English Bulldog
Temperament:
English Bulldogs are lovable and cozy heavyweights. At first glance, they appear somewhat grim and serious. But in reality they are warm-hearted and very affectionate companions, cuddly and loyal. With an English Bulldog, you get a real friend for life at your side.
Characteristics
The bulldog's trademark is its slightly curved legs and massive body. They waddle along at a leisurely pace. The always slightly protruding lower jaw gives the face its typical serious expression. Often overbiting and prone to drooling, English Bulldogs are conspicuous contemporaries. Once you have taken them to your heart, you will never want to do without them again. It is their slightly quirky charm that makes them unmistakable.
Bulldogs appear sleepy, but are very alert. They like to observe their people and their surroundings. They can be very reserved towards strangers at first. The ice usually breaks quickly and the bulldog becomes an affectionate cuddler.
The color patterns are mixed. Single-colored animals are very rare. Pure white or black animals are special breeds. The most common color pattern is bicolored pied. The chest and underbelly are white to light. The rest of the body is cream, light to dark brown or brindle. The coat is short, smooth, finely textured and very easy to care for.
Females are more petite and slimmer. They weigh 20 to 23 kg, while males easily weigh 25 kg and more. Bulldogs are bulky and heavy and belong to the medium-sized dogs due to their moderate shoulder height.
English Bulldogs tend to be sluggish. Puppies should be taught the joy of exercise from an early age. This is the only way to keep dogs fit into old age.
This dog breed is not suitable for endurance athletes. They are ideal for leisurely people of all ages. The Bulldog likes to live in a large family household. However, it is also a loyal companion for individuals.
The animals must never get bored, they want to be kept busy. Neglected Bulldogs tend to become grumpy and reclusive. The English Bulldog is also suitable as a playmate for older children and teenagers. Due to their loving nature, these dogs rarely become aggressive unless their boundaries are seriously disregarded.
Bulldogs love to spend time with their owners and cuddle extensively. If you have a dog like this, you should always have a towel to hand. In feel-good mode, many English Bulldogs start to drool enormously.
The English Bulldog is not a fighting dog. The typical fighting dog breeds and they have the same ancestors. However, today's bulldog was never explicitly bred for fighting.
The English Bulldog is an only dog. It accepts conspecifics if they are just as friendly and don't get on its nerves.
In connection with the English Bulldog, one often reads about "Old English Bulldogs" or "Olde English Bulldogs". Both terms refer to a branch of the breed that was created through back-breeding. This breed standard promotes slimmer and more agile dog types. The roots of the breed lie in the USA.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The Bullis' diet is somewhat special. When you see these powerful dogs, you actually want to give them too much. In fact, Bulldogs have lower food requirements than most people think. Their mass is innate and does not need to be fed or maintained. Due to their slow temperament, Bulldogs have a lower metabolic rate than more athletic dogs. This means smaller amounts, fewer calories.
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role here. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown.
A rest period should be observed after meals.
Health & Care
The short-haired dog breeds are easy to care for. The English Bulldog usually cleans itself. You should only help them with grooming in the folds of their skin and when changing their coat. All kinds of dirt can easily accumulate in the folds. Moisture also attracts parasites or ticks. Stroke and groom your bulldog daily. A grooming glove is a great way to remove dirt from the folds.
As they get older, you can also help your dog with their care. English Bulldogs are prone to osteoarthritis and joint problems. This can make it more difficult for the dog to groom itself. Grooming and massaging together also promotes blood flow and circulation in older animals.
A bulldog usually also means additional grooming in the home. Blankets and baskets are often slobbered over and should be washed more often. Overall, however, English Bulldogs are very easy to care for.
Suitable accessories
The choice of collar and harness can be a little more difficult with larger dogs. Collars that are too wide can easily cut in. Many Bulldogs are short of breath due to their stocky head and body shape. This should not be aggravated by a collar. The many folds are also often a hindrance. A collar should not fit too tightly in the folds of skin on the neck, as moisture and parasites tend to accumulate there.
A harness is ideal for the English Bulldog. When buying one, make sure that the front bib is also adjustable. The width of the chest often does not correspond to the standard sizes. Some manufacturers offer special accessories or custom-made products for Bulldogs.
Coziness is a top priority for the English Bulldog. A cozy place to sleep is a must. Even if you usually share the sofa, this dog wants a place to itself. Your Bulldog will happily retreat there for a nap during the day. But it doesn't want to be disturbed.
It is best to buy a sleeping basket that is completely washable. The English Bulldog also likes to smack its lips when snoozing comfortably.
Other accessories that your dog needs are: Food and water bowl, tick tweezers, claw clippers, transport box for transportation in the car.
Origin & History
The English Bulldog is a very old breed of dog. Its history can be traced back to the 6th century BC. Molossian dogs reached the Roman Empire via the Phoenicians.
These heavy dogs arrived in Britain with the Roman conquests. There they were crossed with slimmer dog breeds. This resulted in dogs that are very similar to today's Great Danes.
From the very beginning, these dogs were intended for hunting heavy game. They simply bit boars and bulls on the nose and never let go. This characteristic has been preserved in many of the successor breeds to this day. Today's English Bulldog is usually too sluggish for such hunting.
Old pictures often show these dogs at the side of proud generals. These animals were called "bonddogs" or "bolddogs". In this context, the word "bond" means "to place" during the hunt. The term "bolddogs" goes back to "bold" and means "bold".
Over time, the English Bulldog became heavier and changed from a hunting dog to a butcher's dog. In the 17th century, it was customary to chase a bull before slaughtering it. It was believed that this would make the meat more tender. The young bull was locked in a ring with the dog and the dog went about its business. The term "bull biter" comes from this time.
Later, dog fighting developed from bull hunting. Soon, more agile dogs such as the Staffordshire bull terrier and the bull terrier were used for this purpose. The more leisurely "English Bulldog", on the other hand, developed into a companion and family dog.
