English Bulldog

History of the English Bulldog breed

In the XVII-XIX centuries, old English bulldogs, descended from Central Asian mastiffs and North Caucasian Alans, were common in the UK. They were in demand as baiting dogs on the hunt. The name fully corresponded to the purpose: the word "bulldog" is translated from English as "bull dog". It is the old English bulldogs that are the ancestors of the heroes of our article – modern English bulldogs.

There are significant similarities in appearance between the old English and the modern English Bulldog. But the main difference is still the character. The ancestors of the current bulldogs were very vicious. They were used to entertain the crowd, set off against bulls, horses, and even bears and lions. Such bloody fights led to the death of not only wild animals, but also the bulldogs themselves, who became victims of fangs, horns and hooves. The end of such, if I may say so, entertainment came in 1835, when the British government completely banned bullfighting. Only this did not stop fans of the bloody "sport": if it became impossible to pit Old English bulldogs against bulls, then instead of the latter they began to use other dogs.

After a short time, dog fighting was also banned. But such humanity played a cruel joke with the old English bulldogs. Having lost the opportunity to participate in battles – whether with wild animals or with other dogs – the breed began to degrade, as its unusually powerful, strong jaws with a death grip could not find a use for themselves. Another blow for the breed was its actual extinction, as bulldogs were knitted with representatives of other breeds, and purebred dogs eventually remained very few.

In 1858-1859, work began on the preservation of English bulldogs. However, breeders have set themselves another task – to eradicate excessive anger in them. Not without difficulty, the most balanced individuals were selected throughout Britain. A year later, an exhibition was held in Birmingham, where samples of the "new" breed were presented. By nature and inner world, they were already far from the bulldogs that were known earlier. Visitors of the exhibition were able to evaluate the work of geneticists and breeders in full: the reviews were the most positive!

In 1873, the breed was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club, as evidenced by the entry in the stud books of that time. In the early 1880s, English bulldogs began to attract more and more attention outside of their historical homeland. And today no one will say for what exactly they were loved: for their funny appearance or balanced character – most likely, for both.

Video: English Bulldog

Breed Features

Representatives of other breeds, for example, american akita or Alaskan malamute , literally torn to freedom. They like to walk, frolic. But this can not be said about the English bulldog. This dog is a real homebody. His favorite place in the house is the master's sofa, around which he constantly turns and can sleep at least all day. Long walks, especially long distances, are also not to his taste. Our "gentleman" is most comfortable not far from home.

Another feature of the breed is enviable stubbornness. If the English bulldog doesn't want to do something, then you will literally run out of breath until you force him. At some point, it begins to seem that the nerves simply will not stand, but it does not work to really get angry at your pet, which is distinguished by a very funny behavior. On the contrary, he will make you smile involuntarily even when you least want it.

The English Bulldog will become a true friend to the younger family members. The connection with his children is strong and he behaves just fine in relation to them. Of the disadvantages, I would like to highlight the fact that dogs of this breed are very fond of gnawing various things, including the owner's slippers. If you do not give him a lot of toys to chew, the pet will cause considerable damage to your property, spoiling the legs of sofas, armchairs, tables with his teeth.

Another characteristic feature of the breed is that the natives of the British Isles do not tolerate heat well. For this reason, for those living in a hot area, an English bulldog will not be the best choice. But it is perfect for living in the city, because it does not need constant physical exercise. However, many potential owners are confused by the salivation and smell inherent in the dog. This can really become a problem in urban apartments, so before buying an English bulldog puppy, carefully weigh for yourself whether you can get along with it, given such features of the animal.

Appearance of an English bulldog

English bulldogs are owners of a massive head and a small pelvis. Due to such structural features that do not allow puppies to pass through the birth canal normally, representatives of this breed often give birth with the help of a veterinarian who performs a cesarean section for them. In addition, the English bulldog belongs to brachycephalic dogs, whose distinctive feature is a depressed nose and head.

These funny "Englishmen" are also distinguished by ungentlemanly behavior. Since they breathe with their mouth open, they swallow a lot of air at the same time, which, in fact, causes flatulence. The owners need to either just get used to it, or keep an air freshener with them at all times.

General description

The English Bulldog refers to medium-sized dogs. He is smooth-haired, solidly built and squat. The head is distinctly large, massive, its girth is equal to the height of the dog at the withers. A characteristic feature of bulldogs is a short and wide muzzle with the same wide and large nose.

Height at the withers depends on gender. In males, it is 36-41 cm, in females – 30-36 cm. Males also have more weight, it is 20-25 kg. Bitches weigh 16-20 kg.

The English Bulldog combines not only the functions of a watchman, but also a bodyguard, a cheerful companion and a reliable friend. The character of the dog is quite affectionate, but thanks to its formidable appearance, it is able to replace a guard dog: the bulldog scares away unexpected guests who covet someone else's property.

Head

The head, if you compare it with the size of the dog as a whole, is quite large. But at the same time, it does not violate the general symmetry, so the English bulldog does not look deformed, otherwise the quality of its movements would suffer. The muzzle is wide and blunt, it is distinguished by its upward curvature.

The bulldog's forehead is flat, not too protruding or hanging over the muzzle. There are pronounced folds on the forehead and the skin around the head. From the foot to the top of the skull, a furrow is visible – it is distinctly wide and deep.

The frontal bones in the projection are convex and embossed. They are also distinguished by height, latitude and square shape.

Teeth

The English Bulldog boasts a wide and massive jaw system of a square shape. The lower jaw, unlike the upper one, protrudes forward and is curved upwards. The jaw has six incisors located between the canines on an even line. The latter have a wide arrangement.

Representatives of the breed have large and powerful teeth, which, if the mouth is closed, are completely hidden in the mouth. If you look from the front, you can see that the location of the lower jaw is parallel to the upper one – it is right under it.

Eyes

The location of the eyes on the skull is low, at a decent distance from the ears. They are on the same line with the foot and are located at right angles to the furrow.

The placement of the eyes is wide, but the outer corners are located inside the outer line of the cheeks. Their shape is rounded, their size is medium. They do not sink into the eye socket, but they are not convex either. The eye color is very dark, almost black. If you look from the front, they do not detect visible proteins.

Ears

The ears of the English bulldog are distinguished by a high fit. When viewed from the front, each ear touches the front edge in the upper corner of the skull, namely its outer line. Thus, the ears are placed as high as possible and far from the eyes.

The shape of the ears is the so–called rose: they hang and face backwards, that is, to the back. The front or upper edge is curved both backwards and outwards. Thanks to this, the so-called back of the tongue is partially visible.

Nose and lips

The nose lobe of the English bulldog is wide and large, it is deeply sunk between the eyes. The nasal fold does not affect the profile line. The color is black, there are no inclusions of brown, liver or red color. The nostrils have similar characteristics. In addition, they are open, and a vertical groove is clearly visible between them.

The lips are wide and thick and at the same time very deep and saggy. Thanks to the latest quality, they completely close the jaw from the sides. But this does not happen in front: here the lips only cover the teeth.

Neck

The English bulldog got a neck of medium length, strong, strong and very thick. It has a slightly convex shape. There is a thick, loose and folded skin around the throat, forming a second chin (underbelly), which stretches from the lower jaw to the chest.

The breed standard requires that the neck in its length be in harmony with the size of the dog's head and body. If the neck is short, this may indicate that the animal has respiratory problems, not to mention that insufficient length does not affect the overall appearance of the English bulldog in the best way.

Housing

The topline, if viewed immediately behind the withers, is slightly lowered in the lowest part. Then it rises to the waist, becoming a level higher than the height of the dog at the withers, and, rounding off, decreases to the tail. Thanks to such "intricacies" of the top line, an arch is formed by a sail, which is one of the visiting cards of the breed.

The back of our "gentleman" is short, it is distinguished by its power. The shoulders of the English bulldog are wide. Relatively narrow back only in the lower back.

The chest of representatives of this breed is wide and deep, and from the withers and directly to the lowest part, as well as convex and rounded from the sides.

The dog's belly is taut, does not hang down.

Tail

The landing of the tail is low, at the base it is quite straight and thick, and then bends down and tapers to the end. The shape is rounded, the skin on the tail is smooth, there is no hard wool, and there is no fringe. If we talk about length, it is rather short. It never rises above the back.

Limbs

The English Bulldog has large, strong and sturdy forelimbs. They are thick, with developed muscles, their posterior is wide.

The outer line of the limbs looks noticeably curved, but their bones are straight: no curvature and curvature is observed in them. In comparison with the hind limbs, they are short, and yet not so much that the dog's back is perceived to be longer than it actually is, or that they can interfere with your pet's daily activity.

The shoulders are wide, they are distinguished by power, they have developed muscles. But they can also be characterized as deep, sloping and sloping. The elbows have a low location and are separated from the ribs. Pasterns can be described very succinctly: powerful, straight and short.

The hind limbs of bulldogs are also large and muscular. Since they are longer than the front ones, due to this, the effect of raising the dog's lower back is achieved. The lower part of the hind limbs has the following characteristics: it is straight, short and powerful. Round knees are characterized by a slight turn away from the body of the dog. The hocks are low and slightly curved, the angles are moderately pronounced.

Both front and hind paws have a characteristic outward turn for the breed. The only difference between them is that the first ones are medium–sized, straight and moderately rounded, and the second ones are compact, round in shape. The toes of the hind paws are arched, thick, as a result of which their joints are raised and, accordingly, are highly prominent.

The English Bulldog is distinguished by a peculiar, one might even say not quite usual for dogs gait. He moves with a short, fast step on the tips of his fingers. At the same time, the hind legs do not rise high, so our "gentleman" shuffles slightly. The breed standard suggests that the quality and confidence of movements are of great importance.

Wool

Short, with a delicate texture. It is smooth and fits snugly. Should not be wavy.

Color

Is characterized by monotony, purity and brightness. There are various colors in the English bulldog breed, but preference should be given to red-tiger and all other tiger colors, white, red, deer, piebald – and in the specified sequence.

If you choose from a good piebald, dirty-mottled or unclean solid, then a good piebald is preferable.

Black is considered vicious and is allowed only in the piebald color in the form of spots in moderate amounts. In order for the spotted color not to be perceived as defective, the colors should have an even distribution in small spots.

If your pet has a small white spot on his chest, this is acceptable, but only in two color options: plain and tiger.

Possible vices

Any deviations from the listed standards of the head, teeth, eyes, ears, neck, body and limbs should be considered as defects or defects of the breed.

The degree and depth of these deviations are judged depending on their impact on the health and daily life of the dog.

Disqualifying vices

If an English bulldog shows aggressiveness or excessive timidity, if he has a noticeable respiratory disorder or an ingrown tail, then such vices are considered disqualifying.

Any dog demonstrating abnormal behavior or detecting mental abnormalities should be disqualified.

Note: males should have normally developed testicles in the amount of two pieces, completely lowered into the scrotum.

Photo of an English bulldog

English Bulldog character

The English bulldog perceives the family in which he lives as his "pack". The pet empathizes with everything that happens in the house, showing sensitivity and devotion to the owners.

A representative of this breed will be a good companion. He loves children very much, realizing that they are the object of universal love of adults, and tries to imitate the latter in this, showing similar feelings to small family members. By nature, our "Englishman" is somewhat simple, which makes him an indispensable participant in children's entertainment. Bulldogs are noisy, gambling, very energetic and at the same time impatient.

Important: the English bulldog should be weaned from the habit of jumping on people in the house since childhood. Otherwise, when he grows up and becomes heavy enough, he can suddenly jump on the owner or on one of the family members, and at the most unexpected moment. If an adult dog jumps on a child, he can injure him.

Despite the simplicity, the dog of this breed is very smart. In addition, she does not tolerate loneliness well. With a lack of communication, she becomes sullen and obstinate. By the way, stubbornness is one of the characteristic traits of the bulldog's character, thanks to which he gained world fame. It is impossible to force an English bulldog to do anything with the help of rudeness or force, but it is quite possible to negotiate with him, as they say, in a good way. Dog breeders respect this quality of representatives of this breed so much that the bulldog has become the mascot of many sports clubs.

What else impresses the English bulldog is his deep devotion to man. He accepts his owner in any way – energetic or lazy, joyful or sad, successful or not, that is, the way he is, and is always ready to protect his owner if he is threatened by any danger.

The English bulldog has a formidable appearance, but at heart he is affectionate, friendly and calm. At the same time, he is distinguished by independence and independence, balance and self-confidence. In relation to other pets, the "Englishman" behaves peaceably.

Training and education

The English Bulldog is difficult to attribute to breeds whose representatives can claim the title of beauty champions. However, training, even minimal, is necessary for them.

A strong-willed person with a firm and patient character should teach the dog the "rules of decency" and train it. Only having such qualities, it is possible to cope with this breed, because it can show disobedience and elementary laziness.

Education should begin with the training of an English bulldog to a leash. It should not be too long or too short. Many people think that if the leash is short, it will help to hold the dog more securely. However, this is a misconception, because in this case, the dog, on the contrary, will start to break out.

Putting on a bulldog collar with a leash of optimal length (2-2.5 m), start moving forward, giving the dog the command "Next!". At the same time, make sure that she walks next to the left side, not running forward and not lagging behind. When you are sure that your pet has learned to walk in a straight line well, start learning turns in different directions, as well as a full turn.

It is important to teach the English Bulldog to sit down when you stop. To do this, command him to "Sit!". The command should be accompanied by the following action: put your left hand on his croup and press lightly. A few lessons will be enough for the dog to understand that every time the owner stops, she must sit down, even if he does not utter a command. And even more so, she must learn that you need to sit down every time the command "Sit!" is pronounced.

Care and maintenance

Due to the fact that the English bulldog has a smooth short coat, it is much easier to take care of him than over representatives of a number of other breeds. You will need a brush with stiff bristles, with which it is recommended to comb the pet two or three times a week, which will give the bulldog a lot of pleasure.

Special attention should be paid to the folds on the muzzle. Their proper condition from the point of view of hygiene is the key to the dog's health. If dirt accumulates in the folds, it should be removed with a wet cotton pad. And to dry the fold, wipe it with dry cotton. No cosmetics are required for the care of the English bulldog, as their use can provoke allergies. Allergic reactions are also likely if the crease on the muzzle is left unsweetened.

Bathing an English bulldog too often should not be done – it is enough to do it in cases of urgent need. Frequent bath procedures can cause peeling of the skin, which will be accompanied by constant itching and will cause considerable discomfort to the dog. After walking, dust from the coat is best cleaned with a damp cloth.

It is also important to control the growth of claws, they should be regularly trimmed. The teeth of an English bulldog are recommended to be cleaned regularly, at least once a month. Otherwise, tartar will immediately begin to form.

In the fresh air, bulldogs are very active and during walks they are not averse to doing sports together with the owner. If physical exertion is neglected, the English bulldog will begin to gain excess weight, which will later turn into obesity. However, do not be too active with your pet on hot or cold days. Due to the fact that the dog has a short coat, in the cold it can freeze, and in the heat it can get heat stroke.

Note: if you purchased a 2-3-week-old puppy in the summer, be sure to put a container with ice cubes in the box with it. As soon as you notice the first symptoms of overheating, be sure to clear the throat of the bulldog from the accumulated secret, rinse it and immediately contact the veterinarian.

In general, the English bulldog, in comparison with some other breeds, is not a very active dog. It does not need large spaces. Living in an apartment or in a country house, he sleeps most of the day, and this also leads to an increase in body weight.

As for nutrition, the owners of English bulldogs have 2 options: natural food or dry food. It is better to decide right away – a mixed diet for this breed is not recommended. Most dog breeders prefer industrial super-premium or holistic feeds. Such a food system will be convenient during travel, besides, you will not have to monitor the balance of the diet.

In the case of feeding a "straight woman", it is important to keep a balance. Due to the tendency of bulldogs to obesity, their menu should consist mainly of protein foods with limited carbohydrates. At the same time, they cannot be completely excluded, otherwise the dog may develop urolithiasis. An example of an Englishman's grocery basket: veal, beef, rice, buckwheat, eggs, kefir, cottage cheese, fresh herbs, vegetables, some fruits and berries. A puppy needs to eat 59 grams of meat per 1 kg of weight, and an adult English bulldog should eat 250 grams of meat daily.

Health and diseases of the English Bulldog

The English Bulldog breed is characterized by diseases such as cherry eye, keratoconjunctivitis, interdigital dermatitis, dermatitis of skin folds, entropion, acne, congenital dislocation of the elbow, demodecosis, heat stroke, hypothyroidism, distichiasis, tracheal hypoplasia, cryptorchidism, aortic stenosis, brachycephalic syndrome, vaginal hyperplasia, tetrad Fallot, deafness, difficult labor, lymphosarcoma, ventricular septal defect.

Before choosing an English bulldog, a potential owner should take into account that representatives of this breed have a tendency to digestive problems. They are also prone to flatulence, can snore and salivate profusely.

How to choose a puppy

The breeder should be asked in more detail about each of the puppies he will offer you. It is absolutely not necessary to buy the first one who runs up to you: as he grows up, he may not suit you in character. The final choice should be made after you learn from the seller about the peculiarities of the behavior of each puppy, and after watching them for a while. Pay attention to the puppy's body. It is desirable that the format of a small bulldog be square, with the croup raised up.

In advance, you must also decide who exactly you want – a male or a female. In any breed, the difference between the sexes is significant, and English bulldogs are no exception. A striking representative of the breed, of course, is a "man", that is, a male. According to his external qualities, he is more interesting and impressive than the representatives of the "weaker sex". He's bigger, wider, and stronger. He holds himself proudly and importantly, has a more docile character and, unlike bitches, does not show empty fussiness.

Be sure to ask the breeder what the puppies were fed. If, for example, dry food, then for the first time take some food where you bought yourself a pet. Take with you also a small cloth that retains the smell of the place where the puppy was born, his brothers and sisters. In this case, the puppy will much more easily tolerate both a change of diet and a change of environment.

And, of course, before buying, be sure to carefully study the official standard of the English bulldog. Preferably with detailed comments on its shortcomings and defects for each item. This is especially important if you choose not only a friend, as they say, for the soul, but also a future participant in exhibition competitions.

The potential owner of this dog should also take into account the fact that many breeders bred this breed without taking into account the peculiarities of its character, and this led to an increase in the number of individuals having aggression in character. Therefore, do not allow your pet to grow by itself, take care of it, educate it. Only in this case you will get a great friend with a healthy mind, loyal and reliable.

Photos of English bulldog puppies

How much does an English bulldog cost

An English bulldog can be bought in Russia with or without documents. If you chose a puppy without documents, then the purchase will not be too burdensome for the family budget: you will pay within $50. But in this case, you should be prepared to buy a "pig in a poke". In the sense that no one guarantees you the purity of the breed.

When buying a registered puppy from a breeder, be prepared to spend significantly. An English bulldog with an "identity card" is worth the order $250 - $350.

About $400 - $700 the descendant of titled parents and the future champion of various exhibitions will cost dollars.