How to Breed American Bulldogs

Breeding American bulldogs is not something that people should go into lightly. If you are planning on breeding for the purpose of profit, you may need to figure out the costs first before you proceed with your plans of becoming a bulldog breeder. Some of the costs that may come into play include the vaccinations, the feeding of the puppies till they are of an age when they can be taken to their new owners and the place that they will need to stay in until such time. You will also need to take your breeding bitch to the vet for regular checkups once she is pregnant and you may need to spend a lot of money on the kind of food needed to raise a good breeding bulldog for your breeding plans. If you find that you have what it takes to breed American bulldogs, financially, physically and mentally, then go ahead and start your bulldog breeding program.

Starting Out

The best source of information for neophyte bulldog breeders is not found in how-to books or instructional manuals. The best information on breeding bulldogs comes from those who have been doing it for quite a while. This can be gained from a membership into a breeding club and from associating with those experienced breeders who are willing to share their knowledge on the subject. You can still peruse certain publications about the basics of breeding American bulldogs and what kinds of bulldogs are best for you to breed. Research is a key element in knowing what is best for your breeding plans and a little information from those who are in the business of breeding bulldogs can help you get started on the right foot.

Choosing and Raising the Dogs

Very few breeders start off breeding their pups from a dog that they already have as a pet. The majority of people who get their bulldogs as pets often get their puppies spayed or neutered at the request of the breeder since a lot of them may not want careless breeding of these dogs. If you decide to become a breeder, you may need to get a stud and a brood bitch to get yourself started. This actually requires a bit of planning and some waiting if you want your pups to be of the kind of temperament and quality you want them to be. Breeding from a dog you got from a pet store is quite unheard of and irresponsible to boot. If you want to breed American bulldogs the professional way, you will have to choose a proper breeding kennel to get your stud and bitch from and you may have to wait awhile before you do get your start-up breeding pair. When you do have the dogs that you want to use for your breeding program, you will need to raise them to a certain maturity level for them to be able to take care of the resulting pups from such a union. This may mean that you won't be breeding any pups sooner than 2 years or so. This also means you will have to take extra care of your brood bitch in this length of time with the proper nutrition needed for future breeding.

Dog Illnesses

Is your dog healthy?
If you are a dog owner, you probably know how important it is to have a happy and healthy pet. Daily care, grooming, and attention go a long way in keeping many health problems at bay. Taking appropriate steps to prevent diseases will save you and your pet a lot of concern and trouble.

It is a good idea to get your pet inoculated and dewormed as per your veterinarian's advise. Contact the vet if you find any kind of irregularities in your dog. If an illness is detected earlier, there will be a better chance of getting it cured.

Here are some things you should look out for:
The Dog grows listless and depressed and shows a distinct lack of stamina.
The Dog stops eating and loses interest in food.
The Dog drinks too much water.
The Dog suffers from excessive vomiting and diarrhea.
The Dog keeps shaking its head or scratching its body.
The Dog loses its hair and develops open sores on its body.
The Dog shows stiff movements.
The Dog develops prominent lumps on its body.
The Dog has foul breath.
The Dog shows significant yellowish tartar deposits on its teeth.
The Dog has excessive discharge from its eyes or nose.
The Dog shows difficulty in breathing.
The Dog shows sudden aggressive tendencies.

If you think your pet is displaying any one of these signs, you probably need to contact your veterinarian.

Parasites that cause diseases in dogs.
One of the main problems that dog owners face is battling internal and external parasites that plague their pet.

Some external parasites are Fleas, Mites, Lice, and Ticks. If your dog is constantly scratching itself, particularly around the ears and the chest area, than it probably is infested. External parasites don't just make your pet embarrassing in polite society, they can damage its coat and lead up to all sorts of diseases, even prove fatal in some cases. Regular brushing and grooming can help control the presence of external parasites to an extent. Consult your veterinarian and he will advise you of a proper treatment to follow. Numerous sprays, shampoos, and medicinal washes are available in the market to combat external parasites. You will also need to spray your immediate surroundings to kill the parasite eggs and prevent the parasites from breeding.

Internal Parasites like Tapeworms, Heartworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms are equally damaging for your pet's health, causing anemia, internal bleeding, and death, and should be summarily dealt with. Following a regular de-worming routine and keeping your pet isolated from areas frequented by stray animals will certainly help.

Skin diseases in dogs
Skin diseases in dogs are frequently caused by the presence of external parasites. Mange, which is caused by mites, commonly comes in two forms – Demodectic Mange and Sarcoptic Mange. Both forms of mange are extremely unpleasant and serious, the Sarcoptic Mange especially so as it can be transferred to humans. If your dog shows signs of mange, it should be isolated from other dogs and especially from children and should receive treatment immediately. Treatment is usually in the form of injections, oral medication, ointments, and medicinal baths.

Rabies
Rabies, which is specific to mammals and which is transmitted through the saliva of the infected animal or by receiving a bite from the infected animal, is perhaps the most feared of the canine diseases as there is no treatment available and death is certain. Prevention is the only way to stop this illness. Make sure your pet is vaccinated against Rabies and keep your distance from un-vaccinated dogs and wild animals.

Canine Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Parainfluenza
These diseases, although not fatal nowadays, are quite serious and damaging. Again, prevention is an option better chosen. Get your pet inoculated and keep it away from other dogs until all inoculations are complete.

With some proper care and precautions, you can protect your dog from illnesses and diseases, and have a well and healthy pet.