Heat Tolerance and Your Bulldog
We all want the best life for our dogs. If you own an English Bulldog, that means being aware of your dog’s breathability and the risk of heatstroke.
Starting at 3-4 years old, if an English Bulldog isn’t able to breathe properly, it can hyperventilate, and have heat stroke. That causes heatstroke to be the leading cause of early death for the breed.
Why can’t Bulldogs tolerate heat?
A dog’s ability to tolerate heat is tied to its ability to breathe. A couple of factors, including the short nose of a traditional Bulldog, causes them to have difficulty breathing.
1. The trachea
The trachea, or windpipe, of an English Bulldog can be very narrow. That makes it difficult for the dog to get enough air.
2. Pinched nostrils
Pinched nostrils are very common with the breed. However, they can restrict airflow.
3. The traditional short nose
English Bulldogs have been bred for short noses. A side effect is that it pushes the soft palate back which causes congestion, and again, makes it difficult to breathe
The combination of these individual traits limits the English Bulldog’s breathability and heat tolerance. Each one of these aspects can be slowly improved through genetics. That’s why we focus on health to make sure that our dogs can breathe well, and live life to the fullest with their families.
How do I help my dog?
A great place to start is with a dog from a healthy English Bulldog breeder. A healthy dog won’t completely solve the problem, but it will give you a step up.
- Don’t leave your dog outside for long periods of time when it’s hot out. Our recommended limit is 85 degrees.
- When your dog is outside, make sure they have access to shade and water.
- If your dog is outside when it’s above 85 degrees out, watch them and make sure they continue to breathe well.
- Don’t leave them in a hot car, even with the windows down.
- If you’re not sure, it’s best to keep them in an air-conditioned room.
A healthy English Bulldog should be very functional and be able to play on warm days. If you’re looking for a Bulldog to add to your family, we consider ourselves to be one of the best English Bulldog breeders when it comes to health.