FIVE GREAT ARTICLES ABOUT ENGLISH BULLDOGS
The English Bulldog - Traits to Look For
There is much debate about how we came to know the Bulldog, the predecessor to today's English and French Bulldogs. Many canine historians believe it is the result of cross breeding a Pug with a Bullmastiff. Indeed, we can see similarities in an English Bulldog's "smashed in muzzle" to that of the beloved Pug. We can also see a close resemblance between today's Bulldogs and Bullmastiffs, especially in their hindquarters.
If you have ever seen a photo of the early bulldogs, they resemble little the English Bulldog we know and love today. Shorter in stature, by nearly half today, what was once a more angled head is now round, wide with a protruding jaw.
Although English Bulldogs have only been recognized as a breed since 1902, they share many common traits with their cousins and grandparents, the Bulldogs. Bulldogs, as they name might imply, were bred to bait bulls in the bullring. Dating back to the mid 1500s in England, people, in their infinite wisdom put bulldogs in the middle of bullfights to entice the bulls into doing what they do, thanks to combination of testosterone and people's need for a show. In the process, these dogs were often pinched, abused and even eviscerated.
Although it would take 300 years, the British eventually outlawed this inhumane act in 1835. This left an entire breed of dogs with no job. Cruel is it sounds, knowing that every dog is bred for a job and now this dog's job has been eliminated, now what?
Loving certain physical traits of the Bulldog, but not the temperament, breeders went to work to create the one we adore today. Indeed, a far kinder version of the ferocious one who held his own against a bull, English Bulldogs are without a doubt, one of the sweetest of breeds.
Although more prone to hip dysplasia, overall, are larger breed dogs, such as German Shepherds, Akitas and Australian Shepherds, the English Bulldog has a chance of developing the hip dysplasia in his lifetime. This can be directly attributable to favoring the shorter, stockier bulldog over the taller version of the 1700 and 1800s.
Hip dysplasia is what happens when the hip socket, called the acetabelum, is malformed, causing the spherical end of the femur to rub against it, because it's no longer fitting in properly. This causes arthritis, which if you've ever suffered from, you know that it's painful.
It's a chronic condition that over time tends to worsen because the more the two bones rub against one another, the more inflamed the point of contact becomes, which results in throbbing discomfort.
There are myriad of treatment options available to both prolong your companion's life and minimize his suffering. From analgesics to acupuncture to surgery, you have many alternatives to consider.
If you are considering getting an English Bulldog, you are thinking about bringing one of the sweetest breeds into your home. While it can be argued that while selectively breeding for a smaller, stockier bulldog of yesteryear, one trait that is indeed favorable is the temperament of the English Bulldog.
English Bulldogs, although small and slow (with quick bursts of short lasting energy), went from one of the more vicious to one of the more docile of breeds. He lives to be right next to you, whether that means on a walk or beside you as you read. Content to be relegated to the floor next to your chair or bed, his mission to feel your love and in return he will love you with everything he has available.
Your English Bulldog is one of the best companions you could ask for. If you have ever seen how gentle they are with kids, there will be no doubt in your mind why he's the 14th most popular breed in the United States.
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English Bulldog Training - 4 Things You Have to Know About English Bulldog Training
One of the many things I've learned throughout my life as a dog trainer and breeder is the intelligence that the English bulldog posses. These are extremely intelligent creatures and are very quick to learn and extra eager to please their owners. It should be said however, that it does take special techniques and the proper knowledge of English bulldog training to get it just right. While there is no possible way to cram everything you need to know about training you're English bulldog into one small article, here are some basic guidelines to follow by:
The first thing you need to know is that the English bulldog is a very smart animal that responds very well to almost any kind of activity that involves him/her having to undergo the problem solving process. However, as smart as this dog is, it does have a tendency to be rather lazy and inactive, so stimulation for this breed needs to occur over a longer period of time in small and short sessions. Anything over 15 minutes and you're English bulldog will probably get too bored and simply walk off.
The second thing you need to note is that because of the English bulldog's tendency to be on the lazy and cozy side of things, it is not a very physically active dog, even though its build might make it appear to be. Of course it is still very important that you throughout the life of the dog, small exercise sessions are put into the English bulldog training routine. This is not just so the dog can expel energy and become more focused for training sessions, but for the dog's health as well.
Thirdly, the English bulldog while lazy can have a dominance streak in its personality; this of course needs to be cured. When training an English bulldog, the owner has to be strong and firm, while always avoiding hitting the animal. While these breed doesn't require an extremely dominate personality in its master, it does need someone who is at least semi-dominate to ensure that the bulldog does not get too out of hand and grows up to be well mannered.
The last, but surely far from least English bulldog training principle that needs to be mentioned is that of proper socialization. This is true for any breed of dog, and far too often do I see it never mentioned and left out of a dogs training routine all together. This principle is far too essential to let it go without a second thought. If you do not properly socialize and dog, it will become overly aggressive and protective towards any other animals or strangers outside of the family he/her knows. This is always a bad characteristic in a dog and can sometimes be a dangerous one. Ensure that you're English bulldog undergoes the correct process for socialization.
Again, these are only 4 very important principles out of very many other important English bulldog training principles. It is my very strong professional recommendation that you seek out more information on English bulldog training for you're pet immediately after this article, there's no reason to wait. This is far to important of a subject to just let it slide by, you're pets health and happiness depends on it!
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English Bulldog
Bulldogs have been used to fight in the past but now they are friendly companion dogs for adults and children alike. Three of the most popular kinds of bulldogs are the American bulldog, French bulldog and the English bulldog.
Origin/History of English bulldog
The English bulldog was originated in the British Isles, a descendant from the ancient Asiatic Isles. It has short legs and wide, medium sized body. Although its appearance can be intimidating, yet it is one of the gentlest dogs. It has been so popular since 1800 as an excellent and devoted pet.
It is chosen as a symbol of a nation and chosen as an emblem by organizations by some individuals worldwide. The original purpose in breeding this animal is to help butchers in controlling violent and unruly oxen and to act as guard dog during hunting while showing its tough looking appearance. The name Bulldog comes from the word "Bull" because of its use in "Bull Bating" and that resembles a little bull too. This breed was very popular among noblemen and royalty.
Characteristics
English bulldog has a big head and a short snout. Because of its low energy, this dog enjoys lounging around the house in the company of the human family that makes it an admirable and a lovable pet especially with children. Due to its placid nature, bulldog can tolerate being prodded by children without being annoyed. It is described as affectionate and very dependable animal. Developing a relationship with a bulldog is easy due to its adaptable and loyal nature. It is a dog breed of extreme excellence despite of its stubborn nature due to its very docile characteristic.
This breed loves to chew on anything so it is advisable to provide the breed with chew toys to prevent destruction. It is very difficult to train bulldogs due to its lazy nature and stubbornness despite of its intelligence. The character and personality of this kind of breed is misunderstood by many people.
Life Span
The life expectancy of a bulldog is at an average of 8 years. Some have shorter lives while some live longer.
Character/Life Preservation
In order to preserve the splendid qualities and eliminate the undesirable characters of bulldog, dog lovers now applied scientific breeding that brought about the fine appearance and character of an English bulldog which anyone can now regard and exhibit it with pride.
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10 Things to Consider When Buying an English Bulldog
Many people enjoy owning dogs. Whether it's because they grew up with them, need them for work and/or protection or just want something cute to hold and love. Whatever the reason may be, there comes a time when you must decide (if you haven't decided already) on which breed of dog you would like to own. Bulldogs are a very popular choice among dog lovers. People choose the bulldog for a variety of reasons. They can be big cute teddy bears. They can serve as good protection. They are great family dogs and there are many types of Bulldogs to choose from as well. Among these types are English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, American Bulldogs and a few other rare Bulldog variations. Once you have decided on which breed of bulldog you want, how do you determine then exactly which bulldog to buy?
For instance, say you have decided that you would like to buy an English Bulldog; here are some things to consider before making your purchase.
1. Body Type: There are many types of bulldog shapes ranging from stout to blimpy. Some are low to the ground. Some have skinny legs. There are even a huge variety of head shapes to choose from. If you don't know which shape bulldog you want, the best thing that you can do is to check the AKC standard and try to pick out the one that most resembles it, but then again some people want their bulldogs to have something slightly unique about them.
2. Size: How big do you want your bulldog to be? Do you want the runt of the bunch or the big daddy of the group? When you see a bulldog you like, ask the owner how much the bulldog weighs and look for bulldogs who's mothers and fathers are in that range. A bulldog's weight range is wider than in most other breeds.
3. Color and Spotting: What color bulldog do you want? An all tan one, a white one with a spot on the tail, half and half or a grey or brown one? This is sometimes the most important decision a potential owner has to make, for aesthetics is almost everything nowadays. Although when you start looking at all of the cute little bulldog pups, you start to not to really care what color they are and appreciate each one's uniqueness.
4. Sex (male or female): Do you want a little girl bulldog pup or a bully boy? Rumor has it that girls are easier to train and that boys have less emotional issues. Then again they're just rumors.
5. Bloodline: How important is it to you to have a dog with historic bloodlines filled with purebreds and champions? It is best to look for full AKC registered English Bulldogs with parents that have championed at dog shows. When a dog has championed, he has proven to enough judges that he is close to the original bulldog standards and is ideal for breeding to keep the awesome breed alive. When you buy a dog with no papers, there's a good chance that the dog isn't a purebred bulldog and could be contaminating the bloodlines.
6. Breeders: What do you know about the breeders? Did they breed the dogs too early? Have they bred bulldogs before? Are they reputable? Are they a puppy mill? Are they a typical American family? Are they breeding to make a profit or are they breeding because they love the breed and aim to make the best English bulldogs they can? This is sometimes the most important thing to consider, for where your dog comes from can go a long way towards a right or wrong direction.
7. Healthy: Of course, we want a happy and healthy bulldog. But how can you tell how healthy your bulldog is going to be? This goes back to who's the breeder. Are the puppies going to be vet checked and up to date on their shots? Ensure that your bulldog is up-to-date on its shots and if possible ask to see the doctor files of the puppy's parents.
8. Shipping: Are you ok with your bulldog flying in a plane for a few hours and meeting you at the airport? If so, then communicating with the right breeders is of tremendous importance. The breeders may ask you a million questions because they'll be "shipping" their little puppy to you. That just shows that they care. Some care so much that they purposely don't ship during some parts of the year, in particular the summer months, because it can be too hot for the little guys. Most people prefer to see and hold their puppies before making the final purchase. That is the traditional way and probably the securest way of ensuring you get the dog of your dreams.
9. Age: How old should the puppy be before you bring him home? Many scientists and breeders fight over the best time to separate the puppy from his or her family. Regardless of what they say, a puppy should remain with its mom for at least 8 weeks to feed. However, 12 weeks is probably best because that 3rd month is when they can learn a lot from their parents on how to be a dog in a human world. Think about the puppy and the rest of its life and try to avoid being so anxious to get him or her that you rush things. Patience is a virtue.
10. Are You Ready to Be An Owner? Before making the final decision to get a dog you must really ask yourself, do I really want an English Bulldog or even a dog at all? This is a huge question to ask yourself.
When you buy a dog, you are saying;
I am willing to devote my life to making sure that the life of this creature is happy and healthy.
I am willing to clean up poop and pee several times a day.
I am willing to take the chance that my dog will wreck my home.
I am willing to set aside a monthly budget for the next 10 years for my dog's vet bills and food.
I am responsible for how my dog interacts with other dogs and people.
Having a dog is a big responsibility that some people overlook because they are too caught up in the "cuteness" of the puppy. Before you buy a dog, think about the possibility of one day having to move and having to get rid of your dog and putting him or her into a shelter. If you feel that there's any possibility of that happening within the next 10 years, don't even take the chance of giving that dog a life that could possibly end with being put to sleep. I don't mean to finish off on a bad note but there are many puppies being put to sleep everyday because owners don't fully think about providing a forever home to their puppies. So please, think before you buy.
So now you have it, 10 things to consider when buying a bulldog. Now go find that bulldog you've always wanted and give it the wonderful life it deserves!
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James Harrison is an expert SEO specialist from San Diego, CA with 2 french bulldogs of his own. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Harrison |
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Information About English Bulldogs
Since the 1800's the English Bulldog has been extremely popular since, despite their stubborn nature, they are actually a very docile breed. At one time the breed was encouraged to display their ferocious and courageous traits, but now they are a member of the non-sporting group and make an excellent devoted family pet. The earliest reference to an English Bulldog was found in literature from 1609.
As of the year 2007 the English Bulldog made it on the list of the top ten dog breeds. The English Bulldog was originally bred for the purpose of helping butchers control unruly oxen, as a guard dog and as a hunting companion. The name of the breed actually comes from when they were used to fight the bull in a sport called baiting which was outlawed in 1835. In the year 1976, the English Bulldog was finally accepted as a member of the American Kennel Club. There is much to consider when it comes to this complex dog breed.
The English Bulldog will do fine in apartments as long as you take them outside for the occasional walk or trip to the park. The breed isn't too keen on exercise because of their low energy so they don't require a whole lot of exercise. The favorite activity of the English Bulldog is to lounge around the house the majority of the time. The English Bulldog enjoys the company of family so they are an excellent pet for anyone who has a child in the household.
You will be alerted to strangers nearby by the English Bulldog barking and growling. They often do not attack since their imposing figure is enough to scare off most threats. They typically have an average weight between fifty to sixty pounds when full-grown and can stand between twelve to sixteen inches at the shoulder. They are a medium sized dog with a stocky build and broad chest. Their tail is often curled and they always have a bowlegged appearance. The coat colors can range from liver, tan, black, white and a combination of colors.
The English Bulldog doesn't do so well when it comes to obedience training. They don't follow instructions easily and are a rather stubborn breed. This lack of response when training doesn't mean they aren't smart, rather it just means they prefer to think things all the way through before they act which actually makes them very smart.
However, the popularity of the breed has sadly led to some disreputable breeds that don't focus on the dog's temperament. As a result the breed has seen an increase in aggression. This is why it is important that you buy your English Bulldog from a reputable breeder only and properly socialize them as a puppy. Your English Bulldog can live to be about eight to ten years with proper care and training. A health concern that you need to be aware of with the English Bulldog is heat illness which occurs if they are exposed to excessive environment temperatures and don't have a way to quickly dissipate the heat.
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Bobby Callahan has a strong interest in researching the English Bulldog. The English Bulldog is just one of three different Bulldog types. Knowing Bulldog information can help you determine if they are the right pet for you. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Callahan |
