English BulldogHistory: Although the connection may not be recognizable at first
sight, the English Bulldog actually hails from ancient Mastiffs. It is estimated
that this breed has been around since possibly the 13th or
14th century where they were used for bull baiting.
Although the short muzzle makes this breed a unique looking family pet today, the short muzzle was actually used to help cling to the bull once the dog had attached itself. Their Mastiff ancestors originated from Asia, but the English Bulldog was not bred until nomads brought the Mastiffs to Europe. The breed as we know it today was not truly bred until the 1800s in England, though, long after bull baiting was outlawed. From here, this breed was crossbred with the Pug to help create the characteristics of the breed that is available today. Since most of the breeding took place in England, the name English Bulldog came into play. Although popular in England during the 1800s and 1900s, the breed did not become registered with the American Kennel Club until 1935. The breed is still fairly rare and can still be difficult to acquire from breeders as a family pet. Description: Very low to the ground and extremely compact and muscular, this dog has made a name for itself as a unique looking breed. With a short, wrinkled muzzle, a hard to miss overbite and drooping lips, large sad eyes and floppy ears, it is hard to tell whether this breed is happy because he often looks sad. This breed also has a very wide head, as well as a wide body with short legs so that the undercarriage is close to the ground. Characterized by a very short, coarse coat that comes standard in brindle and white or red and white with white under the belly and on the face, as well as black on the face, the English Bulldog will usually weigh around 50-55 pounds. Despite this medium size weight, they will only sit 12-14 inches off the ground, making them very short and stout. The tail is short to medium in length and will usually hang low or tucked between the legs. Life Span: 9-11 years Common Ailments: The droopy eyes will often cause something called a cherry eye, or problems with the lower eyelid that may result in surgery. Are also known for having breathing problems because of short necks and short muzzles. These include trouble breathing in hot weather, as well as problems with snoring. Suitability with Children: Yes, very gentle natured Suitability with Other Pets: Yes, although food aggression has been a problem for some English Bulldog owners. May also have a tendency towards dominate behavior, although this can be controlled by training that starts as a puppy. Living Conditions: Can adapt to any living environment, but may have trouble in extremely hot climates, because of their tendency to overheat easily. Training: Has a tendency to be lazy and obstinate, so may not do well past the basic commands Exercise Required: Low to Medium Cost of Maintenance: Low Breed Temperament: Despite their sad appearance, Bulldogs are among one of the most gentle and most loyal of all dog breeds. Don’t take this to mean that they won’t stand as a good watchdog, though, because they do still have instincts from their olde ancestors that will allow them to bark at strangers or even to get aggressive with other dogs if necessary. This means socializing them from a small puppy to ensure that all aggressive tendencies are gone. Careful selection of breeders will also help. It is absolutely necessary to ensure that the English Bulldog gets regular exercise, because they do have a tendency to gain weight easily. This is also because they don’t care to exercise, especially not in warm or cold weather. With this in mind, it is probably best to have them in a temperate climate where they can easily get outside. This dog absolutely loves to be part of the family and will be perfectly happy curled up on the couch, as they are often called “couch potatoes.” The English Bulldog is especially good with children because of their slow moving, gentle nature. Leave English Bulldog and Return to Homepage
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