In the past, bull-baiting was popular in parts of Europe. People used dogs to fight enraged bulls for entertainment. Later, this cruel activity was banned by law, and the old fighting bulldogs were transformed into household pets. The English Bulldog is one of those ancient bulldog types. Unfortunately, many years of artificial selection also left the breed with genetic weaknesses that make it vulnerable to certain diseases.
English Bulldogs are prone to BAO
The English Bulldog's classic short head and flat muzzle may look cute to people, but they increase resistance in the airway and make breathing more difficult. In serious cases this leads to brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, often shortened to BAO. This is one of the main reasons English Bulldogs suffer health problems and one of the major causes of early death in the breed. Dogs with BAO are often diagnosed between one and four years of age. In mild cases the only obvious sign may be loud snoring, but in more severe cases the dog develops much noisier breathing, tires out after only slight exercise, and may even lose control of the body or faint. Other signs may include coughing, choking, nausea, and vomiting, all of which often become worse in hot and humid weather.
Congenital heart underdevelopment
Many English Bulldogs also suffer from congenital heart problems, including conditions grouped under tetralogy of Fallot. The typical defects may include narrowing of the pulmonary artery or pulmonary valve, displacement of the aortic opening so that it spans both ventricles, ventricular septal defect, and thickening of the right ventricular wall. Most affected dogs show shortness of breath and very poor exercise tolerance, and without surgery many do not survive beyond the first year of life.
Reproductive problems
The English Bulldog's unusual body structure means that females often have very narrow pelvises. As a result, most of them cannot deliver naturally and require cesarean section. Breathing difficulties also make it hard for males to maintain mating long enough, so artificial insemination is often necessary. In other words, without human assistance, many English Bulldogs cannot reproduce successfully.
Bulldogs in general often have skin problems, and the English Bulldog is no exception. Their skin is thin, delicate, and full of folds that easily trap dirt and bacteria, which makes skin disease another common issue. The main point is simple: purebred English Bulldogs are often very fragile dogs, and anyone considering one should be mentally prepared for the extra care they may need.