Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Bulldog is a dog with a body that is low set. They always have an expression of a dog on a mission – usually something to destroy with their big jaw.
This breed is known for the kind of wrinkled face that just adds to their personality.
They have small ears, pushed-in noses, and undershot jaw with hanging chops on the side that only adds to their destroyer-like face.
This breed comes with a specific attitude, that says – Bulldog. They are friendly mastiff-type dogs bred to entertain. There was a time when this breed was illegal and when the future of the breed was threatened.
However, thanks to the fanciers of the breed the Bulldog survived, and in no time owning this breed was a matter of status.
This is one of the older breeds, being officially recognized in far 1873.
The Bulldog will always be the iconic British breed, but they are popular across the globe.
Due to their character and loyalty, Bulldogs are often the first choice as family companion dogs.
They need up to 60 minutes of exercise per day and they will be more than happy living in a small house with a nice backyard.
As for the grooming: brushing them once a week is enough to keep their coat shiny and healthy.
The biggest downside with this breed is that they tend to have a short life span of under 10 years, and this is something to consider when choosing this breed.
Quick Facts
Real name: Bulldog
Other names: English Bulldog, British Bulldog
Origin: England
Breed type: Companion Dogs
Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
Height: 14-15 inches
Lifespan: 8-10 years
Litter Size: 3 – 4 puppies
Color: Fawn, red, white, fallow, brindle with white
Coat: short, smooth, and glossy
Bulldog History
Bulldog is one of the most charming dog breeds alive. They are one of the favorites when it comes to a dog, especially in England.
Various records claim that this breed was originally created in 13th-century England, during the reign of King John.
At the time, these dogs were used for fights and as the main pastime. These ancestors of today’s Bulldog were big and powerful dogs with huge jaws, brave, and extremely resistant to pain.
The year 1835, was the turning point for this breed. This year England officially banned blood sports with animlas, and this sport went underground for some period.
This activity lead to more animated dogs, and different crossing.
This results in breeds such as Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and other more and less known bull-type terrier breeds that are still popular today.
At one moment, Bulldog was in real danger of extinction. Luckily, Bulldog lovers began the long process of making the breed stronger and popular again.
Today, this is one of the most beloved breeds across the globe. In the States, Bulldog is often used as a mascot for many sports teams and even the military.
Bulldog Physical Appearance
Bulldogs are easy to recognize. They have specific physical attributes that make them easy to spot.
One of their biggest traits are wide heads and shoulders on top of low-set bodies.
They are strong and well-packed dogs, with thick folds of skin on the brow, and a short muzzle.
They also have hanging skin under the neck and dropping lips. Their teeth are very pointed, while the coat is short, flat, and sleek. Good to know: Bulldog is one of the most common dog breeds with underbites.
Color may vary, from red, fawn, white, and brindle, up to piebald. MAles are lightly larger than females, weighing up to 55 Ib.
As for the height, Bulldogs usually stand 12 to 15 inches at the shoulder.
Bulldogs’ tail is naturally short. Their tail can be either screwed, straight, or even thin. According to the breed standard, a straight tail is the most desirable option.
It’s desirable for the tail to be facing downward, never upward. Bulldogs have a flattened appearance, due to extremely short muzzle and spherical and large heads.
The nose is always black and slightly upturned. The jaws are massive and broad, which makes the visual neck even more massive. Bulldog’s skin is loose and pendant with heavy wrinkles.
Fast fact: Bulldogs are used to create a new breed, Bull Boxer
Bulldog Physical Personality
Bulldogs are sweet and outgoing dogs with a fair amount of courage.
They have a long reputation for being courageous and therefore being great watchdogs. Today, this breed is far from being a fighter.
They are mostly calm companion dogs who love chewing something all the time. They have a bit of stubborn nature, which is why an experienced dog owner is desirable.
They may be slow to learn, which is why training should be taken as a serious and long process. They may look like trouble makers or as feisty beings.
Their look is rawer to make intruders run away. Bulldogs aren’t much of barkers.
If you want a dog who doesn’t bark a lot then the Bulldog is the breed for you.
Like in any other breed, temperament is affected by a number of different factors, including training, socialization, and heredity. Yet, they are great watchdogs who thrive on human attention.
Interestingly, they have kept the trait that was originally bred into them for bull biting, which is what makes them fine watchdogs. In general, they will adore every family member and even other family pets.
To unfamiliar dogs, they may show a certain level of aggressiveness. This is why early socialization is important.
Exposing your dog to new places, people smell, and other dogs and other animals are all that matters in creating a well-behaved dog.
Bulldog Training
Start trading your Bulldog as soon as you bring your puppy home start with basic commands.
Puppies can master commands as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘leave’ at only eight weeks old. This breed is known for having a strong grip once they bite down on toys.
This is why it’s important for them to master the command ‘drop it’ as soon as possible. Since they are pure sweethearts, trading should be a smooth process.
However, they do tend to show some moments of stubborn temperament, making them difficult to train.
Always use positive reinforcement and proper voice commands to enhance assertiveness and proper behavior. Make sure that training sessions are well-planned, properly organized, and packed with treats.
Bulldog Exercise
If you are not a massive outdoor lover, you will adore this breed Bulldogs need around an hour of exercise per day.
Daily walks are mandatory and additional exercise is a must to keep them physically active and mentally stimulated.
Dogs are busy exploring the world when they are outside. They love to sniff around, expose themself to new areas, smells, people, and animals. they may seem slow, but that’s, not the case.
They should be walked a minimum of twice a day (those are toilet breaks) and those walks should be 20 minutes long, and never longer than 40 minutes.
Anything longer than this period can make them serious harm. Make sure that you walk at a slow pace.
Bulldog Grooming
If you are not a fan of long grooming sessions, then this breed is just for you.
Grooming your Bulldog will be fast, easy, and effective.
Brushing your Bulldog for 10 minutes two to a maximum of three times a week should be more than enough to keep your Bulldog looking at his finest.
Bulldogs’ coats come in a variety of colors, with solid black not being so common. Still, a solid black coat isn’t desirable when it coems to breed standard.
Brush the coat weekly and search for any sign of skin infection, fleas, or any other skin-related issues.
The rest is basic grooming. Make sure that you check the ears and eyes, check gums weekly, and check the skin for any sign of skin infection during the brushing sessions.
If you have any additional worries about Bulldogs wrinkles make sure that you talk with your veterinarian prior to care.
Bulldog Health
Bulldog owners need to know what they are stepping in once they welcome this breed into their life.
This breed can easily become overheated, and they should never leave on the sun without proper shade and water.
Of course, no dog should ever be left in an enclosed car even when the weather isn’t that hot.
If your Bulldog is overheated or overexcited or simply showing signs of breathing too hard, you will notice his tongue hanging out. In fact, their tong will have any other color but pink.
Fast soaking with cool water and providing ice can help you cool down your dog.
If you love spending time at the beach, you think twice if taking your Bulldog there is a good thing.
Beach time with your dog is something that you should be done with a plan, with a proper cream, and well-conducted preparation.
For more information on how you can do this safely, you can visit the Bulldog Club of America.
Bulldog Nutrition
The key to having a healthy and strong Bulldog is proper care and nutrition. They shoudl do fine on high-quality dog food, both commercial or home-prepared.
If you rethinking about raw dog food, make sure that you talk with your veterinarian first.
Only with proper guidelines, you can provide a proper raw food diet. Plus, every dog’s diet should be carefully designed.
In fact, it should be appropriate for a dog’s age. You should never feed puppies with senior dog food and vice versa. Only on proper diet dogs can thrive. It works similarly to humans.
Make sure that you know how much you should feed your dog and how often.
Learn which human foods are safe for dogs, and which shouldn’t ever be served.
Some of the human foods are far from being safe and such they should never be served.
If you have any concerns regarding your dog’s diet talk with your veterinarian.
Also, if you have any concerns about yoru dog’s weight and overall development, make sure that you talk with your veterinarian. Also, provide clean and fresh water at all times.
Bulldog Health
Before you welcome adorable Bulldogs into your home, you should know about the breed’s health as much as possible.
Make sure that you know what you’re stepping into before you welcome any dog into your home. Doing complete research on the breed is the only way to make sure that you fully understand what you are stepping into.
This is exactly what Bulldog owners should do – to know what are potential challenges with this breed. The biggest issue with this breed is overheating.
A Bulldog should never be left alone during the summertime, and never in cars for hours. They should always have access to shade and water, even during the winter.
When being overheating or breathing too hard you should know that that their tongue may change far from being pink, because it’s painted as pink regularly.
If this happens to your dog, make sure that you soak him with cool water and give him ice to cool him down. Also, taking him immediately to the veterinarian’s office could literally save his life.
The Bottom Line
Getting a dog is serious step.
Getting a Bulldog is a completely new level, this breed will make your life easier, more fun, and definitely more outgoing and social.
If you thrive to find many friends while standing in the dog park, this is the breed for you.
On the other hand, if you are based in an area where the sun hits hard throughout the year, you should reconsider getting another breed.
This breed is prone to overheating and it’s something that you should have in mind. On the other hand, this breed is for you if you want a low-built dog with an easy-care coat and has seldom barks.
This breed is also for you if you want a dog who doesn’t need much exercise and enjoys being playful. How to know if this breed isn’t for you?
Bulldog isn’t for you if you dont want to deal with strong stubbornness and possessiveness. If you don’t want to deal with countless health issues, and a short life span, this breed isn’t for you.
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