Bulldog

Overview

The Bulldog is a national symbol and a very undemanding dog to walk, provided you respect its limits. Heavy, broad and low, it was long ago bred away from any kind of work and is now a calm, affectionate companion that likes a short stroll, a sniff and a lie down.

Its build is the whole story for a walker. The short muzzle makes breathing hard work, the body overheats quickly, and the joints carry a lot of weight. A Bulldog walk is not about distance; it is about getting the dog out, keeping it comfortable and bringing it back cool.

Exercise and walking needs

Two gentle walks of fifteen to thirty minutes a day are plenty for most adult Bulldogs. They enjoy being out and will plod happily around a block or a park, but they tire fast and have no reserve to draw on. Stop before the dog does.

Warm weather is dangerous rather than merely uncomfortable for this breed. In summer walk at dawn or dusk, keep to shade, carry water, and be ready to shorten or cancel on a hot day. The owner would rather have a missed walk than an emergency.

On the walk

• Breathing: Grunting and snoring are normal; laboured, noisy breathing with the tongue out and a reluctance to move are not. Stop, find shade and cool the dog down, then ring the owner.
• Pace: Slow. If you have other dogs in the group they will need to wait, so a Bulldog is often better walked alone or with similar company.
• Pulling: Low effort but a lot of weight. A broad harness is kinder than a collar on a neck like this.
• Other dogs: Mostly placid and tolerant, though some are stubborn about personal space. Keep greetings calm and let the Bulldog set the terms.
• Water: Bulldogs cannot swim. Keep well away from deep water and steep banks.

Tips for professional walkers

1. Treat every warm day as a hot day for this breed and plan the time of the walk around it.
2. Carry water and a bowl, and offer it at the halfway point even on short walks.
3. Pick flat routes with places to rest; stairs and steep hills are hard on the joints and the lungs.
4. Learn the dog's normal noises on the first walk so you notice when they change.
5. Keep the walk unhurried. A Bulldog that is rushed will simply stop, and it is right to.

What to ask the owner

• Has the dog had any airway surgery, and what has the vet said about exercise?
• At what temperature does the owner want the walk shortened or cancelled?
• Any skin fold or tail pocket care to do after a walk?
• Any joint or back problems you should know about before stairs or getting in and out of a vehicle?

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