Bulldog: Training, Personality, Grooming & Health

(English Bulldog)

Group: Mastiff, AKC Non-Sporting

AKC Ranking: 12

Also Known As: British Bulldog, English Bulldog

About Bulldog

Origin of the Breed This medium-sized breed is descended from the ancient Asiatic mastiff, but its development took place completely in England.

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Description of the Breed

The Bulldog, with its intimidating looks, is small, wide and compact, with a thick, massive head and cheeks that extend to the sides of the eyes. The skin on the skull and forehead should fall in dense folds. Its muzzle is short and pug, its nose, broad and black with large nostrils. Its upper lip is pendent and its lower jaw should be very undershot. Eyes are very round, far apart and very dark. The ears should be small and thin, folded back in the form of a rose. The tail is short and carries low.

Coat

The coat comes in red, black, fawn, brindle, pale yellow or washed-out red, or white, and can combine any of these colors. With its stocky legs set squarely at each corner of its compact, muscular body, the Bulldog's deliberate gain has become a waddle.

Height: about 12-16 inches (31-40 cm.)

Weight

Dogs 53-55 pounds (24-25kg.)
Bitches 49-51 pounds (22-23kg.)

Personality

It is among the gentlest of dogs—especially with children, dependable, affectionate, courageous and known for its guarding abilities. Bullheaded and stubborn, this breed can be very persistent. A Bulldog is very much a peoples’ dog seeking and enjoying human attention. Some English Bulldogs can be a bit dominating and need an owner who knows how to display strong leadership and understands alpha canine behavior. This breed is good with family pets, but some can be scrappy with strange dogs. When Bulldogs are young, they are full of energy, but slow down as they get older. Most have drool and slobber tendencies.

Living Conditions

The English Bulldog is good for apartment life. They are very inactive indoors and will do okay without a yard. This breed is an indoor dog. Bulldogs do best in temperate climates.

Exercise & Training

Bulldogs need to be taken on daily walks to fulfill their primal canine instinct to walk. Fit English Bulldogs are capable of moving very quickly for short periods of time. If not properly exercised the bulldog could gain weight, which could cause health problems relating to the lungs and heart.

Grooming

The smooth, fine, short-haired coat of this average shedder is easy to groom. It should be combed and brushed with a firm bristle brush, and bathed only when necessary. The face must be wiped with a damp cloth every day to clean inside the wrinkles.

Health Issues

Breathing issues, including snoring, can be prevalent in the breed due to the shape of the lower jaw and the shortness of muzzle. In the United Kingdom, some dogs can be prone to interstitial cysts between the toes. Other problems can include poor eyesight, cherry eye, certain allergies and amongst older bulldogs, hip and knee issues. Some have small windpipes as well. They are very susceptible to heat stroke in warm weather or hot rooms and cars.

Life Expectancy: An average of 8 years

Breed Club: www.thebca.org/

Rescue Link: www.rescuebulldogs.org