English Bulldog: owner reviews, breed characteristics and care recommendations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

At the sight of an English Bulldog, one gets the impression that this stocky, sturdy man is the embodiment of majesty, steadfastness, firmness of character and fearlessness. He is an aristocrat to the core and manages to look down on the world around him despite his short legs. But at the same time, this dog is very devoted to his master and is able to catch any changes in his mood. Numerous reviews of English Bulldog owners only confirm this fact. The number of people who want to get a dog of this breed not only does not decrease, but is constantly growing. Therefore, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the character, features of upbringing and care in advance before acquiring this strong man.

Description of appearance

According to reviews, the English Bulldog is a squat, broad-shouldered dog with a broad chest and a massive head. With his whole appearance, he speaks of confidence and strength. Adult dog heightwhen measured at the withers, it reaches 35-40 cm, and the weight varies about 22.5 kg.

Despite the unusual appearance, the English Bulldog has a harmonious build, all parts of his body are proportional to each other. A distinctive feature is the characteristic gait. It seems that the dog is waddling, while slightly sideways. But despite this, all his movements are free and unconstrained.

The bulldog's head and muzzle are covered with folds, the lower jaw is bent upwards with a bite, on both sides of which there are fleas. If the dog's mouth is closed, then the teeth are almost invisible. According to the standard, the English Bulldog breed is distinguished by a short muzzle that is turned up. The nose is black and large, and the nostrils are wide.

The head of a bulldog has a square shape due to the flat part of the skull between the cheeks and ears. A hollow on the muzzle that starts between the eyes and extends to the top of the head, bisects the flat forehead of the bulldog.

To determine the correctness of the structure of the dog's skull, you need to attach a ruler from the chin to the forehead. If at the same time the nose also rests against it, then it is considered that all 3 main points are on the same level, and this indicates the correct structure of the skull.

According to the owners, the English Bulldog has small eyes that are located low at a great distance from the ears. Squirrels hide the eyelids, but the deep black shade of the pupils gives the dog an expression of deep thoughtfulness and understanding of everything that happens around.

It is important that the ears of a thoroughbred dog are formed correctly. They areshould be small in size, with thin cartilage and shaped like a "rose" turned back. The shape of the ears "bud", as well as turned forward, fleshy are unacceptable for a purebred dog.

Skin folds on the massive neck of the English Bulldog form a double dewlap that ends at the chest. A voluminous body, a wide chest and a taut stomach - everything in combination is in perfect harmony.

According to the description and reviews, the English Bulldog is characterized by strong front paws, the elbows of which are directed to the outside. The hind legs are also strong and muscular. In addition, they are longer than the front ones, so the loin is higher than the withers. The front paws are wider than the hind legs.

According to the reviews and description of the breed, the English Bulldog has a dense, tight, short coat. Its color can be solid and spotted, the shade varies from brindle to yellow-brown and white. The spots on the coat are symmetrical, and the monochromatic representatives of this breed have a mask on the muzzle.

English Bulldog Character

The English Bulldog's formidable appearance gives the wrong impression of its aggressiveness. On the contrary, this dog breed is quite friendly towards both people and other animals.

The balance of character and friendly disposition makes the dog a pet. However, he is great with small children. Patiently endures all pranks towards him and actively takes part in children's games.

According to the reviews and description of the breed, the English Bulldog is devoted to the owner and is ready to accompany him everywhere. But this breed is not adapted for prolonged physical exertion, and also suffers from overheating and hypothermia, so when traveling together, you can’t leave the dog in the car for a long time.

Resting on the couch next to the owner after a short walk is a favorite pastime of this dog. When the dog lives together with other pets in the house, he will easily make friends with them.

According to the reviews and description of the breed, the character of the English Bulldog is stubborn, which causes certain difficulties in education. Therefore, when training, it is worth being smart, since it will be difficult to force the dog to do something that is not included in his plans. But by finding an approach to this English "gentleman", you can achieve the desired results.

The English Bulldogs have a very reverent attitude towards their offspring. They are wonderful mothers who show care, tenderness and attention to their babies. Moreover, if they put someone else's puppy on them, then they will gladly accept it and show all the love and affection as if it were their own.

According to reviews and character, the English Bulldog is a self-sufficient dog. Intrusive caresses, barking barking - this is not his style. But if he feels the owner's playful disposition, he will gladly respond to any caresses and games, as he is able to catch any change in mood.

Care and maintenance

When deciding to buy a puppy of this breed, you musttake into account that his presence in the house implies additional troubles and inconveniences. Therefore, before taking this step, you should familiarize yourself with the basic requirements of care.

English Bulldog content implies:

• timely vaccination;
• periodic cleaning as wool and skin folds get dirty;
• drawing up a balanced diet;
• upbringing, training.

For a pet, prepare a comfortable bed or mattress for medium breeds. According to reviews, the English Bulldog loves to lie on the couch near the owner. This habit should be stopped at an early age, as it will become a habit later on.

According to reviews, the English Bulldog is not suitable for captive keeping, as its coat is not able to warm the dog in winter. Therefore, for walks in cold weather, you should purchase a special suit that warms the dog, since the English Bulldog is prone to colds.

During outdoor activities, you should monitor the condition of the dog, as excessive physical activity is contraindicated. It is best to walk at a slow, imposing pace, which will enable the dog to keep up with the owner. At the same time, you must be prepared for the fact that at any time the dog may decide that the walk is over, and his decision is unchanged.

Caring for an English Bulldog is easy. It consists in wiping the skin folds on the face from dust and dirt, which helps prevent the development of infection. Also recommended 2-3 times a week.combing wool with a massage mitt or a comb with frequent teeth of an average level of hardness. This procedure is especially important during molting.

If your pet gets dirty during a walk, it is necessary to wash the contaminated places under the shower. It is necessary to bathe the English Bulldog completely 3-4 times a year, using a special dog shampoo for this. The water temperature should be at the level of 34-36 degrees. It is best to carry out this procedure at night before going to bed, after which the dog should be wiped dry. And before morning, the pile will be completely restored, which will allow you to take your pet for a walk without fear for his he alth.

Based on the structural features of the skeleton, English bulldogs experience difficulty during childbirth, as the puppies' heads are not able to pass normally in the birth canal. Therefore, for a successful delivery, one has to resort to a caesarean section. Therefore, you should worry in advance and call a veterinarian for help.

Feeding

Food must be balanced, as the bulldog does not suffer from a lack of appetite, which leads to overeating and gluttony. This is due to the slow metabolism of this breed.

According to dog reviews, the English Bulldog is prone to allergies and dermatosis, so you should not feed him food from your table. His diet should also not consist of only raw meat, as this contributes to the development of urolithiasis.

Complete nutrition includes high-quality meat and dairy products, as well as greens, boiled vegetables, offal, vegetablefats. Eggs can be given to a pet no more than 1 time per week. According to reviews, the food for the English Bulldog should be varied and fresh. And next to the food should always be a bowl filled with clean water.

In addition to basic nutrition, we must not forget about mineral supplements and vitamins that can be purchased at the veterinary pharmacy. But their use should be appropriate for the development and age of the dog, so you should first consult with your veterinarian.

Education and training

According to reviews, the English Bulldog is a quick-witted and intelligent dog that can be trained. But the process of education should be carried out taking into account the willfulness of the dog. Therefore, it is necessary to be patient, since this breed is distinguished by a fine organization of the psyche: before proceeding with the task, the dog must comprehend it well.

You can achieve the desired result in training with the full trust of the pet in you. Therefore, screams, threats will only make the dog angry. It is necessary to build the educational process in such a way that it would be interesting for the pet to complete the tasks.

It is necessary to start mastering a new task only after the previous one is completed. At the same time, the pet should be praised and given a small piece of treat so that he understands that a reward follows the performance.

Teaching a pet to the correct behavior is necessary from an early age.

Puppy Selection Criteria

When buying a puppy for participation in exhibitions or as a pet, you must payattention to compliance with the breed standard and its he alth.

Main criteria to consider:

1. The puppy should look neat and shiny. The dog's eyes should be clean, without signs of inflammation and nitrous. It is best to inspect the room in which he was previously held.
2. Skin folds should not be excessive, as this will subsequently lead to complications in care.
3. Puppy should not be tall or short. Everything should be proportional, that is, he looks like a strong man with strong paws gathered into a ball.
4. Difficult movement, lameness, loose fingers are signs of joint disease and weakness of muscle tissue. But they should not be confused with the characteristic gait of the English Bulldog.
5. The shape of the ears at the age of 1, 5-2 months should already meet the breed standard.
6. Tail kink is a characteristic feature of the English Bulldog, but it must be free to move. An ingrown tail or lack thereof is not acceptable.
7. The puppy must have a document confirming his purebred. Otherwise, expectations may not be justified.

What to look out for?

A feature of English Bulldogs is that they are able to make unpleasant sounds. This is expressed by snoring, sniffling, panting, flatulence. Therefore, when choosing a puppy of this breed, you should keep this in mind.

According to reviews, the English Bulldog is characterized by abundant salivation due to the structural features of the jaws. Traces of saliva can be on the furniture, and you need tobe prepared.

Possible he alth problems

Veterinarians identify a number of diseases that are inherent in this breed of dog. This is directly related to the anatomical structure of the animal and the tendency to allergies:

• hypothermia, overheating;
• atopic, interdigital dermatitis;
• adenoma of the third eyelid;
• obesity;
• bilateral cataract;
• brachycephalic syndrome.

Many dog he alth problems can be prevented by observing all the rules of maintenance and care. When the first alarming symptoms appear, you should call the veterinarian.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Before making a final decision on choosing a puppy of this breed, you should consider the pros and cons of the English Bulldog.

According to the owners, the main advantages are as follows:

• goodwill towards adults and children;
• friendly to other pets;
• does not require much space;
• does not bark without good reason;
• has a fierce look that scares off intruders;
• does not require special care.

Flaws:

• independence, making learning difficult;
• laziness;
• increased appetite that needs to be controlled.

This breed continues to be popular with those looking to get a companion dog.

Reviews

Opinions of dog breeders about the breed agree that despite the ferocity of appearance, the dog is veryfriendly and devoted. But the English Bulldog breed, according to owners, is not suitable for outdoor enthusiasts who expect a quick reaction from a pet. In this case, it is better to give up the idea of acquiring this puppy, as his sedateness will annoy them.

True reviews about the English Bulldog breed indicate that the dog is quickly accustomed to new conditions, so he needs to show right away who is the boss in the house. Otherwise, shortcomings in education can later turn out to be a serious problem. Therefore, do not be lazy to instill in the dog a sense of respect and humility from an early age, only in this case he will become a reliable protector and faithful friend.