English Bulldog
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Despite their origin of being ferocious fighting dogs, English Bulldogs are one the most gentle and loving dog breeds out there. They are an incredible family dog and also a great option if you’re a novice dog owner. Their very favorite thing to do is to lay on the couch next to their owner and take a long nap, so getting them to exercise is not always the easiest thing to do but it is completely necessary.
They have an unmistakable appearance; between a flat smushed nose, their loose wrinkly skin on their head, and their drooping chops, you’ll know when you see a bulldog! They are wide and muscular, and despite being smaller dogs, they can weigh up to 50 pounds. Bulldogs have massive jaws, to go with their large head. Unfortunately because of their large heads and unique bodies, they have a tendency towards a myriad of health issues and are prone to being overweight.
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More About The Breed
Despite their origin of being ferocious fighting dogs, English Bulldogs are one the most gentle and loving dog breeds out there. They are an incredible family dog and also a great option if you’re a novice dog owner. Their very favorite thing to do is to lay on the couch next to their owner and take a long nap, so getting them to exercise is not always the easiest thing to do but it is completely necessary.
They have an unmistakable appearance; between a flat smushed nose, their loose wrinkly skin on their head, and their drooping chops, you’ll know when you see a bulldog! They are wide and muscular, and despite being smaller dogs, they can weigh up to 50 pounds. Bulldogs have massive jaws, to go with their large head. Unfortunately because of their large heads and unique bodies, they have a tendency towards a myriad of health issues and are prone to being overweight.
Bulldogs are people pleasers which makes training easier but they are very stubborn dogs and are a bit lacking in intelligence so obedience classes at a young age are very important. They really love to play tug of war so it’s very important to teach them to release when commanded at a young age. Bulldogs also have a habit of being protective over their food so getting them accustomed quickly to people taking food from their food bowl is necessary to avoid any incidents.
This breed is generally agreeable to most environments. Although they easily adapt to a noisy and chaotic household, they are not very tolerant of extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold. They will also greatly appreciate it if you do not leave them alone for extended periods of time, as they are known as a “People Puppy” and crave human interaction.
Their life expectancy is 8-10 but because of their unique shape and generally weak joints, Bulldogs tend towards a wide variety of health issues. Some of these conditions include Demodicosis, Cherry Eye, Dry Eye, Entropion, Brachycephalic Syndrome, Hip Dysplasia, and Patellar luxation. They also love napping and laying around, but because of that they often don’t get the exercise that they need, so frequent walks and long playtimes are needed.
You do not need to be a professional dog trainer to own an English Bulldog. They are good for most novice owners because they are passive by nature.
They have only small grooming needs. If they are brushed 2 or 3 times a week their fur will stay soft and shiny. The wrinkles on the face of a Bulldog need to be checked frequently to make sure there is no food or moisture trapped and causing infection or irritation.
Bulldogs are very relaxed and easy-going dogs and will be happy laying around most of the day, but every once in a while they’ll want to play or go for a walk or run. Taking them on a walk a couple of times is necessary for health reasons as they can easily become overweight.
English Bulldogs are a short stocky breed and only measure 14-15 inches, but in spite of their short body, they often weigh 40-50 pounds.
This dog breed generally lives for 8-12 years.
Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding both owned English Bulldogs.