Regular, Low-Impact Exercise Is Best For English Bulldogs, From Puppies To Adults

Bulldogs are prone to joint problems, and over exercising can quickly lead to lifelong ailments, especially for puppies

Exercise is very important for English Bulldogs to keep them fit and healthy. Just like us, regular exercise helps control their weight and build and maintain muscle. However, unlike humans, they need (and can only withstand) a very limited amount of exercise each day.

In fact, over exercising can be just as unhealthy as not getting enough! Bulldogs are prone to hip, knee and various joint issues due to their build. Shorter legged, heavy-weight dogs are more susceptible to weak joints due to the extreme pressure placed on them when running, playing and even walking.

This breed should never be allowed to over exercise, especially as puppies. There are many critical growth periods throughout puppyhood that can cause devastating effects when allowed too much physical activity … even just once!

Caution For Puppies

Too much activity for these types of puppies pose a risk of irreparable damage to their body, causing lifelong pain and health issues. At many points in the first year (or more) of life, their bones, joints and even their hearts are in the growing process, which can sometimes leave them vulnerable to injuries as things are changing.

This is very common when it comes to knees and hips. At various stages of growth, one part of the knee may be beginning to form and change shape while another is still growing. As things move and take shape, these areas can become weak and are susceptible to damage.

When a puppy is allowed to take long walks, or worse yet, run long distances, this can cause major problems in these areas as they are not yet physically prepared for this type of activity. Many owners of Bulldog puppies find themselves in situations where they have been injured simply because they did not understand the importance of limited, low impact exercise at this age.

Exercise Routine

Having both English Bulldogs and French Mastiffs in our family, I know that this remains true well after puppyhood as well. All of our adult dogs follow a strict routine for exercise and activity to keep their hearts and muscles healthy, and not much more than that.

Most days, our English Bulldogs are allowed no more than 30 minutes of playtime together in the backyard. While inside, they are limited on activity (which isn’t much of a problem since this breed tends to be happy with laying around most of the day).

Bulldog puppies should be exercised for about the same amount of time each day, with less intensive play. As adults, our Bulldogs are allowed to run, jump and wrestle for no more than 10 minutes at a time. Then, we begin to encourage them to calm down for less intensive play for the remaining 20 minutes.

Our French Mastiffs, or Dogue de Bordeaux adults, on the other hand, are much more active and require longer and more intense exercise. It’s important to understand here that our Bordeaux are fully developed adults. I would never allow a French Mastiff puppy to exercise nearly as long, or as hard, as our adults do.

Mastiff puppies should be allowed no more than one hour of serious play each day. This is best done in 30 minute intervals, once in the morning, and once in the evening to keep the possibility of injury to a minimum. Short walks (up to a total of 1/4 mile) or playing with a ball in the yard is about as much as should be expected until they are at least 9 months of age.

After 9 months of age, you can begin to take a little longer walks (up to a total of 3/4 mile) and increase exercise time another 15-20 minutes each day. By the time Mastiff puppies reach 18 months, they can begin more vigorous exercise. At this point, you can begin taking them on long walks (over 1 mile) and even short distance running at this point.

Supervise All Activity

It is always best to supervise all activity and be watchful for any labored breathing or limping. If you see either of these, you must immediately stop what they are doing and get them back inside to rest, preferably into their Night Crates. Bulldogs can easily overheat, and also risk playing too hard without realizing that they have injured themselves, as their pain tolerance is exceptionally high.

Heat exhaustion should be a major concern with over exercising in the summer. The danger here is much more serious than potential damage to joints with these breeds…hot summer months can be deadly in just a matter of minutes!!