By Heidi Clayton
One of the most recognizable breeds in the world is the English bulldog. Known for being the mascot of Mack Trucks and the Marine Corps, the bulldog can be traced back as early as the year 1210 in England. While no longer used for their original purpose, they have maintained their classic looks for decades. In my opinion, bulldogs make an absolutely wonderful pet for those looking for a fun but maybe not overly active breed.
The bulldog got its name from its rather gruesome history of being used to fight bulls. Bull baiting was a popular sport in England that involved a bull being tied to a chain or stake and then having to fight the dog during which bets were placed on who would win. The bulldogs’ looks were based on breeding a dog whose every physical attribute was designed to survive a fight with a bull. The powerful underjaw and the low brow were developed to get maximum gripping power on the bull.
When bull baiting was finally outlawed in England in 1835, bulldogs faced extinction as dog fighting became the next big thing and leaner dogs were sought, leaving little use for dogs that could take a kick from a bull. Those who loved bulldogs decided that they would breed these dogs for a different purpose while maintaining their classic look. Breeders focused on breeding bulldogs with the temperament to be a pet while maintaining the physical traits they were known for. The Bulldog Club of England was established in 1875 and created a breed standard that exists to this day.
The Bulldog Club of America has gone to great lengths to identify the health issues that were being found in the dogs. The modern bulldog has benefited tremendously from the use of genetic health testing. Bulldogs are living longer and healthier lives than their predecessors. When looking to purchase a bulldog, it is of utmost importance that you find a reputable breeder that does genetic health testing and avoids fads that affect health.
The Bulldog Club recommends finding a breeder that has a color EKG done on hearts, X-rays done by a board certified orthopedic surgeon to ensure that the breeding stock doesn’t have luxating patellas, and that has tested for tracheal hypoplasia, which is a narrowing of the windpipe.
You will also want to avoid extremes or fads in bulldogs. While the standard does state that “the elbows should be low and stand well out and loose from the body,” the bowing should not be extreme. Their front leg bones should be straight. Extreme bowing or twisted legs make it difficult for the dogs to walk. Remember that the people who strived to save the bulldog from extinction at one time used them to fight bulls, and deformed front legs could not fight bulls.
While it is true that bulldogs don’t do well in the heat, they can breathe correctly. Breathing issues arise when they are bred for the look of excessive wrinkling on the face. The Bulldog Club requires bulldog noses to have large well-defined nostrils and not have trendy overly smushed faces with excessive wrinkles.
Finally, the bulldog only comes in four colors: red, white, fawn, and light brown. Acceptable patterns on those coats are brindle, piebald, and light ticking. Merle is not a color that occurs in bulldogs. If you have a merle bulldog, you do not have a purebred bulldog. That is also true for a bulldog with blue eyes.
I really enjoy all of the bulldogs I know. The breed was saved from extinction by literally being bred to be pets. They are funny and easy-going dogs. If you might not want to go on 5-mile walks every day, the bulldog might just be for you.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net.
Heidi Clayton started Four On the Floor Dog Training to provide positive, reward-based dog training in South Jersey. She breeds, trains and shows bull terriers under the SoraBully’s Bull Terriers kennel name. Email questions to heidi@fouronthefloordogtraining.net or learn more at https://fouronthefloordogtraining.net
