The English Bulldog is by far one of the most sought after breeds of dogs out there. Not only do they look good, but they also have a great personality, which makes them amazing pets.
Because of their looks and personality traits, the English Bulldogs is much loved and admired by dog lovers all across the globe. Having said that, the English Bulldog is one of the most expensive breeds of dogs.
Therefore, raising an English Bulldog and looking after them isn’t a walk in the park. Not only are these dogs expensive to buy, but they are also quite costly to look after.
The initial cost of purchasing an English Bulldog, combined with the cost of training one, is exceptionally high, which is why this breed isn’t for everyone. But why are English bulldogs so expensive?
Let’s find out.
What Makes English Bulldogs So Expensive to Own?
There are several reasons why purebred English Bulldogs are so expensive. It all starts with breeding, which is a complicated procedure, and also involves a high cost. The structure of the head and the body of an English Bulldog are different from other dog breeds. Therefore, they have a hard time mating.
Hence, a variety of pups are bred using artificial means of conception, such as insemination. Furthermore, these puppies are brought into this world through a C-section. The head of an English Bulldog is too big for normal vaginal birth, and therefore, they need to be operated out of their mother’s womb.
Mating and birth aren’t the only two expenses, which add to the cost of owning and raising an English Bulldog. One of the most common expenses that add to the cost of an English Bulldog is Genetic Testing.
You may not know this, but an English Bulldog is born with a variety of health problems. Therefore, a responsible breeder will always test their new puppies to determine whether or not they have any health problems.
For each health condition that an English bulldog goes through, there is a different genetic test type. Some of the most common health conditions faced by English Bulldogs include elbow and hip dysplasia, luxating patella, congenital heart disease, deafness, eye problems, tracheal hypoplasia, and autoimmune thyroiditis.
English Bulldog faces many health problems. These conditions need testing and treatments, which aren’t cheap either. Therefore, if you are planning to get an English Bulldog, you need to ask yourself whether it is the best decision for you.
In this section, we will take a look at an English Bulldog’s healthcare cost.
If you are a bulldog enthusiast, you can understand how expensive they are. However, if you are new to this breed of dogs, you should consider their regular visits to the vet as well as the additional medical charges which continue for as long as you own the dog.
The English Bulldog tends to have a flat muzzle and an undershot jaw. This condition is referred to as Brachycephaly. Because of this condition, the dog needs to be taken for dental checkups and treatments quite often. The dental work for this breed doesn’t come cheap and is one of the reasons why English bulldogs are so expensive.
Other conditions liked the ones we discussed earlier on, require urgent treatment, and some of them even require surgery, which can be reasonably expensive.
Besides dental issues, bulldog owners have to pay high veterinary charges for skin problems, eye infections, and obesity. Some of these treatments and surgeries cost thousands of dollars. Even the most affluent dog owners find it hard to pay such expenses.
Speaking of surgery, the conditions which require surgery the most include joint and bone diseases. Some of the common bone and joint issues in dogs include hip and bone dysplasia and spine deformities. Other conditions that require surgical treatments include bladder and kidney stones, urinal blockages, and cardiovascular issues.
All these conditions are common among English Bulldogs. Therefore, before you plan on getting this dog, make sure to think things through and consider the medical costs included.
English Bulldogs are also more prone to the respiratory issue. Your English bulldog may also suffer from heat strokes and collapse after exercise. Without prompt treatment, your dog can lose its life.
Now, let’s shift gears and talk about the insurance costs of English Bulldogs.
Up until now, we have talked about the health issues an English Bulldog suffers from. With so many adverse health conditions and diseases to worry about, you can’t afford to keep an English Bulldog without having it insured.
Before you settle for a particular insurance policy, make sure you don’t forget to read the fine print. Make sure you go through the policy, and you should be very clear about the things your policy and does not cover.
Studies have shown that the insurance costs of purebred English Bulldogs are far more than that of the ones that are either non-purebred or across. In the study, it was found that most insurance plans out there have preexisting conditions.
However, some conditions are specific to a particular breed of dogs, which in this case, happens to be the English Bulldog. Some health conditions which may be found in one breed might not be found in the other.
The insurance cost of an English bulldog can vary, depending upon the coverage that you opt for. If you look at the monthly insurance charges for an English Bulldog, they can start from $60 per month and go up to $130.
Before you purchase an insurance plan for your English Bulldog, there is one thing you need to take care of. Some insurance policies ask you to make the payment upfront while you are reimbursed later.
Before seeking an insurance plan, make sure you seek advice from an insurance professional first. Furthermore, before seeking an insurance policy, you should be well aware of your English Bulldog’s health condition. This is where a vet can help you out.
Up until now, we have talked about medical charges and insurance. Let us discuss the costs of feeding an English Bulldog.
Another thing you should factor in is the feeding expenses of an English Bulldog. You can’t afford to feed your English Bulldog poor diet, especially if you have taken it from a reputable breeder, and you have sufficient documentation to testify for the pedigree.
If your dog suffers from a chronic disease or a health condition, you should remember that it will have to live on prescription medications for an extended period. Furthermore, some dogs suffer from a condition, which is known as the Brachycephalic Syndrome.
If your dog also suffers from it, it will need in-home care while you aren’t around. In-home care charges for a dog can be costly, and you must factor them in before bringing in a dog.
Let’s talk about food. If your dog is suffering from a poor dental or gastrointestinal problem, it will need a special diet rather than the ordinary dog food available in the pet’s section of your local supermarket. If such is the case, make sure you discuss the issue with your vet.
In most cases, the vets recommend some form of dry food that is easy to chew and swallow. If you set out in search of a 30-pound bag of dry dog food, you will find that it costs somewhere around $60.
In these circumstances, you don’t need to go to breed-specific dog food. Only go for food that suits the conditions your dog is suffering from.
Watch the following video on why are English Bulldogs so expensive.
Are New Born English Bulldog Puppies Expensive?
In this section, we will discuss the expenses involved in taking care of newborn English Bulldog puppies.
It is rightfully said that raising a puppy is far more complicated than raising a child, and there is a monetary aspect to it as well. Looking after and taking care of newborn English bulldog puppies can be an expensive affair.
Not only do you have to take care of the pup, but you also have to take care of its mother. To make sure the pups and their mother stay healthy and fit, you need to arrange the best dog food, milk substitutes, and supplements.
One more thing you need to know is that English Bulldogs aren’t the best mothers. As mothers, they tend to roll over their puppies, which can be incredibly suffocating for the young ones. Therefore, you need to keep an eye over the pups and the mother.
Breeders tend to look after the pups for as long as 8 weeks. Every week, the pups need to be taken to the vet for their regular medical checkups as well as their routine deworming sessions. Before the puppies are sent to their new homes, the breeders make sure that they are given one more injection.
Hence, taking care of newborn English Bulldog puppies isn’t easy and requires a lot of time and money.
Watch the following video on why are English Bulldog puppies so expensive.
What is the Difference Between Cheap and Expensive English Bulldogs?
Let’s talk about the difference between cheap and expensive bulldogs.
The price of an English Bulldog tends to vary, depending on the owner you buy it from. If you get your puppy from a small-time breeder or dealer, it will cost around $1,800-$4,000.
However, the puppies that come from such breeders have poor health, and the medical charges to restore their health are too high and way out of your budget. Having said that, if someone offers you an English Bulldog puppy that costs as low as $1,500, your job is to say “no” right off the bat.
Just like anything else, in the case of dogs, you will find numerous scams.
In the marketplace, there are several pet stores, which claim to be selling purebred English Bulldogs. They may even provide you with documentation, which seems legit. However, it is still better to purchase your pups from a breeder whose credibility you can testify.
You may not know this, but most of these pet stores get their stock from puppy mills. Puppy mills are businesses that are run specifically for breeding dogs. The dogs used for breeding are mistreated in these mills, and they are forced to breed. The litter they produce isn’t the healthiest and has multiple issues.
By purchasing a puppy from these stores, you will not only be a part of an inhumane business, but you will also spend a lot of your money on medical expenses.
A bulldog that is purebred and well taken care of costs a lot more. However, such a dog is healthy and can stay by your side for an extended period, thus making your investment worthwhile.
If you reside in the US, it is advised that you must get a puppy from a breeder or a kennel that is registered with the English Kennel Club.
However, before you do, you must make sure that your puppy’s parents have passed genetic tests for poor health conditions. Some of the genetic issues you should look out for include Hip Dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.
What You Must Consider Before Getting an English Bulldog?
Are you about to get an English Bulldog? Besides the costs, here are a few things to consider before getting an English Bulldog.
One of the things you should know about English Bulldogs is that they are very stubborn dogs. Once they make up their minds to do something, it is challenging to stop them.
Plus, English Bulldogs try to fit in the narrowest of spaces and dip their teeth into food items that you don’t approve of. When they are angry, they also destroy your most prized possession, so take care of your belongings.
The worst habit of an English Bulldog is that they are very loud at snoring, which can be very annoying, especially when you are trying to relax or sleep.
Despite their small bodies, their respiratory system makes them produce loud noises as they snore. If you want a dog to share a bed with, make sure to get anything but an English Bulldog.
A normal English Bulldog takes at least two naps a day. English Bulldogs tend to get tired from the simplest of tasks, such as eating or taking a dump.
Even walking around the house for a few minutes at a stretch can make them sleepy. Make sure you get them a bed that is soft and comfortable.
In this article, we have already discussed how costly it is to buy and raise an English Bulldog. They need to be taken to the vet regularly, and you can’t skimp on their routine medication, vaccinations, and hygiene rituals. You should also invest in high-quality cleaning products, or else your dog will develop infections, which are detrimental to their health.
Despite the numerous red flags, you cannot deny that English Bulldogs are incredibly loyal and dependable. The moment they feel that you are in trouble, they will bark loudly and do whatever they can to make sure you are safe. Their loyalty and dependable nature are among the few reasons you should consider getting an English Bulldog.
A common issue with English Bulldogs is that they have food allergies. It takes a lot of time and money to get rid of these allergies. You also have to find the right kind of dog food that doesn’t spark an allergic reaction. The dog food available in the stores may not be the perfect feed for your English Bulldog.
Some of the most common symptoms of food allergies in English Bulldogs are as follows.
- Gassiness
- Inflamed Ears
- Chronic Diarrhea
- Itchy skin
- Excessive paw licking
Watch the following video on traits of an English Bulldog.
Final Thoughts on Why Are English Bulldogs So Expensive
So, we hope this article answered your question, “why are English Bulldogs so expensive?”
It wouldn’t be unfair to say that English Bulldogs belong to the category of dogs that are born with medical issues.
Breeding them is a difficult task, and raising them is even more challenging. Considering the veterinary charges, food expenses, and insurance plans, owning an English Bulldog as a pet can be pretty costly.
However, on the bright side, English bulldogs are incredibly loyal and dependable. They would do anything to put a smile on your face and protect you to the best of their capability. So, show them love and affection, and it will always be reciprocated.
References
- “Bulldogs World.” Why Are Bulldogs So Expensive?, www.bulldogsworld.com/general/why-are-bulldogs-so-expensive.
- Hertz, Lisa. “How Much Are English Bulldogs? Cost of Buying and Raising a Bulldog.” The Happy Puppy Site, 2 July 2018, thehappypuppysite.com/how-much-are-english-bulldogs/.
- Johnson, Krista. “5 Things to Consider Before Owning an English Bulldog.” PetHelpful, PetHelpful, 17 Aug. 2019, pethelpful.com/dogs/5-Considerations-Before-Owning-an-English-Bulldog.
- Mamian, Mike. “Why Bulldogs Are The Most Expensive Dogs To Own .” BulldogGuide.com, 8 Feb. 2018, bulldogguide.com/why-bulldogs-are-the-most-expensive-dogs-to-own/.
- “Why English Bulldog Puppies Are So Expensive.” RedWhiteandBulldogs, www.redwhiteandbulldogs.com/why-do-bulldogs-cost-so-much/.
