Bulldog

The Bulldog, despite its somewhat ferocious appearance, has a docile temperament and generally adores children. It is quick to learn and will enjoy taking part in games.

However, its build precludes any fast running, and it must never be allowed to rush about in hot weather, as its nose does not equip it for rapid breathing. It should never be shut in a car or other confined space unless plenty of fresh air is available.

This breed is not renowned for longevity. It can, however, be recommended warmly as a loyal guard and lovable family pet

Origin and history

This breed can be traced back to the Molossus, the fighting dog of the ancient Greek tribe at Athens called the Molossi. However, the Mastiff would seem to resemble this powerful breed more faithfully, which suggests that the Mastiff, Bulldog and Boxer may have a common ancestor, Certainly they were all fighting dogs; the Mastiff fought against both gladiators and wild beasts in the arenas of Rome, and the Boxer was known in Germany as 'Bullenbeisser' or bull baiter

It is, however, the Bulldog that IS generally associated with the unpleasant 'sport' of bull baiting ­ seizing the bull by the nose and holding it until it fell. The sport was promoted by a certain Earl Warren of Stamford, Lincolnshire, who, after enjoying the spectacle of two dogs fighting bulls in 1209, sought to bring such a sight to a wider audience.

When bull baiting became illegal in 1838, the Bulldog was in danger of extinction, for it appeared to have served its purpose. However, a Mr Bill George continued to breed Bulldogs, and to him a debt of gratitude is due in that the breed, despite its fearsome countenance, has developed into a much esteemed, reliable pet The Bulldog Club, established in 1875, was the first specialist breed club to be set up in the United Kingdom. At the beginning of the twentieth century, New Yorkers paid very large sums of money for Bulldogs, when the breed became fashionable.

Bulldog Puppies

Good points

• Courageous
• Intelligent
• Good tempered
• Loves children
• Easy to groom

Take heed

• Best suited to a temperate climate - excessive heat causes heart attacks
• Snores
• Not built for strenuous exercise
• Difficult to breed
• Frequently needs caesarean sections

Size

Weight: dog 551b (25kg); bitch: 50lb (22.7kg).

Exercise

The Bulldog will benefit from a good dally walk on a loose lead If the owner lives in a safe, rural area or has a nearby enclosed park, the dog will enjoy being allowed off the lead so that it may amble at its own pace. But please don't drag It or let it over-exert itself as a pup.

Experience will show Just how much exercise it enjoys without tiring. But the Bulldog is not the breed for all-day hikers.

Bulldog Information

General appearance
The Bulldog is a smooth-coated, thick-set dog, rather low in stature but broad, powerful and compact The head is strikingly massive and large in proportion to the dog's size, and the face is extremely short The muzzle is very broad, blunt and inclined upwards.

Colour
The colour should be whole or smut (that is, a whole colour with a black mask or muzzle). The only colours (which should be brilliant and pure of their sort) are whole colours, viz, brindles, reds, fawns, fallows, white and also pied (i.e. a combination of white with any other of the foregoing colours).

Head and skull
The skull should be very large - the larger the better - and in circumference should measure (round in front of the ears) at least the height of the dog at the shoulders.

Tail
The tail, termed the 'stern', should be set on low, Jut out rather straight, then turn downwards. It should be round, smooth and devoid of fringe or coarse hair. It should be moderate in length ­ rather short than long - and thick at the root, and taper quickly to a fine point

Feet
The hindfeet, like the forefeet, should be round and compact, with the toes well split up and the knuckles prominent The forefeet should be straight and turn very slightly outwards, of medium size and moderately round. The toes should be compact and thick, being well split up, making the knuckles prominent and high.

Bulldog Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

A regular brushing with a fairly stiff brush and a rub down with a hound glove will keep the Bulldog in good condition.

Feeding

Thirteen oz (369g) of a branded dog food product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 13/4 cups of a dry food, complete diet, mixed In the proportion of 1 cup of food to 112 cup of hot or cold water.

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