All about Bulldogs

Since ancient times, bulldogs are considered the personification of strength, courage and fighting character. These dogs have a long history - their distant ancestors took part in performances in the arena and fights with wild animals. Over time, dogs spread around the world, changed and acquired their national pedigree, but most of the bulldogs today are either on the verge of extinction or have disappeared altogether - today only three varieties of these dogs are popular: American, French and English.

In the XVII – XIX centuries, in the territory of Great Britain, royal English bulldogs were very popular with royal persons - it is believed that they appeared as a result of mixing Central Asian mastiffs and North Caucasian Alans. In those years, dogs were bred as fighting animals, they showed high aggressiveness and cruelty. These qualities made them ideal hunters who were released into the ring to fight with bulls, bears and even lions. During such fights, the weakest representatives of the bulldogs were destroyed, only evil, smart and strong dogs survived. During the fight, the animals used their “crown technique” - they grabbed the bull by the nose, which has always been the weakest point of these giants. As a rule, in such a situation, the animal completely lost the desire for resistance, it ran away from the ring - at that moment the fight was considered over, and the bulldog was declared the winner.

In 1835, bullying was officially banned and many dogs were out of work. At the same time, animals began to be mated with the largest and strongest dogs of other breeds to create ideal guards and defenders - all this led to the fact that there were practically no purebred bulldogs left. This situation seriously worried dog handlers and in 1858 a large-scale action to preserve the breed began. However, the actions of the breeders pursued another goal - to maintain the strength and power of the dog, but at the same time reduce its aggressiveness. To achieve this goal, the search for the calmest bulldogs began throughout England. The efforts of geneticists have been successful - a few years later, a new breed of dog was introduced at an exhibition in Birmingham that looked similar to the old English "meat dogs"but in nature was very different from them. The updated breed in 1878 was officially recognized by the world community of dog breeders and after a few years, breeders from other countries began to pay attention to the four-legged.

Dogs quite rapidly spread throughout the world, which led to the emergence of a wide variety of varieties of bulldogs. French, English and American breeders were especially active in breeding new breeds of dogs.very successful results were obtained in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. In many countries, they even decided to create their own national breed standard, as a result, French, American, Australian and other bulldogs were introduced. To date, these animals have not so many similarities with their English ancestors - this is not surprising, because each breed was bred for specific purposes, types and uses of animals.

Despite serious differences in temperament and exterior, representatives of all types of bulldogs have their advantages and disadvantages. It is worth highlighting the main advantages of dogs of this breed.

• Compactness. Bulldogs are far from giants, therefore they can be kept both in a large private house, and in a small-sized city apartment. The animal does not need a lot of space - it is quite enough for a small couch in the corner.
• Adaptability. These animals are satisfied with any conditions. They quickly adapt to everything, but the master's sofa or the knees of their loved one will nevertheless become their favorite vacation spot.
• Modern bulldogs are not aggressive, but they cope with the protection of the owner perfectly. Their powerful, muscular body, serious expression of their faces, loud barking, as well as their reputation, which has been going on since ancient times, can scare away the vast majority of people who, in one way or another, threaten the owner or his property.
• Buli are easily trained. Usually, correction of their behavior does not cause any problems. If, from an early age, attention is paid to raising an animal and training, then the dog will never begin to show aggression without sufficient reason.
• These dogs are very faithful and loyal to their owners.but at the same time they do not suffer in solitude and have a great time in the absence of a person. These dogs do not bark in anticipation of the return of the breeders, and this is undoubtedly a big plus in relations with neighbors in the apartment building.
• The hair of bulldogs is short, so it does not require specialized care. You just need to comb it with the simplest brush or ordinary comb - you don’t even have to buy special devices. These dogs do not need frequent bathing, because their hair does not have a specific smell, and, moreover, is not prone to the accumulation of contaminants, due to which significant savings can be achieved due to the refusal of the groomer.
• Modern bulldogs treat children very well and play with them very willingly. But do not forget that this is a strong dog, which may not calculate its power during games, so it is better to communicate with the kids bulldog under the supervision of an adult owner.
• The nature of dogs is distinguished by a rare ingenuity, ingenuity and curiosity. Combined with a balanced and restrained character, this makes them good companions and true friends.

However, bulldogs also have their drawbacks.

• Small dimensions and shortened wool often go from plus to minus. The fact is that these animals cannot tolerate too high or too low temperatures - any draft can lead to the development of colds, and after a walk under the summer scorching sun, the pet may well receive heat stroke. That is why in the winter, you need to walk the dog only in special clothes, and in summer, restrict movement to the shady side of the road.
• A distinctive feature of bulldogs are folds on the face. In these places, a microenvironment is created that is favorable for the reproduction of the fungus, so pustules and inflammation often occur here. To avoid such troubles, it is necessary to regularly treat the skin with cream and wet wipes, alternating wet and dry.
• Bulldogs have open ears, so they have to be cleaned quite often. However, representatives of the breed really do not like this and strongly resist, breeders have to make a lot of efforts to rid their ears of pollution.
• The specific anatomical structure of the muzzle and respiratory tract leads to the fact that in a dream, bulldogs snore and it is impossible to muffle this sound, no matter how the owners tried. It is difficult for these animals to breathe through their nose, therefore they swallow air with their mouths - its volume is too much, bulldogs get rid of excesses in a completely non-gentleman way - flatulence is characteristic of these animals. In order to neutralize the emitted smell, you will have to constantly use high-quality air fresheners.
• Bulldogs are very slobbery animals, which may not appeal to clean homeowners.
• Bulldogs more than many other breeds exhibit allergic reactions on some foods and household chemicals.
• Bulls are very lazy and stubborn. Any training requires a constant repetition of learned commands and exercises. If you let everything go by chance, the animal simply refuses to fulfill the requirements of its owner. This breed categorically does not suit lazy owners.
• Bulldog representatives do not have a natural sense of fear. If they feel threatened, they may even enter into battle with a large dog. The outcome of such a collision may be the most deplorable for the pet.

The most common bulldogs to date are three varieties - English, French and American. Let us dwell on the description of these and less well-known varieties.

This breed, descended from direct ancestors - Old English bulldogs, was first introduced in the UK. The size of the dog varies from 31 to 40 cm at the withers, body weight - from 22 to 25 kg. English bulldogs are famous for their friendly, but at the same time masterful character, however, with the right training, these dogs are always obedient. Dogs most often start as companions, but can also carry out watchdog functions. English bulldogs live for about 10-12 years, but in practice it is very rare to find animals that have crossed the 8-year age limit. The main cause of the incidence of such dogs are cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Color can be different - gray-brindle, brindle with white, black, red, beige or red. There is an opinion that these dogs are very lazy - so slowly they carry out the commands and requirements of their owner. In fact, this is not true - the dogs simply carefully consider the order before proceeding with its implementation.

For a long time, breeders and geneticists have been active in leveling the classically features of the Old English dog - and their efforts were crowned with success. but At the end of the last century, the American D. Levitt was able to recreate the Old English Bulldog using dogs of several fighting breeds.. This is how an animal appeared that has typical “root” features of boules, and this concerns not only the appearance of the animal, but also character traits. These dogs are currently not widespread, but are of interest to some categories of breeders. Growth at the withers is 38–48 cm, body weight ranges from 20 to 40 kg. These are aggressive and rather fearless tetrapods that are used as security dogs. Colors can be monophonic and spotty - fawn, variegated, white with spots of beige.

French bulldogs today are one of the most popular breeds in the world. Dog breeders are literally fascinated by the good-natured character of the pet and its funny appearance. This animal gets along well with children and pets, is loyal to its owner and unpretentious in care. The height of the body at the withers is 25–35 cm, body weight is small - from 8 to 15 kg. Most often they are acquired as companion dogs. These animals are easy to distinguish from all other bulldogs at a very young age - they have a pretty cute and funny shape of the ears, which makes them a bit like a bat. Among the French there are dwarf representatives.

The breed was first introduced in the United States. American bulldogs are quite large dogs, whose height reaches 70 cm, and body weight is 28-58 kg. Most often, these dogs are used as companions, but loyalty, energy and the desire for dominance make them excellent watchmen. The appearance of the dogs itself speaks of their ability to fend for themselves, and also recalls the fighting qualities of their distant ancestors, who became famous for fighting huge bulls and wild bears. Of course, these are not the same dogs - they have less strength, and the character is softer, but nevertheless their body is solid cast muscles, and under a meek look hides a confident and unshakable character. It differs from other boules of the American dog by the absence of folds on the muzzle in puppyhood - they appear already as the pet grows older.

This endangered bulldog species native to Switzerland was the product of the crossbreeding of Old English and New English Bulldogs. Growth at the withers reaches 46 cm, and body weight ranges from 22 to 30 kg. Animals are notable for their attention and friendliness, therefore they are most often used as a companion dog. Continental boules were in the position of a baby abandoned by their parents.In the past, FCI representatives initiated the breeding of a new breed and took an active part in its formation, but subsequently they refused to recognize the new variety of boules officially, so their continental representative would seem to be a bulldog, but at the same time not. Fortunately, this did not stop fans of the new kind of pets from creating their own club.

These energetic, loyal, but vicious dogs come from America. Growth at the withers varies from 48 to 66 cm, body weight - from 28 to 45 kg. Alapah is the rarest breed of boulder, which today is almost completely extinct, all over the world there are no more than 150 representatives of breeds. Despite their typically American appearance, these dogs originate from Old English boules. Despite the fact that outwardly these dogs look calm and balanced, nevertheless they are powerful and very aggressive tetrapods, they can be kept exclusively behind a fence, and they can be walked in a muzzle and on a leash.

These are Spanish boules, which grow to 58 cm, while their body weight reaches 40 kg. Loyal, loyal and calm dogs, which are most often used as companions, less often - as watch dogs. Alano is a very large dog with a very powerful head. The ancestors of these dogs were Alans - ideal four-legged warriors, horse watchmen and human guards, they gave the name to the breed. At one time, they were bred to participate in dog fights traditional for this country. Today, the Spanish bull is a smart and balanced dog, while it is very beautiful and rare.

This is a native of Brazil up to 58 cm tall and weighing up to 45 kg. Dogs can be used as shepherds and guards, they are calm and pleasant. The ancestors of the Campeiro were Old English bulldogs, who were introduced to Brazil by settlers in the 16th century, where they began to interbreed with local breeds of dogs to create the perfect shepherd dog. Typically, these animals worked collectively and coped with cattle, which often strove to escape from the herd. A distinctive feature of the Brazilian bull is its exceptional endurance, the dog can run for a long time without showing any signs of fatigue. Campaigniro owners are treated with trepidation and devotion.

Another variety of American boulevards is very large dogs: their height at the withers is 62–65 cm, and their mass reaches 45 cm. The katahuls were bred near the American lake Katahula, from where they got their name. The aim of the breeders was to breed bulldogs of exceptional beauty, for this an English bulldog was crossed with a leopard dog, the first parent being an ideal shepherd, but he was unable to catch game, and the second, on the contrary, enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as an excellent catcher. The result of breeding work was a large, aggressive dog with excellent hunting skills and very powerful jaws. A distinctive feature of these dogs are blue or amber eyes, few other representatives of the canine family boast an equally spectacular appearance. However, outside the United States, this breed is almost unknown.

First of all, before buying a bulldog puppy It is necessary to determine the class of the animal.

• Puppies pet class. As a rule, in terms of their basic breed characteristics, these animals must comply with officially accepted standards, but they may have one or more defects associated with the appearance of the dog and not affect its health.Usually this is the wrong color of the coat, lips or nose, insufficient quality of the coat, cryptorchidism or malocclusion. Such puppies can appear even from the most eminent parents - immediately after birth they are subject to mandatory “actiating”, after which they mark “not for breeding” in their documents. Having become the owner of such a pet, you will not be able to participate in exhibitions and contests, your dog will not be involved in the breeding of new litters, but this will not prevent her from being a reliable and loyal friend, a good guard and a smart companion.
• Brid puppies. These animals meet all pedigree traits and do not have any defects, therefore they can take part in breeding. Usually this category includes males and females who receive “good” and “excellent” marks at shows.
• Puppies show class. These are the best representatives of the bulldogs, which differ in the most excellent pedigree characteristics in the exterior. Such pets invariably become the pride of their breeders, they are recognized as prize-winners of exhibitions of various levels and therefore deservedly belong to the breed's elite.

It is necessary to determine in advance the gender of the chosen dog. Usually, males of bulldogs are larger and more powerful than females, so at exhibitions they always look better. The advantages of the dog include the absence of leaks, and, consequently, the problems that invariably accompany pregnancy and childbirth of the animal. However, males have flaws - they often and very abundantly mark their territory, often run away from their owners during a walk, if they notice a bitch with estrus, and in addition, seeing a potential rival, they can show unexpected aggression. Bitches are more attached to their owners, females are better suited to training and education, and also never tend to dominate, so they easily get along with other domestic animals. At the same time, they give their owners a lot of trouble during estrus, as well as in the process of carrying puppies, childbirth and subsequent feeding.

An important criterion is the age of the purchased pet. Puppies are cheaper for up to a month and a half, because the breeder by this time has not yet incurred any tangible expenses for feeding and keeping him. But at this age, the animal is confirmed by many diseases, in addition, it is not socialized enough. If you have experience with dogs, you can buy a bull at the age of 1.5–3 months, if you are an inexperienced breeder, it is better to take a dog older than 3 months. Experienced dog breeders prefer to take a six-month-old bulldog - at this time it is already possible to fully evaluate the exterior of the animal and the features of its character.

And of course, you should choose only a healthy puppy that is devoid of any hereditary diseases. Therefore, when choosing a pet, you should pay attention to such pet parameters as:

• the presence of a shiny and smooth coat;
• the presence of a light fat layer on the abdomen;
• lack of inflammation and skin rash;
• the same color of the iris;
• lack of bloating in the abdominal region;
• clean eyes and ears, no discharge;
• lack of unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• the mucous membrane of the mouth is light pink, but not too pale.

When choosing a name for your bulldog, it is very important to choose a nickname that the owner can easily pronounce. So, for the boy, the nicknames most often are called Archie, Bike, Butler, Nick, Butch, Fred, Jack, Rudy, Oliver, Luke, Harold, Adrian, Toby, Chester, Tiberius, Olympus, Murphy, James, Tim, Diesel, Tyson, Walter, Alvin. And among the girls, the names of Penny, Grett, Tiara, Miley, Elsa, Jules, Amber, Hanni, Beta, Assol, Fiona, Goldie, Sally, Doxy and others are most popular.

Before buying a bulldog, first of all, it is necessary to prepare a “budar” for him, in which he will be able to relax and feel completely safe. Requirements for the conditions of the puppy are simple and are as follows:

• the room should be dry and bright, with a minimum number of pieces of furniture;
• scattering of sharp metal objects and the presence of furniture with sharp edges is not allowed;
• it’s best to place a dog bed in a corner, it is not allowed to place the animal near the battery and in places where drafts often occur:
• be sure to hide all cables and electrical wires;
• try to eliminate or at least minimize any sharp noises, for example, from slamming doors or working equipment.

Keep in mind that the bul will show enviable persistence in trying to climb onto your sofa - these creeps need to be nipped in the bud, otherwise you will have to share your bed with the impudent pet. It is very important to stock up on toys for dogs in advance. The fact is that the bulldog loves to “rattle” housekeeping shoes, legs of tables and chairs, if you do not provide your pet with everything you need, then be prepared for the fact that spoiled slippers and furniture will be waiting for you every day.

Buli by their nature are predisposed to pathologies of the spine, therefore, before the dog reaches 6 months of age, you can not allow him to run along the steps. If you notice that your four-legged friend is tired, then grab it in your hands or put it in a bag. It is better to walk bulldogs in a secluded place - appearing in parks, squares or near playgrounds is allowed exclusively in a muzzle and on a leash. It is allowed to walk the dog in bad weather - during rain or snow, but in order for such movements to be more pleasant and not cause colds, it is necessary to use overalls and special shoes. The most caring breeders also protect the ears of their pets by putting on hand or machine knitted hats - this is not always pleasing to dogs, but it keeps their ears healthy. All bulldogs need to be vaccinated in a timely manner against the most common infections - hepatitis, plague, rabies, leptospirosis, parvovirus enteritis and adenovirus.

Any bulldog puppy needs to be accustomed to unfamiliar products - do not follow the pet’s lead if he refuses to eat the food offered to him, and immediately try to change the contents of the bowl, otherwise this manipulator will quickly understand that the owner takes into account all his whims and will constantly demand more delicious dishes. For feeding, a certain area is allocated in the room. It is necessary to purchase two low cylindrical feeders in advance - one is filled with food, and the second with drinking water.

The organization of the bulldog nutrition system has the following taboos:

• it is forbidden to use glassware, since the animal can accidentally split it and get injured;
• you can’t put a cup of wood, as a bul is an amateur to nibble, he will certainly try it “by the tooth”;
• Do not buy bowls with a spherical bottom, as the animal can easily knock them over;
• the size of the cups should be appropriate for age - you should not buy a bowl "for growth", in this case the puppies begin to smear food on the bottom and make an unpleasant habit of climbing into a cup with legs;
• Do not teach the dog to feed from the owner’s hand - such a feed will simply spoil your bull;
• after feeding, immediately throw out the leftover food, do not offer your pet snacks - the animal must have strict nutritional discipline;
• the promotion of theft and begging is not allowed.

First of all, the breeder must decide for himself the question of the type of feeding. Bulldogs can be fed with dry food or naturalka. Natural food is preferable, but in this case, the owner will have to spend a lot of time buying the right products and preparing balanced dishes. Dry feed significantly saves the time and effort of the breeder, in addition, they are enriched with vitamins and minerals, so they do not require the use of special additives in the feed.

The negative aspects of the finished feed can also be attributed to a small selection of tastes, although veterinarians unanimously assure that the vast majority of dogs, including boules, do not need variety in food, and even certain species of animals are harmful. When buying feed, preference should be given to products not lower than the super-premium class, it is not worthwhile to purchase formulations a level lower. The fact is that boules, due to their health, are far from in a high place, it is not worth aggravating the situation with poor-quality nutrition. Natural feeding is considered more nutritious for bulldogs. The pet ration should consist of meat at 70%, the following products fall to the share of the remaining 30%:

• cereals;
• eggs
• lactic acid products;
• vegetables and unsweetened fruits;
• fresh greens.

The amount of feed is calculated based on a ratio such as:

• puppies up to 1 year old require about 59 g of natural food per kilogram of weight;
• an adult dog consumes 250 g per day.

The meat must be low-fat - beef or veal is best. It is optimal to give the product in its raw form, after having previously stood in the freezer for several days to destroy the pathogenic microflora. If your pet refuses to eat a raw product, then you can pour meat with boiling water before serving - this will eliminate the smell of blood, but at the same time retain all the necessary micro and macro components. Twice a week, it is allowed to replace meat with high-quality offal - bulldogs are suitable for the liver, heart, udder and kidneys, it is better to include them in pre-cooked mixes.

It is not recommended to give bones to the bulldog, but to feed your pet cartilage from time to time is not forbidden. It will be useful to buy refreshments from pressed veins in pet stores - dogs gnaw with great pleasure, thereby contributing to the training of the jaws and getting rid of tartar. Groats for boules are boiled in water, it is best to use rice and buckwheat, seasoned with vegetable oil and finely chopped greens before serving. From early childhood, puppies should be accustomed to lactic acid products, as they have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Young puppies are given fat-free cottage cheese (it is best to cook it yourself), older dogs can include kefir or yogurt in the diet.

Boiled eggs should be added to the diet a couple of times a week. Keep in mind that a whole egg can only be given boiled.If you offer the animal raw eggs, then only yolks should be included in the mixes. Vegetables and fruits are considered an important part of the bulldog’s menu, but if the latter, these fastidious dogs eat with great desire, then there can be problems with vegetables. It is best to pre-stew them and add a spoonful of sour cream before serving.

The number of feeds depends on the age of the dog, namely:

• babies up to 2 months of age require meals 6 times a day with an interval between each meal not exceeding 3 hours (night time is excluded);
• in 2-3 months, a young bull can feed already 5 times;
• from 4 to 7 months a puppy of this breed gradually needs to switch to four times feeding;
• from 8 to 12 months, babies are reduced in number of meals to three;
• By the year the pet can be transferred to an adult mode - 2 times a day, in the mornings and evenings.

Bulldogs are breeds that do not require specialized care. These animals have rather short hair, which should be combed several times a week, and the simplest comb is suitable for this. During molting, comb out dead hair more often, preferably every day. They bathe these animals 3-4 times a year as they become soiled. It is best to use specialized shampoos for dogs with sensitive skin. For the rest of the time, dirt acquired during walks is removed by simple rinsing in clean water or removed with wet wipes.

Once a month, dogs need to cut their claws - this applies only to those animals that walk on soft lawns. If the animal moves on a solid base, then its claws grind on their own. Particular attention should be paid to the ears - it is necessary to regularly clean them from sulfur secretionshaving instilled a preliminary vegetable oil - after waiting a few minutes, the inner surface of the auricle should be wiped with a cotton pad dipped in a solution of boric acid. It is very important to maintain cleanliness of the eyes - they should be without secretions, if they appear, they are removed with cotton wool moistened with chamomile infusion. At least once every 7-10 days, bulldogs brush their teeth. In animal care, special attention should be paid to antiparasitic treatment and deworming.

As soon as the bull crosses the threshold of its new housing, you must immediately let him know which of you is the main one in the house and whose instructions he will have to obey. In order for the puppy to correctly interpret your actions, no more than 15 seconds must pass between an undesirable misconduct and your reaction to it, otherwise the animal simply does not realize its fault. Behavior - praise and give treats, but for bad - raise your voice (however, go to the cry is also not recommended). Keep in mind that you need to praise your pet more often than scolding.

Dog handlers agree that between the carrot and the stick in the education of the bulldogs, the decisive word should belong to the stick. To do this, use delicacy and praise. By the way, refreshments should be changed from time to time, because monotony loses its value for a bull. Dogs should be praised in a calm voice, be sure to accompany stroking on the back.When the bulldogs are 4 months old, you can start training them - usually the most standard commands are given to the animal.

In general, the reviews of the breeders about the bulldogs are the most positive. Unlike their long-standing ancestors, these modern breed representatives do not show aggression, they demonstrate love and devotion to the owner and members of his family, they can be left with children, in addition, bulldogs get along well with other pets. The owners of these dogs are very pleased with the simple care, which boils down to the most standard procedures. - combing, cutting nails, processing ears and eyes. Despite the physical strength and power, these animals can not be called active - they are ready to sleep for days on end, the pets tolerate loneliness perfectly, so the breed is suitable even for busy people who are rarely at home.

See the following video about the features of the bulldog breed.