What’s the best collar for my bulldog?

A common item we see discussion about in Bulldog communities is about your Bully’s collar. There is a ton of misinformation on the web, as well as conflicting opinions on collars in general. Well, hopefully we can clear up some of the confusion for you by addressing the most common questions we see regarding collars head on.

Choosing a bulldog collar can be a difficult task. But after raising several Bulldogs it is quite evident what type of collar is best for their health.

Soft leather collars easily give your dog the most comfort when they are around the house and for everyday use. Unlike nylon collars, leather collars do not cut into their skin and fur, and seem to be much more comfortable in general. Because nylon fabric is much more prickly than leather, this can cause your Bully to itch around their neck and increase shedding in that area.

Additionally, leather is a longer lasting material and most leather collars do not use a buckle. Nylon collars with buckles tend to break down much more easily than a standard leather collar. The Bulldog’s shear strength can cause a nylon buckle collar to come undone, which in turn you will have to replace.

Here at Bullymake, we produce 100% genuine nappa leather collars that are handmade. These collars are guaranteed to last you for years and years to come, and provide your that extra comfort that he or she will love. Check out our shop here!.

Should I walk my Bulldog using a collar?

We do not recommend walking your Bulldog on a collar unless it is for a quick outing or if your Bulldog is not a puller (which is doubtful). However, if you know that your Bully is not much of a puller, or if you are going on a very quick walk (to use the bathroom or something similar) then using a collar can be a good idea and it is certainly more convenient.

Bulldogs are brachycephalic, so using a collar is not a good idea to walk your Bully on extended walks with. Brachycephalic dogs are breeds with a short muzzle and a flat face. Sound familiar? These breeds (Bulldogs in particular) have problems tracheal collapse, temperature intolerance and eye injuries. These are not the kind of things we want to spur on by walking on a collar.

Should I use a collar at all?

Yes! You should most certainly use a collar. In fact, it would be foolish for you not to use a collar. The main purpose of your collar is so your fur-baby can wear an ID tag with their rabies vaccination. We know you would never let your Bully out of your site. But sometimes, accidents happen, and when they do you’ll be glad that your Bully was wearing a Bullymake collar with an ID tag. A responsible Bully owner would ensure that their pup wears a collar.

In fact, collars serve a purpose that’s more than just for show and identification. The humane society proclaims that collars are great for protection, and to ward off fleas and ticks. It would behoove you to purchase a collar for your Bully.

So what should I use for extended walks?

It is best to use a harness for your Bulldog. Check our shop for our beautiful leather harnesses that will fit your Bulldog amazingly well and give him/her comfort when walking. Not to forget to mention, it’s going to give you all the support you need!

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Do Bulldogs Shed?

Well, the simple answer to this question is yes.  Bulldogs do shed.  But they don’t shed as much as other breeds and when they do shed their hair is less noticeable on the ground, on furniture, and other areas.  From my own personal experience, I think bulldog shedding is most noticeable on your dark clothing.  Having him or her in your lap while you’re wearing a dark jacket or dark pants will almost positively result in visible Bulldog hair on your clothing.  Of course, if your bully has any kind of white coating, the hair is more likely to show.  All-in-all, bulldogs can be considered “average” shedders.

Bulldogs have a short, fine, smooth coat.  The good news about this is that when they do shed, it can make cleanup a relatively simple job.  The coat also matures with age, and a bulldog puppy will typically shed more than the adult version later in their life.  As their coat matures, Bulldog shedding should slow down given proper grooming (more on that later)!

What Would Cause my Bulldog to Excessively Shed?

Excessive Bulldog shedding can be due to many reasons.  Your veterinarian will be your best option when determining the exact reason that your Bully may be excessively shedding.  After all, shedding is normal, and the Vet will be able to determine if the shedding is natural or part of an underlying disorder.  According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), excessive shedding can be caused by:

• Parasites (fleas, lice or mites)
• Fungal or bacterial infections
• Inhalant or food-related allergies
• Kidney, liver, thyroid or adrenal disease (including Cushing’s)
• Pregnancy or lactation
• Certain medications
• Self-induced trauma due to licking
• Cancer
• Immune disease
• Sunburn
• Contact with irritating or caustic substances
• Improper Nutrition

Often, bulldog shedding can simply be caused by a reaction to food or a result of improper nutrition.  The remedy to this issue may be to experiment with different food brands and types, and seeing how your Bulldog reacts.  However, sometimes the excessive shedding may warrant a trip to the Vet, especially if you spot signs of skin irritation or redness, open sores, balding, dull and dry hair, persistent scratching and/or licking, and other abnormalities in your Bulldog.

Tips for Decreasing Shedding

There are many tricks and tips that you can do to manage your Bulldog’s shedding. Here are the most vital ones:

Proper Grooming: We recommend brushing your dog every single day.  Bulldogs typically love being groomed, especially if it ends with a reward!  Teach your dog at a young age to be stable on a grooming table.  We recommend using a fine tooth brush with very compact bristles to really remove the loose hair in your Bulldog. Read about the costs involved with grooming.

Bathe your Dog as Needed: Nobody like a smelly Bully!  If you see that your dog is getting dirty, or he’s been rolling around outside a bit too much, it’s a good idea (and a necessity) for you to bathe your dog.  Be sure to reward him/her after their bath.

Feed a nutritious Dog food:  Make sure you watch for signs in your Bully when using a new food or feeding him something for the first time.  If the dog has any sort of negative reactions, it may be time to switch up what he eats.

Invest in a proper collar: A poor collar can cause allergic reactions or make your Bully scratch his neck area more than usual. Check out our shop for more on that!

Invest in a Decent Vacuum:  Vacuuming your house will keep allergens from dog hair off the ground and furniture, and overall improve the health of your home.

Use A Fatty Acid Supplement: Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids have been proven to help the coat of Bulldogs and lessen shedding.  You can buy this in the form of Salmon oil or in other dietary supplements.

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