British Bulldog
● Key Characteristics Of British Bulldogs
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A British Bulldog Puppy?
● Most Asked British Bulldog Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
You can call them British Bulldogs, English Bulldogs or simply Bulldogs- it’s all the same. These are a medium-sized breed with a muscular build and stocky legs. Their hallmark feature is the many folds that form around their faces and foreheads.
● Key Characteristics Of British Bulldog
● How Can I Take Good Care Of A British Bulldog Puppy?
● Most Asked British Bulldog Questions
● Similar Dog Breeds
You can call them British Bulldogs, English Bulldogs or simply Bulldogs- it’s all the same. These are a medium-sized breed with a muscular build and stocky legs. Their hallmark feature is the many folds that form around their faces and foreheads.
The progenitors of the British Bulldog have long been subject to controversy. Some believe that the Bulldog is the ancestor of the Mastiff. Others contend that Bulldogs were developed by crossbreeding large Mastiffs with Pugs.
Still, there are those who believe that both the Bulldog and Mastiff share ancestry in the Alaunt. The only thing that historians agree on is that this breed got its name from bull baiting.
In the past, English Bulldogs were used for guarding, controlling and baiting bulls. At the time, there was a common belief that bulls had to be baited before being slaughtered. According to some leaders, doing so caused the meat to be more tender and nutritious.
Bull baiting was also regarded as a sport that gained a lot of fame among noblemen and royalty. As a result, these dogs were trained to be aggressive, strong and enduring. So strong that some of them could bring down bulls weighing 1000 kgs.
In 1835, bull baiting was banned. The law was amended to protect animals from mishandling. Due to this, Bulldogs did not serve any other purpose and they nearly became extinct.
Luckily, a few dog fanciers exported the breed to Germany and some parts of the U.S.
In England, breeders crossbred the remaining Bulldogs, creating a smaller breed. The crossbreeding also influenced their character and temperament.
This explains why the British Bulldogs of today are not aggressive. They still have a fierce appearance but they’re very loving and friendly.
| Are British Bulldogs Family-Friendly? | They are gentle and dependable, making them ideal family pets. |
| Daily Exercise Needs? | 30 minutes of exercise everyday. |
| Common Health Issues & Considerations | The most common health problems these dogs are likely to experience are: ● Brachycephalic Syndrome ● Dysplasia & Orthopaedic Deformities ● Skin Conditions ● Dermatitis ● Eczema ● Canine demodectic mange |
| Lifespan | 8 to 10 years. |
| Nature / Temperament | Calm, loving, kind and gentle. |
| Size | Weight: Male: 24 - 25 kg Female: 22 - 23 kg Height: Male: 31 - 40 cm Female: 31 - 40 cm |
| Suitable Environment | These dogs are suited to most environments. |
| Grooming | Brush their coats at least 3 times per week. |
● British Bulldogs are not excellent swimmers. Due to their short legs and stature, they cannot hold themselves above water.
● They are also more susceptible to heat stress and heat stroke. Their short muzzle makes it difficult for them to breathe. This in turn means that they have trouble cooling themselves when it’s too hot. As such, they shouldn’t be exposed to very high temperatures.
● The most common coat colours of the British Bulldogs are solid red, brindle, fawn and white.
British Bulldogs thrive on a normal diet for dogs of their size. They also enjoy occasional treats of food products like sausage and bacon. But since they’re not the best exercisers, owners should avoid overfeeding them.
British Bulldogs need a couple of procedures to keep them clean. For one, you’ll need to brush their coats no less than three times every week. Brush them more often when they’re shedding their hair. This usually happens during spring and summer.
● Clean their ears carefully using a soft washcloth.
● Also clean their wrinkly faces on a daily basis. You can use a wet cloth or baby wipes and then dry them properly.
● Bathe your Bulldog only when the need arises.
● Brush their teeth on a regular basis.
● Keep an eye on their nails and trim whenever they grow too long.
It’s important to get your British Bulldog on an exercise regimen. For one, this can help in proper weight management. Two, it’s going to improve your Bulldog’s joints. These dogs are prone to joint problems as they grow older, so physical activities can help.
But, you shouldn’t go overboard with the exercising. If they’ve had enough, they might stop in the middle of the activity even if it’s walking. Thus, first establish how far you can walk your Bulldog.
And while there is no definite answer to this, what is recommended is a 30-minute exercise every day. You can mix this up by taking them for a 10-minute walk in the morning and evening. Later in the day, you can engage them in a game of fetch.
One of the British Bulldog’s traits that make them trainable is their intelligence. However, they’re also very strong-willed creatures. Therefore, owners need a lot of time and patience when training this breed.
Bulldogs like seeking the approval of their owner. So, praise and rewards will go a long way to make their training easier.
This is general information and should not be relied on for adopting or purchasing advice.
British Bulldogs are one of the breeds with a short lifespan of only eight years. So if you’d like your pup to live a couple more years, ensure you adopt them from a reputable breeder.
Research thoroughly and ensure the dog’s parents do not have a long history of genetic diseases. Giving them a healthy diet and enough exercise are other ways to prolong their lives.
In the past, these dogs were bred solely for bull baiting. As such, they were developed with stock bodies to keep them grounded when fighting bulls.
Their facial wrinkles also served a purpose. These helped to channel blood out of their eyes and down their faces.
British Bulldogs for sale cost between $1500 – $2.000 approximately. One reason why they’re expensive is due to their difficulty in mating and reproducing. As a result, a majority of British Bulldogs are bred through artificial insemination.