(Content below is from Wikipedia)
History of the English Bulldog
The term "bulldog" was first used around 1568 and might have been applied to various ancestors of modern bulldog breeds. Bulldogs were bred in England as a cross between the mastiff and the pug.
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. Bulldogs have many distinct characteristics that were bred into them so they would be better suited to bullbaiting. The bulldog's body is short, low to the ground and compact, allowing it to be able to scuttle or crawl low under the bull's horns. The lower jaw sticks out further than the top one allowing the bulldog to grip on the nose of the animal and still be able to breathe due to the lay-back of the nose. The wrinkles on the bulldogs face allow the blood from the other animal to run down the bulldogs face instead of going into its eyes.
The oldest single breed specialty club is The Bulldog Club (England), which was formed in 1875. 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.
Recently, many people have tried to recreate a breed more akin to the original bullbaiter. Examples of the trend are the Olde English Bulldogge, Renascence Bulldogge, Victorian, Continental and Dorset Old Tyme Bulldog. The American Kennel Club does not recognize any of these newly "recreated" breeds of dogs.
English Bulldog Appearance
| Build: |
Heavy musculature, thick-set neck and shoulders, low-slung body |
| Weight: |
53-55 pounds (24-25kg.) within United Kingdom |
| Height: |
11-14 inches |
| Coat: |
Short, smooth |
| Color: |
Red, fawn, brindle, pale yellow or washed-out red, or white, or any combination of these colors |
| Head: |
Thick, massive, short-faced, broad, with cheeks extending to sides of the eyes, skin on the skull and forehead falling in dense folds, muzzle short and pug, nose broad and black with large nostrils, upper lip pendent and lower jaw very undershot |
| Teeth: |
Large, strong |
| Eyes: |
Very round, far apart and very dark |
| Ears: |
Small and thin, folded back in the form of a rose |
| Tail: |
Short and carries low |
| Feet: |
Moderate, compact, firmly set |
| Life span: |
The average life span is 8 – 12 years |
Caring for Your English Bulldog Puppy and Adult
Adjusting Your New English Bulldog Puppy to its New Surroundings
English Bulldog Puppy Safety Precautions
English Bulldog Puppy Posion-Safe Home Tips
Easing Stress on Your New English Bulldog Puppy
English Bulldog Puppy House-Training Tips
English Bulldog Puppy Potty Training Methods
English Bulldog Puppy Travel Tips
English Bulldog Puppy Feeding Tips and Proper Nutrition
Feeding Your English Bulldog Puppy the Right Amount
Is Dry Food the Best for Your English Bulldog Puppy?
Is Can Food the Best for Your English Bulldog Puppy?
Special Feeding Needs for English Bulldogs
What is the Right Treat for Your English Bulldog Puppy
English Bulldog Puppy Odor and Stain Control
Choosing a Veternarian for Your English Bulldog Puppy
English Bulldog Preventative Health
To Spay/Neuter or Not to is the Question
English Bulldog Puppy Vaccinations
English Bulldog Dental Care
English Bulldog Internal Parasite Control
English Bulldog External Parasite Control
English Bulldog Grooming Tips
