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Group: Non-sporting
Height: 12-15 inches
Weight: Males 50 pounds, Females 40 pounds
Coat: Short, flat and straight
Life Span: 8-12 years
History: The Bulldog originated long ago, during the 13th century in the British Isles. Its sole purpose was for the extremely cruel sport of bull baiting. It was the dog’s job to anger the large bulls by barking and biting them. Usually the dog would bite onto the bull’s nose and not let go, even when the large angry bull would start to jump and spin around. Surprisingly, this so-called sport was considered to be a source of entertainment during the 13th century. We can thank the people’s beliefs for this sport. It was their belief that the angrier the bull was when he was killed, the tastier the meat would be when eaten. From time to time, Bulldogs were also used to bait bears, however, this was done purely for entertainment, and it had nothing to do with whether the meat would be tasty or not.
The dog’s owners used to brag about their Bulldogs. The more vicious the dog was, the more pain it could withstand during the baiting. Often, these dogs wound up being tortured or mutilated by their owner, rather than the bull. The sport continued to thrive until 1835 when the cruel sport was outlawed.
For a time, Bulldog owners attempted to have their dogs fight other dogs, but the breed didn’t do very well at this alternative sport. The breed’s popularity dropped drastically since it no longer had a purpose as far as the owner was concerned. Under normal circumstances, the breed would have been faced with extinction had it not been for the many admirers the Bulldog had collected.
These faithful admirers opted to breed out the viciousness of the dog and concentrate on its physical characteristics instead. The breeders were extremely successful in their selective breeding, producing a very friendly dog with a terrific personality. The “new” Bulldog quickly became the national symbol of England and a terrific family pet.
Appearance: The Bulldog is one breed that is easily recognizable by just about everyone. Longer than it is tall, short and stocky with a wide head and short snout, the Bulldog may have a sour look on its face, but it is actually a truly loveable little dog for just about anyone. The Bulldog’s coat is very short, fine and shiny. It lies flat against the body for a clean smooth appearance.
Personality: Bulldog’s may be somewhat stubborn, but they are also very willing to please their owners. This breed is often referred to as, “most docile and mellow of all dog breeds”. They are a happy breed, quite comical and exceptionally good with introduced gradually. However, this breed is good around people they aren’t familiar with.
Last Remarks: The Bulldog needs at least one walk per day but doesn’t do well in hot humid weather so a morning or evening walk is usually best for this breed. The majority of Bulldogs wheeze and snore, some are even known to drool. Grooming the Bulldog is fairly minimal; however, any facial wrinkles and folds around the tail area should be cleaned on a daily basis.
