All about bulldogs

For a long time, bulldogs are considered the personification of strength, courage and fighting character. These dogs have a long history - their distant ancestors took part in performances in the arena and fights with wild animals. Over time, the dogs spread throughout the world, changed and acquired their own national pedigree traits, but most of the bulldogs today are either on the verge of extinction or have disappeared altogether - only three varieties of these dogs are popular today: American, French and English.

In the 17th – 19th centuries, the Old English Bulldogs enjoyed great popularity among the royals in Great Britain - it is believed that they appeared as a result of the mixing of the Central Asian mastiffs and North Caucasian Alans. In those years, the dogs were bred as fighting animals, they showed high aggressiveness and cruelty. These qualities made them ideal hunters who were allowed to fight in the ring with bulls, bears and even lions. During such fights, the weakest representatives of the bulldogs were destroyed, only evil, clever and strong dogs survived. During the fight, the animals used their "crown reception" - they grabbed the bull by the nose, which was always the weakest point of these giants. As a rule, in such a situation, the animal completely lost the desire for resistance, it ran away from the ring - at that moment the fight was considered to be finished, and the bulldog was declared the winner.

In 1835, boule-baying was officially banned and many dogs were out of work. At the same time, animals began to knit with the largest and strongest dogs of other breeds in order to create perfect guards and protectors - all this led to the fact that there were almost no purebred bulldogs. This situation seriously concerned the dog handlers, and since 1858 a large-scale campaign to preserve the breed began. However, the breeders' actions pursued another goal - to preserve the strength and power of the dog, but at the same time to reduce its aggressiveness. To achieve this goal, the search for the quietest bulldogs began throughout England. The efforts of geneticists have been crowned with success - a few years later, a new breed of dogs was presented at the show in Birmingham, which externally looked like Old English "beef dogs"but in character was very different from them. The renewed breed in 1878 was officially recognized by the world community of dog breeders and already several years later breeders from other countries began to pay attention to four-legged people.

The dogs spread rapidly around the world, which led to the appearance of a wide variety of bulldogs. Particularly actively breeding new breeds of dogs were engaged in French, British and American breeders, very successful results were obtained in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. In many countries, they even decided to create their own national standard of the breed, as a result, French, American, Australian and other bulldogs were represented. Today, these animals do not have many similarities with their English ancestors - this is not surprising, because each breed was bred for specific goals, types and areas of use of animals.

Despite the serious differences in temperament and exterior, representatives of all types of bulldogs have their advantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to identify the main advantages of dogs of this breed.

• Compactness. Bulldogs are far from giants, so they can be kept both in a large private house and in a small-sized city apartment. The animal does not need a lot of space - it is enough for a small stove bench in the corner.
• Adaptability. These animals are satisfied with any conditions of detention. They adapt fairly quickly to everything, but the master sofa or the knees of their loved one will still be their favorite vacation spot.
• Modern bulldogs are not aggressive, but they cope with the protection of the owner perfectly well. Their powerful, muscular body, serious expression of the muzzle, loud barking, as well as a reputation stretching from ancient times, can scare the vast majority of people who, one way or another, threaten the owner or his property.
• Boule are easy to train. Usually, the correction of their behavior does not cause any problems. If from an early age to pay attention to the upbringing of the animal and training, then the dog will never show aggression without a sufficient reason.
• These dogs are very faithful and devoted to their owners., but at the same time they do not suffer alone and have a great time in the absence of a person. These dogs do not bark in anticipation of the return of breeders, and this is undoubtedly a big plus in relations with neighbors in an apartment building.
• The fur of the Bulldogs is short, so it does not require specialized care. You just need to comb it with the simplest brush or a regular comb - you don’t even have to buy special tools. These dogs do not need frequent bathing, because their wool does not have a specific smell, and moreover, it is not prone to accumulation of contaminants, so that substantial savings can be achieved by refusing the services of a groomer.
• Modern bulldogs treat children very well and play with them with great enthusiasm. But do not forget that this is a strong dog that can not calculate its power during the games, so the bulldog should communicate with the kids under the supervision of an adult owner.
• From the nature of the dogs distinguishes rare intelligence, ingenuity and curiosity. In combination with a balanced and reserved character, this makes them good companions and loyal friends.

However, bulldogs have their drawbacks.

• Small size and shortened wool often from a plus go into a minus. The fact is that these animals do not tolerate too high or too low temperatures - any draft can lead to the development of colds, and after walking under the scorching summer sun, a pet may well get a heat stroke. That is why in the winter time, walking the dog is only necessary in special clothes, and in the summer, restrict movement on the shady side of the road.
• A distinctive feature of the bulldogs are folds on the face. In these places, a microenvironment is created that is favorable for the reproduction of the fungus; therefore, there are often pustules and inflammations. To avoid such troubles, it is necessary to regularly treat the skin with cream and wet wipes, alternating between wet and dry.
• Bulldogs have open ears, so they have to be cleaned quite often. However, the representatives of the breed do not like this very much and are resisting in every possible way; breeders have to make a lot of effort to rid the ears of their pet from pollution.
• The specific anatomical structure of the muzzle and respiratory tract leads to the fact that in a dream, bulldogs snore and muffle this sound is impossibleas if the owners did not try. It is difficult for these animals to breathe through their noses, therefore they swallow the air with their mouths - its volume is too much, bulldogs get rid of the surplus in a completely non-gentlemanly way - meteorism is characteristic of these animals.To neutralize the emitted odor will have to constantly use high-quality air fresheners.
• Bulldogs are very slobbering animals.that may not suit cleanliness owners.
• Bulldogs more than many other breeds show allergic reactions on some food products and household chemicals.
• The boules are very lazy and stubborn. Any dressure requires constant repetition of learned commands and exercises. If you let it go, the animal simply refuses to fulfill the requirements of its owner. This breed is absolutely not suitable for lazy owners.
• Bulldog representatives don't have a natural sense of fear. If they feel threatened, they may even fight with a big dog. The outcome of such a collision may be the worst for a pet.

The most common bulldogs today are three varieties - English, French and American. Let us dwell on the description of these and less well-known varieties.

This breed, descended from direct ancestors - Old English Bulldogs, was first introduced in the UK. The size of the dog varies from 31 to 40 cm at the withers, body weight - from 22 to 25 kg. English bulldogs are famous for their friendly, but at the same time self-willed character, however, with proper training, these dogs are always obedient. Dogs often start up as companions, but can also perform guard functions. English bulldogs live for about 10–12 years, but in practice it is very rare to find animals that have crossed the 8-year-old age. The main cause of the incidence of such dogs are cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

The color can be different - gray-brindle, brindle with white, black, red, beige or red. There is an opinion that these dogs are very lazy - so slowly they fulfill the commands and requirements of their owner. In fact, this is not true - dogs simply ponder the order carefully before proceeding to its implementation.

For a long time, breeders and genetics have been active in leveling the classically traits of the Old English dog - and their efforts have been crowned with success. but At the end of the last century, the American D. Levitt managed to recreate the Old English Bulldog using dogs of several fighting breeds.. This is how an animal appeared that has typical “root” features of boules, and this concerns not only the appearance of the animal, but also character traits. These dogs are currently not widely distributed, but are of interest to some categories of breeders. Growth at withers is 38–48 cm, body weight ranges from 20 to 40 kg. These are aggressive and rather fearless quadrupeds, which are used as guard dogs. Colors can be monotonous and spotty - fawn, variegated, white with beige-colored spots.

The French Bulldogs today are one of the most popular breeds in the world. Dog breeders are literally fascinated by the good-natured nature of the pet and its funny appearance. This animal gets along well with children and pets, is notable for loyalty to its owner and unpretentiousness in care.Height of the body at the withers is 25–35 cm, body weight is small - from 8 to 15 kg. Most often they are acquired as companion dogs. These animals are easily distinguished from all other bulldogs at a very early age - they have a rather cute and funny ear shape, which makes them look a bit like a bat. Among the French there are dwarf representatives.

The breed was first introduced in the USA. American bulldogs are fairly large dogs, whose height reaches 70 cm, and body weight is 28–58 kg. Most often, these dogs are used as companions, but loyalty, vigor and desire for domination makes them wonderful watchmen. The very appearance of the dogs speaks of their ability to stand up for themselvesand also reminds of the fighting qualities of their distant ancestors, who became famous for fighting huge bulls and wild bears. Of course, these are no longer those dogs - they have less power, and the character is softer, but nevertheless their body is solid cast muscles, and under a meek look there is a self-confident and uncompromising character. The absence of folds on the face at puppy age distinguishes from other American dog bulls - they appear as the pet grows.

This endangered bulldog species from Switzerland was the product of a cross between Old English and New English Bulldogs. Height at the withers comes to 46 cm, and body weight ranges from 22 to 30 kg. Animals are distinguished by attentiveness and friendliness, therefore they are most often used as a companion dog. Continental boules were in the position abandoned by the parents of the baby. In the past, representatives of FCI initiated the breeding of a new breed and took an active part in its formation, but later they refused to recognize the new species of bulls officially, so their continental representative would seem to be a bulldog, but at the same time not. Fortunately, this did not prevent the fans of a new kind of pets to create their own club.

These energetic, loyal, but vicious dogs come from America. Height in withers varies from 48 to 66 cm, body weight - from 28 to 45 kg. Alapakh is the rarest breed of buleys, which is almost completely extinct these days, there are no more than 150 representatives of breeds in the whole world. Despite their typically American appearance, these dogs originate from Old English boules. Despite the fact that these dogs look calm and balanced, they are nevertheless powerful and very aggressive four-legs, you can keep them just behind the fence, and you can walk in a muzzle and on a leash.

These are Spanish boules that grow up to 58 cm, while their body weight reaches 40 kg. Loyal, faithful and calm dogs, which are most often used as companions, less often - as watchdogs. Alano is a very large dog with a very powerful head. The forefathers of these dogs were Alans - the ideal four-legged warriors, guardians of horses and human guards, and they gave the name to the breed. At one time they were bred to participate in the traditional dog fights for this country. Nowadays, the Spanish bull is a smart and balanced dog, while it is very beautiful and rare.

It comes from Brazil up to 58 cm tall and weighing up to 45 kg. Dogs can be used as shepherds and guards, have a calm and pleasant temper.The Old English Bulldogs became the ancestors of campeiro, who were brought to Brazil by immigrants in the 16th century, where they were crossed with local dog breeds to create the perfect herding dog. Usually, these animals worked collectively and coped well with cattle, which often strove to escape from the herd. A distinctive feature of the Brazilian boule is its exceptional endurance, the dog can run for a long time without giving any signs of fatigue. Their campeiro owners are treated with trepidation and devotion.

Another type of American boules is very large dogs: the height at the withers is 62–65 cm, and its mass reaches 45 cm. The Catahoula were bred not far from the American Lake Catahula, from which they got their name. The breeders' goal was to breed exceptional bulldogs, for this English bulldog they crossed with a leopard dog, and the first parent was an ideal shepherd, but was unable to catch the game, and the second, by contrast, enjoyed a well-deserved reputation as an excellent catcher. The result of breeding work was a large, aggressive dog with excellent hunting skills and very powerful jaws. A distinctive feature of these dogs are blue or amber eyes, few other members of the dog family can boast an equally spectacular appearance. However, outside the United States, this breed is almost unknown.

First of all before buying a bulldog puppy it is necessary to determine the class of the animal.

• Pet-class puppies. As a rule, according to their basic pedigree characteristics, these animals must comply with officially accepted standards, but they may have one or several defects related to the appearance of the dog and not affecting its state of health. This is usually the wrong color of the coat, lips or nose, not enough high quality wool, cryptorchidism or the wrong bite. Such puppies can appear even from the most eminent parents - immediately after birth, they are subject to mandatory “activation”, after which a mark “not for breeding” is made in their documents. Becoming the owner of such a pet you can not participate in exhibitions and competitions, your dog will not be involved in the breeding of new litters, but this will not prevent it from being a reliable and loyal friend, a good guard and a smart companion.
• Breed class puppies. These animals respond to all breed characteristics and have no defects, so they can take part in breeding. Usually this category includes males and females that receive “good” and “excellent” marks at exhibitions.
• Puppies show class. These are the best representatives of the Bulldogs, who differ in the most excellent breed characteristics in the exterior. Such pets invariably become the pride of their breeders, they are recognized as prize winners of exhibitions of various levels and therefore deservedly belong to the breed's elite.

It is necessary to decide in advance on the gender of the selected dog. Usually bulldog males are larger and more powerful than females, therefore at exhibitions they always look more advantageous. The advantages of a dog should also include the absence of leakage, and, consequently, problems that invariably accompany the maternity of the animal.However, males have drawbacks - they often and very abundantly mark their territory, often run away from their owners during a walk, if they notice a bitch with heat, and besides, seeing a potential rival, they can show unexpected aggression. Bitches are more attached to their owners, females are better trained and educated, and also never tend to dominate, so it is easy to get along with other pets. At the same time, they give their owners a lot of trouble during estrus, as well as in the process of carrying puppies, giving birth and subsequent feeding.

An important criterion is the age of the acquired pet. Puppies for up to one and a half months are cheaper because the breeder by this time has not yet incurred significant costs for its feeding and maintenance. But at this age the animal is confirmed by many diseases, moreover, it is not sufficiently socialized. If you have experience with dogs, you can buy a bull at the age of 1.5–3 months, if you are an inexperienced breeder, it’s better to take a dog older than 3 months. Experienced dog breeders prefer to take a half-year-old bulldog - at this time it is already possible to fully appreciate the exterior of the animal and the peculiarities of its character.

And of course, you should choose only a healthy puppy, which is devoid of any hereditary diseases. Therefore, when choosing a pet, you should pay attention to such pet parameters as:

• the presence of a shiny and smooth coat;
• the presence of a light fat on the abdomen;
• lack of inflammation and skin rash;
• uniform staining of the iris;
• no bloating in the abdominal region;
• clean eyes and ears, no discharge;
• no unpleasant smell from the mouth;
• the mucosa of the mouth is light pink, but not too pale.

When choosing a name for your bulldog, it is very important to choose a nickname that the owner can easily pronounce. So, for the boy most often choose the nicknames Archie, Bike, Butler, Nick, Butch, Fred, Jack, Rudy, Oliver, Luke, Harold, Adrian, Toby, Chester, Tiberius, Olympus, Murphy, James, Tim, Diesel, Taison, Walter, Alvin. And among girls, the names of Penny, Gretta, Tiara, Maili, Elsa, Jules, Amber, Hanni, Beta, Assol, Fiona, Goldie, Sally, Doxy and others are the most popular.

Before buying a bulldog, first of all you need to prepare for him a “budar” in which he can relax and feel completely safe. Requirements for the conditions of a puppy are simple and are as follows:

• the room should be dry and bright, with a minimum number of pieces of furniture;
• No scattering of sharp metal objects or the presence of furniture with sharp edges is allowed;
• It is best to place the dog bed in a corner, placing an animal near a battery and in places where a draft often occurs:
• Be sure to hide all cables and electrical wires;
• Try to eliminate or at least minimize any harsh noises, for example, from slamming doors or working equipment.

Keep in mind that the boule will show an enviable persistence in trying to climb on your sofa - these inclinations must be stopped at the root, otherwise you will have to share your bed with a cheeky pet. It is very important to stock up on toys for dogs. The fact is that the bulldog loves to “weave” the master's shoes, the legs of the tables and chairs, if you do not provide your pet with everything you need, then be prepared for the fact that every day you will have to wait for spoiled slippers and pieces of furniture.

Boules, by their nature, have a predisposition to pathologies of the spine, therefore, until a dog reaches 6 months of age, it should not be allowed to run up the steps. If you notice that your four-legged friend is tired - immediately take him in your arms or put him in a bag. Walking bulldogs is better in a secluded place - the appearance in parks, squares or near playgrounds is allowed only in a muzzle and on a leash. It is allowed to walk the dog in bad weather - during rain or snow, but in order for such movements to be more pleasant and not to cause colds, it is necessary to use dog overalls and special shoes. The most caring breeders also protect the ears of their pets, putting on hats of hand or machine knitting on them - this does not always please dogs, but it keeps their ears healthy. All bulldogs should be vaccinated in a timely manner against the most common infections - hepatitis, plague, rabies, leptospirosis, parvovirus enteritis and adenovirus.

Any bulldog puppy should be taught to products unfamiliar to them - you shouldn’t be led by your pet if he refuses to eat the food he is offered, and immediately try to change the contents of the bowl, otherwise this manipulator will quickly understand that the owner takes into account all his whims more delicious dishes. For feeding, a certain area in the room. It is necessary to purchase two low cylindrical feeders in advance - one is filled with food, and the second with drinking water.

The organization of the power supply system of the Bulldogs has the following taboos:

• It is forbidden to use glassware, as the animal may accidentally break it and get hurt;
• you can not put a cup of wood, because the boules - amateur nibble, he will certainly try it "to the tooth";
• you should not buy bowls with a spherical bottom, as the animal can easily overturn them;
• the size of the cups should be age-appropriate — you should not buy a bowl “for growth”; in this case, the puppies start smearing food along the bottom and start an unpleasant habit of climbing into a cup with legs;
• do not accustom the dog to feed from the owner's hand - such a feed will simply spoil your bull;
• after feeding, immediately throw out the uneaten leftover food, do not offer a snack to your pet - the animal must have strict food discipline;
• No promotion of theft and begging is allowed.

First of all, the breeder must decide for himself the question of the type of feeding. Bulldogs can be fed dry food or naturalka. Natural food is preferable, but in this case, the owner will have to spend a lot of time buying the right products and preparing balanced meals. Dry feeds significantly save the time and effort of the breeder, in addition, they are enriched with vitamins and minerals, so do not require the use of special additives in the feed.

The negative aspects of ready-made feeds also include a small choice of tastes, although veterinarians unanimously assure that the vast majority of dogs, including boules, do not need food diversity, and even certain types of animals are harmful.When buying feed, preference should be given to products not lower than the super premium class; it is not worth purchasing formulas below. The fact is that boules are far from being in a high place because of their state of health; you should not aggravate the situation with low-quality food. Feeding naturalka is considered more nutritious for bulldogs. The diet of pets by 70% should consist of meat, the following 30% fall to the share of the remaining 30%:

• cereals;
• eggs;
• lactic acid products;
• vegetables and savory fruits;
• fresh greens.

The amount of feed is calculated on the basis of such a ratio as:

• puppies up to 1 year old need about 59 grams of natural food per kilogram of weight;
• adult dog consumes 250 g per day.

Meat must necessarily be lean - beef or veal is best suited. It is optimal to give the product raw, pre-standing in the freezer for several days to destroy pathogenic microflora. If your pet refuses to eat raw food, then you can pour meat with boiling water before serving - this will eliminate the smell of blood, but at the same time retain all the necessary micro and macro components. Twice a week it is allowed to replace meat with high-quality offal - the liver, heart, udder and kidneys are suitable for bulldogs, it is better to include them in mash pre-boiled.

It is not recommended to give a bulldog a bone, but it is not forbidden to eat your pet with cartilage from time to time. It will be useful to buy in the pet stores treats from pressed veins - dogs bite him with great pleasure, thereby contributing to the training of the jaws and getting rid of tartar. Cereals for boules boiled in water, it is best to use rice and buckwheat, before serving, seasoned with vegetable oil and finely chopped greens. From early childhood, puppies should be accustomed to lactic acid products, since they have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Young puppies are given low-fat cottage cheese (it is best to cook it yourself), older dogs can include kefir or yogurt in the diet.

A couple of times a week should be introduced into the diet of boiled eggs. Keep in mind that the whole egg can be given only boiled. If you offer raw eggs to an animal, you should only include yolks in the mash. Vegetables and fruits are considered to be an important part of the bulldogs menu, but if the latter these fastidious dogs are eaten with great pleasure, then there may be problems with vegetables. It is best to pre-cook them and add a spoonful of sour cream before serving.

The number of feedings depends on the age of the dog, namely:

• babies up to 2 months require food 6 times a day with an interval between each meal not exceeding 3 hours (night time is excluded);
• in 2-3 months, the young boule can be fed already 5 times;
• from 4 to 7 months, the puppy of this breed gradually needs to switch to four meals a day;
• from 8 to 12 months babies reduce the number of meals to three;
• By the year of the pet, it can be transferred to adult mode - 2 times a day, in the mornings and evenings.

Bulldogs are breeds that do not require specialized care. These animals have rather short hair, which should be combed several times a week, and the simplest comb can fit for this. During molting to comb out dead hair should be more often, preferably every day. These animals are bathed 3-4 times a year as they are polluted. It is best to use specialized shampoos for dogs with sensitive skin. At all other times, the dirt acquired during walks is removed by simple rinsing in clean water or removed with wet wipes.

Once a month, dogs need to cut their claws - this applies only to those animals that walk on soft lawns. If an animal moves on a firm base, its claws grind off by themselves. Particular attention should be paid to the ears - it is necessary to regularly clean them from sulfur emissions, having previously instilled vegetable oil - after waiting a few minutes, the inner surface of the auricle should be wiped with a cotton pad dipped in boric acid solution. It is very important to maintain the purity of the eyes - they should be without discharge, but if they appear, they are removed with cotton wool dipped in chamomile infusion. At least once every 7–10 days, bulldogs brush their teeth. In pet care, special attention should be paid to antiparasitic treatment and deworming.

As soon as the boule crosses the threshold of its new housing, it is necessary to immediately let it know which of you is in charge and whose instructions it will have to obey. In order for the puppy to correctly interpret your actions, no more than 15 seconds should pass between an undesirable offense and your reaction to it, otherwise the animal simply does not realize its fault. For the good behavior of the bulls necessarily encourage - praise and give a treat, and for the bad - raise their voice (however, it is also not recommended to go to the cry). Keep in mind that you need to praise your pet much more often than to scold.

Cynologists agree that between the carrot and the carrot in raising bulldogs the decisive word should belong to the carrot. For this use delicacy and praise. By the way, the treat should be changed from time to time, since the monotony loses its value for the bull. Dogs should be praised with a calm voice, always accompanied by stroking on the back. When the bulldogs are 4 months old, you can start training them - usually the animal is given the most standard commands.

In general, reviews of breeders about the bulldogs are very positive. Unlike their old ancestors, these modern members of the breed do not show aggression, they show love and devotion to the owner and members of his family, they can be left with the children, in addition, the Bulldogs get along well with other domestic animals. Very pleased with the owners of these dogs easy care, which comes down to the most standard procedures - combing, clipping claws, processing ears and eyes. Despite their physical strength and strength, these animals cannot be called active at all - they are ready to doze off for days on end, pets perfectly tolerate loneliness, so the breed is suitable even for busy people who are rarely at home.

On the features of the breed bulldog, see the following video.