Mary Allen
As the name implies, the English Bulldog is originally from Great Britain and has become so popular there that it is considered almost a symbol of the British nation.
But before that, there was a long way for the Bulldogs, and they look back on a rather sad past.
The breed was first mentioned in 1209 when some of these dogs split off from fighting Bulldogs. Since then, they have been sent to fight with bulls (bullfight) – therefore, when breeding, they paid attention to courage, aggressiveness, wide muzzle, inverted nose, and strong growth.
In the future, over the centuries, four-legged friends, again and again, had to compete in the ring with new animals – even dog-against-dog fights came into fashion. It wasn’t until 1835 that dog fighting was banned in Britain, and with that, the English Bulldog almost completely disappeared from the scene.
But there were people who especially appreciated the character of this breed of dog, and by their breeding selection, they have achieved the preservation of the Bulldog – now as a pleasant family dog with a loyal and friendly character.
Exaggerated external characteristics, such as a raised nasal bridge, the widest possible muzzle/head, and wrinkled muzzle, are not used in breeding today – at least that is what the Kennel Club and the FCI stipulate. From now on, the animal’s health should be the focus of breeding, not appearance.
General
- FCI Group 2: Pinschers and Schnauzers – Molossians – Swiss Mountain Dogs
- Section 2: Molossians / 2.1 Great Danes
- Size: Various. Should be stocky, but in no case should the legs be too short to restrict movement. Male weight: 25 kilograms; females have 23 kilograms.
- Colors: solid (many possible colors), solid with mask, brindle, all shades of red. Otherwise, all color options are possible, except for black or black and tan.
Activity
Even if some representatives of this breed seem “lazy” – healthy animals should not be lazy. They need a lot of exercise and exercise to keep them fit. If they do not suffer from shortness of breath (which unfortunately happens to some outbred bullies), you should accustom them to regular long walks accordingly. Because if they are not physically encouraged, then they usually do not do this either.
Therefore, owners should ensure that the English Bulldog does not lie lazily all day. However, when it’s hot, you should downshift because Bullies don’t like hot at all.
Features of the Breed
Although dogs used to be used as a kind of attacker in the past, to torment for pleasure, they generally do not have an aggressive nature. On the contrary: Today’s Bulldogs may seem ferocious, but they are sweet and affectionate. Although they have not lost their courage, they are vigilant and courageous, but completely devoted to their people.
The Austrian Bulldog Club also writes that dogs are easy to train, given that they don’t believe in unconditional obedience.
Commands such as “sit” and “down” should of course be part of the training – obedience or agility, on the other hand, are less suitable. This is not because bullies are lazy, they will only do what they understand and see fit. Jumping over any obstacles when there is enough space left and right to run through is not one of the most of the time.
Otherwise, the Bully is a loyal companion who loves to fulfill his man’s (meaningful) desires. For this, consistent, but above all loving upbringing and a lot of patience are important – hooligans are sensitive to negative emotions. On the other hand, they enjoy harmony just as much as we humans do.
Recommendations
As with most dogs, a house with a yard would be ideal, as English Bulldogs love to be outside (as long as it doesn’t get too hot). But you can keep Bulldogs in a fairly spacious apartment – the main thing is that they get enough walk every day and do not wallow for days on end. To spur your dog on and incorporate enough exercise into your daily routine right from the start. He is unlikely to jump in front of you and show that he wants to move (unlike maybe Dalmatians or Border Collies).
In addition, when buying, you should make sure that the dogs are healthy and do not have excessively pronounced physical characteristics that reduce the quality of life of the animal in favor of appearance. In any case, if you, for example, buy a puppy, ask to see the parents and relevant documents.
Otherwise, the Bulldog is ideal for people who already have experience with dogs. On the one hand, you must be able to assert yourself, and on the other hand, have a lot of patience and love – hard authority is rather disadvantageous. Whoever masters this tightrope walk is guaranteed to find in Bulldog a reliable and affectionate friend for life.