How to Prepare Your Home for a Blue Merle Bulldog

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Blue merle English bulldogs have blue or brown eyes and black nose pigment. The merle gene is responsible for diluting random sections of their hair to a lighter hue, leaving patches of their original color. However, there’s more to this breed than just their color.

Blue merle English bulldogs may inherit health problems caused by this gene. That is why you should know the implications of this gene before buying a blue merle English bulldog.

According to formal organizations that prioritize breed improvement and breeding for health, merle is not a color that naturally occurs within the breed. It can’t be present in the standard breed without being introduced through outcrossing.

Can You Enter Them in Dog Shows?

Blue merle English bulldogs can’t be entered in dog shows affiliated with the Kennel Club because this organization doesn’t recognize them, stating that this coat pattern is not naturally occurring within the breed.

Moreover, the health problems associated with blue merle English bulldogs mean that introducing this color is harmful to the breed. That is why this variation can’t be registered with the Kennel Club. Blue merle English bulldogs that are illegally registered as another color are usually disqualified and eliminated from the breed registry.

Blue Merle Bulldog Grooming

Blue merle English bulldogs have a short coat, so they are easy to groom. You can give their coat a quick brush once a week. They shed minimally. However, they are prone to alopecia, a condition that affects only the blue areas.

The most common signs of alopecia include brittle hair, allergic reactions, bald patches on the ears, spine and head, itchiness and tender, wrinkled skin. Other signs include scaly, flaky and dry skin. It is also important to trim their nails. They are not an active dog, so their nails can become long. Take them to a professional groomer if you are not sure how to trim their nails.

Blue merle English bulldogs are adaptable and smart. They also love to spend time with their families.  They are independent dogs, so don’t be surprised if they are quite stubborn. This only means that you should dedicate your energy and time to their training.

They respond well to food-based training. Since this breed can’t swim, you should not leave them unsupervised when they are near pools, rivers or ponds. This breed doesn’t require a lot of exercise due to their facial structure. They have narrow nostrils and short muzzles that prevent them from getting enough oxygen.

Feeding

Talk to the vet to determine how much your blue merle bulldog should eat. You can also measure their food and divide it into 2 meals a day. If your dog eats the entire bowl of food, give him more next time. If he doesn’t eat everything, you can give him less food next time. Stick to the same feeding schedule every day.

Don’t forget to provide your pet with a bowl of clean water. Raised food and water bowls will make him more comfortable when eating or drinking.

Blue Merle Bulldog Health Issues

This breed is known for various hereditary health issues such as coat and skin allergies, heart defects, patellar luxation and eye problems. Parents usually need to undergo a C-section to deliver their pups because the size of the puppies’ heads is larger than the pelvis of the dam. Some bulldogs also need assistance when mating due to their narrow hips.

The merle color is linked to a higher possibility of hereditary deafness. This condition may affect only one or both ears. The dog’s deafness can be either complete or partial. Blue merle English bulldogs may also suffer from poor eyesight or blindness and they may also have improperly developed or abnormally formed eyes.

Vision or deafness problems don’t automatically affect all blue merle English bulldogs, however, these health issues do affect a considerable number of them and pose a threat to the health of the breed and the dog’s quality of life.

Due to their merle coloration, they may lack pigment across some areas of their skin. This can increase their hypersensitivity to light or risk of developing skin cancer.

Correcting Potty Mistakes

Your dog might go potty due to excitement, medical problems, separation anxiety or fear or to mark their territory. Before you do anything, you should talk to his vet as your dog might be suffering from a urinary infection.

Getting your dog neutered at 6 months of age will prevent him from displaying a marking behavior through urinating. Male dogs that won’t be used for breeding should be neutered.

Another possible reason for their potty mistakes is submissive urination which occurs when your pet sees you when you arrive. He might display a submissive behavior such as rolling on his back and uncontrollable urination.

You can solve this problem by taking your blue merle bulldog outside as soon as you get home. Stay low beat and calm when greeting him to help him get less excited.

If you see your pet getting ready to do his business, you can use a device to get his attention or just clap your hands and take him outside. You can only consider him housebroken if he has not made any potty mistake for 45 days consecutively.

When you see that he’s sniffing around like he wants to go, take him outside immediately. Dogs usually go potty after waking up, eating and taking a bath.

Don’t give your bulldog a large crate because he might use it as a toilet. If you need to train an adult dog, train him like he’s a puppy. Adult dogs need to defecate once or twice and urinate 3 – 4 times every day. When they go potty inside the house, say “bad dog” in a stern voice. Take them outside and say “good dog.”

Don’t forget to praise your pet after he goes. You can start training him by spreading some newspapers on the floor. Slowly reduce the number of newspapers but give your time to adjust to this routine. Your bulldog will learn to do his business on the newspapers when you praise him. Use a firm voice when he goes to a wrong area.

Should You Buy a Blue Merle Bulldog?

The health issues associated with Blue merle English bulldogs should not discourage you from getting one. These health issues only affect a small percentage of this breed. However, if you are concerned about costly vet bills, you should look for a healthier breed.

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