English Bulldog Facts And Information

The English Bulldog is a loyal and good-natured dog. And there’s a lot you’ll want to learn about this wrinkly breed. So here are the top English Bulldog facts and information.

Fighting Past

The English Bulldog was originally developed for the cruel sport of bull-baiting. In fact, this is how it got its name. It was also used for bear-baiting and dog fighting. Once these practices were outlawed breeders worked to eliminate the aggressive temperament of the Bulldog while keeping its looks and determined spirit.

A Unique Face With A Purpose

The Bulldog’s distinct facial features are actually a result of its fighting past. Its short, wide nose allowed the dog to be able to breathe while it bit and hung onto bulls and other animals. And the powerfully built undershot jaw helped it to be able to hold on for an extremely long period of time.

Even the wrinkles had a function. They helped to divert any blood from the animal which the Bulldog was biting from getting into the dog’s nose.

Keep This Breed Cool

The English Bulldog is a breed that overheats easily. Because of this, care must be taken not to exercise dogs in hot and humid weather. When the weather gets warm walking your Bulldog in the early morning and evening hours is usually the best idea.

It’s also smart to give your dog frequent breaks during play sessions. And leaving this breed in a parked car is not an option. Providing an English Bulldog with somewhere to cool down when things get hot such as a dog swimming pool can help to prevent overheating as well.

Easily Packs On The Pounds

One of the English Bull Dog health facts that owners will need to remember is that the breed is prone to obesity. This goes along with the fact that they tend to be couch potatoes. Because they aren’t as active as other breeds, they often gain weight faster and easier.

For this reason, it’s very important that they are given the proper exercise and not allowed to get too heavy. An obese English Bulldog is at greater risk of arthritis, hip problems, along with other health issues. The extra weight can also put more strain on organs such as the heart and lungs.

The English Bulldog And Children

Because the Bulldog is both a tolerant and patient dog, it makes it an ideal pet for families with small children. English Bulldogs and kids get along very well since they love to play but are at the same time gentle. An added bonus is that they typically are very friendly with other dogs and pets in the home as well.

Stubborn Pet

The Bulldog was originally bred to be single-minded. Therefore stubbornness is one of the English Bulldog characteristics. This trait can sometimes be a challenge when training, as they may take commands as mere suggestions.

It’s something they have in common with the Bull Terrier, a breed that was actually partly developed from the Bulldog. However, you can usually get a Bulldog to do what you want once you figure out how to make him think it’s in his best interest to listen to you.

Expensive To Breed

The Bulldog is typically a costly dog to breed. Puppies almost always need to be delivered by cesarean section and litters are usually smaller in number than other breeds. While this has helped it from becoming a fad breed, it also tends to keep the price of English Bulldog puppies quite high.

Popular Mascot

The Bulldog’s history of never giving up when in a fight has made it one of the most popular mascots of all time. This is especially true when it comes to sports teams. It is the mascot for countless schools, colleges, and universities around the world and not to mention the U.S. Marine Corps.

Other Bulldog Breeds

The English Bulldog is not the only Bulldog breed. There’s also the French Bulldog and the American Bulldog. While the French Bulldog is one of the small dog breeds known for being a companion, the American Bulldog is a large dog that’s used as a guardian, hunter, and working farm dog.

Wrinkle Care

Those famous Bulldog wrinkles are incredibly cute and are one of the hallmarks of the breed. However one of the English Bulldog facts most potential owners don’t realize is that they need to be taken care of regularly, and ideally on a daily basis.

Wrinkles are typically cleaned with a washcloth using a mild soap and warm water, and then thoroughly dried. This helps to prevent infections, rashes, and other skin issues from developing. Making this part of your daily routine can help to guarantee it gets done.

Ingrown Tail

Among the handful of English Bulldog health issues that are known to affect the breed is an ingrown tail. This condition is due to a malformation of one of the vertebrae in the tail causing it to grow both backwards and down. In severe cases, the tail may need to be amputated.

Gassy Pooch

All dogs pass gas, it’s natural. However, with this breed, it’s a much more common occurrence. This is a gassy breed. And one of the funniest English Bulldog facts is not that they fart so often but just how potent those farts can be.

The breed is well-known for passing gas that can quickly clear out an entire room of people. Making adjustments to your pet’s diet can often help with the issue. However, it isn’t likely to cure it.

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