a great deal of exercise (although they must be walked occassionally to keep them from gaining weight). They are indoor dogs and prefer a relaxed lifestyle. After about 15 minutes of play, they're ready for a nap. This low to moderate energy level makes the Bulldog suited to any type home, from an apartment to a house with a yard. You can take the Bulldog for a walk of a mile or two during the cool part of the day, but he'll be just as happy with a brief stroll up and down your street.

Because of their pushed-in face, Bulldogs don't do well in extremely hot (or cold) weather. They breathe heavily when they're hot and don't dissipate heat well. They're especially susceptible to heatstroke. As little as half an hour outdoors in 85-degree temperatures can kill them. Provide him with an air-conditioned environment and plenty of fresh water. Bulldogs are also not swimmers. Their massive heads drag them straight down. If you have a pool, spa, or pond, protect your Bulldog from falling in.

The Bulldog is unlikely to be an obedience-trial star, but once he learns something, he never forgets it. He learns best through fun training sessions that involve repetition and positive reinforcement through food rewards and praise.

Feeding

Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 2 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.

How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl.

It's easy to overfeed a Bulldog, but obesity can stress his joints, so he shouldn't be allowed to get fat. Keep your adult Bulldog in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether he's overweight, give him the hands-on test. Place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise.

For more on feeding your Bulldog, see our guidelines for buying the right food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog.

Coat Color And Grooming

Your Bulldog's coat should be straight, short, fine textured, smooth and glossy. He has soft, loose skin, especially on the head, neck, and shoulders. His head is covered with heavy wrinkles and he has two loose folds at the throat (from the jaw to the chest) to form what's called a dewlap.

Bulldogs come in a variety of colors: red brindle; all other brindles; solid white; solid red, fawn, or fallow (pale cream to light fawn, pale yellow, or yellow red; and piebald (large patches of two or more colors). Some of the more rare colours include, lilac, blue, chocolate and merle, these colours are not accepted as the breed standard, but due to advancements in dna testing, there are a few ethical breeders that are breeding for health and conformity , and we are seeing some amazing lines being produced worldwide, contrary to what people say, fad colours do not equal health problems, and like all breeds of dogs it is a responsible breeder who does the right thing that dictates strong and healthy bulldogs, these breeders are very experienced in rare colour breeding and know where the origins of these colours originate from and how to evaluate their breeding programme using dna and genetic testing.  

Brush the Bulldog's smooth, fine, short-haired coat once a week with a firm bristle brush. Wipe his face with a damp cloth every day, taking care to clean inside the wrinkles. Be sure to dry the inside of the wrinkles completely after they're washed. Some people suggest wiping the wrinkles with baby wipes that have lanolin and aloe vera. If your Bulldog's skin is irritated inside of the wrinkles, ask your vet to recommend a soothing ointment. After you've cleaned the wrinkles, wash your Bulldog's nose and apply petroleum jelly to it to keep it soft and prevent it from becoming dry and flaky.

The Bulldog is an average shedder. If you can take the time to brush him more than once a week, it will help reduce the amount of hair that gets on your clothes and furniture.

Other grooming needs include nail care and dental hygiene. Trim your Bulldog's nails once or twice a month. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they're too long. The earlier you introduce your Bulldog to nail trimming the less stressful the experience is for both of you.

Brush the teeth at least two or three times a week — daily is better — to remove tartar and bacteria. Start when your puppy is young so he'll be used to it.

As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Ears should smell good, without too much wax or gunk inside, and eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.

Children And Other Pets

His amiable temperament and bulk make the Bulldog an excellent companion for children, even young ones. A Bulldog will put up with a lot from a child, although he shouldn't have to, and he'll walk away if he gets tired of being tormented.

Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. Teach your child never to approach any dog while he's sleeping or eating or to try to take the dog's food away. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

With their pacific nature, Bulldogs also get along well with other pets, dogs and cats. They may be less sociable toward strange dogs, however.

Credit source found here