If you see a dog with thick shoulders and head with thick folds around its brow and with a sourpuss expression on its face, then you can rest assured that you are seeing a Bulldog. Named after its prowess in bull baiting, this is an extremely docile and friendly breed that make excellent family companions. Breeders have ensured that over the years, these dogs lose their aggression. They are now extremely gregarious and obedient dogs, which respond to training very easily. It is pertinent to note that Bulldogs are also known as English Bulldogs and are completely different from the American Bulldogs and French Bulldogs. So, one should not confuse this breed with the others.

Description

Bulldogs, as mentioned above, are short and stocky dogs with thick shoulders and similar head structure, with folds on their brow. Their eyes are black in color and are wide set. They have a short muzzle, which has folds on its skin that experts call rope on the nose. The lips of the Bulldog are drooping in nature and it has sharp teeth that are pointed. These dogs have a tendency to drool. The tail of a Bulldog is naturally short and curled. Therefore, if you see one with an upright tail or a gay tail, then it is important to know that the dog has some fault. Average weight of a Bulldog is anywhere between 45 and 55 pounds and depends on the sex of the dog. Similarly, average height of a Bulldog is anywhere between 12 and 16 inches. Life expectancy of a Bulldog is around 8 to 10 years.

Coat Description

It is interesting to note that a Bulldog has a short and sleek coat, which is flat and is made of different colors namely fawn, red, piebald, pale yellow, white and even brindle, which is nothing but a mixture of colors, often in stripes.

History

The term Bulldog was first used to depict a certain breed of dogs in the year 1568, which was way before the current breed came into existence. It is seen that these dogs were essentially used for bull baiting and were experts in that field. It is believed that the ancestors of the current day Bulldogs were the Molossian dogs but the English Bulldog first originated in the British Isles. It is relevant to note that the original species of the Bulldog was very aggressive and ferocious, which is why breeders had to ensure that this was alleviated in the future species. The present breed is pretty docile and works well as a family dog. Breeders realized that the aggressive nature of the Bulldog made it a bad pet for the family and when bull baiting was banned in the country, it became imperative to save this breed from extinction. The only way to do so was to reduce the aggressive nature of the dog and replace it with docility.

There is another theory around the origin of the Bulldog, where some people claim that the dog is a cross between a Mastiff and a Pug. However, given the fact that the Pug was not present in England till the end of the 16th century, there are many flaws in this claim.

Despite their name, which some feel complements the word bully, these dogs are extremely friendly and docile animals, which make them excellent family pets.

Temperament

Extremely friendly and docile, these dogs are excellent as pets for the family as they get along with people. However, their docility should not be mistaken for being laid back or as bad guard dogs as the Bulldog is an extremely efficient guard dog, despite the goofy or pensive aggression. The innate aggressive nature of the dog, though relatively reduced over the years through breeding, does exist and this makes them good guard dogs that can protect its owner. Another important word to describe this breed is bullheaded. As the name suggests, Bulldogs are extremely determined dogs and require gentle training instead of opting for harsh methods. Moreover, once the dog has decided to do something, nothing can stop it from achieving the same. It is also relevant to note that despite the weight and docility of these dogs, they move at great speeds and are tenacious with their hold. The tenacity is presumed to stem from the original reason for creating such dogs, namely bull baiting. Aggression in such dogs has been greatly reduced and has been transformed into gregariousness, which makes them excellent playmates for children.

Health issues and concerns

Amongst health concerns, the most common one for Bulldogs is hip dysplasia, which according to experts occurs in most Bulldogs. Similarly, these dogs are also prone to having cysts between the toes, which cause discomfort. These are easily treatable and can be treated at home in case you know how to do the same. Otherwise you can take the help of a vet.

Other common complaints of Bulldogs include respiratory problems, cherry eye, allergies and the like. Moreover, it is interesting to note that most female Bulldogs deliver their pups through a Caesarean section as the head of the pup is too large for normal delivery and could get caught in the canal of the mother.

Similarly, infection in the folds or rope on the face of the dog is also a common complaint, which is largely caused due to accumulation of moisture in the area. Extreme heat can affect Bulldogs. So, care must be taken to ensure that your dog is always kept in the shade and has plenty of water to drink in order to overcome the problems caused by the heat.

Grooming

Given the fact that the coat of the Bulldog is short and sleek, many feel that it does not require much in terms of grooming. While it is true that grooming a Bulldog is comparatively easy, it is pertinent to note that proper care must be taken of the coat in order to avoid the various skin infections that a Bulldog is prone to. The coat of a Bulldog must be brushed regularly to remove the dead coat, replenish the necessary oils and keep it alive. It is important that you brush with a layer of hair and not at the grain and use an oval shaped brush with firm rubber bristles.

Secondly, it is vital to trim the nails of the Bulldog after every six or eight weeks as this will keep the nail from curving inside and hurting the paw of the Bulldog. If this were allowed, it could lead to lameness in the dog. So, it is important that you trim the nails regularly. While this is easy if your dog has white nails, it could pose a problem if it has black nails. Using the services of a professional groomer could help you in trimming the nails without causing harm to your dog.

Ears of your dog should be cleaned regularly to avoid infection, another common problem of Bulldogs. You can use a solution to cleanse the ear but should refrain from using any sharp object as it could cause damage. Moreover, after cleaning the ears, you should try and smell it for any foul odor and if you find some, then it is important that you take your dog to the vet as this means that there is a possibility of the ear being infected.

Bathing your Bulldog several times a year is very important but care should be taken to wipe it dry completely. Otherwise moisture could lead to skin infections. It is more important to cleanse the areas around the nose, jowls and eyes, where the dog has wrinkles or folds. Cleaning this area and keeping it dry will help reduce the growth of bacteria, which causes infection of the skin.

Exercise

Regular walks are an absolute must with this breed as they are prone to putting on weight very easily, often bordering towards obesity. As these dogs are extremely lazy, they will not exercise on their own. They require supervision and constant persuasion to go for long walks. What is interesting is that the dog does not really do well in extreme conditions, whether heat or cold. So, it should not be made to overdo its exercises during such times. The energy levels of Bulldog sare low, though they do run fast for short distances. A minimum of one or two walks in a day is enough to ensure that they are well exercised.

Training