Bulldog

They are known to be kind as well as courageous in nature. These dogs are also extremely friendly. It has also been said that this dog’s ‘sour-mug’ face has now become the universal symbol of courage. Bulldogs are known to be loyal companions and are very docile. There are three types of bulldogs: the English Bulldog, the American Bulldog, and the French Bulldog.

The ‘British Bulldog spirit’ became a phrase of courage, especially after Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister. He was known to absolutely love these dogs.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Bulldog

Owning any pet could mean that you will have to be ready for a lot of stuff to deal with. Every animal comes with its own set of pros and cons.

History and Origins

In the 13th century, during the rule of King John in England, Bulldogs were bred to participate in the cruel sport of bullbaiting. These ancestors of today’s Bulldogs were known for their immense strength and bravery, having huge jaws and seemingly unstoppable pain tolerance.

A significant change in the Bulldog’s history happened in 1835 when England prohibited animal blood sports. This led to pit-dog fighting taking place in concealed spaces, which necessitated more active dogs than the sluggish Bulldogs of the early 1800s. People who bet on these fights combined different types of terriers with Bulldogs to make their fierce four-legged warriors, which became the ancestors of today’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, and other bull-type terrier breeds.

Bullbaiting became a thing of the past, and the Bulldog was in danger of becoming extinct. To prevent this, lovers of the breed worked to make it more appealing by altering its physical features and its temperament, ensuring it became a gentle and loving pet that is especially fond of children. By 1886, their efforts had been successful enough for the American Kennel Club to recognize the Bulldog.

The Bulldog has a long history of being England’s national symbol, especially during World War II, when it was likened to the determined Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In America, they are the mascot of many sports teams, most notably Yale University’s Handsome Dan, who is believed to be the first animal mascot in all sports. Uga is another famous Bulldog mascot and can be found cheering on the University of Georgia Bulldogs from a special air-conditioned doghouse. Additionally, the Bulldog is also the face of Mack Trucks and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Size and Weight

Bulldogs are medium-sized, hefty dogs that have a muscular body. The height of both the female and the male dogs is 12 to 14 inches. Meanwhile, a female weighs about 39 to 50 lbs. while a male bulldog weighs about 50 to 55 lbs.

A Bulldog’s Underbite

These dogs are quite famous for their underbites, which have made their face quite famous. An underbite is related to a situation of the teeth where there is improper tooth alignment.

It usually causes the lower jaw to protrude further out than the upper one, causing a peculiar facial expression that is commonly seen in the English and French bulldog. This situation often causes the bulldog’s lower teeth to be visible even when the dog’s mouth is shut.

An underbite can be an issue that is much more than just cosmetic. It can also cause chewing problems and can often cause food to fall from the dog’s mouth.

Common Health Issues

Like any other animal, these dogs are also susceptible to several diseases, including several heart conditions, respiratory diseases, and hip dysplasia. The onset of hip dysplasia often comes from the abnormal development of the hip sockets in these dogs.

A condition that often impacts them is colloquially called “cherry eye.” It gets this name from the protrusion of the third eyelid, and it can cause vision issues with too much progression.

Other than that, bulldogs are also prone to heat-related problems. Their skin folds can also easily develop infections, so cleanliness is a must. Plus, there is always a threat for the bulldog to drown in any kind of water, including that of a swimming pool.

Temperament

The Bulldog is known to be very sweet and friendly. It is gentle and is known to be a great family dog. These dogs are especially great with the children in the family and are extremely people-oriented. They often attract a lot of human attention and are predictable as well as dependable.

Courage is a very prominent trait of their personality. These dogs are also known to be excellent watchdogs. Usually kind, these dogs can still become territorial and aggressive when they meet a new dog.

How to Take Care of a Bulldog

To own a pet requires you to know a lot of information on what to do and what not to do about them. You need to know how to take care of your pet — in this case, a bulldog.

The Best Dog Food

The amount of food that you give your dog should be monitored. You will have to observe and monitor your English Bulldog as each of them has special and individual needs.

The major ingredient in the diets of these dogs includes fish, lamb, and chicken. Extra attention should be paid to the fact that the dog should not be fed soy, as some of them are allergic to it.

Sources suggest that there should be no fillers in their food, and their meals should be full of healthy fats and should be reliable sources of carbohydrates. Avoid dog food containing legumes since Bulldogs are prone to heart disease, and legumes may lead to heart failure in dogs. Rawhide bones should be avoided in your Bulldog’s meals. You can, however, feed your dog some biscuits as treats on occasion.

Maintenance and Grooming

The dogs require regular grooming. You will have to invest your time in your Bulldog’s maintenance and grooming about four times a week. Their short hair needs to be brushed, trimmed, and plucked weekly. Moreover, it is also necessary to regularly clean the folds in your dog’s skin and their wrinkled face to avoid any hidden infections. Bulldogs also need to have their ears cleaned regularly.

Training

The Bulldog is known to be a ‘not-so-easy’ dog breed to train. It is very stubborn and resistant in such a case. They usually do not care about what their owner wants them to do, thus making the training exceedingly difficult.

To start the training of your dog, however, you could start with basic commands and see if your dog follows them. Once the dog starts understanding simple commands, you can move on to the more complex commands. This could, however, take some time, given the stubborn resistance of these dogs towards training.

Exercise

Bulldogs typically need 20 to 40 minutes of moderate exercise daily, often split into shorter sessions to prevent overheating and respiratory issues. However, the amount also varies from dog to dog and is especially dependent on their size.

At first glance, these dogs might look lazy and lethargic. However, they can surprise you with their speed skills while exercising. Your bulldog would still most likely enjoy being lazy on your couch the most.

Puppies

Bulldog puppies are extremely cute with a wrinkly face. They are tiny and stocky and have a lot of extra skin. The puppies must be fed much more often than the adult ones. However, their nutrition and the amount of food that is given to them have to be properly monitored else the puppies can gain a lot of extra weight in no time.

Bulldog puppies also tend to heat up faster than the adults, which is why you should always keep cool and clean water around them for better reach for when they might need it.

With Children

Bulldogs love children and are extra playful around them. They are known to be affectionate, kind, and loyal creatures and make great family dogs. These dogs are particularly known to be patient around children and are also said to have motherly instincts and be very protective of them.

Dogs Similar to Bulldogs

Some dogs that are very similar to these dogs are:

• American Pitbull Terrier: Much like bulldogs, these dogs are also medium-sized, have short hair, and are sturdy and intelligent. They are also affectionate and cannot be considered dangerous.
• American Staffordshire terrier: These dogs are also similar to the bulldogs in size and appearance, with medium size and short hair. However, they are also different in the sense that they are usually aggressive and often labeled as dangerous.
• Boston Terrier: Boston Terriers are known to be great family dogs, much like bulldogs. They are highly affectionate and friendly towards their owners and are known to be loyal pets.

Famous Bulldogs

There are several famous bulldogs in the history of the world. Some of them include: Tillman, who was a skateboarding English bulldog and holds a Guinness World Record; Uga, who is the official mascot of the University of Georgia, and Old Boy, who was the loving, famous bulldog of Republican President William G. Harding.

Several famous personalities, too, have these dogs as pets. Some of them include Ozzy Osbourne, Adam Sandler, Joe Jonas, Brad Pitt, Olivia Wilde, and Willow Smith. Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill also loved bulldogs. The term “British Bulldog spirit” symbolized courage, especially gained momentum after Churchill came to power.