Category: Bulldog Puppies

100+ Unique Bulldog Names (Plus,Tips for Naming Your Bulldog)

Post author By Reannon
Post date November 8, 2018

With thousands of names to choose from, finding the perfect monicker for your bulldog can sometimes feel overwhelming. Luckily, naming a bulldog isn’t like naming a child.There’s no need to worry about social acceptance (the other dogs won’t tease your bulldog on the playground if he has a weird name), and this can free you to be more creative and make a unique or even wacky name choice. So long as you’re comfortable with the name and your bulldog responds well to it, then you’re set.

But for those who’d like to go the extra mile and find a truly unique name that no other bulldog baby at the dog park will have, here is a list of 120 cool and unusual bulldog names as well as tips on how to pick the perfect name for your pet.

How to Pick a Name for Your Bulldog

Pick a name your bulldog will easily recognize

Dogs respond best to names that are one-to-two syllables, so select a name that’s short. Even if you choose a longer name to start, you’ll likely end up shortening it over time—Yelling “Come here, Snuggles von LovesALot” across a dog park can get old, fast.

Also, dogs respond to names with common, familiar sounds. Names with “ch,” “sh,” “k” or names that end with a long “e” sound or short “a” sound—like “Shelly” or “Kika,” for instance, will likely get your dog’s attention quicker than “Zufu” or “Xander.”

Choose a name you’re comfortable shouting in a dog park

This perhaps goes without saying, but yelling a name like “Darth Vadar!” in a crowded dog park might earn you some odd looks from your fellow pet owners. Consider your own comfort level with zany names and choose carefully.

Avoid names that sound like commands

Avoid naming your bulldog anything that rhymes with or sounds similar to a common command, such as “No,” “Sit,” “Stay,” “Down,” or “Come.” That may seem like obvious advice, but it’s worth thinking twice about, as dogs aren’t always able to differentiate between similar sounds. Names like “Joe” or “Mo” can sound too much like “no,” for example, and might confuse your bulldog.

Consider your bulldog’s heritage

Oftentimes it’s fun to name a bulldog a traditional English or French name. For an “English Bulldog,” you can call him Henry, Arthur, Harry Potter or Merlin, for example. For a French bulldog, names like “Delphine” or “Louis” might be a fitting choice.

Wait a few days before choosing a name

If you’ve just brought your new bulldog home, you may want to wait a couple of days before selecting a name. This will give you a chance to get to know your pup and become familiar with his personality, which you can use for inspiration in the naming process.

Consider your pup’s personality and appearance

Snow White Show Dog preparing for show — Our bulldog, Snow White.

You may want to call your all-white bulldog Snowball (or Snow White, as we did) or if you have a hyper and rambunctious bulldog, then names like “Fizz” or “Chipper” might be a fun option.

Unique female bulldog names

Picking a uniquely female name can help prevent the “Is it a boy or a girl?” question that often comes when you name your bulldog a gender-neutral name. The list below include several more interesting picks.

1. Beena
2. Chatty
3. Lolly
4. Loula
5. Mooka
6. Nyla
7. Polly
8. Reena
9. Sally
10. Thera
11. Vivi
12. Zee

Unique male bulldog names

Some of the most popular male bulldog names include “Tank,” “Max,” “Winston” and “Rocky;” all great names, for sure, but they’re not the most original. Below is a list of fun and quirky bulldog names that will stand out from the crowd (just like your special bully).

13. Dart
14. Gazer
15. Gordy
16. Horace
17. Lemmy
18. Levar
19. Titan
20. Trusty

Cute bulldog names

Just because the names are unusual doesn’t mean they can’t be cute, too. The following one and two-syllable names are goofy and cheerful and ideal for a bulldog with a sweet or spunky personality.

21. Bear
22. Biggie
23. Boo
24. Chips
25. Chow
26. Cuddles
27. Dixon
28. Dorian
29. Fluff
30. Gemmy
31. Goober
32. Jade
33. Kola
34. Kringle
35. Mellie
36. Moo
37. Mouse
38. Numa
39. Opal
40. Pooka
41. Prentiss
42. Puddles
45. Shaggy
46. Shasta
47. Shayne
48. Shotzie
49. Tater

Cool bulldog names

If your bulldog has a mellow and calm personality, then a classically cool moniker may be a good choice. Place a stylish pair of sunglasses on your bully and call him “Blaze” or “Lottie” and you have yourself one cool bulldog-y.

50. Amadio
51. Apollo
52. Barker
53. Barkley
54. Billy
55. Blaze
56. Boomer
57. Braden
58. Chavez
59. Cruz
60. Davey
61. Dustin
62. Eduardo
63. Francis
64. Harris
65. Hayden
66. Jake
67. James
68. Johnny
69. Lindy
70. Lottie
71. Nyx
72. Oakley
73. Pablo
74. Pixel
75. Roller
76. Saroshi
78. Vixen

Fun bulldog names

Does your bulldog love to play? Is he rambunctious and silly? Maybe even a little mischievous? Then one of these fun bulldog names below might be perfect.

79. Bestie
80. Budda
89. Forrest
90. Girlie
91. Gnome
92. Jobie
93. Lion
94. Melon
95. Pony
96. Pride
97. Puma
98. Starr
99. Tank
100. Taz
101. Wags

Unusual bulldog names

There are unique bulldog names and then there are unusual bulldog names. If the names above weren’t interesting enough, the 18 names below might work.

102. Baby
103. Bonita
104. Bronco
105. Bustle
106. Cheech
107. Cherry
108. Cozy
109. Duster
110. Fisher
111. Gus
112. Hobo
113. Keyster
114. Lotus
115. Maizie
116. Pierre
117. Ragin
118. Raider
119. Tabby
120. Tails

About Cascade Bulldogs: Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog that provides information on how to raise, train and show bulldogs (also referred to as “English bulldogs”). It is managed by bulldog owners Gail and Eddie Harris.

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Bringing Your Bulldog Home: How to Acclimate A New Bulldog Puppy

Post author By Reannon
Post date September 2, 2018

Adjusting to an unfamiliar situation can feel overwhelming or frightening for anyone. Your bulldog baby is no different. Whether the newest member of your bulldog brood is a two-month old puppy or an eight-year-old senior, if he’s moving into your home and meeting his new family for the first time, he’ll likely be going through an adjustment period and will need extra reassurance and comfort.

6 Tips for Acclimating Your Bulldog

When bringing home a new bulldog for the first time, the first 24 hours are some of the most important for helping to ensure your bulldog feels comfortable and secure in his new environment. The following six tips can go a long way in making your bulldog become acclimated to an unfamiliar living space and curious new housemates.

1. Bring him home in the morning

It is best to acquire your new puppy at a time when you can offer him your company and undivided attention for a few days. This is especially important as he is settling in. If you bring him home in the morning, he will have had time to feed, play and tire himself out before bedtime.

2. Let him get familiar with his new home

When your puppy first arrives, let him sniff around and familiarize himself with his surroundings; then introduce him to his bed.

Take care when introducing him into the household, as this can be a difficult and confusing time for your puppy. Your home is full of strange sights, sounds and smells that he may find exciting or overwhelming. He will be missing his mother, brothers and sisters and will look to you and your family to replace the company, comfort and security that he has left behind.

3. Name him right away

Choose a name for him as soon as possible. Be consistent and use it repeatedly as you talk to him; he will soon learn to respond.

4. Let him sleep

You will find that your puppy plays vigorously for short spells and then may retire to his bed for an hour or so. Sleep is as important for your puppy as it is for a baby, so don’t disturb him when he is resting. Young children in the family should also be taught that puppies are not toys.

5. Introduce him to the other pets

Introductions should be made gradually, on neutral territory and under constant supervision. Never leave a new puppy alone with an older cat or dog. Feed them separately until they have become friends.

6. Comfort him at night

For the first few nights your puppy will probably be restless and whimper when he is left alone. Wrapping a water bottle and a ticking clock in a blanket and placing it in his bed can be very reassuring for a new bulldog pup. But these items shouldn’t be made of rubber or plastic, or the puppy may chew them.

Above all, be kind, gentle and patient with your puppy during his introduction to your home. Don’t scold or speak harshly to him in the first few days, even if he is destructive or makes a mess—in his confused state, this can backfire and he may learn to fear you. This initiation period should be an enjoyable time in which you and your puppy can get to know each other and he can learn to trust you, thus forming the basis for a happy life together.

About Cascade Bulldogs: Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog managed by Gail and Eddie Harris. It features famous bulldog show dogs Wildflower and Snow White as well as several of Snow White’s adorable bulldog puppies. Follow Cascade Bulldogs on Facebook and Instagram for weekly updates, cute photos and inspirational bulldog quotes.

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Photos from Cascade Bulldogs Annual Bulldog Family Reunion!

Post author By Reannon
Post date September 10, 2017

Each year at Cascade Bulldogs we hold a Family Reunion for all of Snow White’s adorable puppy offspring. Here are some of the photos from 2017’s big bulldoggy event.

Lounging in the pool.

Yes? May we help you?

Just taking a break.

What a happy pup!

Hey guys! Wait for me! I want to play, too.

We’re following the leader.

We’ll be having another family reunion next year so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates!

About Cascade Bulldogs: Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog that stars two champion show dog bulldogs, Snow White and Wildflower as well as Snow White’s puppy, Declan. The site is managed by Eddie and Gail, who breed, raise and show bulldogs in Seattle.

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Bulldog Puppies

How To Train a Bulldog Puppy: Tips for New Bulldog Parents

Post author By Reannon
Post date May 16, 2017
1 Comment on How To Train a Bulldog Puppy: Tips for New Bulldog Parents

Introducing a new puppy to your family, especially a bulldog, can be a fun and exciting experience. If you are not prepared and knowledgeable on how to train a bulldog puppy, however, that rewarding experience can quickly turn frustrating. A lack of proper training can cement bad habits and encourage stubborn behavior in your bulldog that will later need to be unlearned. After all, puppies are like children—They’re easier to teach and train when they’re young. Thus, if you want to save yourself time (and a few chewed shoes), it’s best to reenforce good behavior early on.

How to Train a Bulldog Puppy: The Basics

Your ultimate goal in puppy training should be to do what you can to make your puppy’s day-to-day life predictable and regimented. This will make her life (and yours) a lot less stressful. The best way to do this is to develop a daily routine.

Daily routines should include the following:

Designate a food and water location – Keep your puppy’s food and water bowls in the same designated area. This will teach your puppy where he can (and can’t) eat, which will help establish healthy boundaries.
Feed only during specific meal times – Decide on the specific times of day when your puppy will eat and only feed him at those designated times. Avoid “free feeding” because this may lead to your puppy overeating, which can cause weight problems later on. During theirfirst six months, puppies should be fed no more than 3-4 times per day. At six months of age, that number should decrease to twice a day. If you want to learn more, The American Kennel Club (AKC) provides details on how often you should feed your puppy as well as which types of foods are best for their growing bodies.
Stick to a regular sleeping schedule – Specify an area where your puppy will sleep and place his bed there. Also, be sure to establish a somewhat regular sleep schedule so your pup understands when it is time to go to sleep and wake up.
Begin house training at 12-16 weeks of age– Teaching your dog where it is acceptable to potty is vital so you can avoid accidents in the house and messes in your yard. Be patient. It typically takes puppies four to six months to become fully house trained, and sometimes it can take as long as a year.
Provide toys–Make sure you keep plenty of toys on hand for your pup and teach her where the toys are and what is acceptable to play with. This will help to ensure she doesn’t decide your shoes or throw pillows make for an interesting treat.
Start using basic command words at 7 weeks of age —Many assume puppies won’t be able to master commands until they’re older but that’s simply untrue! Puppies can understand basic commands as young as 7 to 8 weeks of age, so it’s smart to start training your pup to “sit” and “stay” as soon as you take him home from the breeder. What’s more, a good breeder will have likely already have started teaching your puppy basic socialization skills, so it’s possible your puppy will have already been introduced to those commands and others. Keep in mind, however, that puppies have short attention spans. Your puppy will likely only be able to focus on the commands for five minutes at a time, so make sure to keep your training sessions brief, but interspersed throughout the day. A good goal is to have three, 5-minute training sessions each day, for a total of 15 minutes per day.

4 Puppy Training Tips:

1. Avoid treat training if you can

Treat training can make teaching a bulldog puppy difficult because it may cause your puppy to only listen to commands when she is hungry or expects a treat. If you can, try to persuade your puppy to follow your commands using praise. Instead of feeding your puppy a biscuit each time she obeys a command, for example, tell her “good dog” and pet her head or scratch behind her ears.

2. Be firm and consistent with your commands

It’s also important to establish early on your role as an authority figure. Since dogs have a pack mentality, one of the first steps in bulldog puppy training is to clearly demonstrate that you are the pack leader.

You can do this by being firm with you commands and making sure to show your displeasure when your puppy misbehaves. Be careful to be consistent, however, as to not confuse your dog by accidentally rewarding the wrong behavior. For instance, if you are firm with your scolding but then, out of guilt, give your dog a pet, he may take this as a sign of reward. You should show your dog that the only way to gain your affection is to listen and obey your commands.

3. Use lots of praise

If you have a puppy that constantly jumps on people and you want to stop this activity, simply guide the puppy back to the floor and firmly say “no.” When the puppy listens and stays seated, you can then reward him with praise. Praising with words such as “good”, “good boy” or “good dog” in a friendly tone will show your puppy that you are proud of him and approve of his behavior.

4. Only teach one command at a time

In order to avoid overwhelming your bulldog, stick with teaching one command at a time. Do not move on to a new word until he has mastered the previous one.

About Cascade Bulldogs:

Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog managed by Gail and Eddie Harris, two bulldog enthusiasts who live in the Seattle, Washington area. Their bulldogs, Wildflower, Snow White and Declan, are celebrity show dogs who compete in dog shows across the country. You can follow all of their adventures on the Cascade Bulldogs Facebook page.

Bulldog Puppies

Snow White’s First Litter Turns 1! Happy Birthday, Cute Puppies!

Post author By Reannon
Post date March 28, 2017

One year ago this month, in March 2016, Snow White the Bulldog delivered a litter of adorable bulldog puppies.

Here are the puppies in March 2016:

And here they are in March 2017, all grown up!

They’ve all gone to live in their forever homes, where they are well loved and cared for by their families. We recently asked several of those families to send us pictures of their pups and they happily obliged. As you can see from the photos, all the puppies appear to be healthy and happy! Although we miss them dearly, we’re grateful to know that they’re doing so well and have found a cherished spot in each of their new family’s hearts and homes.

Without further ado, meet Snow White’s first litter.

Rubble The Bulldog

Rubble’s Birthday Party

Vince The Bulldog

Vince’s Birthday Party

Emma The Bulldog

Bernice The Bulldog

Rory the Bulldog

Seamus the Bulldog

And, of course, Declan The Bulldog!

Declan is one of Snow White’s puppies that we couldn’t bare to part with, so we decided to keep him. He’s grown up to be quite the champion show dog! We’re very proud.

About Cascade Bulldogs: Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog starring Wildflower, Snow White and her litter of bulldog puppies, which includes Declan (Search #DeclanTheBulldog on Facebook and Instagram to see more photos).

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How to Pick a Show Quality Bulldog Puppy

Post author By Reannon
Post date March 1, 2017
1 Comment on How to Pick a Show Quality Bulldog Puppy

Looking to bring home the next champion bulldog? Read this first

Although Snow White and Wildflower grew to become Grand Champion-show dogs and Snow White’s puppy, Declan, is proving to be a top-notch show dog, we haven’t always been so fortunate. When we were first starting out in the world of competitive dog shows, we weren’t familiar with the qualities that show judges look for and it was only after competing in several dog shows that we developed a critical eye for spotting a show quality bulldog puppy. Here are a few things we wish we’d known when we’d first gotten started.

1. Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the Bulldog Breed Standard

The official Bulldog Breed Standard is a set of guidelines published by the American Kennel Club that detail the appearance, movement and temperament qualities that make the “ideal bulldog”. These guidelines are what dog show judges use when they evaluate bulldogs in the show ring. Thus, before you begin looking to purchase a new bulldog puppy, you must study the skeletal and facial feature photos provided in the Standard first. This will help you develop a strong base line to use when evaluating a litter.

2. Know that there’s no such thing as a “perfect bulldog”

The Standard only provides the minimum requirements; beyond that, a breeder’s personal look preferences can play a big part. Every breeder has a slightly different interpretation of how the “perfect bulldog” looks and acts. Some breeders may prefer all-white bulldogs while others prefer brindle, for example. Some breeders may think breeding for the perfect head shape is most important while others may choose to emphasize angulation. Before choosing a breeder, make sure you have a thorough understanding of not only your breeder’s preferences but your own preferences as well.

Also, read: 9 Important Questions to Ask Your Bulldog Breeder

3. Finding an experienced breeder is vital

A show-quality pup rarely happens by accident. Experienced breeders who are trying to breed the next Grand Champion will place a lot of thought and careful-planning into the bulldog breeding process. They’ll research the pedigrees of the sire (or dam) and a lot of attention will be paid towards making sure the dam receives proper nutrition and care. Once the puppies are born, a reputable breeder will take care to ensure the puppies remain well-fed and are weaned at the appropriate times.

In addition to guaranteeing the health and genealogy of a puppy, a knowledgeable breeder will be able to recognize which puppies are most likely to grow into show-quality dogs. Though they’ll never be able to predict with full certainty, they’ll be able to pin point which dogs have the most potential based on the shapes of their heads, their bone structure and and how “short-backed” the dogs are.

4. Not all breeders are skilled at determining which puppies are show-quality

Evaluating which dogs fit The Standard and which don’t is a real skill. It takes a lot of experience and a certain amount of innate ability. Some breeders simply have not developed a critical eye for spotting show quality. It’s important to know this so that you don’t blindly trust “the experts”. You can take their opinion into consideration, of course, but when it comes to picking a show quality bulldog puppy, make sure you have the education to be able to make an objective assessment on your own.

5. Don’t let “puppy cuteness” influence your ability to be objective

Every bulldog puppy is adorable, and if you aren’t careful, it can be easy to let a bulldog’s spunky or precocious personality get in the way of you being able to make a rational, objective evaluation of their appearance. A bulldog puppy can have the best, cutest disposition in the world, but none of that will matter if it also has several qualities that don’t meet Breed Standards. If you’re looking for a bulldog puppy that you will one day be able to show in the ring, looks matters—and they matter a lot.

6. Wait until the puppy is at least a month old before making a decision

At a minimum, you want to wait until a puppy has learned how to “stack” so that you can you evaluate their angulation and bone structure. You also want to wait a few weeks to see which puppy has a more assertive personality, as outgoing dogs tend to love showing more than more timid dogs.

7. Conduct a thorough examination of the pup’s shoulders, neck, front legs, head, ears, tail, bite and teeth

Evaluating a puppy for show quality can be difficult because the puppy is still growing and changing; the three-week old standing before you may look perfect now but may morph into a very different-looking dog at the six-month mark. This guide from the American Kennel Club (AKC) goes into much greater detail on what to look for, but in general, try to choose a bulldog puppy that is proportional, short and “heavy boned”. When you stack the puppy, pay attention to the puppy’s skull shape. Look at the head from every angle; it should look broad and square. Also, make sure the pup’s ears aren’t too small.

8. Stay open-minded

One of the easiest mistakes to make when choosing a bulldog puppy is to go into the selection process with your mind already made up. If you’ve already decided that you’re only going to get a red and white bulldog before you’ve even met the litter for instance, then you’re setting yourself up for tunnel vision. This can cause you to overlook what may be the best puppy in the litter. Try to remain impartial.

9. Know that not every litter will have a show dog

In fact, many litters do not produce a single winning show dog, let alone a champion. Even if both bulldog parents were champion show dogs, that doesn’t mean their puppies will be. It’s important to keep this in mind so that your judgement doesn’t become too clouded by the pedigree parents.

10. Temperament is important, too

Although Standard-quality appearance and movement are essential, temperament shouldn’t be overlooked either. If you want your bulldog to stand out from the competition, he or she has to be happy and well-tempered as well.

When attempting to pick a show-quality bulldog, many people are drawn to the puppies that display the most energy and enthusiasm. However, puppies that are running circles around their siblings, jumping on visitors’ legs and wagging their tail and barking frequently tend to grow up to be equally hyperactive adult dogs. Hyper dogs can be harder to train and may be thinner-than-ideal because they burn so much energy throughout the day that they have trouble staying within the Standard-recommended weight.

Instead, look for puppies that seem even-tempered. These might be the puppies who hang back and observe their siblings when a new person walks into the room or who wait patiently by the food bowl when dinner time approaches. A bulldog with the ideal temperament will be, for the most part, “emotionally stable”. You don’t want a moody or restless dog or one that seems overly timid or nervous. A show-quality dog will also appear to be curious in the world around them.

11. A bulldog who doesn’t match the Standard as a puppy likely won’t match the Standard as an adult

Many make the mistake of thinking that the puppy will “grow out of” any discrepancies they notice that deviate from the Standard. Most of the time, however, it doesn’t work that way. Small, barely-noticeable faults in appearance that are apparent in puppies will often grow to become extremely obvious defects as the dog ages.

A few defects to watch for include:

Heads positioned directly on top of shoulders—This may be a red flag that the dog will grow up to have a short neck
Slightly-bowed legs—The legs should be straight. If they’re turned in slightly, know that this will only become more extreme in the passing weeks and months.
A curved top-line—The top-line should be level. This article has several photos that illustrate well the difference between a good and bad top-line.

12. Notice how the puppy moves

When the puppy walks towards you, you should pay close attention to his or her elbows. Do you see them jutting in and out as the puppy moves? If the answer is yes, then this is not a good sign. Also, watching the dog move can help you spot any issues with the dog’s hocks, which you may have missed when examining them while the dog was stacked. If the puppy moves in a stilted manner or if their legs seem to bow close together when they run, then this could be a sign that the puppy has sickle or straight hocks. This article provides several photos to show you what a healthy bulldog’s legs should look like.

13. Don’t forget to evaluate the dog as a whole

Oftentimes people can get so hung up one feature or fault that they lose all perspective. Sure, the puppy you’re looking at might have a perfectly-shaped head, but what will that matter if their gait is off? A show-quality puppy should be well-balanced and should not have any major faults or overly-exaggerated features. Often times what this will translate into is a somewhat boring or “plain-looking” puppy. But some of the most ordinary-looking puppies grow up into show-winning adults. Before you make your decision, step back and take a look at the puppy as whole.

14. If your dog isn’t winning, you may need to re-evaluate your choice

After you’ve chosen your bulldog puppy and begun showing, if he or she consistently doesn’t place, it may be time to re-evaluate whether or not you’ve chosen the right dog. While the temptation may be to place blame elsewhere (like favoritism among judges or unfair competitive advantage), try to step back and take another objective look at your dog. While it could be that the judges are biased, more often than not, it’s because your dog is lacking in an important quality. This may be a point where you’ll need to retire your dog or sell him or her as a pet. Ask a few experienced breeders or dog show participants to give you an honest evaluation of your dog. It can be difficult to objectively evaluate a pup you’ve grown attached to, so you’ll need all the help you can get.

About Cascade Bulldogs: Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog managed by Gail and Eddie Harris, a couple who breeds and raises bulldog puppies in Seattle, Washington. They are the proud parents to Wildflower, Snow White and Declan, three celebrity bulldog show dogs.

Bulldog Puppies Pregnant Bulldog

Bulldog C-Section Planning Tips

Post author By Reannon
Post date July 11, 2016
2 Comments on Bulldog C-Section Planning Tips

Everything You Need to Know For Your Bulldog’s Big Day!

So your bulldog is going to be a mama! Congratulations. Now it’s time for the hard work! Since 90 percent of bulldogs require a Caesarean in order to deliver, it’s safe to say that you have a bulldog c-section in your horizon. Here’s a guide to what to expect and how to prepare your dog and your household for the arrival of the latest additions to your fur-baby family!

First step: Estimate when your litter is due

A bulldog will be due to whelp 63 days after she’s ovulated. You can tell when your dog is ovulating by having your vet check her progesterone levels (a bulldog will ovulate when her progesterone reaches 4 to 8 ng/dl). In order to ensure your bully doesn’t go into labor prior to your Caesarean surgery date, it’s a good idea to schedule your appointment for a day early (at 62 days after ovulation instead of 63 days). That way you won’t run the risk of making an emergency vet trip in the middle of the night! Because due date timing isn’t an exact science, however, you should start monitoring your dog closely for labor signs 48 hours before her surgery, just to be on the safe side.

Snow White the Bulldog pregnant with first litter — Here is our bulldog, Snow White, 24 hours before her c-section, looking very pregnant and very ready to have those babies out of her belly!

Preparing for your Bulldog C-Section: What to do before surgery

Prepare your home

Section off a quiet, warm area of your home or kennel that you can designate for your puppy nursery. Make sure you pick an area that is out of reach of children or other dogs.

Gather all the proper whelping and neonatal care supplies

Though you should ask your veterinarian for a complete list, some of the important supplies you’ll likely need will include:

a rectal thermometer
a room thermometer
a heat source
iodine for umbilical cord care
a puppy scale
a system for recording puppy information (the puppies’ weight, temperature and urine color, for example)
a feeding tube
puppy formula
a medi-nurser baby bottle
a dewormer

The countdown begins!

1 week prior to surgery—Avoid applying any topical flea or tick products your dog’s skin 7 days before her c-section date.

3 days prior to surgery—Veterinarians recommend that three days before your dog’s scheduled surgery, you apply an Adaptil (DAP) collar. These come in two sizes, and emit a pheromone that veterinarians believe can help with maternal skills.

2 days prior to surgery—If you feel comfortable doing so, it’s a good idea to give your bulldog a bathe so that she’ll be clean for the surgery and clean for when she starts caring for her puppies. This is also a good time to shave the part of her abdomen the veterinarians will be tending to, as this will save time the day of the surgery.

The night prior to surgery—You won’t be able to feed her the morning of the surgery, so make sure she eats a a decent-sized meal the night before!

Morning of the surgery—Again, do not feed her the morning of the surgery. The exception being if she is on any medications, then you can coat her tablets in wet food (but use as a little as possible). She may drink water the morning of her surgery, but remove her water source prior to leaving for the clinic.

What to bring to the surgery:

Here is a list of items veterinarians recommend you bring with you to the clinic the day of your bulldog c-section:

1. A tarp or tablecloth (preferably vinyl) to cover the seats or floor of the car
2. A large crate for your bulldog
3. Blankets and towels
4. Heating pad and inverter to run the heating pad
5. Plastic laundry basket to carry the puppies home in. Drape a towel across the inside.

What procedures are performed during the c-section?

Many veterinarian practices recommend you arrive to the clinic one to two hours early. Though the standard procedures may differs slightly between vet practices, here is what you can generally expect will happen during the operation:

Before the surgery:
1. First, an evaluation will be conducted to see if your bulldog is in active labor. This may involve a vaginal examination.

2. An x-ray or ultrasound may be performed

3. An IV catheter will be placed, which will require her front leg to be shaved.

4. She will be shaved for surgery

5. Blood may be drawn to test progesterone levels

6. Her tail will be wrapped so that it is kept clean.

During the surgery:

When all of the pre-op prep work is done, your bulldog will be taken to the surgery suite, where anesthesia will be administered and the c-section will take place. After the veterinary staff provide neonatal resuscitation and post-op care on the puppies, the placenta is removed, the umbilical cord is cared for and then the puppies are brought into an incubator or warming area. Ask your vet if you can assist the pups as they nurse for the first time, as this is usually done in the clinic.

After the surgery:

You’ll be given a number of medications to take home with you, including pain medications (usually MetacamR (meloxicam) or RimadylR (carprofen) for post op pain management), Reglan/metacam (to aid in improved lactation by increasing milk production) and Oxytocin (to help with lactation).

Bringing your new puppies and happy mama home

After you bring your new doggy mommy and her puppies home, you’ll need to monitor your bulldog carefully to make sure the puppies remain safe under her care. Do not leave her and the puppies unsupervised until you are sure they are safe.

Keep on the lookout for the following:

Make sure your bulldog mommy does not lay on her puppies
Check your puppies weight, temperatures and urine color twice each day (and record your findings) to make sure they are nursing enough and gaining weight.
If any of your pups aren’t gaining enough weight or aren’t staying well hydrated, you may need to bottle or tube feed them.
Check your bulldog incision, mammary glands and temperature once per day and monitor her appetite.

When to call the vet

If any of the puppies are fussy, refusing to nurse or are not gaining an adequate amount of weight, it’s a good idea to contact your vet. Also call the vet if any of your pups have dark colored urine.
If your bulldog has a fever higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit or if she isn’t eating or drinking much, you shouldn’t hesitate to call your vet. Also double check with the vet if her mammary glands are swollen or if her incision looks infected.
While it is normal for your dog to experience bloody vaginal discharge the first days, if there appears to be a lot of blood or if the discharge seems to have an odd color or odor, it’s best to play it safe and give your vet clinic a call.

What to expect at your first post-operation vet visit

When you come in for your post-op checkup, some of the procedures you can expect will include:

2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks post-op—Deworming (for both the puppies and the mom)

10 to 14 days post-op—Removal of C-section sutures

8 weeks—Health exams, health certificates for travel, microchips and first vaccinations

About Cascade Bulldogs: Cascade Bulldogs is a blog dedicated to everything you ever needed to know about raising and showing bulldogs. The site is managed by Eddie and Gail Harris, who raise and show English bulldogs in Seattle, Washington. Please follow us on Facebook for more helpful bulldog-related advice and info. You’ll also receive daily updates on our nine adorable puppies and our show dogs, Wildflower and Snow White.

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