Bulldogs tend to look “tough” but in
reality, most of them are just big sweethearts. They are great pets for families
with children because they form especially strong bonds with younger people and
they’re very gentle with everyone and protective of their families. In fact,
despite their typically laid-back nature, these dogs are bred to be brave enough
to bait bulls, so you know they’re not short on courage! They’re sensitive to
their owner’s moods and in fact are often considered clowns! They also require
very little exercise and grooming so they can be considered good dogs for
lower-energy households.
The English bulldog can, obviously, trace
its heritage all the way back to England. The term “bulldog” was first used
sometime around 1568 and applied to the modern bulldog’s ancestors. Most people
believe that English bulldogs were bred in England to be a mix between the pug
and the mastiff.
Bullbaiting
In the 1600s, bulldogs were used for both
bullbaiting (and to a lesser extent bearbaiting). Bullbaiting was a popular
sport where bets were placed. A bull was then lashed to a post, and a bulldog
would leap at the bull, latch onto its snout, and attempt to suffocate the bull.
However, the breed was also used for other purposes as well: for instance, in
the mid 17-century in New York City, bulldogs were used in a city-wide effort to
round up wild bulls. They were trained to seize a bull by its snout because it
was too dangerous to approach them any other way, and they would hold on long
enough for a rope to be secured around the bull’s neck. (It’s interesting to
note that bulldogs today cannot perform these tasks anymore – despite being
originally bred for it, the breed’s crossing with pugs has shortened the body
enough that a bulldog would no longer be able to grip a bull’s snout!) Because
of this history, and their fierce looks, they’re even a popular breed to use for
mascots – schools and teams all over the United States and the United Kingdom
have a bulldog as their mastiff.
A standard bulldog’s weight depends on
the country you’re in – in the United Kingdom, 55 pounds for a male and 50 for a
female is considered standard, while in the United States, a male should be
around 50 pounds a female 40 pounds although in some cases males can be up to 70
pounds!
Like all breeds, English bulldogs also
have health problems that come associated with their breed. Because of their
bulk and the shortness of their muzzle, they often develop an assortment of
breathing issues. They are also famous for snoring loudly. They can also be
prone to cysts between the toes which can cause the bulldog a great deal of
discomfort. In addition to that, the folds on a bulldog’s face need regular
cleaning to avoid infections from developing and they can develop something
called “cherry eye” – a protrusion of the inner eyelid that must be corrected by
a veterinarian. Again because of their weight and the way their bodies are
proportioned, bulldogs tend to be bowlegged in their hind legs. This can cause a
rash of hip problems including hip dysplasia. Bulldogs are also extremely
susceptible to heat. They do not do well during overly hot periods so keep them
out of the heat as much as possible.
If you are planning to breed bulldogs,
you should also know that most bulldog puppies are not delivered vaginally
because their large heads often get stuck in a mother’s birth canal. Instead
they are delivered by Caesarean section.
If you are planning to show an English
bulldog, there are a few things you need to know first. English bulldogs come in
a great variety of colors and have smooth, short coats. In order of desirability
their colors are brindle – more specifically red brindle – red, white, and fawn
(fawn-colored bulldogs tend to have markings of other color as well.) A dog is
disqualified if their nose if pale or liver-colored and judges typically frown
on black-coated bulldogs as well. And while bulldogs have naturally short tailed
that usually do not require docking, a longer – or “gay” – tail is considered a
serious fault among show bulldogs.
English bulldogs are wonderful dogs to
have. Their sweet, gentle natures make them great for families and they’ll
always stick by you, no matter what.
Attention: To discover how
YOU can have the Happiest, Healthiest and Best Behaved Bulldog,
get a copy of this Bulldog Guide
NOW!
