Summer Warnings

Updated on June 29, 2004

The Cyber-Bulldog Coalition wants to remind everyone to have a safe and happy summer... Please study this page carefully.

Summer Warnings

Take care with your Bulldog! Heat can kill!

Here's some suggestions for keeping your Bulldog cool, healthy and happy.

Walk your Bulldog in the cool of the early morning or late evening. If you do need to walk your Bulldog during the heat of the day, first have him stand by an opened door, to slowly become accustomed to the heat, if coming out of a cooler, air conditioned house. To let him go from a cool home to the very hot out doors, if the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is more than 20 degrees very suddenly,, it is like walking into an oven for him and can take his breath away in a mild shock. Be sure to supervise them carefully and get them back into the cool of the house as quickly as you can.

When traveling in your car with your Bulldog, be sure you have Air Conditioning in good working order. If you just have a short errand to do, leave your Bulldog home. NEVER leave any dog, especially a Bulldog in a parked car for any reason, not even for a few minutes, not even with the air conditioner going. Most vehicles, newer than 1979 (which most are now days) the air conditioner compressor disengages when the R.P.M.'s are not up. This prevents over heating, during stop and go driving or driving up steep hills. Only the vent air will be blowing. This vent air turns hot very fast and can turn into a death trap for a dog left in a parked car, combined with the heat of the day. A parked car can get over 120 degrees F. in less than three minutes in many areas.

3.	Keep lots of cool water and ice cubes on hand for your Bulldog's thirst and pleasure.

Keep old (dry) towels rolled up in your freezer. They can help cool a Bulldog down quickly when water is not available in large quantities. Carry these frozen towels in an ice chest, with a frozen cold pack, when traveling, even for short distances. They will also give your Bulldog something cool to lay on, without getting car seats all wet.

5.	Please do not use the solid airline style crates for your Bulldog. They do not let cool air circulate well enough. The wire crates are just as sturdy and better for Bulldogs..

Keep a small squeeze bottle of lemon juice handy, such as the kind made by Real LemonŽ. If your Bulldog becomes overheated, breathing can become unusually labored and loud, and the tongue may begin to turn bluish. Much of this is caused by a buildup of phlegm that blocks the airways. One good squirt of lemon juice to the back of the dog's mouth will clear this phlegm instantly and breathing will improve immediately. This will give you valuable time to get your dog to a cool place.

If you need to cool your Bulldog down very quickly in an attempt to avoid a heat stroke. place him in a bath tub and rinse him down with temperate water. Do not use water that's too cold, as it can cause shock. Take the Bulldog's temperature often during this time. Normal for a Bulldog is around 101 degrees F.

8.	Please remember, heat rises! So even if it feels cooler for you when walking around, it can be nearly 30 degrees F. down where your Bulldog is walking. If on black top? It can be nearly 60 degrees F. or more at their lower level.

Going on Vacation and taking along your Bulldog?

If you're planning a trip and will be taking your Bulldog(s) with you, here's some helpful tips to keep your Bulldog safe, should the worst happen. Sometimes bad things happen to good people and Bulldogs. It's a grim fact of life: Any pet can escape and become lost. Unfortunately, some are even stolen. Or if you're in an accident while on vacation and your Bulldog is separated from you, what happens to them?

	Be sure you get your Bulldogs microchipped and the chip registered with Home Again tm and/or AKC's Companion Animal Recovery, listing all important information about your Bulldog and whom to contact, should they be separated from you. Even though collars with identification and vaccination tags are important, they can be removed, a microchip is next to impossible to remove.
	Carry a large envelope with photocopies (never originals) of important information and records...
	AKC registration (proof of Bulldog ownership). Simple medical records, listing... Bulldog's regular veterinarian's name, address and phone number, vaccinations, allergies, who to contact in case of emergency. Please be sure all vaccinations and wormings are updated, if needed, at least a month or better and have a 'well dog' exam done, before your trip. Bulldog's call and special care instructions, like brand of food normally fed and things to avoid for health of your Bulldog.

Take along a Canine First Aid Kit for your Bulldog in case of emergencies. Include a Bee/Wasp sting kit, with injectable medication from your veterinarian. Be sure your Veterinarian shows you how to use it and cautions you of the side effects, etc. In this kit, include any and all medications your Bulldog may be on, as well as directions, should someone need to baby sit your Bulldog, should you have the misfortune of an accident and land in the hospital.

Take along their food, dishes for food and water, as well as a large container of fresh water for your Bulldog to drink. Often water from unfamiliar sources can cause stomach upset, even diarrhea for your dog. If you run out of water from home, then buy bottled spring water for your dog.

Take a grooming brush and no-rinse cleaning solution for your Bulldog, with extra towels, in case you need to clean your dog up while on your trip. In case you run into mud from rain or any number of other messes our sweet Bulldogs can get into while on vacation, they may need some cleaning up. Also, when gone on vacation for any length of time, brushing helps with not just the grooming, but it can also have a calming effect on a travel weary dog.

If in your travels, you will be near larger bodies of water or swimming pools, remember "Bulldogs Don't Swim!" Be sure to ALWAYS supervise your Bulldog around water. If they will be in a boat, have a custom fitted Doggie life jacket, designed for them before you leave for your trip and get them used to wearing it.

When you travel, please remember to clean up after your dog. So take along extra baggies to clean up and dispose of waste properly.

~~ Tips from Bulldoggers ~~

We put up an over head mist system on our covered deck, 10'X14' L shape .Cheap, easy to install cost about $40.00, plus time of a couple hours. Works great with a very fine vapor mist. Bob

We have a small pool (in the shape of a turtle!) that we put 3-4 in of cold water in the back yard. Our bulldog loves it. Also always have ice on hand-especially lemonade flavored ice cubes. Michell

Learn more about "How to recognize when your bulldog is too hot" from our UK team member, Tania, with Shaloney Bulldogs Tania also has information on her "General Bulldog Care" page.

A painful experience and warning from George and Jennifer... Please remember... 99.99% of all Bulldogs cannot swim.
If there is even the slightest weakness in your fence, a Bulldog, with their grand intelligence, will find that weak point and escape for a little adventure, which may prove fatal. Never let your Bulldog around any body of water, unsupervised. This includes little 'kiddy pools' bought just for them. If you take your Bulldog on your boat or camping near water, have a special floatation life jacket custom fitted for them; one that's designed so they float 'head up.' Be sure they wear it! Even with this life jacket, supervise them closely. Prepare ahead, so should the worst happen (Heaven forbid), learn before any tragedy, how to do Canine CPR on a Bulldog.
	In memory of Obie and Cricket.
We sadly report that they were not found alive. This comes to us as such a terrible shock. They both drowned in a neighbors pond. We are so very sorry to hear this devastatingly sad news. Our deepest condolences to George and Jennifer, grmtnely@shoreham.net.

A special Thank you to George and Jennifer for allowing us to share this terrible tragedy and for letting the late great Obie and Cricket be the poster boys to remind and educate others about the dangers of Bulldogs near water. Hopefully this will save the lives of other Bulldogs.

Submit your 'Hot Weather Tips'

Have you tried making your own frozen doggie treats? Rather than Ice Cream, try a Frosty PawsŽ like treat for your Bulldog.
	32 oz. vanilla yogurt 1 mashed banana or 1 large jar baby fruit 2 Tbsp. peanut butter 2 Tbsp. honey Blend well (Whip for creamier texture). Freeze in ice cube trays or 3 oz. plastic cups. Microwave a few seconds before serving.

*Thank you Barbara for the help with graphics and this great recipe.*

When we update here again, this small link section will be moved to our 'Links Page', where you can find some amazing information for, about and concerning Bulldogs.
Cool summer products for you and your Bulldog and more!
*The Cool Pooch*		*Body CoolerŽ Products*
*The Pet Safety Center*		*Canine Coolers*
*Also see "Hot Tips for Pet Owners "*		*Heat dangers*
Bulldogs Welcomed! Travel Links in the USA
If you will be crossing state (or even county) lines in your travels, call ahead to learn what the "Pet Laws" are, especially concerning the Bulldog breed. In some areas (like Yakima, Washington), it is against their laws to have a Bulldog.
*Pets Welcomed*		*Pet Travel and Dog Fun*
*Pet Vacations*		*Fourpeaks Dog-friendly Vacations*
*Pets Friendly Hotels*		*Travel Tips & Book "A Dog's World"*
*The Pet Channel's "Travel with your Pets"*		*Pet Travel by Car*
*Travel Channel's "Travel with Pets"*		*Have Pet, Will Travel*
*Travel Pack and Bed for Dogs*		*Road trip with your dog*


*Thank you Dan for this important Reminder.*

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