Bulldogs have those cute faces with very short noses. And all breeds and dogs with short noses snore. It is no different with English bulldogs. It is one of the characteristic features of this breed and in fact, they are big-time snorers.
English bulldogs are loud snorers because of their short noses. The bulldog ranks number two out of five for dog breeds that snore the most. And while you can’t stop their snoring altogether, you can reduce it by regular exercise, air purifiers, better head and body support, and better ventilation.
While all their idiosyncrasies make them a unique breed to have as a companion, at times their loud snoring can be quite annoying. Their snoring could get loud enough to keep everyone in the house awake. The only breed that beats out the bulldog for snoring frequency and volume is the Pug, its shorter and funnier looking snub-nosed canine brother.
Even though there is no way to eliminate snoring, there are some actions you can take to reduce the frequency and intensity of your bulldog’s snores.
Why do bulldogs snore?
The primary reason bulldogs snore is because their short nasal structures impact their ability to breathe efficiently. Some other factors that could be causing or accentuating your bulldog’s snoring are:
Genetic reasons: This is the primary reason why bulldogs snore so much. Bulldogs have big heads, flat faces, and short noses. Their airways are constricted due to fatty deposits in their throats and that makes breathing very difficult for them while they sleep. Many of them have long tongues and soft elongated palates that disturbs their breathing even more.
Nasal blockages: Obstruction in the nasal passages of your bulldogs can cause very loud snoring. They already have short nasal passages and if blocked further they will tend to snore loudly. Check for any foreign objects in their nasal passages such as grass, dirt, or soil. Make sure that you remove any objects that might be inhibiting your bulldog’s ability to breath comfortably.
Allergies: Bulldogs as a breed are prone to many allergies and snoring could be a side effect of that. When bulldogs get allergies, their nasal passages swell, thereby further narrowing the breathing passage. This shrinking of the passages makes it difficult for your bulldog to breathe properly and as a result, they could snore loudly while they sleep.
Sleeping positions: Some sleeping positions may contribute to your bulldog’s loud snoring. Some bulldogs will snore more when they sleep on their sides while some snore while laying on their backs.
Medication: Many medications that a bulldog may be taking such as antihistamines, muscle-relaxants, or sedatives have side-effects that directly or indirectly interfere with their breathing. These medicines can cause your bulldog’s air passages to sag or get obstructed, which might result in snoring.
Sleeping in hot-sultry conditions: If bulldogs are left out in a hot and badly ventilated area they can overheat. This can lead to an increase in breathing discomfort and subsequent loud snoring.
Other known ailments: Some bulldogs commonly suffer from chronic swelling of the airway known as laryngeal edema which causes loud snoring. Others have a brachycephalic syndrome which can cause them to collapse during exercise or when excited. This also can lead to their body temperatures rising which causes snoring and other health complications.
Make sure to talk to your local vet if your bulldog’s snoring is excessive or makes it difficult for them to breath.
Six ways to reduce your bulldog’s snoring
As we have learned, it is not possible to eliminate your bulldog’s snoring completely because of their facial and skull structures. But there are ways to reduce their snoring to more tolerable levels.
Exercise on a regular basis: Regular exercises will help your bulldog tone his muscles and reduce accumulated fat which in turn will be effective in reducing their snoring. The more exercise they get, the more fit they will be, and the less laborious their breathing will be.
Use air humidifiers: Absence of any moisture in the air can lead to your bulldog’s throat and mouth getting dry leading to loud snoring. Placing a humidifier in their sleeping zone to moisten the air and ease their breathing might help to reduce their snoring.
Change their sleeping positions: Experiment with your bulldog’s sleeping position. Keep changing their positions to determine which is the most comfortable and in which position they snore the least. Then try and encourage them to sleep in that position for their optimum comfort and less snoring.
Try using a puppy pillow: You will see most dogs sleeping with their necks on the ground and their snouts out. This conventional sleeping method can lead to loud snoring. Using a pillow to elevate your dog’s head can prove effective in reducing snoring.
Use dog beds: Make sure your bulldog has a proper dog bed for sleeping. Not only will your dog love it, but you can also shift your dog to an area around your house with the right temperature and proper ventilation so that they sleep more comfortably.
Keep their sleeping areas clean and well-ventilated: Make sure that the area where your bulldog sleeps is clean and dust-free. This will help to ensure they don’t inhale any dust, allergens, or harmful foreign material that can block their airways, and thus help reduce their snoring.
Try some of these suggestions out and see if any of them help reduce your bulldog’s snoring. If their snoring gets worse please seek professional medical advice by contacting a vet.
When to seek medical help?
If your dog’s snoring fails to relent or reduce even after trying everything under the sun, it might be a cause to worry. Certain medical complications such as hyperthyroidism and sleep apnea in your bulldog can cause loud snoring. Apart from impacting their sleep quality, this may be impacting their overall health as well.
While snoring in brachycephalic dogs such as the bulldog is common, if they show signs of discomfort, illness, or other unusual symptoms, it might be time for your bulldog to visit a vet. Your vet will advise you on the course of action and any corrective measures that can be taken to reduce and eliminate the symptoms.
In extreme cases, where there is a major obstruction in the air passage that cannot be treated by conventional medication, other techniques such as surgery may be recommended. This is very unlikely, but again your vet is the best person to advise you accordingly.
Though bulldogs are one of the most frequent and loudest snoring dog breeds out there, most owners are willing to live with it. Bulldogs have so many other positive characteristics that it’s not that difficult to overlook the snoring. If you’re a light sleeper looking to get a bulldog, we hope the above tips are helpful for you. And if not, we suggest investing in a good pair of earplugs!
