English Bulldog - Breed information, training advice, health, pictures & videos

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English Bulldog – Breed information, training advice

August 21st, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

Ever consider owning an English Bulldog? The English Bulldog should not be confused with other Bulldog breeds, when looking for that new pet to bring home. There are several different types of Bulldogs, and they all have their own gifts and graces. Bulldogs can be a bit challenging at times, and may not be the best pick if you have never owned a dog before. So, let’s do a bit of analysis on the English bulldog.

Best Type of Owner

English Bulldogs are very loyal pets and become very attached to their owners. These dogs make great family pets but can be just as happy living with a retired couple or person. They are a great choice for folks that don’t have a lot of outside space to keep a dog. Your English Bulldog will not do well with climate extremes, so they are truly an inside dog. They make excellent apartment dwellers, as they rarely bark and are a less excitable breed.

For What Type of Need

English Bulldogs are great pets for those of us who do not want a dog that will require lots of exercise. This is not the dog for you if you are looking for company on a 2 mile run. These guys hate to exercise and in fact if you are even going to walk for more than about ½ mile, you are probably going to get the opportunity to carry your English Bulldog back home. They are great companion pets that require more love than romp.

Brief Description of the Breed

The English Bulldog has a big head in proportion to its body. The nose is very short and the face is full of wonderful wrinkles. The most notable features about this breed are the classic under-bite and big, hanging jowls. These dogs are short and stocky for their weight. A mature male weighs between 50 to 60 pounds, although some can top out around 70 pounds. The females weigh slightly less. The body is compact, and the legs are comparatively short. This is all topped off with a tightly curled tail, although some breeders crop the tail in puppies.

These dogs are smart, but have a notable stubborn streak. This is one dog that needs to know who the leader of the pack is. If you are not willing to assume the alpha position in the pack, your English Bulldog most assuredly will.

I can really not overstate the lack of heat tolerance in these dogs. They overheat very easily and don’t tolerate a very cold climate either. Your dog will need to be an inside dog. The English Bulldog can develop heat stroke rapidly in very warm conditions, even when provided shade and water to drink.

English Bulldogs are rather like having an adolescent boy in the house. They drool, snore loudly and pass gas frequently. Every rose has its thorn and it can be a good trade off for those that really hate to exercise, and don’t mind a lacking in the social graces.

The best time to acquire an English Bulldog is when they are puppies. They will socialize into the pack and be great and true loyal friends for life. These dogs can be a bit territorial about their people, especially around other dogs. They are truly a great family companion.

History of the English Bulldog

These gentle dogs were originally bred to bait bulls in the bull fighting ring. They were fierce and aggressive. When bullfighting was outlawed in Britain, the aggressive tendencies were bred out of the dog. Today we are left with a very loving, sociable dog that is extremely loyal to its owners. The tenacity that was required in the fighting ring has carried over, and the dog has a reputation for being strong willed.

Health Problems

English Bulldogs are notorious for being exercise under achievers. This is one dog that you really need to make sure you do not over feed. They will not “take off a few” easily, so it is essential to eliminate the problem before it starts. We have already discussed the lack of heat tolerance. These dogs are also prone to allergies. English Bulldogs can have knee problems and are prone to hip dysplasia.

Because of the Bulldog’s big head size, whelping can be an issue. Cesarean sections are common, although there is an effort to breed the dog to decrease the head size. General care of your English Bulldog will include cleaning those wonderful skin folds every day or two to prevent moisture from accumulating and causing infections. Care must also be taken if your dog has a tightly curled tail to keep that area clean and dry.

English Bulldogs can develop “cherry eye,” which is easily taken care of by your veterinarian. Interdigital cysts can also form between the toes of some dogs, which are also easily taken care of by your veterinarian. You will need to watch for these, and other conditions, closely as English Bulldogs are not complainers. They will tolerate a fair bit of discomfort and never let you know about it.

Training Your English Bulldog

Literally volumes could be written about dog training, which is beyond the scope of this article. English Bulldogs do have the reputation of being stubborn, and a bit difficult. It is that bit of tenacity that is left over from the bull fighting days! That is why English Bulldogs are not always recommended to first time dog owners. They do take just a bit more patience on the part of the owner. You must not be timid about being in charge. As with any dog, it is easiest to train a puppy, rather than an adult dog that already has bad habits.

Dogs should never be trained using physical force, but rather by positive reinforcement. If you are a new dog owner, and are having trouble training your English Bulldog, you may want to consider an obedience class. This will get you started on the basics, and help you to have more confidence in being the leader of the pack.

English Bulldogs make great pets for the right owners. They have a life expectancy of 8 to 10 wonderful years of love and dedication. That’s a lot of love.