Bulldog English

Bulldog English

The early Bulldog was a fighter that was pitted against bears, badgers, bulls and other dogs. Now that the sports of bull-baiting and dog fighting have been abolished, the Bulldog has been bred for his sweeter temper.

History:

The Bulldog was possibly descended from the Molossus, a Mastiff which the Phoenicians brought to Britain in the sixth century BC. Selective breeding in the 1800s produced a dog with the physical characteristics required for fighting and baiting bulls. The weight was concentrated to the front of the dog and the nose was required to be set high to allow for breathing while the massively powered jaw was latched onto the bull's nose. The eyes were developed with deep furrows of skin below to allow blood to run off. The Bulldog was officially recognized as a breed by the British Kennel Club in 1873.

Physical characteristics:

Thickset, broad and powerful-looking, the Bulldog's head and chest appear much larger than the rear end. Height: 12 - 16 in (30 - 40 cm) under FCI standards. Weight: 50 lb (23 kg) for the dog and 40 lb (18 kg) for the bitch, under Canadian standards. Elsewhere: 55 lb (25 kg) for the dog and 50 lb (23 kg) for the bitch.

The head is short and covered with loose skin which forms heavy wrinkles. The skull is broad and the circumference of the head equals the height of the dog to its shoulder. The stop is well-defined, the muzzle is short, broad and turned-up. The nose is set deeply between the eyes, is black and broad. The jowls are thick and hang over the teeth. The jaw is square and broad with the lower jaw well extended over the upper, and curved upwards.

The eyes are dark, average-sized, wide apart and set low. The neck is thickset, strong, and arched at the back. The body is medium-sized, low, pear-shaped, and deeply powerful.

The shoulders are broad and muscular above a short, strong back. The tail is set low, either straight or screw, and carried downwards. The chest is broad and the ribs are well-rounded. The forequarters are straight and strong, and set wide apart. The hindquarters are longer than the forelegs, strong and muscular.

The coat of the Bulldog is short, fine, and smooth. The color can be red brindle, other brindles, pure white, red, beige or pied. They can sometimes have a black mask or muzzle.

Behavior:

The Bulldog is loved by many because of its very rugged-looking face. Originally this animal was very formidable and its mere presence would terrify the bravest person. Nowadays the Bulldog is a very different dog. It still looks as ferocious but it is actually quite gentle in nature. Even some of the males become shy and retiring. Intending owners of this dog should realize that they may have to make frequent trips to the vet. This dog's health may be very delicate. The Bulldog can have many respiratory problems due to the formation of the nose. It should be kept in a draft-free environment preferably on a raised bed, and must be dried after bathing. Care must be taken not to overfeed or overexercise this dog, as it may exacerbate a heart problem.