| Q |
I would like to know are bulldogs a good dog to get when you have children. what is there temperament like, and do they need lots of work and working? |
| A |
Bulldogs are WONDERFUL with children, when responsibly
bred, because a reputable breeder will breed for the best temperaments, which is part of our
"Showing Standard" How any dog is raised
and socialized also has much to do with their temperament upon maturity.
Please remember that children must be taught to respect any animal family companion.
Bulldogs don't need much work as far as exercise, as adults, but puppies are very active.
Never let them get over heated or to a state of panting hard, at any age. This could be fatal to them. Never take a Bulldog on a jog around the park with
you on hot days. This would be too much for them. Bulldogs are not at all heat tolerant. Heat has killed more Bulldogs than all other health issues combined.
Even the best bred Bulldog, with a minimum of health issues can be a rather expensive and high maintenance dog to care for. If you get a pup from an irresponsible back yard breeder who doesn't care about health issues, you could potentially have a veterinarian's nightmare on your hands. So please... "Buyer Beware!" |
| Q |
I've just received a 4 year old female bulldog. I've always wanted one but knew very little about how to care for them. She has developed a skin infection that is causing large red, raw spots going around her neck, mainly in the back. Carried her to a vet, he did scrapings, and said it was probably a staph infection. He gave me medicine to use both orally and
topically. Now six weeks later, it's started all over again. Are there any home remedies to use for this? The other question is that
she has a very offensive body odor. This is not connected to the skin infection; it is so bad we cannot keep her in the house. I've tried various soaps to no avail. Can someone please help me as I really love my dog and want to be able to care for her. |
| A |
Your veterinarian says "Probably" a staph infection? Personally, I would say, closer to the truth is, you should "most likely"
find a better veterinarian.
What you are describing here sounds like "Hot
Spots", which are brought on by two things, fleas or allergies. You mentioned the foul odor and feel it is not connected with the 'Hot Spots", well I feel differently, I feel they are very much connected and your veterinarian should have picked up on this. What do you feed
her? All this may be the result to a major food allergy, combined with too high a protein level in what she's fed.
At her age, she doesn't need anything higher than a 19% protein level.... Also, many dogs (of all breeds)
can be allergic to wheat or corn by products.. Soy is another problem
with many dogs. Most dogs have trouble with the less expensive dog foods, bought in the general grocery store, because of the cheaper way the protein is so highly processed.
Through a process of elimination, you must find what the allergens are
and change she food to what is best for her needs. But please,
stay away from Bulk or cheaper, highly processed dog foods.
To treat "Hot Spots"?
First let me caution you. Unless there is a
real reason for bathing your dog, do not bathe her so often. You will do more harm to their coat than good. If you are not showing your dog, or there is no medical reason, they should never need to be bathed more than 3 or 4 times a year, if that often. A good
regular brushing and being wiped down with a damp cloth to get dirt off the surface of the coat, should be more than enough.
Treating "Hot Spots" <remember, food may also need to be changed> use equal parts apple cider vinegar and warm water to cleans infected area.
Use the 'pure' apple cider
vinegar, not the colored or flavored, distilled variety. Be sure area is fully dry after cleansing. If there are open sores, treat
sores with Panalog. Once all of the sores are healed and no longer weeping, powder area (still in healing process) after cleansing with vinegar
solution and completely drying infected area, using "Gold Bond" medicated baby powder. Do
not use the adult Gold Bond, as it is too strong with menthol and will sting, something terrible. The medicated baby powder soothes and helps the continued healing.
To help the coat grow back to a grand appearance, you may want to add a little "Mirra-Coat" by Pet Ag to her food. This is a supplement designed for horses, but it works GREAT on dogs too. It can be ordered through your veterinarian, bought at most good Feed and Tack shops or go right to the
"Pet
Supply" website . |
| Q |
Can you give me some information
on Cryptorchidism? At what age is surgery recommended? Have you ever heard of the AKC refusing to register a puppy because of
Cryptorchidism? What age should the testes drop? |
| A |
Cryptorchidism is a condition in which either one or both testes (testicles) fails to descend fully into the scrotum. Normally, the testicles will descend before birth. In young puppies (under 6 months) the testicles can occasionally retract back into the groin, particularly if the pup is cold or excited. There should, however, be periods of time when both testicles are properly located.
AKC will register a purebred dog with Cryptorchidism. This is not an issue with them
for registration. Cryptorchidism does disqualify the dog from showing in AKC shows.
What kind of surgery are you referring to? Neutering? I personally would allow any Bulldog to fully mature before a sterilization surgery takes place, to allow their full bone and muscle to form. |
