English Bulldog Breed
Right Choice for You??
Home Raised Puppies CuteBulldogs.com
Be honest with yourself and your future
companion and ask yourself what
you're able and willing to do with your dog, what your lifestyle is, what
your experience is with other dogs, etc.
Consider the following points to find out if a bulldog is right for you:
WHY do you want to get a dog ?
Are you seeking a loyal companion, a guard dog or do you want to start
exploring the many activities you can do as a dog-person, things like dog
showing, agility, obedience, skimming flea markets for collectibles, etc.
?
Bulldogs are real companion dogs. They are happiest when they live indoors
with their owner and share every part of his daily activities. If you want
a dog to keep you and your family company and if you have the room and the
time to fit him within your home and schedule, a bulldog is an excellent
choice.
As to their guard dog abilities, Bulldogs are certainly not the first
breed that comes to one's mind when one wants a true guard dog.
Nevertheless, many English bulldogs do show great courage in protecting
their owners and family and their appearance alone often is enough of a
deterrent to scare off any would-be intruders. This notwithstanding, if
you are looking for a good guard dog or a good watch dog, you may want to
consider another breed. See our page about guard dog breeds.
Having a bulldog may soon grow into a real hobby, whether through the
research of all possible information about the breed and collectibles
related to your favorite breed or by entering the world of show dogs. If
you don't like people who seem obsessed by their dog, this may be not the
right breed for you, because chances are high that you will become just
like them ! Join the club !
WHAT characteristics do you expect in your dog ?
Think of which words first come to your mind. Is it being independent,
energetic, active, obedient, affectionate, protective, quiet, funny or
sociable? And see from the different articles about the characteristics,
needs and breed description if the bulldog's character and temperament
fits these words.
If you'd like an active dog, for example, to go for long walks or motivate
you to go jogging or cycling, a bulldog is probably not the right breed.
Bulldogs do need some exercise at regular intervals but they are very
intolerant to excessive exercise. If you are going running, just leave
your bulldog at home ! Otherwise, if you go for a walk in the park or on
the beach your bulldog will love to go for a short walk with you.
Also, if you want an obedient dog who will jump at your every command,
don't get a bulldog !
Bulldogs have the tendency to examine every command you give them before
deciding whether this is a worthwhile thing to do or not. It is a common
misconception that bulldogs are not intelligent or can not be trained. On
the contrary, they are usually very intelligent and have lots of common
sense. If they have a smaller child or puppy under their custody they will
also amaze you by their sense of responsibility. However, it is true that
they do not 'blindly' obey but seem to evaluate your suggestions against
their own value system. This is one of the typical bulldog characteristics
that bulldog fanciers love about this breed, but it is also the kind of
behavior that dominant personalities may not except. If this is your case,
don't get a bulldog !
WHERE will the dog be during the day ?
Bulldogs should live inside and should never be left alone outside for
longer periods of time. If you live in an apartment, your dog will need
to have regular exercise. Bulldogs can usually not restrain themselves for
very long periods of time (10 to 12 hours is REALLY too much !) This can
lead to destructive behaviors as well as loss of housetraining as the end
result. Leaving your bulldog outside in a fenced yard is risky, not only
for your bulldog's health (humidity, cold, heat, sun) but also because
bulldogs are a sought after breed and may be the object of theft.
HOW MUCH time can you spend with your dog each day ?
Some dog breeds thrive better alone than others. Bulldogs are not really a
demanding breed or time-consuming breed, but when left alone for longer
periods of time they get bored and may then become very destructive as a
result. They really need the physical and mental stimulation you can give
them while spending time with them. They do not typically beg for your
attention, like some other dog breeds, they just want to be around you and
will tranquilly sleep at your feet even when your are busy doing something
else. If you have a very busy schedule and only return home to sleep,
don't buy a bulldog (and may be reconsider your decision to get a dog
altogether !)
What is your tolerance for dirt and noise ?
Bulldogs do not bark much as compared to some other small and medium-sized
breeds, so they are considered a relatively silent breed, certainly not a
yappy breed. In fact, they only bark when it is really necessary, when
someone knocks on the door or whenever they are confronted with someone or
something they are unfamiliar with. It is not unusual for them to bark
when something is not at its usual place in the house: they love order and
routine.
Like most short-nosed dog breeds, bulldogs snore when they sleep. If you
live in a studio apartment and you are very sensitive to noise during your
sleep this may constitute a problem.
If you are fanatical about cleanliness, you should know that bulldogs are
a flat-faced breed, which means that when they drink water or eat they
must lay their lips in their bowls. This will inevitably lead to dribble
trails and food rests across the floor.
Like all short coated breeds of dogs, bulldogs shed as well. Regular
grooming and brushing can help reduce the amount of hair winding up on
your clothes, coach and carpets, though.
However, if you are looking for a dog who does not shed at all, the
so-called 'naked' or hairless dog breeds could be a better option.
If the Bulldog Breed is for you Check
CUTEBULLDOGS.com
General information pertaining to a Bulldog
and information to be aware of, and what to expect.
Health Guarantee’s cover Major Life threatening issues ONLY.
They do NOT cover Common known problems with the pure breed English Bulldog.
The bulldog is a stocky breed, with a compact body and short, sturdy limbs.
The bulldog shape results in a peculiarly unique gait.
Bulldogs are known for their short muzzles and the saggy skin on the bulldog's
faces,
creating the apparent "frown" that has become a trademark of the bulldog.
Bulldogs come in a variety of colors and ideally have a smooth, short coat.
The only disqualifier for the bulldog in the show ring is a liver colored nose;
however a black-coated
Bulldog is also not preferred. The size of a typical mature male bulldog is
about 55-80 pounds; that for mature female bulldogs is about 45-65 pounds.
Temperament and Characteristics: The temperament of the Bulldog is generally
docile and friendly but are known to be fiercely loyal.
Bulldog breeders have worked to breed aggression out of the breed, and as such
the bulldog is known to be of generally good temperament.
Bulldogs can be so attached to home and family that they will not venture out of
the yard without a human companion.
Due to the bulldog's friendly nature bulldogs are known for getting along well
with children, other breeds of dog and any house-broken pet in general.
A bulldog is suitable for houses as well as apartments due to the bulldog's size
and
comparative lack of energy, but puppies may be destructive until they reach
maturity.
Health: The bulldog is prone to some health issues but no more so than most
other pure breed dogs.
Breathing issues can be prevalent with the bulldog due to the shape of the lower
jaw and the shortness of muzzle and nasal passages.
bulldogs are known to snore. Other problems can include cherry eye, certain
allergies and amongst older bulldogs, hip issues.
Because of the large heads in proportion to body size, puppies are frequently
delivered by Caesarean section
as they can get stuck in the birth canal during natural birth; it is
uncommon for a bulldog
bitch to whelp naturally and successfully. Bulldogs require cleaning of their
face folds to avoid unwanted
infections caused by moisture accumulation. Teeth brushing with a regular human
soft toothbrush
using a vet approved toothpaste is also recommended. Like all dogs,
Bulldogs require daily exercise.
If not properly exercised the bulldog could gain weight, which could cause
health problems relating to the lungs and heart.
Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to heat and great care should be given to the
bulldog during overly warm periods.
During these times, ensure the bulldog has plenty of shade, water and should be
kept out of standing heat.
As the breed has developed, the tail in some bulldogs can be tight to the body
and can cause infection if not treated or cleaned underneath regularly.