English Bulldog
Origin
The origin of this handsome dog is a bit controversial. Some say that the Bulldog is a parent of the Bull Mastiff and others say the Bulldog is a cross breed of the large mastiff and the pug dog. One of the earliest books written about dogs was 1576. The author Dr. Caius did not mention the English Bulldog by name. He did however mention the "mastive" as a stubborn, ugly, huge, eager dog, having a heavy body. (don't tell this to the many people that think bulldogs are absolutely adorable.) What most historians do agree on is that Bulldogs were used to bait the bull. (If you have a queasy stomach I recommend not reading any further).
The English Bulldog was used to guard and control the bulls before slaughtering. The bulldog would get low under the horns and try to grab the bulls ring in his nose. Or grab the bull by the ear. Since the nose was a tender area the bull would try desperately to "shake the dog off." (this would in turn tenderize the bull meat) Baited bull meat would be more tender and nutritious. If a butcher sold bull meat that had not been baited, he was liable to get a penalty. This dreadful act was also a popular sport in the middle ages for Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.
Appearance
The English Bulldog has one of those faces only a mother could love. Its short floppy ears, and very long padded lips make them look somewhat like a clown. Most English Bulldogs have an under bite, that supposedly was bred into them for the bull baiting. It was easier to grab the bulls ring with this under bite. They have a smooth coat, that sheds frequently. They have short stocky bodies and wide chests, with short legs. Because of the body weight, versus leg size, they are known to be bad swimmers. Bulldogs have a variety of health problems. This is a downloadable ebook titled. English Bulldog health.
Male and Female alike run from 12-15 inches high and weigh on the average 50lbs. Although I have seen some males that weigh up to 80lbs.
Temperament
English Bulldogs are a little rambunctious as puppies but they grow up to be calm adults. They are great with kids and tend to have mellow personalities with plenty of patience. They are silly but sometimes stubborn.
Grooming
Regular brushing should be done, as English Bulldogs do shed a lot. Also, this breed is very prone to skin allergies. A nice hypoallergenic shampoo can help keep his skin feeling and looking good. The folds on his face and under his tail, should be cleaned with soap and water weekly, as this area is prone to infections if not cleaned regularly. Oh and did I mention the smell? Open a bag of Fritos and put your nose inside. Now inhale. You have just smelled a bulldog. So, bathing him at least every 3 weeks is a good idea. But, be sure not to dry out his skin as he is very sensitive.
Exercise
This dog would prefer to lay on the couch with the remote control in his paw all day and night. They are pretty lazy and prefer little or no exercise. Be careful not to overfeed him, as he tends to get fat do to laziness, and most likely loves to eat! A short walk daily would be great, but do not overheat him. He does not do well in hot weather. He should be an inside dog, as he is not suited for very hot, or very cold with his short coat.
Summary
English Bulldogs are not for everyone. But, this guy can steal your heart. If you don't mind slobber, shedding, pig noises, snoring and a little stubbornness in exchange for unconditional love and a good laugh daily then a Bulldog is for you. If you are a clean freak, and a dog obedience enthusiast you might want to stay away from this stubborn guy and maybe get yourself a Chihuahua.
For more information on the English Bulldog please read English Bulldog Health, a comprehensive guide.