English Bulldog

Characteristics of English Bulldog

Brief information

• Calm, loyal and friendly dog;
• Loves children and is an ideal candidate for the role of a family pet;
• It makes a whole range of sounds: from snoring and sniffing to barking and grumbling.

Photo of English Bulldog

History of the breed

It is customary to refer to the progenitors of bulldogs as huge fighting dogs – molossians. These dogs once inhabited the Apennine Peninsula and came to England along with the Roman legionnaires. In the 13th century in England, the breed received its current name from the English word “bull” – “bull”. The English Bulldog was used as a herding dog and later as a pickling dog.Breeders brought out a special kind of dog, stable in severe battles: a wide jaw, a powerful grip, folds on the body and muzzle. The opponent can damage the fold, but will not harm the dog itself.

In 1835, Queen Victoria banned bull-baiting by dogs, and the English bulldog was on the verge of extinction. Then fans of this breed began to keep bulldogs as pets, selecting only dogs with a soft and gentle character.In Russia, the English Bulldog appeared in the 19th century. The most famous admirer of bulldogs was Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy. He even dedicated the story “Bulka” to his pet.

Description of the English Bulldog

Winston Churchill said about bulldogs that this is beauty brought to the point of absurdity. And indeed, the appearance of these dogs cannot leave you indifferent. The English Bulldog is one of the most recognizable breeds. A squat appearance, wrinkles on the muzzle, a shortened nose and a stocky body – this is how you can describe this dog. But behind the stern look hides a true aristocrat, a devoted friend and a real family member. 

Bulldog fans love them for their funny, unusual face and eternal smile. They have a heavy body, a wide chest, short legs and a small tail. Ears hanging. The eyes are dark brown, closer to black. Bulldogs are brachiocephalic dogs. That is, they have a flattened nose. They often breathe through their mouths and swallow air, so they release gases.

Color happens:

• Solid color (red, white);
• Pied (combination of white with colored color);
• Spotted;
• brindle;
• With a black mask or half mask.

Undesirable black colors, white with small gray spots. A pink nose is also considered a deviation from the breed standard. An English Bulldog must have a black nose.

Character

Bulldog fans love them for their spontaneity and earthiness. They are like small children: they are stubborn, lazy, caressed. In addition, they are very funny and kind. The English Bulldog is balanced, calm and even a little phlegmatic. However, this is not the case for puppies: they can be agile, curious and very playful. Nevertheless, an adult dog will prefer a leisurely walk in the fresh air next to the owner of any sporting activity. That is why it is ideal for people with a calm temperament, families with children and people leading a measured lifestyle.

The English Bulldog is proud and independent. You can even say that they are stubborn and self-confident. Bulldogs are strong and ready to go ahead. Perhaps it is precisely for these qualities that the English bulldog is the most popular mascot of English and American colleges and sports teams. The English Bulldog is the national dog of England, which personifies the independent and prim English. As well as the unofficial symbol of the US Marine Corps.

Behaviour

This dog is not so easy to teach commands , because he is quite stubborn and used to doing things his own way. To train a dog from the owner will require energy, patience and understanding. However, if you find the right approach, even a child of ten years old can train a bulldog.According to the history of the formation of the breed, English bulldogs were used as fighting dogs and participated in fights against bulls. Gradually, the fighting dog became decorative, but it is still ready to defend its territory and, on occasion, can be the first to attack a potential offender.

At the same time, the protective qualities of the bulldog are not pronounced, so it cannot be used as a watchman. By the way, the bulldog needs early socialization in order to get rid of the possible manifestation of aggression at the sight of unfamiliar people and animals.

Care

The main rules for caring for a bulldog:

• Wipe the wrinkles on the muzzle;
• Avoid overheating the dog;
• Do not overfeed;
• Don’t be left alone for a long time.

English Bulldogs have short coats that require weekly wiping with a damp towel to remove loose hair. However, special attention should be paid to the folds on the muzzle, eyes and nose of the dog. They are cleaned with wet swabs, removing dust and accumulated dirt. Moisture can accumulate in these folds, and then the skin will become inflamed. Therefore, it is advisable to wipe the folds on the face with it every day. You need to bathe the bulldog as needed, using special shampoos, in the process it is worth paying attention to the condition of the dog’s skin.

English Bulldogs are characterized by profuse salivation, and due to the structure of the muzzle, these dogs often snore and sniff. In addition, they often have problems with the intestines, there may be increased gas formation, flatulence.

Conditions of detention

The English Bulldog is great for keeping in an apartment, but its place should be located in a warm room without drafts. These dogs do not tolerate heat and cold well, so it is advisable to reduce the time of walking in summer and winter.

The Bulldog does not need long and active walks. Intense physical activity is even contraindicated for them. For busy people who do not have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with a dog, this is a big plus. The English Bulldog prefers walking, without active physical work, however, the dog should not be allowed to be lazy. In order for a bulldog to be active, it must be interested. Otherwise, health problems await the dog, because English bulldogs are known lovers of food, they tend to gain excess weight. It is necessary to carefully monitor the bulldog’s diet and activity in order to prevent the development of obesity.

Predisposition to disease

The English Bulldog is considered one of the most difficult breeds in terms of health. They have a lot of congenital or hereditary diseases:

• allergies;
• Breathing problems due to deviated nasal septum
• Heart problems;
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• Obesity;
• Problematic childbirth (often a female English bulldog cannot give birth without a caesarean section).

Also, the English Bulldog can become depressed and mope if the owner leaves him alone for a long time and does not pay attention.

English bulldog prices

On average, the breed costs about 500-900 $. However, individuals with a rare or very beautiful color can cost 1200-2000$.

English Bulldog – Video