Overview
Group: Non-Sporting Group
AKC Breed Popularity Rank: No. 5 of 195
Height: 14-15 inches
Weight: Male – 50 lbs; Female – 40 lbs
Life Span: 8-10 years
Temperament: Calm; Friendly; Courageous
Among the dog breeds, the Bulldog is the one that is easily recognizable. With its thick, muscular body and wrinkled “sour mug” face, this canine would seem like the bruiser of the dog world. But Bulldog lovers will attest to the dog’s friendly and easygoing temperament, much more its heartfelt devotion toward its owner and their children.
History
Looking at the Bulldog now, it’s hard to believe that the breed had abusive origins. During the reign of England’s King John in the 13th century, the Bulldog was created to fight in violent animal blood sports, particularly bullbaiting. Even with the blood sport ban in 1835, these poor dogs fought in pit-dog fighting matches. However, because of their plodding gait and heavy weight, gamblers preferred faster and more agile dogs, they started crossing the Bulldog’s 19th century ancestors with terriers, resulting in the development of Bull Terriers.
Realizing that this crossbreeding is driving the Bulldog to extinction, dog lovers who truly loved and admired the breed decided to transform them from vicious fighters into loyal companions. Aside from refining the dog’s physical appearance, breeders took pains in suppressing its fierce, brutal demeanor. The result is the sweet, goofy Bulldog of today.
A number of Bulldogs have carved their respective niches in history. One is Uga and his descendants, who serve as the official mascot of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Next, there’s skateboarding English Bulldog Tillman, who currently holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest 100-meter run on a skateboard by a dog. Famous personages like Brad Pitt, Adam Sandler, and Michael Jackson owned Bulldogs. Last but not least, you have British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his Bulldog Dodo. Churchill himself was described as having the “British Bulldog Spirit” because of his unwavering courage, not to mention his physical resemblance to the dog, during World War II.
General Appearance
The Bulldog is a medium-sized dog with a heavy, thick-set, and muscular body that swings low toward the ground. Its head is massive, with eyes situated low and in front of the head and as far as possible from its ears. The Bulldog’s coat is straight and short, but glossy with smooth texture. Its skin is loose around the head, neck, and shoulders. The face and head is covered heavily with wrinkles. One distinguishing characteristic of the bulldog is its dewlap, two loose, pendulous folds that extend from the jaw to its chest around its throat.
Bulldogs have a calm, mellow nature. Loyal and loving, they love climbing onto their owner’s lap despite their heavy bulk.
Nutrition
High quality dog food, whether homemade or commercially manufactured, contain the right nutrients and supplements for the Bulldog’s growth and continuous good health. Make sure that you inquire with your vet about the best foods to give when your dog is a puppy, adult, or senior. Take note that, because of their bulk, Bulldogs have a tendency to become overweight and obese, so don’t give excessive treats, especially while training them.
Grooming
Because of its short coat, use a soft brush all over your Bulldog’s body for 10 minutes to maintain its glossy sheen. Ideally, you should brush your dog 2-3 times a week. Switch to a rubber curry brush during periods of heavy shedding.
Make it a point to check in between the folds and wrinkles for food bits, dirt, or moisture as these may cause skin irritation and infection. Clean these areas with a cotton ball dipped in peroxide solution. To hasten drying, apply cornstarch. Don’t get peroxide or cornstarch into the dog’s eyes. Areas that also need to be inspected are the ears and around the tail. Give your Bulldog’s nails a trim every two weeks.
Exercise
Take your Bulldogs out for occasional walks. However, during hot and humid days, keep them indoors, preferably, in front of an airconditioner. The Bulldog’s short muzzle makes it very prone to breathing difficulties. While Bulldogs love to wade in water, their muzzles also present with a problem since water can easily get into their noses. If your dog wants a good cooling down, you can soak them with water from a hose. When using a bathtub or a small pool, the water should not be more than an elbow deep.
Training
It is advisable to enroll your Bulldog early for training and socialization classes, especially with children, to prevent undesirable behaviors from developing. Bulldogs love to chew so give them lots of chew toys. They also enjoy a good game of tug-of-war. However, train your dog to release whatever it has inside its mouth. Also, Bulldogs can be overprotective of their food bowls, so train them not to bark or bite when you take some food from their bowls while they are eating.
Health
Don’t allow your Bulldog to become overheated. In hot weather, always keep them indoors and with bowls of clean water. When your Bulldog starts breathing too hard or gets overexcited, their tongue lolls far out of its mouth and turns bluish instead of pink. When this happens, soak them in cool water and give them ice to lower their temperature.
Costs
On average, a Bulldog puppy costs $1,500. Championship line dogs have a price range of $3,500.00 to $10,000.00. However, because of health concerns, average health care costs may go up to $5,700, making the Bulldog one of the more expensive breeds to own.
Nevertheless, if you are looking for a loyal family dog with a great love for children, it is a good choice to get a Bulldog for a pet despite the costs.
SOURCES:
1) Bulldog https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bulldog/
2) Top 10 Most Famous Bulldogs in History https://www.bulldogsworld.com/general/top-10-most-famous-bulldogs-history
3) Bulldog Puppies for Sale https://www.nextdaypets.com/Bulldog.htm
4) Most Expensive Dog Breeds https://www.gobankingrates.com/saving-money/pets/most-expensive-dog-breeds/
