If you want to add some cuteness to your life, buying an English Bulldog puppy is the right decision. Known for being dignified, friendly, calm and courageous, this breed has long since been the pride of England. It is sure to warm your heart with its adorable antics.
Before you make this addition to your home, you must research about the breed and the required care. This blog will take you through what you should consider before getting a puppy. Rest assured that you will not have trouble finding English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Dallas.
How to Choose an English Bulldog Puppy
Here are some of the things you should look for in a puppy before buying them.
Breeder
You should ensure that the breeder you are going through is reputable. Check if they are responsible and conduct regular health evaluations. They should be completely transparent about the dog’s heritage and medical history.
Dedicated breeders will make sure that the puppies are healthy, clean and free from fleas and ticks. Moreover, they make efforts to socialize the puppies from a young age. This will minimize training problems. Find a breeder that gives a two-year guarantee. Lastly, try not to limit your options to one breeder and keep them open.
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Physical Characteristics
It would help if you spent some time observing the puppies in the kennel before making your choice. Look for the most lively, cheerful puppy in the group. Wait for the puppies to approach you and pick the one you have an immediate connection with. Moreover, you should be able to pick up curiosity and confidence from its mannerisms.
Other physical signs to look for include gait. The puppy shouldn’t look dizzy or rattle when it walks. Look at the puppy’s eyes, ears and mouth. Make sure they are clean. It shouldn’t squint or have red eyes. Its nose shouldn’t be too upturned. Further, wide nostrils are a good sign.
Notice the puppy’s breathing and ensure it doesn’t wheeze or gasp because this might indicate severe respiratory problems. Pay attention to the movement of its tail. Restricted movements are not a good sign. Additionally, the tail shouldn’t be pointed down.
Abnormal coloring, including black, blue, lilac and chocolate, might be signs of imminent health issues. Choose a puppy with healthy colorings, like red or white.
Temperament
You need to pick a puppy with the temperament you’re looking for. Aggression, rebellion, and excessive fear are danger signs. You can gauge the puppy’s personality by looking at its responses to being carried, restrained, etc.
Medical History
One of the most important things to do is to check the puppy’s medical history. Both the records of the puppy and its parents should be up-to-date. Furthermore, ask for certifications of vaccinations. This will help you prevent frequent visits to the vet later on.
The Parents
Meet the parents of your chosen pup. Check if they are healthy. To that end, inspect their medical history. Chances are, a puppy with healthy parents will have minimal issues. However, health problems might not have appeared in a mother who is younger than three years old. Make sure to take this into account. Also, notice the parents’ temperaments.
Things to Consider
Making the decision to adopt a puppy is a big deal. It takes some consideration to see if it will fit your lifestyle. Here are some things you should take into account.
Health Problems
This breed tends to be predisposed to various health problems, including hip dysplasia, brachycephalic syndrome, patella luxation and ventricular septal defect. This adds to the expense of maintenance.
Some of the other issues can be avoided with proper attention and care. They should not be allowed to overexert themselves, especially in summer, when it can lead to heat exhaustion.
Moreover, they are vulnerable to several skin conditions due to bacterial growth in the folds around their face. This can lead to irritation and, eventually, infection. So, you must ensure that they are clean.
Maintenance
Although they make excellent family companions, English bulldogs require lots of attention. You must be prepared to spend a lot of quality time with them.
Concerning exercise, a stroll or two per day will do, as Bulldogs do not require too much physical activity. This makes them suited to an apartment lifestyle. However, they tend to be messy eaters and might snore noisily.
Conclusion
Remember that adopting and raising a puppy requires commitment. If you are sure, you can handle all the responsibilities that come with buying a puppy, then waste no time adding this ray of sunshine to your life!
