Which health problems are common in the English Bulldog?
English Bulldogs are prone to breathing problems from their short muzzle, skin fold infections and eye problems. Heat is dangerous: walk in the cool hours, and clean and dry the folds every day.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should English Bulldog owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Breathing problems (BOAS). The short muzzle narrows the airway. Loud breathing, snoring and tiring fast are signs; heat and exercise make it worse.
- Skin fold infections. Folds trap moisture and dirt. Cleaning and drying them every day helps prevent infections.
- Cherry eye. A red lump in the inner corner of the eye, where a gland has slipped out of place. It needs a vet.
- Dry eye and rolled-in eyelids. Both are common in the breed. A sticky discharge, a red eye or squinting are signs to show your vet.
- Cysts between the toes. Swellings between the toes are common. Licking the paws or limping are signs.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing assessment | A trained vet listens to breathing before and after 3 minutes of brisk walking. Repeated every 2 years from 1 year of age. | From 1 year · Every 2 years |
| Kneecap check | Your vet feels the knees to see whether a kneecap slips out of place. Programmes certify it from 1 year of age. | From 1 year · Once |
| Heart murmur check | Your vet listens to the heart with a stethoscope at the yearly visit, to catch a murmur early. | Every year |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a English Bulldog health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- English Bulldogs in the UK: a VetCompass study of their disorder predispositions and protections, Canine Medicine and Genetics, 2022
- Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016, Scientific Reports, 2020
- Respiratory Function Grading Scheme, The Royal Kennel Club
- Non-sporting group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- The epidemiology of patellar luxation in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in England, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2016
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