The Bulldog is a breed of dog that was originally bred in England. They are known for their short, stocky build and wide head. Bulldogs are considered to be one of the most popular breeds in the world. In this blog, I’ll explain information about the Bulldog, its history, personality traits, etc. This post is part of our guides on pet breeds here at Our Pets HQ.
Table of Contents
History of Bulldogs
The term “bull” in their name is derived from the Old English word “bulluc”, which referred to a young bull. An alternate etymology of bulfinch for this dog breed was also suggested by John LeCarre. This suggestion is based on the tendency of the early bulldog to react badly towards any type of spaniel.
Appearance and Grooming
The Bulldog is a breed of dog that has a very wide, short muzzle. The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard dictates that this dog’s head should be in proportion to its body, with the skull approximately as broad as it is long. Their jaws are wide when viewed both from the side and from the front. But with a very distinctive pushed in face.
They have an extremely wrinkly forehead, although not as pronounced as that of the Pug or the Shar Pei. They are completely free of long hairs on their faces (furnishes). Bulldogs’ coloring generally serves to provide them with camouflage; they often appear to be light brown/beige, tan/buff or black and white in color, combining together to make them brown (fawn), but like the panda, they lack any noticeable pattern.
Their skin is very thick and loose, which not only provides protection against bites and other injuries; it also helps protect the dog from various diseases. The wrinkles on its face give it the appearance of smiling. Their short coat also makes butchering easier.
Bulldog Personality Traits
The Bulldog is a breed which, despite its notoriously ill temperament and tendency to slobber, actually possesses very friendly traits when properly socialized . They are extremely patient with children , most Bulldogs being absolutely fine with being dressed up or handled awkwardly, and they usually get along quite well with other pets.
The Bulldog tends to be very stubborn . This breed is also remarkably independent for a dog of its size , being more than content to laze around on its own when there’s no food in sight . This breed will need the most patient trainers out there.
Bulldog Size, Height, Weight etc
The Bulldog is a medium-sized breed of dog , with the height ranging from 13 to 16 inches (33 to 41 cm) and weight between 33 and 49 kilograms (75 and 109 lb). Bulldogs are either brindle, white, piebald, or less common black. Its short fur requires little grooming, but it is recommended to use a firm brush once or twice a week.
They have very small delicate eyes set on the sides of their heads, so they are unable to see much detail . Their noses are large and usually red , with long ears that reach their mouth. Their tail is low-set and usually docked, although this has been banned in many countries. Bulldogs have a muscular and stocky build . They have a thick neck, large head and shoulders , but small hindquarters .
Temperament and behavior
As with all breeds of dog , personality varies from one dog to another. However, Bulldogs are well known for having a particularly sweet temperament when properly socialized . Due to the breed’s tendency to slobber heavily , this makes them especially messy eaters; special care must be taken when dealing with food.
Bulldogs are usually very peaceful dogs and get along extremely well with children and other pets. They are not aggressive in nature, but will still bite if provoked . Their bulky mouths make them poor candidates for smaller dogs to pick fights with , although many Bulldogs can be easily annoyed by their playful antics.
Bulldog Nutrition and feeding
The Bulldog is known to overeat when given the chance , so they need to be monitored when eating . It is very important to make sure that they don’t consume objects from around the house, as their tendency to chew on random things will most likely lead them to accidental ingestion of hazardous items.
Bulldog Training
Bulldogs are not known for being easy to train , but with time and patience it’s possible. They have a tendency to ignore commands, but they respond well to treats and affection; thus it’s important not to become frustrated during training. Bulldogs may show signs of stubbornness , but this is because their exercise needs are very low . They will probably be fine if taken for short walks.
Bulldog Health Issues
All purebred dogs have some sort of genetic disorder or other, as they are bred from a relatively small gene pool . In the Bulldog’s case, diseases such as hip dysplasia can strike. They also have an average lifespan of 8-12 years .
Bulldogs love to chew on objects and will often ingest things without thinking, leading to a number of dangerous health issues . It is recommended to keep open flames, dangerous chemicals and electrical wires out of their reach at all times.
Bulldog History
The Bulldog was originally used in bloodsports such as bull-baiting , an activity which involved pitting dogs against bulls or other large animals for entertainment purposes . As the activities became banned in the 1800s, the Bulldog’s popularity declined, but once the breed was introduced to America in the 1800s its numbers quickly increased.
Bulldogs are very popular pets in modern times , but they were originally developed for their tenacity and ferocity. The Bulldog that exists today is a far cry from these original creatures; bloodsports are now banned everywhere, and Bulldogs have been bred to become gentle and friendly.
Bulldogs as a pet
Bulldog have very friendly traits when properly socialized. They are extremely patient with children , most Bulldogs being absolutely fine with being dressed up or handled awkwardly, and they usually get along quite well with other pets. Their coat is very easy to maintain and they don’t need very much exercise .
Bulldogs are usually very peaceful dogs, but will still bite if provoked. They have large mouths and a temperament of stubbornness , this makes them not the best candidates for smaller dogs to pick fights with though. They make great family pets but you must watch out for overeating and possible swallowing items.
Coat
Bulldog’s coat is short with dense coloration around a dark brown base that may include blue, black or copper markings. The Bulldog should have a dry coat that does not require constant grooming, but regular brushing and bathing will help maintain its appearance and health. They are considered easy to groom because they do not shed profusely; however, there can be mats on the dog’s neck if hair becomes too long over time. The lack of shedding also means less hassles with dander on furniture and clothing .
Bulldog vs German Shepherd:
- Bulldog’s are known to be stubborn, but they’re also patient and very easy to train with proper motivation.
- German Shepherds aren’t as stubborn and seem to pick up on training a bit easier. They both have a great temperament when socialized properly. German Shepherds are also one of the top dogs recommended for families with children.
- Bulldogs are pretty laid-back dogs while German Shepherds need to be kept busy with activities and tasks in order to keep them out of trouble .
FAQs
Q: Are Bulldogs good family pets?
A: Yes! Bulldogs are very friendly with children , most of them being fine with being dressed up or handled awkwardly. They usually get along quite well with other pets.
Q: Are Bulldogs easy to train ?
A: No, Bulldog is known to ignore commands, but they respond well to treats and affection; thus it’s important not to become frustrated during training .
Q: How long do Bulldogs live?
A: Bulldogs usually live between 8-12 years.
Q: What is the life expectancy of a Bulldog?
A: The life expectancy of a Bulldog is around 10 years.
Q: Where did Bulldogs originate from?
A: Bulldogs originated from England and were originally used in bloodsports such as bull-baiting, but they have been bred to become friendly.
Q: What is a Bulldog?
A: A Bulldog is a breed of dog that was developed in England. They are very popular pets in modern times , but they were originally developed for their tenacity and ferocity.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
Hi there! My name is Nathan Sambu, a pet parent to two Siberian Huskies and one of the co-founders of Our Pets HQ. I am a recognized pet breeder of thick-coat dog breeds suitable and I am one of the leading dog breed experts in the US and Canada. I write in several blogs providing insights on different dog breeds. I have owned several breeds including a Pitbull who recently died in the middle of Covid lockdown(2021). I also provide part-time consulting on pet breeds for parents undecided on which breed to go for. You can reach me on nate@ourpetshq.com.