English Bulldog breed – Facts and traits

The English Bulldog has very distinct characteristics. Bold and aggressive in stature, short with a broad chest. The mouth and face are broad and rugged too, with a wide, square jaw and relatively flat face that creates a clear underbite (where the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw). Bulldogs have excess skin which is particularly apparent in the cheeks, they tend to be flappy and extend to the side. The skin folds over their nose and needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent infection. The flappy cheeks make their dark eyes seem deeply sunken in. Their lightly coloured ears seem small and petite amongst everything that seems broad and bold. The coat is short and straight, making maintenance relatively simple. Bulldog coats differ from fawn, pale yellow, solid white, red brindle or a combination of all of these. Much like the ears, the tail seems rather subtle on the solid body as it is short and sits low.

The Bulldog is a much different dog today than his ancestors. Descended from ancient mastiff-type dogs, the Bulldog breed was developed entirely in England. The first mention of the breed was in 1500, a description of a man “with two Bulldogges at his tayle…” The then-fierce dogs were used in a practice called Bull Baiting, which involved the dog grabbing onto the bull’s nose and roughly shaking it. Bull Baiting actually had a purpose – it was thought to tenderize the bull’s meat.

Despite its intimidating appearance, the Bulldog is friendly, patient and extremely loyal to its owner and has been known to form strong bonds with children. For this reason, it is among one of the most popular family pet breeds.

Bulldogs are not active and don’t require a great deal of exercise (although they must be walked every day to keep them from gaining weight). You can take the Bulldog for a walk of a mile or two during the cool part of the day, but he’ll be just as happy with a brief stroll up and down your street. They are indoor dogs and prefer a relaxed lifestyle. After about 15 minutes of play, they’re ready for a nap. This low to moderate energy level makes the Bulldog suited to any type of home, from an apartment to a house with a yard.

Because of their pushed-in face, Bulldogs don’t do well in extremely hot or cold weather. They breathe heavily when they’re hot and don’t handle the heat well. They’re especially prone to heatstroke. As little as thirty minutes outdoor in hot temperatures can kill them. Provide them with an air-conditioned environment and plenty of fresh water. Bulldogs are also not swimmers because their massive heads drag them straight down. If you have a pool, spa or pond, protect your Bulldog from falling in. Bulldogs may also struggle to breathe if their nostrils are excessively narrow or their soft palate too long. This is a condition called brachycephalic upper airway syndrome. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

The Bulldog is unlikely to be an obedience star, but once they learn something, they never forget it. They learn best through fun training sessions that involve repetition and positive reinforcement through food rewards and praise.