Why do English Bulldogs Cost So Much?
If your first question is PRICE. maybe this is not the breed that you should be looking into.  In
order to breed HIGH QUALITY and HEALTHY bulldogs it is NOT cheap! There is a great
deal of time, effort and expense involved in raising a Bulldog litter. Without going into too
much detail, it can cost up to $2000 to breed, deliver and raise a litter, without consideration
for the time invested. The average litter size is 4. Getting the female ready for breeding
requires pre-breeding testing, ovulation testing, etc. - approximately 3 trips to the vet. Then
the female is usually artificially inseminated, another 3 trips to the vet, not to mention the
expense for the semen/stud service which is $500 and up. Then you wait 4 weeks for an
ultrasound and/or x-rays. (It is important to be sure the female is pregnant). Special diets and
constant monitoring for the next 5 weeks, plus getting the nursery getting with heating pads,
bottles, blankets, medical supplies, milk replacer, puppy scale, and the list goes on and on.
Then comes the C-section which can cost upwards of $500 assuming she went into labor
DURING regular office hours and all went well. Females produce only a few litters. This is a
special breed which requires the help of humans to bring a litter to 8 weeks of age. In spite of
their appearance the Bulldog, as a newborn puppy is extremely fragile. It requires constant
monitoring of the puppies (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Bulldogs don't make the best
mothers because they may lay on a puppy on accident and not even realize it. The puppies
are normally checked by the vet at least 4 times during their first 8 weeks, including wormings
and puppy shots. It is a breed that requires MAXIMUM effort on the part of the breeder to
make sure that all the puppies turn out healthy. The whole procedure is VERY costly.  You
will find that most breeders range their pet bullies around the $2000.00 mark. Beware of
"great deals" and "cheap puppies", they may cost you a lot more in the end - not just money,
but heartache too!

How long is the lifespan of a bulldog?
Bulldogs usually live about 8 to 10 years. Some have been known to live to 12.

Are Bulldogs Good with Kids?
Bulldogs love kids! They are very patient and tolerant with children, they are very gentle and
loving. However, no child should ever be left unsupervised with ANY dog because children
many times do not understand the proper way of handling a puppy.

Is a Bulldog right for me?
Sure! Just leave the dog at home if you are going running. The bulldog is not an active breed
as an adult and cannot take long periods of exercise. Running, except for very short spurts,
is not something that the Bulldog is built for. He will be much happier watching t.v. with you
when you return home. However, they love going to the park or beach or anyplace else that
requires only moderate exercise. They love car rides; just please, NEVER leave the dog
unattended even for short periods of time.

Do Bulldogs Make Good Watch Dogs?
No. Not if you mean would they attack someone entering your home. Because of their
temperament, Bulldogs simply won't act like a trained attack dog. They may bark, and make
no mistake they will protect their family if they feel they are in danger.
How long does it take for the head and chest to grow?
The bulldog reaches his height by about 4 months, usually. Some go through a long lanky
stage, then they start to widen. At about 8 to 9 months, the head and chest start to grow, and
will do so until 3 to 4 years old.

What do I feed my puppy?
The breeder should give you a written diet sheet telling you what foods, how much and how
often the puppy has been fed. You should keep to this diet for a few days before gradually
weaning him onto the food with which you have decided to continue. Your new puppy must
receive the correct diet to give him the best possible start in life. Any mistakes at this stage of
his life can have serious and long-lasting effects. His diet must provide all the nutrients he
needs for healthy growth and development - not only in the correct amounts but also in the
correct proportions to each other. Don't feed your puppy uncooked meat or food that may
have gone bad. Commercially prepared pet food is the safest diet, delivering optimal
nutritional balance for the best value. Young puppies need relatively large amounts of food in
order to meet the demands of their rapidly growing bodies and their hectic lifestyle. However,
at this age they are still small and their stomachs cannot hold much food at one time. In order
that they eat enough to fulfill their needs, they must be fed several small meals each day, and
their diet must provide all the right nutrients in a comparatively small volume.
Fortunately, feeding your puppy need not be as complicated as it sounds. Diets that are
specially formulated for growth take all the guesswork out of rearing healthy puppies and
provide a balanced and highly digestible diet that he enjoys and thrives on. The feeding
regimen for your puppy depends greatly on his age and individual characteristics. Your
puppy's condition is the best indicator of whether you are feeding the correct amount.
Generally a puppy should be allowed 15 to 20 minutes to eat at each mealtime. After 15
minutes remove any uneaten food and serve fresh food at the next meal. Although milk is a
useful source of nutrients for young dogs, it is not an essential part of the puppy's diet once
he has been weaned. Many puppies and dogs cannot efficiently digest lactose, the sugar
present in milk, and this causes digestive upsets if given to them. While bones provide
chewing exercise and calcium and phosphorous, they can also be dangerous if they splinter.
Rather than bones, feed your puppy specially designed chewing treats from reputable pet
stores. Make sure that your puppy has his own feeding and water bowls and that they are
kept clean. Fresh water should always be available.

Training your puppy
Both you and your puppy will be much happier if he is well-trained. His natural instinct is to
submit to the discipline imposed by his pack leader - this is your role. Through training he will
learn to understand what is required of him and how to please you. Take a little time and
trouble over this and you will find the companionship of an obedient dog more than repays
your efforts.

House training
House training rarely presents a problem with puppies who have been reared under proper
conditions - puppies instinctively want to be clean and they are eager to please their owners.
You should begin training as soon as you bring your puppy home. Any delay in establishing a
proper routine can make training more difficult later on. Patience and perseverance are
required. A young puppy will want to urinate and defecate frequently because he has a small
bladder and bowel. If you have an enclosed yard, take him out and place him on a suitable
spot whenever he indicates that he wants to relieve himself. In addition, take him to the same
spot first thing in the morning, last thing at night, after every meal, and whenever he has
been inside for long periods. Make sure that you go with him and stay with him until he
performs; then praise him lavishly. Don't punish him when mishaps occur. This will only lead
to confusion and fear. Never "rub his nose in it" if he makes a mess.

Basic Training
You will need to teach your puppy a few basic commands. For training to be of any benefit,
he must first respond to his name and understand the meaning of the word "no."
Once your puppy has completed his vaccinations, you will be able to take him for short
walks. You must keep him under control at all times when he is in a public place, and for this
a leash is essential. Introduce him to his collar and leash and let him get used to wearing
them before you first take him out. Once he is used to the leash, you can begin his basic
training. All members of the household should be involved in the training program. Use short
words for commands, with vowels that sound clearly different. The first four essentials are
heel, sit, come and down. Be clear in your commands and, above all, be consistent.
Reward him with a show of affection and by stroking him when he does well. Remember, you
don't necessarily need to provide a food reward while training. Don't punish him for not
obeying a command - simply withhold the positive reinforcement. Otherwise, he will associate
the command with punishment. You may later want to join an obedience class for puppies or
dogs in order to extend your puppy's training. A skilled instructor can also help you to
overcome any problems that have arisen. Puppy kindergarten can start as soon as your
puppy has been fully vaccinated. These classes are fun for you and your puppy, and they
also allow him to socialize with other dogs.
BULLDOG QUESTIONS & INFORMATION