ABOUT BULLDOGS
History
The breed, commonly known as the English or British Bulldog, dates back more than 2,000 years and was created in the British Isles by breeding of the indigenous mastiffs to the newly arrived ones. The Bulldog was originally used for farm work and guarding. It was later used in a blood sport of bull baiting (fighting bulls in a ring), until the activity was outlawed in the middle of the 19th century. In those days, Bulldogs were taller and more athletic than they are today. After bull baiting was outlawed, the English Bulldog as we know it today was developed by making the original breed more gentle and compact. The original Bulldog looked more like the modern American Bulldog than the modern British Bulldog. Another variation of the breed, the miniature bulldog, is called the French Bulldog.
Characteristics
This is a medium-size dog with a thick and massive body. It has a large and square head with a short face and a flat forehead. The muzzle is short and faces upward. The eyes are dark, the nose is black, and the ears are small. The jaws are massive, with the lower jaw undershot. The tail is naturally short and can be straight or screw. The chest is very broad and deep. The legs are stocky and are set at each corner of a Bulldog's body. English Bulldog's skin is soft and loose, especially around the head area. The coat is short and comes in white, red, brindle, yellow or fawn.
| Height | Weight | ||
| Male | 12 - 16 inches | 40 to 50 pounds | |
| Female | 12 - 16 inches | 40 to 50 pounds |
Temperament
Bulldogs are the clowns of the canine world! And a bulldog puppy is a bunch of smiles rolled up in an ill fitting fur coat.
Our bulldogs do not drool as much as some people think and when our adult bulldogs pass gas, they look at us, shake their heads slowly, and say "You did that!". You should know that a bulldog can 'kick' you out of bed when they dream...
A bulldog can snore very loudly! When there are more than three bulldogs asleep in one room, it's louder than a freight train! If you ever wanted a pet that was the center of attention when you went walking and would watch TV with you, the right choice is an English bulldog puppy!
The English Bulldog is a very gentle and affectionate dog that gets along well with almost everyone, including other dogs, pets, and children. It loves human attention and being involved in family activities. It's one of the gentlest dogs around. But don't be fooled -- it's very courageous and has excellent guarding abilities. Young Bulldogs are full of energy and quite active. They slow down as they grow older.
Bulldogs are easily trainable but occasionally willful.
Best Owner
This is not a very active dog and will adapt to an apartment lifestyle quite well. If you are a couch potato, this may be a perfect breed for you! But just because it's not very active, it does not mean your pet will not crave for your attention. These dogs LOVE human attention and are very persistent, so expect to spend some time playing with your pet. Some English Bulldog breeders will interview prospective owners to make sure this is the right breed for them.
Activity and Exercise
I already mentioned on several occasion that this is not a very active breed. Still, it requires some exercise. At a minimum, take your pet for one or two walks every day.
Grooming
These dogs are average shedders and are easy to care for. Brush once or twice a week with a firm bristle brush. Bathe only when absolutely necessary. To avoid infections, clean face folds daily.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy for a healthy English Bulldog puppy is between 8 and 10 years.
