Bedding and Housing - Salty Paws

Bedding and Housing

Before adopting a bulldog please consider the following:

You will need at least one room where your bulldog can be safely kept while unattended during the day. This room will need sufficient heating and cooling to keep your bulldog comfortable through all seasons.
Your house will need to be puppy proofed (like if you had a toddler), removing from their reach anything dangerous that could be chewed or eaten, (chemicals, electric cords, small objects that could be swallowed, etc).
A fully fenced yard is a must to prevent wandering or the dog being stolen when outside (again, they should always be supervised as a puppy when outside).
If you have a swimming pool, dam or pond etc. ensure it is properly fenced, some bulldogs love to swim but it's recommended that they wear a proper dog life jacket and are fully supervised as they have a tendency to sink easily and quickly.
Bulldogs love to sleep so a nice comfy dog bed that can be regularly washed to remove dirt and help prevent fleas is needed. Calendula spray will help keep the bedding smelling fresh and its also good for their coats.
Bulldogs will happily join you in your bed at night... but, be aware they snore very loudly and once you let them in they will expect to be allowed in every night!
Crates can be useful for creating a safe space the dog can call its own, however, they should not be crated for long periods of time and crating should never be used as a form of punishment as this destroys the feeling of safety associated with the crate. Bulldogs should always have access to fresh clean water, even when crated, to prevent over heating and dehydration. The crate should be large enough for them to comfortably stand up and turn around in so they aren't cramped.
Bulldogs can take longer than most other breeds to house train so think about what type of flooring you have and how easily it can be cleaned.
Bulldogs are very social creatures so think realistically about how often and how long they will be left at home by themselves. Strategies such as having another pet, treat toys, hiring a dog walker or taking them to doggy daycare can assist with keeping them entertained when you are at work.
If you are renting you must obtain permission from your landlord before considering adopting a dog, also consider what you would do when moving to a new rental property and whether or not you could find another suitable rental that allows dogs.
Always discuss your desire to adopt a dog with all the adults you share the house with to be sure that they are on board with the idea and are also aware of the care and maintenance required.
Bulldogs aren't particularly interested in digging, so it's unlikely that you'll have to deal with the major earthworks that some other breeds like to produce. However, they love trampling through the garden so if you have any prized plants you don't want flattened you'll need to fence them off.
Never use slug pellets, fertiliser pellets or weed spray in areas that your bulldog can access, they will try to eat anything and they love to munch on grass.
Bulldogs also love crawling under bushes to doze in the shade, so be aware of dangers like snakes that could be lurking there.
Think about what you will do if you go on holiday, who do you trust to provide the same level of love and care for your bulldog? I would never recommend putting a bulldog in a commercial kennel due to the level of maintenance they need, the danger of heatstroke if not properly monitored and the possibility of them being miserable from lack of proper socialisation. Some good solutions can be close family and friends with suitable housing that you trust completely, hiring a dog sitter to stay in your home, or paying a dog sitter to care for them in the sitter's house.