The bulldog tail should start below the highest part of the rump, and you can sometimes feel the spot where it emerges from the spinal column if you probe the area with your fingertips. If the tail is deeply set there will be a "pocket" that runs around and beneath where the tail emerges. Sometimes the tail itself is also very tight against the rump, whether straight or curled to one side, so you can hardly slip a finger between the tail and the rump. That pocket is where the infections begin because of accumulation of sweat, naturally shedding hairs and skin cells, but mostly old shampoo that was not rinsed out well. At best its just stinky and sticky...at worst its a raging infection that will bleed both pus and blood and this infection can spread throughout the dog's circulatory system to weaken his overall health, to say nothing about the daily pain. So we want to first of all, take notice of puppy tails when selecting your next puppy. It should be one of the factors you consider...not the major one, but an acceptance that it will be an ongoing chore to keep this pocket clean and healthy, much the way you need to deal with a deep nose wrinkle.

At 8 weeks old the pup will be full of wiggles and hopefully will have some acquaintance with grooming and handling by the breeder/seller but you need to start immediately getting this youngster accustomed to being handled, checked and cleaned when needed, from tip to toe, including ears, nose, wrinkles, tail and toes. Make it fun, a little game, but also make sure the dog does get what is needed, and don't allow him to bite you. Distraction with some toy or food is usually successful. Routine cleaning of the tail area, unless the pocket is exceptionally deep, can be done with a damp baby wipe, paper towel or soft cloth, 1-2xwk, and always rinse away soap/shampoos very very well. Some like to dust these folds and pockets with an absorbant material to help deal with sweat/moisture/dust/etc. and they use Gold Bond Medicated Powder, but any simple corn-starch baby powder will suffice. Slight irritations, after area is cleaned, may respond well to a bit of human baby diaper ointment, Panalog (veterinary medicated ointment) or even Neosporin with anti-itch. Be sure to wash/clean away any "old medication" before applying a new layer or you are essentially trapping debris between layers an that can worsen a problem.

The bulldog tail should start below the highest part of the rump, and you can sometimes feel the spot where it emerges from the spinal column if you probe the area with your fingertips. If the tail is deeply set there will be a "pocket" that runs around and beneath where the tail emerges. Sometimes the tail itself is also very tight against the rump, whether straight or curled to one side, so you can hardly slip a finger between the tail and the rump. That pocket is where the infections begin because of accumulation of sweat, naturally shedding hairs and skin cells, but mostly old shampoo that was not rinsed out well. At best its just stinky and sticky...at worst its a raging infection that will bleed both pus and blood and this infection can spread throughout the dog's circulatory system to weaken his overall health, to say nothing about the daily pain. So we want to first of all, take notice of puppy tails when selecting your next puppy. It should be one of the factors you consider...not the major one, but an acceptance that it will be an ongoing chore to keep this pocket clean and healthy, much the way you need to deal with a deep nose wrinkle.

At 8 weeks old the pup will be full of wiggles and hopefully will have some acquaintance with grooming and handling by the breeder/seller but you need to start immediately getting this youngster accustomed to being handled, checked and cleaned when needed, from tip to toe, including ears, nose, wrinkles, tail and toes. Make it fun, a little game, but also make sure the dog does get what is needed, and don't allow him to bite you. Distraction with some toy or food is usually successful. Routine cleaning of the tail area, unless the pocket is exceptionally deep, can be done with a damp baby wipe, paper towel or soft cloth, 1-2xwk, and always rinse away soap/shampoos very very well. Some like to dust these folds and pockets with an absorbant material to help deal with sweat/moisture/dust/etc. and they use Gold Bond Medicated Powder, but any simple corn-starch baby powder will suffice. Slight irritations, after area is cleaned, may respond well to a bit of human baby diaper ointment, Panalog (veterinary medicated ointment) or even Neosporin with anti-itch. Be sure to wash/clean away any "old medication" before applying a new layer or you are essentially trapping debris between layers an that can worsen a problem.