This small, trendy breed of dog has many distinct physical traits – an extremely broad head and an underbite with a drooping upper lip, for example.
And, of course, they are notoriously very wrinkly. Considering all this – especially the large head – can Bulldogs give birth naturally?
What’s the History of the Bulldog?
A distinct, unique dog, descended from the British fighting mastiffs and originally used to drive cattle to market, though more commonly used to compete in the gruesome sport of bullbaiting, did you know that the Bulldog is currently the fourth most popular breed in the US today?
These days, though, thanks to overbreeding for negative traits like a flatter and flatter face, today’s Bulldogs much prefer a long relax on the couch after a short walk.
A real house dog, they fit in well with living in an apartment or small house. Yet they are still surprisingly muscular and thus quite heavy.
If you try to pick a Bulldog up, you’ll quickly discover that they are no lapdog.
As well, there is now very little diversity in the Bulldog breed. The breed only started from the tiny genetic pool of merely 68 individual dogs but has since dwindled to even less diversity.
Because the Bulldog breed has so very little diversity, many countries today are beginning to place restrictions on the breeding of this dog.
Many Bulldogs have very little quality of life due to issues with breathing.
Can I Breed my Bulldog?
Many people have concerns about breeding their Bulldog because some Bulldogs find it quite difficult to give birth naturally.
Many Bulldogs also have Bulldog-specific health concerns, on top of this. So, are you allowed to breed Bulldogs?
Yes, in most countries, it is completely legal to breed most variations of the Bulldog breed.
There are a few restrictions, though. For example, you generally can’t breed a Bulldog who has ever required surgery for breathing problems.
The Dutch Kennel Club has actually banned the breeding – or at least, the registration – of new Bulldog puppies in the country.
The club has made this move after the Dutch government brought in many new laws that restrict the breeding of broad-skulled dogs like the Bulldog.
Which Types of Bulldog Can I Breed?
If you want to breed Bulldogs ethically, there are some things you really must take into account. Do the Bulldogs you are considering breeding have any underlying health issues, for example?
Because so many people find dogs with flat faces cute, the Bulldog has been bred for this trait, to the extreme. So one of the most common health issues with the flat-faced Bulldog is having a small windpipe.
With many Bulldogs, the condition is so severe that the dog requires surgery to trim back a part of the Bulldog’s soft palate, just so that they can breathe properly.
Other Bulldog-specific health concerns relating to the dog’s potentially large tongue and flat face and small windpipe include breathing difficulties that warrant the pooch needing surgery to remove their tonsils or open up their nostrils.
If one or both of the Bulldogs you are thinking about breeding have any such genetic abnormalities that warranted surgery, you absolutely cannot breed them.
If you breed them, they pass on these diseases, perpetuating things that have been plaguing this breed for years.
Did you know that there are various different sub-breeds of the Bulldog out there? For example, there’s an English Bulldog and French Bulldog. You are fully permitted to breed any breed of Bulldog in most countries.
When Should I Breed my Bulldog?
So, if you decide to go ahead with breeding a Bulldog, there are still some issues with the timings that you have to think about, even if you own some of the more healthy Bulldogs around.
The flat-faced Bulldog is considered to be a brachycephalic breed of dog. This means that they have some trouble breathing, and can find it difficult to cool down after physical exertion or during the summer months.
Because they are so flat-faced, you really must breed your Bulldog during the cooler months of the year where you are.
As with all dogs, you should also make sure that you do not breed your female Bulldog before she has her second heat. It is also best to inseminate your female Bulldog during her estrus, so think about beginning to keep track of your Bulldog’s cycle.
Either way, be sure to take your Bulldog to the vet at least a month before you intend to breed her.
At this point, your Bulldog will need to undergo a complete physical examination, and your vet will also need to check that your Bulldog pair are completely up to date with all relevant vaccinations and that they don’t have any worms.
One very important but non-breed-specific thing that your vet will check for in your Bulldog pair is the brucellosis bacteria. This is a disease that is known to cause spontaneous abortion in all breeds.
How Can I Inseminate my Bulldog?
Did you know that Bulldogs can also find mating pretty difficult? This is mainly due to the short legs the Bulldog has been bred to have for so long.
During your female Bulldog’s estrus, your Bulldog pair are quite likely to at least attempt mating. But if traditional insemination is not possible for whatever reason, why not ask your vet about artificial insemination?
In this process, your vet will deposit the stud Bulldog’s seed directly into the female Bulldog’s uterus through a syringe. Artificial insemination is quite common for Bulldogs.
Which Options Are There For my Bulldog to Give Birth?
But now, the main question. Can a Bulldog give birth naturally?
Well, yes, many Bulldogs do manage to give birth naturally with complete success.
But it’s worth bearing in mind that it is likely for the Bulldog puppies of today to be born with large, round heads that are either extremely difficult or absolutely impossible for your female Bulldog to give birth to naturally.
Only around 20% of Bulldogs successfully give birth naturally, so it is really not recommended.
If you suspect this is the case, your vet can offer a lot of help. If you inform your vet of your Bulldog’s pregnancy, you can better plan a C-section for your Bulldog, rather than having an emergency operation.
These days, the vast majority of Bulldogs give birth via c-section – the rate is just over 80% in the English Bulldog, American Bulldog, and even the French Bulldog.
So, Can Bulldogs Give Birth Naturally?
In conclusion, it is absolutely impossible for most Bulldogs out there to give birth naturally.
The puppies just have too large of ahead, and the adult Bulldogs themselves are typically physically incapable of mating normally, never mind giving birth in the usual way.
But the collective health of the Bulldog breed is improving all the time. Now and then, you hear of more and more cases where a Bulldog has been able to give birth naturally with complete success.
At Goodbody’s kennel, for example, their English Bulldogs have ended up producing five generations of naturally born pups, and counting!
So, there is much hope for more and more Bulldogs to be able to give birth without requiring any human intervention in the future.
By Michelle McDaid
