Most people would like to own a dog. Different people will own a dog with different intentions. Some will want to own it just because they grew up with dogs in their parents’ house. Others will own them for security purposes, and the majority will get a dog just to have a cute pet that you can hold and play with especially when lonely. Whatever reason you have for wanting to own a dog, you have to decide what breed of dog you need. Most dog lovers will go for a bulldog since they are loyal and protective family dogs that respond profoundly to training. There are many types of bulldogs that you can choose from, English bulldogs being one of them. So, if you are settling for an English bulldog, how do you know exactly what English bulldog to buy? The following are some of the factors you should consider when purchasing an English bulldog:

Body type

Bulldogs have different bodies and shapes. You will find some with shorter legs that give them the appearance of being low to the ground. Some will have thinner legs than others. Some will have huge heads than others. It will be up to you to decide on the body type that you want your bulldog to have. Researching the AKC standards could help you come up with how you want your dog to look.

Body size and weight

What size would you like your bulldog to be? Do you want a big-looking bulldog or a small-looking one? Weight is something you should not forget to ask when buying a bulldog. Unlike other breeds, this breed has a broad weight range. One of the best ways to get an ideal-sized Bulldog is to observe the parents when working with a breeder. This is also a great way to get a feel for the personality traits your Bulldog might be genetically born with.

To keep your bulldog’s body size and weight at an optimal level, you will need to provide great nutrition paired with a good exercise routine. Here’s a good set of nutritional options I found on Amazon. Our English Bulldog “Lucy” Loves this food.

Color and spotting

This is one of the most crucial decisions a potential bulldog owner has to make before they can make a purchase. Do you want an all-white bulldog, a grey one, a brown one, or one with a tan?

Though sometimes it is difficult to choose a dog by its color, you might like some other features and forget about the color.

Sex

Do you want to own a female bulldog or a male one? There is a stereotype of female bulldogs being easier to train and the male ones being less emotional. Then again, it is just a stereotype.

Bloodline

You might want to own a bulldog that has a historical bloodline of purebreds and champions. Look for an English bulldog that has been well-registered with the AKC standards. This will help you identify bulldog parents who have been champions in dog shows. Winning champions is enough evidence that the bulldog still has the original bulldog standards. Bulldogs with no papers might not be purebred.

Breeders

It is critical for you to know the breeders. Were the dogs bred too early? Have they done the breeding before? Do the breeders have a reputation? Some people will breed the dogs just for money; they will not care if they did it right or not. Of course, you would not want to buy from such breeders. Know where your bulldog is coming from.

Health

No one wants to have a puppy that is not healthy. So, how can you tell if your potential bulldog is healthy or not? You must ensure that the dog has been vet-checked and up to date on its shot. It is crucial that you check the parent’s health records from a doctor’s file.

Age

It is necessary to know the time that is appropriate to separate a puppy from its family. It is recommended for a puppy to stay with the mother for at least 8 weeks to feed. However, if the puppy could remain with the others for 3 months, it could learn a lot. This is the age that they start learning a few tricks from their mother. Do not rush things as you can end up making the little puppy’s life miserable and that’s not what you want.

Are you ready to be an English bulldog owner?

You might know exactly the type of dog you want; but are you ready to be an English bulldog owner? If you feel that you are ready to own a dog, then you should be prepared to do the following:

  • To go out of your means to ensure the bulldog is always happy and healthy
  • To clean this creature’s poop and pee now and then throughout the day for the rest of its life.
  • You should not mind the dog causing damage to your home
  • You should be ready to include the dog in your monthly budget throughout its entire life.
  • You should be willing to take responsibility for how your dog relates to other dogs and people as well.

So, do you still wish to own an English bulldog? Most people get carried away by the puppies’ cuteness; first, think about the responsibilities that come with that cuteness. You should be ready to treat the dog as a member of your family. If you feel that you are prepared to be an English bulldog owner and don’t mind carrying out the responsibilities mentioned, then go ahead and purchase that bulldog of your dreams.