Dear Bulldog Owners Everywhere

"They're just so ugly they're cute."

"Look at their smushed-up faces and legs! They're adorable!"

"Listen to how they snore and snort - it's so endearing!"

I've heard it all when it comes to why to buy or adopt (if you're lucky) a bulldog. I definitely used to turn my nose up a little at the thought of owning a bulldog of any flavor (French, American, English, etc.). However, as I've interacted with more and more of them, I can't help but agree that they're pretty stinkin' cute.

Unfortunately, as a trade-off for that cuteness, their health has taken a major hit. From angular limb deformities to an innate inability to breathe, they cover a gamut of issues - most of which are major.

Yet, I'm still shocked at how unaware some owners are about their general health and about how unfit bullies truly are from a medical perspective. I'd love to take this opportunity to hit some of the medical highlights for why owning a bulldog is a bigger step than many realize.

Caesarian Section - Not if, but when

People who have recently adopted bulldogs seem to tell me with the highest frequency that they intend to breed them. I suppose it's easy to see dollar signs from breeding a dog when you've just purchased it for a couple of thousand dollars yourself. However, it's much harder to realize that profit when you factor in the need to spend thousands on veterinary care just to get them through a pregnancy - not to mention risk losing your dog in the process.

Many brachycephalic breeds, but English bulldogs, in particular, cannot give birth naturally. This means that to move forward with breeding, you either need to work very closely with a veterinarian willing to schedule a proactive C-section for you. Or, you need to budget heavily for the likelihood that you'll end up in an emergency clinic for a C-section. This is a fact that many owners are not aware of.

If you have a theriogenologist in your area, they would be worth exploring; these specialists are amazing if you're serious about safe breeding. Many general practitioners are also comfortable helping you through this process, but the important thing is that you get a veterinarian involved early rather than late*.

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Brachycephalic Obstruction Airway Syndrome refers to a complex of anatomic abnormalities common to many of our bulldogs. In essence, they have poorly developed nares (nasal openings), a long soft palate, and a few abnormalities to their nasopharynx and larynx.

This syndrome occurs with varying degrees of severity but essentially causes a constant increase in the work of breathing for your dog. This means that bulldogs are constantly working harder for every breath, which creates a vicious positive feedback loop eventually affecting the lower airways as well. Furthermore, this increased effort can contribute to chronic gastritis and reflux.

Finally, the shortened muzzle and difficult breathing make bulldogs at an extremely high risk of overheating. They are much less efficient at cooling with panting and, especially when overweight, are at risk of heat exhaustion/stroke. This is why bulldogs can overheat even while remaining sedentary in the shade. In my area, where temperatures in the shade can be over 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summers, this is especially true.

While there is no definitive cure for this complex of signs, many surgeries can improve it dramatically. In my practice, I can help widen the nares and create a more physiologically appropriate nasal opening. Veterinary surgeons can help with the elongated soft palates and laryngeal changes.

Intervertebral Disk/Disc Disease

This painful condition occurs as a result of abnormal cartilage rings separating the vertebral bones from one another. These rings are normally a flexible matrix that is gradually replaced with cartilage as animals age. However, in Chondrodysplastic breeds - like French Bulldogs, the process occurs more quickly, which causes them to be less flexible. This leads to a risk of rupture or bulging.

The result of this rupture or bulging may be minor and simply result in intermittent back pain, or it can lead to full-blown paralysis, usually of the hindlimbs (paraplegia) - but sometimes of all four limbs (tetraplegia). Unfortunately, this is another medical burden that our bullies must bear for the sake of being cute.

Treatment for this varies depending on the severity and the location of the bulging/ruptured disc. Surgical correction is sometimes warranted, especially when neurologic changes are severe; though, this surgery is often upwards of $10,000. Alternatively, many dogs require long-term anti-inflammatory medications and various other pain relief options.

Now, I'm not going to stand here and deny that Bulldogs of all varieties can be excellent pets. They are loving, enthusiastic, cute, friendly, inordinately stubborn, and all-around happy creatures. However, I believe that it's important to know what you're getting yourself into before adopting a bulldog or further educating yourself about the breed you already own. All breeds have their pros and cons; however, the bulldogs have a variety of medical cons that can make them somewhat more difficult and/or expensive pets. Thanks for reading.

*Note: As a general rule, I oppose the recreational breeding of pets - especially brachycephalic ones. Though, I know that my opposition does not stop people from doing so. This topic is one that gets overlooked, and it's important to know for those who are planning to breed regardless.