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So you are looking to buy and English Bulldog?  For the first time dog owner, this may be overwhelming.  Please do your research before looking at this breed due to many health problems.  Bulldogs are amazing creatures and great family pets but there are several issues you need to be aware of before going out and getting one.  Please do not let this scare you away from this breed.  I would also like to state that I'm not a medical professional just an avid bulldog owner.

Some basic information first.  The English Bulldog originated from ancient Asian Mastiffs and were cross bred many, many years ago with the Pug in England to get it to the standard we know today.  In no way do I consider them a "pure breed" since their gene fluctuation is so great.  Yes, they may be more pure in today's society but being a man made breed has caused many health issues.  Please don't let that change your mind about the dog, they are wonderful but, owners must be aware of what you will be dealing with possibly.  Bulldogs a century ago were much thinner and taller.  Used for bull baiting, they actually assisted in bringing down bulls or cattle for sport.  It was common back then to see a dog being flung by a bull in the hunt.  In today's society you will never see that but the instincts for the breed are still there.

On to the health issues, bulldogs are full of them.  Some of the most common ones are heat stroke, hip dysplasia, skin allergies, and breathing problems. 

Heat stroke is very common for English Bulldogs.  Bullies have breathing issues and we all know that most dogs disperse heat though their mouth and nose region.  Bullies tend to have a narrower throat and nasal passage, they can't expel the heat fast enough.  Even brisk walking for long periods of time outdoors tends to overheat a bullie.  All Bulldogs should be considered indoor dogs due to this reason.

Hip dysplasia is common in large boned breeds. Our dog Kylee, seen below, has it and has been on glucosamine for most of her life and before her treatment her hips used to "pop."  She may have grown into her hip socket over the years and pulled out of this terrible issue but all large breeds should be on one form of cartilage repair treatment.  Check with your vet first!

Skin allergies can happen is any breed but all of the bulldogs I've owned and haven been associated with have had minor to severe skin allergies.  Usually a pink to red irritation, mostly on the stomach and ear areas.  Most will go away on it's own if external like the stomach but the ear area needs to be washed out with a product called Epi-Otic.

Our first Bulldog had breathing issues and needed a soft pallet surgery to allow more air to pass though his throat and nose.  He used to have difficulty breathing and would snore quite loud.  These surgeries are not cheap and sometimes there are slight complications due to swelling.  The dog will have to stay 1-2 days at the vet afterward for monitoring.

These are just a small sample of issues bullies have but again the breed is quite wonderful and suprizingly active and strong.  Please do your research before buying one!