Medium
10 Years
25 Kg
Utility Dogs
Cheerful, Friendly, Playful, Social
The iconic English Bulldog! A true English breed that symbolises strength, determination and loyalty. This medium-sized breed has a thick set smooth coat, a rather low stature, broad, powerful and compact. It has a relatively large skull which is a breed characteristic owing to its ancestry as a bull baiter during the Medieval times. The head is broad and square with well-rounded cheeks that extend sideways beyond the eyes. The flat forehead has slightly loose skin that forms fine wrinkles. A slightly visible furrow extends from a defined stop to the middle of the skull. It has a slightly wrinkled face covering the short, broad muzzle with large black nose and nostrils. It has thick and broad chops (flews) that cover the lower jaws on the sides which join the underlip in front. The square jaws form a pronounced mandibular prognathism (undershot) but the teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed. It has round, very dark, moderately-sized eyes which are situated low down in skull when viewed from front and ‘rose ears’ set high on the head. It also has a short tail, set on low that turns downwards, thick at the root then tapers sharply to a fine point. The neck of the Bulldog is thick, deep and strong with some loose skin on the throat that forms slight dewlap on either side. It has a broad, very powerful looking and muscular shoulder, well-rounded ribs and a tucked up belly. The front legs have large bones, thick, muscular, straight and set wide apart, slightly shorter than the back legs. The back legs are equally muscular with slightly bent hocks plus stifles that turn slightly outward. All four feet are round, medium-sized and compact with thick padding. Coat colours are brindle with various shades, white and piebald or with black mask or muzzle. Typical weight for dogs is 25 kg and 23 kg for bitches. Average height is between 31-40 cm.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The exact origins of the English Bulldog are murky, but the gentle and affectionate attitude of the modern breed strike a sharp contradiction to its ferocious and savage origins. In the 12th century, bull baiting was introduced to Britain by the Normans from France where they used mastiff-type dogs to bring down a tethered bull. This sport as a form of entertainment became popular in the 16th century and the leggy mastiff-type dogs were replaced by smaller, more muscular dogs with large heads, powerful jaws and a tremendous bite force to bring down a bull. These early dogs became the ancestor of the Bulldog. However, these dogs were known by a different name and were often called “bonddogges” or “bolddogges”. The name “bulldog” was not mentioned in any literature until the early 17th century when a man named Preswick Eaton wrote in a letter mentioning “two good Bulldogs”. When bull bating became illegal in England in the 1830s the role of the Bulldog as a sporting animal gradually diminished and through the years, breeders promoted the dog as a pet by gradually developing the breed with a far calmer temperament, more docile, affectionate, and loving but still retain its ferocious and masculine look.
The British Bulldog is an alert, bold and loyal breed. It is dependable, brave but not aggressive, vicious in appearance but is very affectionate and loving. It is a courageous dog and makes a very good guard dog who will see off any intruder in the house. It can sometimes be determined and persistent but is very much a family dog, often seeking out attention from its owners. A puppy Bulldog has a lot of energy but typically becomes quieter as it grows old. It is one of the slowest maturing dogs, not reaching adulthood for two and a half years. It has a tendency to snore loudly and most dogs drool and slobber.
The Bulldog is a fun-loving breed but it can be quite determined and persistent. Training the dog to be a follower in the pack is very important. A dominant Bulldog will have a tendency to be aggressive with other animals. Strong human leadership is required to train the dog to become a good follower. The best training method for the Bulldog is through fun learning sessions that involve repetition and positive reinforcement.
The Bulldog is generally and easy-to-care breed. It has a very short coat that does not require any fancy grooming. Brushing the coat twice a week with a soft bristle brush or a rubber curry will keep it healthy and shiny as this will promote good blood circulation and remove dead hair. It sheds moderately during spring and fall. Inspect the wrinkles on a regular basis and clean with a soft, damp cloth when necessary. Dirt tends to accumulate in between the wrinkles which may irritation and/or bacterial growth which may lead to skin problems.
The Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed (narrowing of the upper airway) which affects short-nosed dogs. It will not do good in a warm weather environment because it will die of overheating. Too much physical activity will make the Bulldog hard to breathe. A typical setting for the breed is an indoor life with ample air conditioning or in a home located in colder regions. Most Bulldog puppies are born by C-section. A Bulldog from a poor lineage can have hip and spine problems (malformation). The Bulldog is also prone to knee injuries, cherry eye, inverted eyelids, cataracts and dry eye syndrome. Other health issues associated with the breed are skin allergies, bladder stone issues, gastric torsion and cancer.
Do not expose the Bulldog in a warm environment. Too much exercise or stress will result in breathing difficulty which may result in a heatstroke. The Bulldog is inactive indoors and will be content walking in and around the house or sleeping on the couch all day. A 15-minute outside walk in a shaded area or when the climate is cool is enough to satisfy its exercise needs.
The Bulldog is an excellent family pet because it has a very strong tendency to form strong bonds with children. It is also generally known to get along quite well with other dogs and pets in the house.
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