Bulldogs
Bulldogs, otherwise known as the English Bulldog or the British Bulldog is a medium size breed of dog. It's origins are traced back to England; thus the name English or British Bulldog. The English Bulldog was created by crossing an English mastiff dog with a pug.
Bulldogs were originally bred for bullbaiting as well as bearbaiting. This was a popular sport during the 1700s. Because of the size of a bulldog and its matched strength it could easily crawl low to the bull and do its job. Because the lower jaw protrudes out farther than the top, bulldogs were perfect for this job because they could still breathe as they attempted to suffocate their opponent. The wrinkles on its face would allow the blood to run over its face and not into its eyes. In 1875 the Bulldog club of England wrote the first standard of perfection for the bulldog breed. And in 1892 the two top bulldogs competed against one another to see who could walk the farthest.
Bulldogs have often been called a "rolling gait" due to its unique shape. They are known for their short muzzles and wrinkled saggy skin on their faces (perhaps their most famous trademark). Because their face wrinkles so much it creates an apparent "frown" or "pout" look that along with its wrinkles has also become a trademark of the breed. They come in many different colors (red, fawn, brindle, pale yellow, white, and a combination of all of these) and usually have smooth skin with a short coat. Really the only thing that can disqualify them from the show ring is having a liver colored nose. The typical weight of a mature male bulldog is approximately fifty pounds, and a female is about forty pounds. Although in the United Kingdom the breed standard is five pounds heavier for the male and about ten pounds heavier for the female.
Bulldogs are generally very docile and friendly animals. They are fiercely loyal and they are known for having mild temperaments. Most of the original aggression in a bulldog has been bred out through the years of breeding. If you are considering a dog for the family this is a good choice as it is usually friendly with people and gets a long well with children. They are likely to get very attached though and won't venture out into the yard by themselves unless there is someone with them. They are suitable for usually any house or apartment but bulldog puppies can be a little destructive until they reach maturity.
Like any other dog, the bulldog is also prone to some specific healthy issues. One of the biggest ones is breathing. Because of the big under bite in the lower jaw and shortness of the muzzle bulldogs will almost always snore. Another common issue among bulldogs in the United Kingdom is something known as interstitial cysts which forms between the toes. It can cause some discomfort but is treatable either by an owner or a trained vet. Some others problems may include, cherry eye, allergies, and some hip problems.
In regards to healthy issues at birth the pups are usually brought out via caesarean section because of the large size of their heads. Sometimes during birth the heads can get stuck in the birth canal because they are so large. They require daily cleaning of the face wrinkles to avoid infections caused by moisture and it is crucial to brush their teeth daily. They require daily exercise; excessive weight gain can cause further health problems. They are also very sensitive to hot and cold weather.
Bulldogs have been around for centuries and have become a popular dog among American Families. They are friendly enough for children to play with and make very loyal companions.
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