INTRODUCTION

The Bulldog was originally used to drive cattle to market and to compete in a blood sport called bullbaiting. Today, they are gentle companions who love children. Although they are purebred dogs, you may find them in the care of shelters or rescue groups. Remember to adopt. Don’t go shopping if you want to take a dog home. A short walk and a nap on the couch are the speed of this breed of dog. Bulldogs adapt well to apartment living and even make great companions for new pet parents. They are affectionate with all family members and are low maintenance puppies. Just be sure to keep them away from extreme weather and give them plenty of exercise, as weight gain is a risk for these dogs, who are happy spending most of the day on the couch. Did you know that dog food is made specifically for Bulldogs?

HIGHLIGHTS

Bulldogs can be stubborn and lazy. Your mature Bulldog may not be enthusiastic about going for walks, but it is important to exercise every day to keep him fit. Bulldogs do not tolerate heat and humidity. When your Bulldog is outdoors, watch him closely for signs of overheating and bring him indoors immediately if he begins to show distress. Some people put kiddie pools filled with water in a shady spot for their Bulldogs to lie in when it’s hot and everyone is outside. They are definitely house dogs and should not live outdoors all the time. Bulldogs are sensitive to cold weather. Bulldogs huff, puff and snore. They are also prone to sleep apnea. Bulldogs are notorious for flatulence. If this problem seems excessive in yours, talk to your veterinarian. Bulldogs’ short noses make them prone to a number of respiratory ailments. Bulldogs can have stuffy nostrils, which makes it difficult for them to breathe and may require surgery to correct. Bulldogs are gluttons and will overeat if given the opportunity. Because they gain weight easily, they can quickly become obese if their food intake is not controlled. Due to the size of their heads and foreheads, Bulldogs have difficulty giving birth. Most of them need a cesarean section to deliver their puppies. Inexperienced breeders are not advised to attempt to breed them. Being a short-nosed breed, Bulldogs are sensitive to anesthesia. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about this before performing any surgery. To get a healthy pet, never buy a puppy from a backyard breeder, puppy mill or pet store. Look for a reputable breeder who tests their breeding dogs for genetic health and good temperament.

HISTORY

The Bulldog today is a very different dog from its ancestors. Descended from ancient mastiff-type dogs, the Bulldog breed developed entirely in England. The first mention of the breed dates back to the year 1500, with the description of a man “with two Bolddogges in his coat. …”. The then ferocious dogs were used in a practice called “bull baiting”, which consisted of the dog grabbing the bull’s nose and shaking it sharply. The bull baiting had a purpose: it was believed to tenderise the bull’s flesh. For many years, this practice was said to “thin” the bull’s blood and soften its flesh after the slaughter. This belief was so strong that in many areas of England there were laws requiring bulls to be fattened before slaughter. It was also a popular spectator sport at a time when there were no professional sports, television programmes, films or video games. The angry bull would throw the dog through the air with his horns if he could, much to the delight of the spectators. The dog, for his part, would try to grab the bull, usually by the muzzle, and pin him to the ground with the force of his painful bite. The next bullfights were announced and the public would bet on the outcome of the fight. These early Bulldogs were taller and heavier than today’s Bulldogs, and were bred to be especially adept at the blood sport. They usually crawled on their bellies towards the enraged bull so that the bull could not get his horns under their bodies and throw them into the air. And their wide mouths and powerful jaws were impossible for the bull to shake once the Bulldog had a firm grip on his muzzle. His short, flat nose allowed the Bulldog to breathe as he clung to the bull’s muzzle. He had to be tenacious to hold on to the bull no matter how hard the bull tried to shake him off. The Bulldog’s high tolerance for pain developed to enhance his ability to excel in this barbaric place. It is said that even the wrinkles on his head had a purpose: to direct the blood resulting from his grip on the bull away from his eyes so that he would not be blinded. In 1835, after many years of controversy, bullbaiting was banned in England, and many thought that the Bulldog would disappear because it no longer had a purpose. At that time, the Bulldog was not an affectionate companion. The most aggressive and courageous dogs had been selectively bred for generations to be bull hunters. They lived to fight bulls, bears and anything else that came their way. It was the only thing they knew how to do. Despite this, many people admired the Bulldog’s endurance, strength and persistence. These few decided to save their looks and breed them to have a sweet and gentle temperament rather than the aggressiveness needed for the baiting arena. And so, the Bulldog was redesigned. Dedicated and patient breeders began to select only dogs that had a docile temperament for breeding. Aggressive and neurotic dogs were not allowed to breed. By focusing their attention on the Bulldog’s temperament, these breeders transformed the Bulldog into the gentle and affectionate dog we see today. Breeders began showing Bulldogs at conformation shows in England in 1859. The first dog show at which Bulldogs were allowed to be shown was in Birmingham, England in 1860. In 1861, a Bulldog named King Dick won at the Birmingham show. One of his descendants, a dog named Crib, was later described as “near perfection. “In 1864, the first Bulldog breed club was formed by a man named R. S. Rockstro. The club had about 30 members and its motto was “Hold Fast”. ” A member of the club, Samuel Wickens, wrote the first breed standard, using the pseudonym Philo-Kuon. It is said that the Bulldog breed standard was the first ever written in the world. Unfortunately, the club disbanded after only three years. In 1875, another Bulldog club was founded, which developed a breed standard similar to that of Philo-Kuon. This breed club is still in existence. Bulldogs were brought to the United States, and a brindle and white Bulldog named Donald was shown in New York in 1880. A Bulldog named Bob was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1886. In 1890, H. D. Kendall of Lowell, Massachusetts, founded the Bulldog Club of America. It was one of the first breed clubs to become a member of the new American Kennel Club. At first, the club used the British breed standard, but felt it was not concise enough, so they developed the American standard in 1894 for what they called the American Bulldog breed. The English protested at the name and also at some of the points in the new standard. After much work, the