Do you have an English, French, or American Bulldog? If so, it is essential to make sure you take the necessary precautions when caring for your pet. Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed, which means that they are short-nosed, and oftentimes deal with air obstruction issues. This syndrome causes bulldogs to breath heavy, snort and snore loudly. These symptoms become more pronounced when the dog is exercising or overheated. Due to these shorter noses, bulldogs do not handle heat well, and are prone to heat stroke during hot weather conditions.

The obstructed breathing in bulldogs is caused by deformities that include collapsed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and eversion of the laryngeal saccules. In addition to heavy breathing, collapsed nostrils lead to an occasional nasal discharge in bulldogs.

If you are going on a flight with your bulldog, there are certain safety measures you should abide by. Over a five year time period, 122 dogs died on airplane flights. While 20 percent of those dogs were English Bulldogs, another eight percent were French Bulldogs. As a bulldog owner, there are steps you can take to ensure the safety of your pet during the flight.

If your pet gets motion sickness, you should go to the veterinarian before the trip to get a prescription to prevent sickness. Book flights that take off and land during the coolest part of the day, that way you reduce the chances of your pet overheating. Make sure that your dog has had plenty of water to drink before the flight leaves, and take it for a short walk just before the flight takes off. In order to make sure your pet's ability to respond to stressful situations is not hindered, avoid tranquilizing your pet.

Owning a bulldog means you are agreeing to take on the responsibility of a pet that may require more attention and care than other breeds. If you live in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions, it is important to ensure your dog always has a cool place to go in the heat, and a warm place to go in the cold. If your dog is an outdoor pet, consider investing in a doghouse that will protect it from extreme temperatures. Be sure to contact a veterinarian who can provide you with useful information about maintaining a healthy and happy pet if you are, or are about to become, a bulldog owner.