Here is Buster and Maggie being silly as usual. Maggie (brindle) was posing
pretty to have her picture taken when all at once Buster (fawn) spotted her
getting attention and came running over as fast as he could so that he
could also be in the picture. As you can see, he barely made it as the picture
was being snapped--this explains why he is all blurry!
The English bulldog is one of the most loving animals you will find. They have two speeds—asleep and 150 mph. Bullies are very inquisitive, love people, and their main goal in life is to have fun. This brochure will introduce you to possibly one of the best friends you will ever have.
Bulldogs originated in the early 1200’s. They were bred to ‘bait’ bulls for sport. The early breeders used Mastiffs and Pugs to get the type of dog they wanted. For bull baiting, a dog was needed that was low to the ground, had a broad chest, and massive jaws to hold the bull. These dogs were fearless. After bull baiting was outlawed, the bulldog almost became extinct.
The bulldog of today is a much more docile animal. Often referred to as a ‘sourmug’, he is very easy going and loves everyone. The bulldog is extremely stubborn and believes with all his heart that his way is the right way. The following poem says it all:
The Bulldog’s Poem
If it’s yours and I want it, it’s mine.
If I found it, it’s mine.
If I gave it away and I want it back, it’s mine.
If it broke into a hundred pieces, all the pieces are mine.
Author unknown
Using the American Kennel Club (AKC) standard is the best way to judge what a bulldog should look like. Below is a description from the AKC of some of the most dramatic features:
With a bulldog, you get what you see. Their ears and tail do not get cropped—they are born like that! Bullies have a short coat that needs only an occasional brushing. The biggest care comes with their wrinkles. The folds of skin around their face must be kept clean and dry. Being stubborn, bullies do not like their nails to be cut. This is certainly a two to three person job. An occasional bath is nice, but don’t overdue it—water dries out their skin.
Bulldogs love to play; however, they need only short play times as they cannot tolerate heavy exercise. Walks are nice; jogging will kill them. They do pretty well in the cold temperatures but have a very difficult time in the heat. Air conditioning is almost a necessity. Finding a chew toy or bone that will last more than fifteen minutes is quite a challenge, thanks to the tremendous strength in the bulldog’s jaws.
If you own a bulldog, you are probably going to become very friendly with your local vet. Bullies are prone to a number of ailments. Cherry eyes are common in all breeds of dogs that have wrinkled faces. A cherry eye is where the inner eyelid pops out. There is no known cause or way to prevent a cherry eye. When this happens, it looks horrible but does not cause any pain. Surgery is usually the treatment of choice. Bullies often will have skin problems which can usually be controlled by using a daily fatty acid supplement. Because of their extremely short snout, choking can be a problem. Soaking their food until it is soft is normally all that is required. Bulldogs most often have to have caesareans to deliver their pups due to the large heads of the pups and the short squat body of the females.
Bullies love to eat! In fact, obesity is a real problem with English bulldogs. It is best to feed a high quality dog food such as Purina Proplan or Iams. Snacks should be limited. Bullies are so darn cute, especially when they are begging for table scraps, that it is very easy to over feed them. Because they are naturally a short, stocky dog, it doesn’t take much to make them fat. Bulldogs already have a low exertion level and do not tolerate heat well at all, so if you let them get ten to fifteen pounds overweight, they are going to have a very difficult time.
There are many words to describe the bulldog: adaptable, engaging, fearless, easy going, docile, lovable…just to name a few. These dogs are gentle and never start fights, either with other animals or with people. But let there be trouble, and he will fight for his family, hanging on until the end, giving his own life if needed. (TFH Publications, 1980)
Obedience can be a little more difficult with the bulldog than with other breeds, thanks to his extreme stubbornness. With patience and consistence, though, your bullie will become a well-mannered member of the family.
High-quality English bulldogs cost anywhere from $1200 to $1800. They are fairly rare due to the extreme difficulty in breeding these animals and the complicated deliveries they must go through. Unfortunately a number of people out there think they are going to get rich quick by raising and selling these dogs. This has led to a lot of poor quality ‘English bulldogs’. Look carefully at your puppy before buying. Make sure you are getting a true English bulldog with good features from a breeder who is raising them out of love, not for the money.
