Bulldog

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For other uses, see Bulldog (disambiguation).
For the game, see British Bulldogs (game).
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Bulldog
Other names British Bulldog
English Bulldog
Country of origin United Kingdom
Traits

A Bulldog, colloquially known as the British Bulldog, or English Bulldog, is a type of dog which traces its ancestry to England. It should not be confused with other varieties such as the American Bulldog.

Contents

[edit] Description

[edit] Appearance

Purebred 6 month-old puppy from AKC Champion bloodlines

The Bulldog comes in a variety of colors and ideally has a smooth, short coat. The colors, in order of desirability, are brindle (especially red brindle), red (like a chestnut horse), white, and fawn (often with white markings on any color, or piebald). The prime disqualifier for the breed in the show ring is a pale or liver-colored nose, although black-coated bulldogs are not preferred, and many judges will dismiss a bulldog lacking an underbite. In the US, the size of a typical mature male is about 50 pounds; that for mature females is about 40 pounds. In the United Kingdom, the breed standard is 55 pounds for a male and 50 pounds for a female, but it is not uncommon for males to be 70 pounds.

[edit] Health

A bulldog's skull - notice the characteristic underbite (technically called mandibular prognathism)
Adult female bulldog with underbite

The bulldog's specific traits can (but not always) contribute to some specific health issues. Breathing issues can be prevalent in the breed due to the shape and the shortness of muzzle. Most noticeably, bulldogs are known to snore loudly. In the United Kingdom, some dogs can be prone to interdigital cysts, which are cysts which form between the toes. These cause the dog some discomfort, though they are treatable either by vet or an experienced owner. Other problems can include cherry eye a protrusion of the inner eyelid which can be routinely corrected by a veterinarian, certain allergies, and among older bulldogs hip issues. Bulldogs, however, tend to be bowlegged in the hindlegs and thus do not tend to hip dysplasia. Bulldogs are famous for their snoring during sleep.

Puppies are frequently delivered by Caesarean section, as with their large heads they can get stuck in the birth canal during natural birth. It is possible for the mother to die during birth. However, it is not entirely uncommon for a bulldog to whelp naturally and successfully.

The folds or ("rope") on a Bulldog's face should be cleaned daily to avoid unwanted infections caused by moisture accumulation. Also, as with any companion animal, teeth brushing with a regular human soft toothbrush using a vet approved toothpaste can be recommended.

Like all dogs, bulldogs require daily exercise. If not properly exercised the bulldog could gain weight, which could cause health problems relating to the lungs and heart. Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to heat and great care should be given to the dog during overly warm periods. During these times, the owner must ensure that the dog has plenty of shade and water, and bulldogs must be kept out of standing heat.

While some canine breeds have their tails cut soon after birth, Bulldogs are one of very few breeds whose tail is naturally small and curled, and can appear as though they do not have one. A longer or "gay" tail is a serious fault in a show bulldog. The tail of some can be so tight to the body that regular cleaning and maintenance is recommended.

In January 2009, after the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, the The Kennel Club introduced revised breed standards for the British Bulldog, along with 209 other breeds, to address health concerns. Opposed by the British Bulldog Breed Council, it was speculated by the press that the changes would lead to a smaller head, less skin folds, a longer muzzle, and a taller thinner posture, in order to combat perceived problems with respiration and with breeding due to head size and posture.[1]

[edit] History

The term "bulldog" was first used around 1568 and might have been applied to various ancestors of modern bulldog breeds. It has been theorized that Bulldogs were bred in England as a cross between the mastiff and the pug, although their genetic origin is debated. [2]

In the 1600s, bulldogs were used for bullbaiting (as well as bearbaiting), a gambling sport popular in the 17th century with wagers laid in which trained bulldogs leapt at a bull lashed to a post, latched onto its snout and attempted to suffocate it.[3] However, the bulldog's early role was not limited to sports. In mid-17th century New York, bulldogs were used as part of a city-wide roundup effort led by governor Richard Nicolls. Because cornering and leading wild bulls was dangerous, bulldogs were trained to seize a bull by its nose long enough for a rope to be secured around its neck. [4]

In time, the original athletic bulldog was crossed with pug. The outcome was a shorter, wider dog with a brachycephalic skull. Though today's bulldog looks tough, he cannot perform the job he was originally created for, as he cannot withstand the rigors of running and being thrown from a bull, and cannot grip with such a short muzzle.

The oldest single breed speciality club is The Bulldog Club (England), which was formed in 1878. Members of this club met frequently at the Blue Post pub on Oxford Street in London. There they wrote the first standard of perfection for the breed. In 1891 the two top bulldogs, Orry and Dockleaf, competed in a contest to see which dog could walk the farthest. Orry was reminiscent of the original bulldogs, lighter boned and very athletic. Dockleaf was smaller and heavier set, more like modern bulldogs. Dockleaf was declared the winner that year. Although some argued that the older version of the bulldog was more fit to perform, the modern version’s looks won over the fans of the breed because they proved they were equally as fit and athletic in the walking competition.

[edit] Popular mascot

Main article: List of Bulldog mascots

Because of its tenacity, the bulldog is the official symbol of England and unofficial in the United Kingdom. The breed is also the official mascot of the United States Marine Corps and many bases have their own mascot on base. The bulldog is a common mascot for many universities and schools such as Yale University, Georgetown University, Drake University, Fresno State University, The Citadel, the University of Georgia, Mississippi State University and Louisiana Tech University.

[edit] Bulldogs in popular culture

Bulldogs have been widely featured in popular culture. In several cases they are portrayed as bullies; children will say a bulldog looks "tough", but in fact modern bulldogs' temperament is very social and lovable.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Valerie Elliott (14 January 2009). "Healthier new bulldog will lose its Churchillian jowl". The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5512620.ece. Retrieved on 14 January 2009. "The classic British bulldog...shake-up of breeding standards by the Kennel Club has signalled the end of the dog’s Churchillian jowl...will have a shrunken face, a sunken nose, longer legs and a leaner body...British Bulldog Breed Council and it is threatening legal action against the club. Robin Searle, the chairman, said: "What you’ll get is a completely different dog, not a British bulldog." New breeding standards for 209 dog species...after...BBC One documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, last summer...In a statement [the Kennel Club] said: "The breed standards have been revised so they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog breathing, walking and seeing freely."...Bulldogs are prone to skin and coat problems, cherry eye, respiratory disorders, orthopaedic conditions, and soft or cleft palate. Most are born by Caesarean section because large heads and proportionally small hips make natural births difficult. The breed’s anatomy also hinders mating, with many litters conceived via artificial insemination." 
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition. 2003. 
  3. ^ Fogle, Bruce (2000). The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. Doring Kindersley (DK). ISBN 0-7894-6130-7. 
  4. ^ Ellis, Edward Robb (2005). The Epic of New York City - A Narrative History. Basic Books, New York. ISBN 978-0-7867-1436-0. 

[edit] External links

Sister project Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bulldog
Sister project Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Bulldog

[edit] Bulldog rescue

Country Rescue
Canada - Ontario Ontario English Bulldog Rescue
Canada - British Columbia and Alberta Cascade Bulldog Rescue
United Kingdom The Bulldog Rescue and Rehoming Trust
United States - National The Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network
United States - California San Diego Bulldog Rescue
United States - California Southern California Bulldog Rescue
United States - Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska Cascade Bulldog Rescue
United States - Texas South East Texas Bulldog Rescue
United States - Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama Smokey Mountains Bulldog Rescue
United States - New Jersey HeavenSent Bulldog Rescue
United States - New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware & Maryland MidAtlantic Bulldog Rescue
United States - New York and Long Island Long Island Bulldog Rescue
United States - Florida Buddies Through Bullies
United States - Georgia Georgia English Bulldog Rescue
United States - Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina On the Rebound Bulldog Rescue

[edit] Breed Information

[edit] General bulldog information

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