Bulldogs are among the most famous breeds of dogs. Bulldog has the word “bull” in it because in medieval Europe it was famous for the sport of bullbaiting which is now banned. Numerous influential figures including Winston Churchill, President Warren G.Harding, and many other European leaders are known to have pet a bulldog. The famous cartoon show “Tom and Jerry” also features a bulldog. Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog, Ca de Bou, Olde English Bulldogge, Australian, English, French, Victorian and American Bulldogs are further subcategories of the Bulldogs introduced in the recent times.
A Bulldog is unique to its kind. It has a bigger round head with a short muzzle giving the face a unique, flattened appearance. It is bred to have colossal faces, with black, circular, broad-set eyes. The angled forwards ears are small and slim. Above the nose, there is a small muzzle, known as the rope which is a thick fold of its skin. The jaws are relatively larger with thick skin hanging from the sides which slightly expose the incisor teeth of the lower jaw. The standard weight set for an ideal bulldog breed is 55 pounds for males and 50 pounds for females in the United Kingdom and 50 pounds for males and 40 pounds for females in the United States.
About the Bulldog Breed
Bulldogs, one of the most loved dogs are known to be dignified, courageous animals but at the same time praised to be extremely kind, loving, and friendly. They are ranked 5th out of 95 by the American Kennel Club. Yale University, England, University of Georgia, the U.S. Marines, and tens of other schools all have bulldogs kept as the symbol of their toughness and power.
Dozens of incidents have been reported in which Bulldogs save their owners from fire and other dangers. Although by its appearance, it may look to some as a fighter dog in actuality it is a calm and affectionate creature that easily gets along with kids, pets, and other dogs.
The bulldogs require a lot of attention and if neglected they can gain destructive behavior and may fall into anxiety. If provoked they can bite extremely hard due to their powerful jaws but otherwise, they are very friendly and get along well. Furthermore, as bulldogs eat anything so often they get obese and in turn become very lazy.
History of Bulldogs
The first true mention of the bulldog is found to be in the 1500s when it was used in Bullbaiting, Bullbaiting was a sport in which a then ferocious Bulldog used to bite the Bulls head and then the bull would rant impatiently to shake it off. At that time the Bulldog had great stamina, and with the remarkable strength of its jaws, it would try its best to not get thrown away. This was done because the people believed that Bullbaiting makes the flesh of the Bulls tender and thus better for eating.
The Bullbaiting was outlawed in 1835 and many thought that these then aggressive natured creatures will go extinct as there was hardly any use left of them. Conversely, many breeders continued to intelligently breed it to convert them into very calm, gentle, and loving dogs as they are today.
In 1959, they were also seen in the conformation shows and in 1961 a Bulldog named King Dick won the show. Later, Crib, another Bulldog, was widely pronounced as “close to perfection”. In 1964 a Bulldog Club was founded by 30 members but only after 3 years, it was dismantled. In 1875, another Club was formed which is still present. In 1890 The Bulldog Club of America was recognized as a member of The American Kennel Club and it set new standards for the dog which were later revised in 1896 after protests in England. After many years of complete dedication and commitment of the breeders in the mid-1940s, it was ranked in the top 10 most popular breeds.
Personality of Bulldogs
The Bulldogs now have an affectionate nature. If they love their owner they will keep wagging their tails and stare constantly at them. They often sit at the spot of the owner and stare at them to make sure that they are with them. They can get very jealous if they are not given much attention. Bulldogs, like all other dogs, when young, may bite anything they get hold of during the teething phase. The Bulldogs are highly social and so to ensure perfection it is advised by the experts to enroll them in the Puppy Kinder garden.
Health Care of Bulldogs
Before getting a Bulldog it is very highly recommended that it is certified as healthy by the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals for knees, elbows, and hips and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) for eyes. The Bulldog can have many diseases that are why any Bulldog must be gotten after the age of 2 years as many don’t show the symptoms before maturity.
Bulldogs remain happier in relaxed lifestyles and after about only 15 minutes of a stroll, they are up for a short nap. A Bulldog needs grooming 4 times a week to be kept shiny and in a perfect state. From when it is just a puppy make it used to tooth brushing and the cutting of nails. Once a week brushing of fur and once or twice a month cutting of nails is enough to keep a Bulldog tidy. The Bulldogs must be bathed three or four times a week and the wrinkles properly wiped afterward. Multivitamins, Omega-3, and probiotics should be given to the dog as supplements as per the advice of the vet. Cherry Eye, Dry Eye, Entropion, Inverted sneezing, Reverse sneezing, Brachycephalic Syndrome, Demodicosis, Hip Dysplasia, and Patellar luxation are among the most common diseases a Bulldog can have.
Physical Needs of Bulldogs
The best activity for a bulldog is the tug of war. It pulls the rope with all of its body and jaw power and tires out quickly. It loves moderate playtime and remains happily indulged in games like Fetch and Puzzle Toys with treats hidden.
Adaptability of Bulldogs
Bulldogs have very thick skin so they cannot adapt to hot weather. They are highly susceptible to Heat Strokes and even 30 minutes in a temperature above 85 degrees can prove deadly for the dog. Thus, it must be kept in an air-conditioned environment.
Feeding Bulldogs
The dietary requirement of an average Bulldog is half to two cups of elite-quality dog feed. However, this depends highly on the metabolism and routine of the dog and the quality of the feed too. It is advised that rather than keeping food all day for it, the food must be given only two times, otherwise, the dog will become obese and its joints would ache.
Breeding Cycle of Bulldogs
Bulldogs are mature after the age of 2 years that is after the completion of two heat cycles for females. Female Bulldogs come of heat every six months and it is highly advised not to breed the dogs after the first heat. As the head of the Bulldogs has been made larger now so 95 percent of the bulldogs are delivered through Cesarean section.
Growing Cycles & Lifespan of Bulldogs
A Bulldog is considered fully-grown after it has reached the age of 3 years. Compared to other Bulldogs they have a relatively shorter life-span of 8 to 10 years. They gain a height of almost 17 inches when fully-grown.
Coat & Colors of Bulldogs
Bulldogs are of various colors. Solid red, solid white, fawn, yellow-red, pale yellow, and red bingle among the numerous colors that bulldogs have. The Bulldogs have a very thick skin which forms folds and muzzles at various places of the body.
Friendliness Levels & Compatibility with other Pets
The bulldogs are precisely bred to be as friendly and affectionate as possible. They tend to get along with children and other pets quite well and they form a strong bond with them. That is why more often than not they are loved the most by the children. However, they are also stubborn but indeed their friendliness overpowers it. It is advised that any pet including the bulldogs should not be left with kids alone and adults should constantly monitor any interaction of pets with children.
