Bulldogs are friendly, courageous, and flat out adorable, it makes sense they ranked #4 in the US as the most popular dog breed. There are many different forms of a Bulldog – from your Frenchies to your English Bulldogs, this breed is even winning the hearts of celebrities, just ask bulldog lover John Legend.
There’s so much to enjoy when caring for a Bulldog and although being cute and cuddly is something everyone knows, we want to introduce you to things you might not know about this bully breed.
1. Name origination
Bulldogs were originally bred for bull-baiting, a blood sport actively practiced many years ago. People would place wagers on each dog and the Bulldog would grab the bull by the nose and potentially be thrown in the air. Thankfully, bull baiting was made illegal in England by the Cruelty to Animal Act of 1835.
Bulldogs have a loyal long standing with the British culture, the Bulldog symbolized pluck and determination. The Bulldog is known within the United States as a strong & impactful symbol.
2. Bulldogs have been around for decades.
Bulldogs have been around for over 106 years! Bulldogs were officially inducted into the American Kennels Club in 1886, but as we know, they have been around far longer than that.
Although Bulldogs today differ from their ancestors as the levels of aggression in Bulldogs decreased dramatically and resulted in a less stressed and more relaxed breed. Leaving us with our beloved, friendly, and Bulldog.
3. Why are they so wrinkly?
Back in the bull baiting days, dogs were bred for their winkles. The blood that came from bull baiting was blocked by the dogs wrinkles therefore keeping it from getting into their eyes. The folds of their skins literally protected them during their bull baiting days. You would think the wrinkles were designed to melt your heart instead of realizing they were to protect them from such horror.
Now, the wrinkles on these dogs’ bodies provide maximum comfort for ultimate snuggles and no longer need to be bred for brutal attacks. Though these wrinkles are adorable, they can cause Bulldogs a lot of discomfort if not cleaned regularly. Bulldog’s wrinkles need to be routinely wiped and cleaned to avoid possible skin infections.
The wrinkly folds on the face also known as “ropes” need to also be cleaned regularly to avoid infections caused by moisture accumulation. Talk about a pretty high-maintenance breed, but 100% worth it.
4. They Were Almost Extinct
After bull baiting, the bulldog breed was no longer “needed” but lovers of the dog saw major potential. Some Bulldogs were brought to Germany and the United States where they put their bull baiting days behind them and became herding dogs. In the South of the US, Bulldogs worked to herd pigs, hogs, and cattle. In Germany, they began to cross breed them and eventually created the “Boxer.”
In England, the original bull baiting Bulldog was bred to create a smaller sized breed which would eventually lead to the evolution of the “Pug.” Which shot a new craze to the Bulldog breed.
5. Popular Mascot
Bulldogs are one of the most popular mascots. In the US alone, the Bulldog represents dozens of universities, 250 secondary schools, and the unofficial mascot of the US Marine Corps. From prestigious schools like Yale University or the U.S Marine Corps, the breed is played tribute to many legendary institutions.
The Bulldog is also paid tribute to many sports teams like the Yale University Bulldog college football team and Samford University. Why so much popularity? The breed shows loyalty and protectiveness towards it’s humans that it only makes sense to make them the center of attention.
6. Breathing Complications
Bulldogs are known for their gassiness and snorting. This is because Bulldogs are brachycephalic, a condition that is caused by their short snouts which makes them prone to snorting and tooting.
Bulldogs have very small nasal cavities which makes it extremely difficult for them to keep their bodies cool. Bulldogs can become very sensitive to heat so it’s important to always keep your Bulldog in a spot with cool airflow. Bulldog pet parents can keep these climate conditions under control by staying aware and keeping their Bulldogs in safe conditions.
The brachycephalic condition can be fatal to this breed because it causes breathing to be more difficult. You can stay away from situations like these by minimizing the amount of exercise your dog gets as well as stress. Although this seems like you won’t need to walk your Bulldog as often as most dogs, think again. The Bulldog requires proper exercise to not become overweight. No body shaming here, it’s all for their health and safety.
7. The Perfect Netflix Binge Partner
These dogs don’t require lots of exercise and enjoy laying low, which makes them the perfect binge-watching partner. Hang sessions on the couch and a nice brisk walk around the block is all this breed needs to feel in their element. This breed is ideal for people who like to stay home more often than they like being outdoors.
Over the years, the Bulldog has become a more relaxed and calm breed catering to children and families. The Bulldog is known to form strong bonds with their families making them the perfect family dog. What better way to relax than to have your Bulldog and your family snuggled together watching your favorite TV series. Be careful though, your Bulldog might fall asleep during the series considering they sleep a total of 12-14 hours per day.
8. Not all Bulldogs Are the Same
Bulldogs come from many different colors and markings. The Bulldog coat is short, flat, and usually sleek with colors like red, fawn, brindle, etc.
Bulldogs even come in interesting marks like the “Merle” which is characterized by a marbling effect of patches on a lighter skin background. Or the common “brindle” markings which is a sort of striped pattern also known as “tiger striping.” There are so many different colors of coats to Bulldogs, but the most uncommon is the “lilac” coat. This coat looks like a mixture of blue and brown paint which makes it a shade of purple lilac color. Apparently, the lilac coat must also be mixed with fairy dust.
With the many different colors and markings of the Bulldog breed, there are also many different kinds of Bulldogs. Some of the most popular being French Bulldogs, American Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pug, Pitbull, the list goes on. All equally making a perfect forever friend.
9. Not the Best Swimmers
Thanks to their big heads and small bodies, Bulldogs experience lots of trouble trying to maneuver around water. Although most Bulldog breeds can swim, it’s best to keep a close eye on them when they’re around water. If your Bulldog loves the water, we recommend getting the right training, proper gear, and full supervision. If you would like to teach your Bulldog how to swim, it would be best to use a swimming vest of the dog and/or a life jacket to get the Bulldog comfortable with floating and trusting it’s vest.
If you want for lesser worries, try introducing your Bulldog to a “kiddie pool” where they can enjoy the water while remaining safe.
10. Cannot have a natural birth
Although giving birth is a wonderful and beautiful thing, many Bulldogs cannot withstand the birthing process due to the size of the puppy and the small size of the birth canal. Bulldogs require the aid of a trained professional to perform a c-section. However, some don’t require assistance and can give birth naturally.
Bulldogs make for the perfect companion. Who could resist their squishy faces and relaxed personalities. This is why Bulldogs have a long and respected history of being one of the most popular dog breeds. A Bulldog thrives in a loving, relaxed, and cool environment ready to snuggle and create picture-perfect memories with their furrever homes.
Not all Bulldogs start life on the right foot, but with your help, we can get them to recover and on their way to finding their forever. Please consider changing a life by donating to a Bulldog today!
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