Bulldog

Dog

The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose. The American Kennel Club (AKC), The Kennel Club (UK) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) oversee breeding standards.

This rollicking family dog loves everyone and is suited to many types of homes because he’s so good-natured. But because of his flat face and heavy build, he is highly sensitive to heat and must always live indoors.

Laughter, love and a face everyone adores ensure the enduring popularity of the Bulldog. He's a gentle family companion today, but he was originally bred to fight bulls for sport – a past that, combined with his stalwart devotion, has made the breed the mascot of a number of colleges as well as the United States Marine Corps. No breed is more admired for the qualities of loyalty and determination that the Bulldog represents.

Few breeds are as easily recognized as the Bulldog, with his wrinkled mug, distinctive underbite and Churchillian jowls. Sometimes referred to as the English or British Bulldog, he's a short, sturdy dog with a bow-legged gait, weighing between 40 and 60 pounds.

If all you're talking about is personality and temperament, the Bulldog is just about perfect. He loves children and is very easy to train as a family pet. He's an endless source of amusement, clever and very affectionate. He’s also an attention magnet everywhere he goes.

The Bulldog may be perfect in spirit, but in the flesh, he’s a different story. These dogs are intolerant of warm weather, and may die if overheated. Too much exercise or stress can make it difficult for them to breathe. Without exception, Bulldogs must live indoors, and need air conditioning in all but the mildest summer weather.

Most Bulldogs are born by C-section. Because breeding them is expensive, the puppies are, too. Love is an expensive proposition when you own a Bulldog.

In general, the Bulldog is an easy-care breed. His exercise needs are manageable for even the most dedicated couch potato, and he doesn’t tend to be a picky eater. He has a short coat that doesn’t require any fancy grooming, but he does have some special needs when it comes to skin care. Last but not least, it’s important for him to live in air-conditioned comfort, not only to prevent heatstroke but also because he loves his family and wants to be with them. He’s not a dog who can or should live outdoors.

Other Quick Facts
The Bulldog has a distinctive walk: a loose-jointed, shuffling, sidewise roll.
Many Bulldogs breathe in a labored fashion and it’s often difficult for their bodies to dissipate heat.
Bulldogs can’t swim. Their massive head, solid torso and short legs limit their ability to stay above water. If you have a pool, spa or pond on your property, limit your Bulldog’s access to it.
The Bulldog’s smooth coat can be brindle, solid white, solid red, fawn or fallow, or piebald.

The History of Bulldogs
The Bulldog has been around, in one form or another, for at least 500 years. The earliest types were tall and ferocious, necessary traits for a dog whose job it was to grab a bull by the nose to hold him in place. Bull-baiting, as this activity was known, had an actual purpose—to bring bulls in for breeding or castration, for instance—but it also became a popular form of entertainment in a time when there were no movie theaters, televisions or video games.

The Bulldog’s appearance stayed much the same through the early nineteenth century, but that began to change with the outlawing of dog fighting in England (another popular “sport”) and the rise of dog shows. People who bred Bulldogs for exhibition selected for dogs with shorter legs and bigger heads until they arrived at a dog with a heavy, thick-set, low-slung body, wide shoulders and a massive head. They also moderated the dog’s temperament, taking it from tough to kind, from aggressive to courageous but never vicious. The modern Bulldog has a pacific and dignified nature.

It was only a matter of time before the Bulldog made his way to the United States. The American Kennel Club first registered a Bulldog in 1886, and the Bulldog Club of America was formed in 1890. One of the successful show dogs of this time, Handsome Dan, was the original Yale mascot, and all of his successors have borne the same name. The University of Georgia also has a Bulldog mascot. Each one goes by the name Uga.

Bulldogs became associated with the U. S. Marine Corps during World War I, and they are now the USMC’s mascot. All Marine Bulldogs are called Chesty.

In the past decade, the Bulldog’s popularity has risen dramatically. Nineteenth in AKC rankings in 2001, in 2010 he had risen to sixth place, a testament to his sweet and fun-loving personality.

Bulldog Temperament and Personality
Bulldogs are friendly, easygoing and get along with everyone, including children and other animals. They aren’t barkers, and they love spending time with their people.

His love of people, tolerant attitude toward children, amiable temperament and solid bulk make the Bulldog a great companion for families with kids. Bulldogs also do well with people at the other end of the age spectrum. Their restful nature makes them a good fit for anyone who enjoys a relaxed lifestyle.

Mellow he may be, but the Bulldog retains a hint of the tenacity and headstrong nature that characterized his ancestors. He’s often considered difficult to train, but people who love him say that’s a misconception. The Bulldog likely won’t be a standout in the obedience ring, but when he learns something, he knows it cold. This breed learns best through fun training sessions that involve repetition and positive reinforcement—treats and praise.

The Bulldog has a moderate energy level. A 15-minute walk has him ready for a nap. He’s willing to go a couple of miles if that’s what you want to do, but he’s fine with a brief turn up and down the street, too. Remember to walk him only when it’s cool outside, never in the heat of the day.

The Bulldog is sociable and sweet, and his reputation for courage makes him an excellent watchdog. Who’s going to mess with a Marine mascot, after all?

What You Need to Know About Bulldog Health
When they aren’t bred for good health, Bulldogs can be a mess. Their hips and spines can be malformed and they are prone to knee issues and injuries. Their many wrinkles and folds, and tightly curled tails, mean lots of skin infections if they aren’t kept clean. Cherry eye, inverted eyelids, cataracts and dry eye are just a few of the eye abnormalities that can affect the Bulldog.

Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a common problem in Bulldogs. This developmental condition results in a narrowing of the upper airway, making it difficult for flat-faced dogs, such as the Bulldog, to breathe. Because there is more upper airway resistance, dogs with this syndrome can't cool off as easily, and may overheat faster than other breeds during warm weather or exercise.

Other conditions that can potentially affect Bulldogs include allergies and skin problems, several kinds of bladder stones, difficulty giving birth and cancer. Most of these problems have no screening tests, but they are known or believed to be genetic. A DNA test for canine hyperuricosuria, a condition that can result in a certain type of bladder stones, is now available for the Bulldog.

Bulldogs are also at high risk for gastric torsion. The stomach twists on itself, cutting off the blood supply, and requires immediate emergency surgery.

Before individual Bulldogs can be included in the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) database, the Bulldog Club of America requires them to have a patella (knee) evaluation from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and an OFA cardiology exam. You can search the OFA and CHIC websites yourself to see if a pup’s parents are listed.

Breeders must agree to have all test results, positive or negative, published in the CHIC database. A dog need not receive good or even passing scores on the evaluations to obtain a CHIC number, so CHIC registration alone is not proof of soundness or absence of disease, but all test results are posted on the CHIC website and can be accessed by anyone who wants to check the health of a puppy’s parents. If the breeder tells you she doesn't need to do those tests because she's never had problems in her lines and her dogs have been "vet checked," then you should go find a breeder who is more rigorous about genetic testing.

Careful breeders screen their breeding dogs for genetic disease and breed only the healthiest and best-looking specimens, but sometimes Mother Nature has other ideas and a puppy develops one of these diseases despite good breeding practices. Advances in veterinary medicine mean that in most cases the dogs can still live a good life. If you’re getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the ages of the dogs in her lines and what they died of. (For more information of choosing a good breeder go to the “Find” chapter.)

Genetic issues aren’t the only health problems that face Bulldogs. Because of their flat face and heavy build, they are highly susceptible to heatstroke and can die in the space of half an hour or less if left outside on a hot day. If your Bulldog goes with you to a picnic, baseball game or some other outdoor summer event, take steps to keep him cool and provide him with plenty of water to drink.

Compared to his earliest ancestors, today’s Bulldog is not athletic, but it’s not unheard of for Bulldogs to compete and title in agility, flyball, obedience, tracking and rally. There are Bulldogs who skateboard and even surf! If you choose a Bulldog puppy from a conscientious breeder, you can have a healthy dog who is fully capable of participating in fun activities. Though be sure to check with your vet if you want to pursue anything extremely physical with your pet as Bulldog’s aren’t exactly built for speed.

Remember that after you’ve taken a new puppy into your home, you have the power to protect him from one of the most common health problems: obesity. Keeping a Bulldog at an appropriate weight is one of the easiest ways to improve his health and extend his life. Make the most of your preventive abilities to help ensure a healthier dog for life.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulldog