Don’t be fooled by the mean face: the English Bulldog is an adorable, gentle dog who loves his family! Also known as bulldog or English bulldog, the breed only appears to be fierce and bad-tempered – in fact, it is a witty, fun and playful dog. He can be a bit stubborn and requires a good deal of patience to train. But don’t give up, as they often succeed in this challenge.
Story
Although the bulldog’s origin is not well documented, some researchers believe it is descended from ancient mastiffs, which originated in Asia. It is believed that ancient nomads brought the breed with them when they arrived in Europe. Other historians credit the origin of the race to an extinct species, known as “alaunt”, “alaune” or “allanî”.
What is known is that bulldogs, being known for their courage, strength and ability to withstand pain, were long used in a blood sport of fighting bulls. After the extinction of bullfighting in 1835, a small group of Englishmen dedicated themselves to preserving the breed and trying to clean up its aggressive and ferocious past.
Over time, the breed was refined with reproduction, generating the dog we know today: docile, gentle and companion. From then on, he was adopted as a companion dog.
Characteristics
Race colors
The English Bulldog’s colors range from piebald, red, yellow, cream, or a mixture of one of these colors with white. The black color is not very common in the breed, and is considered undesirable for breeding and display if you want a dog for competition.
Do English Bulldogs bark a lot?
Not. As a calm and quiet dog, the English Bulldog does not usually bark a lot. But if a threat presents itself, he will bark to get his guardian’s attention.
Is race destructive?
It might be. The Bulldog is a very strong dog and has a good biting and gnawing jaw. Despite this, he is a sweetheart, but he doesn’t much like his guardian to leave him at home alone. And to demonstrate this, he will make a fuss! So don’t be surprised if one day you get home and everything is out of place, including some gnawed objects. Consider training him to avoid problems (like bitten objects!).
Is the English Bulldog restless?
Not. Despite needing a good dose of exercise, the bulldog is not usually very agitated. In childhood he may show a more daring and playful behavior, but calms down as he reaches adulthood. Training can also go a long way toward calming your pet.
Care
If you are thinking about adopting an English Bulldog, know that the breed has some particularities that should be considered. Discover the main ones:– Creases: wet wipes are great allies that facilitate the daily task of cleaning the typical creases of the English Bulldog, which must also be dry. The goal is to prevent moisture or dirt accumulation from generating infections and dermatitis.
– Coat: The English Bulldog’s coat is short and does not require clipping. English Bulldog hair loss is occasional, but weekly brushing is still recommended.
– Nails and ears: when used since puppies, English Bulldogs collaborate with cleaning their ears and cutting their nails. These are fundamental tasks, both for the comfort of the dog when walking (in the case of nails), and for the maintenance of the health of the dog’s ear.
– Indoors: it is the ideal place for an English Bulldog, as it is a breed that, like other scrunched-up dogs, does not respond well to sudden changes in weather or excessive temperatures.
– Noise: Brachycephalic dogs have a tendency to make noise (similar to snoring) by the simple act of breathing, thanks to the shape of their snout, which is flatter and causes difficulty breathing.
– Baths : as the coat is short, a very high frequency of bathing is not necessary. By the way, excess baths and shampoo can cause skin irritations (dermatitis), fungi and a series of dermatological problems. If you bathe the dog yourself, be aware of the temperature of the hairdryer, especially on the head – the high temperature can dry out and irritate the eyes.
Health
The crumpled snout and folds on the face are the main points of attention for the health of English Bulldogs. Here are some aspects that deserve attention:
– Flat muzzle: the English bulldog is part of the group of dogs that have a flat muzzle (brachycephalic syndrome), as well as the French bulldog, pug, shih tzu and others. This makes breathing difficult and makes you more sensitive to intense heat, cold, and humidity. For the same reason, he cannot do very intense physical exercise (such as vigorous jogging).
– Wrinkles: those fluffy wrinkles on the English Bulldog’s face favor the emergence of skin irritations and allergies (dermatitis), a common problem in this breed and which can also appear in other parts of the body. Keep the folds clean with saline and always dry them well to prevent infections and bad smells.
