Breed: Bulldog I Size: Medium I Average lifespan: 8+ years I Character: Calm, loving, affectionate I Coat: Short I Origin: England.
The unique charm of the English Bulldog will surely capture your heart. This dog breed has a loving and affectionate character.
The origins of the English Bulldog
A fighting dog
The English Bulldog is a very old breed that was found as early as the 13th century in England. The breed is thought to have been brought to Europe by the Phoenicians during the ancient times. The name “Bulldog” comes from the breed’s use in bullfighting in the past. As these dogs were courageous and ferocious, they were originally used to fight bulls for entertainment. At the time, from the 13th to the 18th century, bull-baiting was a popular event in England. The English Bulldog developed a broad jaw and muscular chest to take on larger animals such as bulls, bears and lions. However, their fighting career came to an end in 1835, when bullfighting was banned in the United Kingdom.
The rebirth of the breed as a pet
After the ban, the breed did not really have a real utility. Because of this, the breed almost disappeared. Fortunately, passionate breeders put into place selections to transform the breed into a pet. In 1864, the Bulldog Club was founded, and in 1875, breeding of the English Bulldog as we know today officially began. The ferocious character of the Bulldog’s origin became gentleness and a profound affection for their owner. After this transformation, the dog breed quickly became very popular in England.
A symbolic breed of England
Nowadays, the English Bulldog is one of the most well-known breeds in the world. It has also become one of the most popular. Many people find their British origins irresistible. However, the breed is a victim of its own success, and excessive selections have resulted in fragile dogs with breathing difficulties. In 2009, the Kennel Club, Britain’s largest dog breeders’ association, introduced a new breed standard to prevent hypertype problems in English Bulldogs. The new standard encourages breeders to breed healthy English Bulldog puppies.
The English Bulldog’s character
What are their main qualities?
Even though it looks like the English Bulldog has a scowling face, these dogs are very affectionate. Moreover, they get attached to their owners quickly and create a strong bond, staying loyal with their owners for their entire life. In addition, these dogs have a very calm temperament and are incredibly patient with children. These dogs are also brave dog and would not hesitate to face strangers and warn you.
The English Bulldog is a fairly sedentary dog. They are perfectly content with short walks. Because of this, apartment life is suitable for them. The English Bulldog would be a perfect companion for senior citizens who have enough time to devote to them.
When the English Bulldog is interested in something, they can become quite active. They can enjoy sharing long play sessions with their owners.
Are there any downsides to having an English Bulldog?
As this dog does not have a lot of stamina, they are unable to accompany their owners on long walks. They would prefer to lounge around indoors instead. In addition, this dog also has a very strong tendency to snore. This is due to the unique shape of their muzzle.
Another downside is that these very affectionate dogs do not appreciate solitude. If you need to leave them, your absences should be kept short to avoid stressing your English Bulldog.
This is a stubborn dog breed that can sometimes decide not to obey you. Additionally, they can also be aggressive towards dogs they do not know. It is important to watch out for their particularly impressive jaw.
The physical characteristics of the English Bulldog
General
The English Bulldog is a compact and medium dog, with rather short legs. This breed stands out for its squished face with many folds.
Head
The English Bulldog’s head is rather large compared to the rest of their body, even when they are adults. The muzzle is very short, large, and has rolls. There may be a bulge above the nose, which should not hinder their breathing. The nose is large and always black. Covering the lower jaw is thick whisker pads. The English Bulldog is called “prognathic”. That is because its lower jaw is slightly in front of the upper jaw.
When it comes to the English Bulldog’s eyes, they are always a dark color and are rather spread apart. They are neither sunken nor bulging and they show no white when they look straight ahead. The ears of the English Bulldog are set high on the head. They are both short and thin.
Body
As mentioned earlier, this dog has a compact body. Their chest and shoulders are broad and they have well-rounded ribs. The tail is curved downwards, not corkscrewed.
The legs are rather short and muscular. When it comes to their hind legs, they are slightly longer than the front ones. In addition, this dog’s walk is distinctive. They walk with small, rapid steps, as if they were walking on their tiptoes.
English Bulldog: coat, color, and grooming
Coat
The English Bulldogs’s coat is short and smooth. The length is uniform over the entire body. In addition, the coat is fine and does not have a wiry effect.
Colors
The English Bulldog’s various colors are all solid or “sooty”, i.e. uniform with a black mask or muzzle. The permitted colors are red, brindle and white. A combination of white and another color, are also permitted. However, black, black and tan and liver are not permitted.
Grooming the English Bulldog
Because the English Bulldog has a very short coat, it is easy to care for. In addition, this breed doesn’t need to be brushed. You can simply wipe them dry after a walk to prevent them from catching a cold.
On the other hand, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the condition of your dog’s eyes and nose on a daily basis. These areas are sensitive and can, therefore, be prone to infection.
You’ll also need to pay close attention to your dog’s condition during periods of extreme heat,. They do not tolerate high temperatures very well. You need to let them rest in the shade and make sure they always have fresh water available.
Did you know?
This dog breed is known for being notoriously lazy. For example, some dogs are even capable of faking a limp to avoid a long walk.
The English Bulldog at a glance
Size: 31 to 40 cm at the withers.
Weight: 18 to 25 kg (≈ 39.7 to 55.1 lb). The ideal weight of an English Bulldog is between 20 and 23 kg (≈ 44.1 and 50.7 lb).
Health: The English Bulldog’s health is fragile. For example, this breed can be prone to respiratory issues because of their squished muzzle. In addition, English Bulldogs do not handle hot weather very well. They are happiest in temperate climates. English Bulldogs can also suffer from many hereditary diseases common to the breed. Also, as they have a predisposition to obesity, it is important to keep an eye on their weight and provide them with an appropriate, high-quality diet.
Average lifespan: 8 to 10 years
Is the English Bulldog good with children? This pooch is affectionate and reliable, and typically gets along well with children. However, as with all dogs, their interactions with children should always be supervised.
Is the English Bulldog easy to train? As the English Bulldog is a rather stubborn dog, they need firm but fair training. Also, as they are highly sensitive, they may sulk if they feel they were scolded unfairly.