The English Bulldog may look glum and aggressive, but they’re actually one of the sweetest pets anyone could have. If you don’t have a yard, or if you’re living in an apartment, this breed is a good companion for you. They’re just as happy snuggling on your sofa as walking to the park. Get to know more about this dignified breed below.
English Bulldog: The Sweetest Pet You Can Own
Personality
- Sweet and gentle
- Dependable
- Predictable
- Friendly
- Courageous
Don’t be fooled by the English Bulldog breed’s intimidating gaze. Their sweet and gentle disposition make them ideal pets for families with children. They don’t need much exercise, preferring to snore the day away on the sofa. However, they won’t say no to a lap or two around the neighborhood or a little romp in the park.
You won’t have to worry about them suddenly attacking your guest. They’re quite friendly with people. However, since they were initially bred for bull-baiting, they may become aggressive with other animals.
Size & Color
A member of the medium-sized breeds, the adult English Bulldog can grow to 54 lbs for males and 50 lbs for females. Expect them to reach 17 inches in height from the shoulder.
The English Bulldog has many variations of coat color. They can come in red, fawn or white, piebald, and brindle or tiger-like stripes.
Health
English Bulldogs have a lot of health problems, in particular with their flattened snouts. Although they’re great pets, you need to monitor their health closely. They’re prone to the typical illnesses that dogs may have, like hip dysplasia, demodectic mange, and patellar luxation.
Eye diseases that affect English Bulldogs include:
- Cherry Eye – This condition happens when the gland under the third eyelid protrudes and resembles a cherry. This irritates the eye and will have to be removed by the vet.
- Dry Eye – When tear production isn’t enough, the eyes become dry, irritated, and even painful. If your dog has dry eyes, the vet will prescribe a drop that can be used to relieve the symptoms.
- Entropion – Irritation occurs when the eyelid folds inward instead of out, which makes it rub against the eye. Constant rubbing may damage the eye. Your dog’s vet will have to remove this with surgery.
They’re also prone to gas and flatulence due to their flattened faces. They tend to gulp in the air whenever they eat or drink.
Other diseases that you should be wary of include:
- Brachycephalic Syndrome – Dogs with a short head and narrow nostrils, like the English Bulldog, often have blocked airways. This can cause breathing problems as severe as lung collapse. Treatment includes oxygen therapy or even surgery to widen the nostrils.
- Head Shakes – Differing from epilepsy in that it only affects the head and not the entire body, dogs with this condition have an involuntary shaking of the head. Stress or low blood sugar causes head shakes. If you see your dog doing this, try giving him some honey or playing with him to relieve stress. If the shaking doesn’t stop, it’s best to bring him to the vet for a checkup.
- Tail Problems – If your English Bulldog has a screw, inverted, or tight tail, make sure you clean the folds as thoroughly as possible. Not cleaning the folds properly may cause some skin infections.
If you’re planning to get a puppy English Bulldog, make sure you contact a reputable breeder that thoroughly checks each pup for genetic problems.
Life Span
Unfortunately, English Bulldogs have a shorter life span compared to other medium-sized dogs. Their life expectancy only reaches 8 to 10 years.
Food & Diet
Divide 1/2 to 2 cups of quality dog food into two meals for your English Bulldog’s daily nutrition needs. Make sure not to overfeed your dog. You want to keep your pup in the ideal weight range.
An English Bulldog doesn’t require too much exercise. 20-40 minutes of walking or play is enough for them.
Grooming Requirements
- Groom as needed
- Brush coat weekly
- Wipe face with warm wet cloth daily
- Apply petroleum jelly to the face wrinkles
- Trim nails 1 to 2 times a month
- Brush teeth daily
Thanks to his short coat, you won’t have to constantly groom an English Bulldog. To keep its hair healthy and shiny, brush your dog with a bristle brush every week.
You also have to wipe your dog’s face with a warm wet cloth every day. However, make sure to dry in between the wrinkles to avoid bacteria burrowing. Since English Bulldogs drool quite a lot, make sure you clean around the mouth thoroughly. You should also apply petroleum jelly to the wrinkles to keep the skin moisturized.
Trim your dog’s nails one to two times a month if your pup doesn’t wear them out naturally. Brush teeth daily, if possible, to keep the gums healthy.
History
The English Bulldog originated from the British Isles for bull-baiting. The breed goes way back to the 13th century. However, these earlier dogs were bigger than what we know now. Their larger size enabled them to bring down the bull they were baiting.
When the bloody sport was outlawed in the 1800s, breeders decided to re-engineer the breed. Aggressive Bulldogs were not allowed to breed. Breeders instead nurtured those with docile natures. By doing so, the English Bulldog, as it’s known today was born .
The breed later entered the American Kennel Club as a part of the non-sporting group in 1886. There, it’s known simply as the Bulldog.
Fun Fact
English Bulldogs are the 4th most popular breed in the AKC right now. This means puppies can cost hundreds of dollars. If you don’t want to spend that much, then adopt one at a nearby dog shelter.
English Bulldogs can be pretty silly. See their funny side with this video.
If you decide to get an English Bulldog as your next family member, closely monitor your dog’s health. Overall, you’ll gain the sweetest companion you could ever want. Once you get over the snoring, you’ll love every moment you’ll spend with your English Bulldog.
What do you think of the breed? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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