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British breed of dog

This article is about the English Bulldog.

For other uses, see Bulldog (disambiguation)Dog breed

The Bulldog is a British 🧲 breed of dog of mastiff type.

It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog.

It is a medium-sized, 🧲 muscular dog of around 40–55 lb (18–25 kg).

They have large heads with thick folds of skin around the face and 🧲 shoulders, and a relatively flat face with a protruding lower jaw.

The breed has significant health issues as a consequence of 🧲 breeding for its distinctive appearance, including brachycephalia, hip dysplasia, heat sensitivity, and skin infections.

Due to concerns about their quality of 🧲 life, breeding Bulldogs is illegal in Norway and the Netherlands.

The modern Bulldog was bred as a companion dog from the 🧲 Old English Bulldog, a now-extinct breed used for bull-baiting, when the sport was outlawed in England under the Cruelty to 🧲 Animals Act.

The Bulldog Club (In England) was formed in 1878, and the Bulldog Club of America was formed in 1890.

While 🧲 often used as a symbol of ferocity and courage, modern Bulldogs are generally friendly, amiable dogs.

Bulldogs are now commonly kept 🧲 as pets; in 2013 it was in twelfth place on a list of the breeds most frequently registered worldwide.[4]History [ 🧲 edit ]

Painting of a Bulldog from 1790 by English artist Philip Reinagle.

The first reference to the word "Bulldog" is dated 🧲 1631 or 1632 in a letter by a man named Preswick Eaton where he writes: "procuer mee two good Bulldogs, 🧲 and let them be sent by ye first shipp".

[5] In 1666, English scientist Christopher Merret applied: "Canis pugnax, a Butchers 🧲 Bull or Bear Dog", as an entry in his Pinax Rerum Naturalium Britannicarum.[6]

The designation "bull" was applied because of the 🧲 dog's use in the sport of bull-baiting.

This entailed the setting of dogs (after placing wagers on each dog) onto a 🧲 tethered bull.

The dog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground would be the victor.

It 🧲 was common for a bull to maim or kill several dogs at such an event, either by goring, tossing, or 🧲 trampling over them.

Over the centuries, dogs used for bull-baiting developed the stocky bodies and massive heads and jaws that typify 🧲 the breed, as well as a ferocious and savage temperament.

Bull-baiting was made illegal in England by the Cruelty to Animals 🧲 Act 1835.

[7] Therefore, the Old English Bulldog had outlived its usefulness in England as a sporting animal and its "working" 🧲 days were numbered.

However, emigrants did have a use for such dogs in the New World.

In mid-17th century New York, Bulldogs 🧲 were used as a part of a citywide roundup effort led by Governor Richard Nicolls.

Because cornering and leading wild bulls 🧲 was dangerous, Bulldogs were trained to seize a bull by its nose long enough for a rope to be secured 🧲 around its neck.[8]

Bulldogs as pets were continually promoted by dog dealer Bill George.[9]

In 1864, a group of Bulldog breeders under 🧲 R.S.

Rockstro founded the first Bulldog Club.

Three years after its opening the Club ceased to exist, not having organized a single 🧲 show.

The main achievement of the Rockstro Bulldog Club was a detailed description of the Bulldog, known as the Philo-Kuan Standard.

Samuel 🧲 Wickens, treasurer of the club, published this description in 1865 under the pseudonym Philo-Kuan.[10]

On 4 April 1873, The Kennel Club 🧲 was founded, the first dog breeding club dealing with the registration of purebred dogs and dog breeds.

[11] Bulldogs were included 🧲 in the first volume of the Kennel Club Stud Book, which was presented at the Birmingham Show on 1 December 🧲 1874.

The first English Bulldog entered into the register was a male dog named Adam (Adamo), born in 1864.

[12]Bulldog from 1915

In 🧲 March 1875, the third Bulldog Club was founded, which still exists today.

[13][14] Members of this club met frequently at the 🧲 Blue Post pub on Oxford Street in London.

The founders of the club collected all available information about the breed and 🧲 its best representatives and developed a new standard for the English Bulldog, which was published on 27 May 1875, the 🧲 same year they held the first breed show.

Since 1878, exhibitions of the club were held annually, except during the Second 🧲 World War.

On 17 May 1894, the Bulldog Club was granted the status of a corporation and since then has carried 🧲 the official name "The Bulldog Club, Inc.".

It is the oldest mono-breed dog kennel club in the world.[15]

The Bulldog was officially 🧲 recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886.[16]

In 1894 the two top Bulldogs, King Orry and Dock Leaf, competed in 🧲 a contest to see which dog could walk 20 miles (32 km).

King Orry was reminiscent of the original Bulldogs, lighter 🧲 boned and very athletic.

Dock Leaf was smaller and heavier set, more like modern Bulldogs.

King Orry was declared the winner that 🧲 year, finishing the 20-mile (32 km) walk while Dock Leaf collapsed and expired.

[17] Though today Bulldogs look tough, they cannot 🧲 perform the job they were originally bred for, as they cannot withstand the rigors of running after and being thrown 🧲 by a bull, and also cannot grip with such a short muzzle.

Although not as physically capable as their ancestors, modern 🧲 Bulldogs are much calmer and less aggressive.[18]

Description [ edit ]Appearance [ edit ]

A 4-year-old Bulldog of Champion bloodlines, side view.

Note 🧲 the "rope" over the nose, and pronounced underbite

Bulldogs have characteristically wide heads and shoulders along with a pronounced mandibular prognathism.

There 🧲 are generally thick folds of skin on the brow; round, black, wide-set eyes; a short muzzle with characteristic folds called 🧲 a rope or nose roll above the nose; hanging skin under the neck; drooping lips and pointed teeth, and an 🧲 underbite with an upturned jaw.

The coat is short, flat, and sleek with colours of red, fawn, white, brindle, and piebald.

[16] 🧲 They have short tails that can either hang down straight or be tucked in a coiled "corkscrew" into a tail 🧲 pocket.

In the United Kingdom, the breed standards are 55 lb (25 kg) for a male and 50 lb (23 kg) 🧲 for a female.

[19] In the United States, the standard calls for a smaller dog - a typical mature male weighs 🧲 50 lb (23 kg), while mature females weigh about 40 lb (18 kg).[20]

Temperament [ edit ]

Six-month-old Bulldog puppy from AKC 🧲 Champion bloodlines

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), a Bulldog's disposition should be "equable and kind, resolute, and courageous (not 🧲 vicious or aggressive), and demeanor should be pacifist and dignified.

These attributes should be countenanced by the expression and behavior".[21]

Breeders have 🧲 worked to remove aggression from the breed.

[16] Most have a friendly, patient, but stubborn nature.

Bulldogs are recognized as excellent family 🧲 pets because of their tendency to form strong bonds with children.

[16] Generally, Bulldogs are known for getting along well with 🧲 children, other dogs, and other pets.

[22][23]Health [ edit ]Lifespan [ edit ]

Despite slow maturation so that growing up is rarely 🧲 achieved by two and a half years, Bulldogs' lives are relatively short.

At five to six years old, they start to 🧲 show signs of aging.

[citation needed] A 2004 UK survey of 180 Bulldog deaths puts the median age at death at 🧲 6 years 3 months.

The leading cause of death of Bulldogs in the survey was cardiac related (20%), cancer (18%), and 🧲 old age (9%).

Those that died of old age had an average lifespan of 10 to 11 years.

[2] A 2013 UK 🧲 vet clinic survey of 26 Bulldogs puts the median lifespan at 8.

4 years with an interquartile range of 3.2–11.3 years.

[3] 🧲 The UK Bulldog Breed Council website lists the average life span of the breed as 8–10 years.[24]

Breed-linked disorders [ edit 🧲 ]

Evolution of brachycephalia in Bulldogs.

Left to right, the skulls are from approximately the 1910s, 1960s, and 1980s.

A study by the 🧲 Royal Veterinary College found that Bulldogs are a much less healthy breed than average, with over twice the odds of 🧲 being diagnosed with at least one of the common dog disorders investigated in the study.[25]

The English Bulldog is among the 🧲 breeds that are most severely affected by brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome, due to extreme brachycephalia (shortened snout), a large tongue 🧲 and palate, and other morphological issues.

[26][27] Like all brachycephalic dogs, bully breeds often suffer from brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS).

A 🧲 degree of BOAS has been normalized in the breed, as an inevitable consequence of their distinctive face.

[26] The condition manifests 🧲 in a variety of ways, often in the form of intolerance to heat and physical exertion.

Since dogs regulate heat primarily 🧲 by panting, Bulldogs are very sensitive to heat; they may actually gain rather than lose heat due to their inefficient 🧲 breathing, leading to a vicious cycle.

Bulldogs must be given plenty of shade and water, and must be kept out of 🧲 standing heat.

[16][28] They can even die from hyperthermia.

[16] Bulldogs can be heavy breathers and tend to be loud snorers with 🧲 interrupted sleep; another indicator of brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome.

[29] Many airlines ban the breed from flying in the cargo hold 🧲 due to a high rate of deaths from air pressure interacting poorly with their breathing problems.[30]

Statistics from the Orthopedic Foundation 🧲 for Animals indicate that of the 467 Bulldogs tested between 1979 and 2009 (30 years), 73.

9% were affected by hip 🧲 dysplasia, the highest amongst all breeds.

[31] Similarly, the breed has the worst score in the British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club Hip 🧲 Dysplasia scoring scheme, although only 22 Bulldogs were tested in the scheme.

[32] Patellar luxation affects 2.9% of Bulldogs.[33]

Like all dogs, 🧲 Bulldogs require daily exercise, which is often made difficult due to their breathing problems, hip dysplasia, and other health issues.

If 🧲 not properly exercised it is possible for a Bulldog to become overweight, which could lead to heart and lung problems, 🧲 as well as stress on the joints.[34]

Some individuals of this breed are prone to interdigital cysts-cysts that form between the 🧲 toes.

These cause the dog some discomfort, but are treatable either by vet or an experienced owner.

Other problems can include cherry 🧲 eye, a protrusion of the inner eyelid (which can be corrected by a veterinarian), allergies, and hip issues in older 🧲 Bulldogs.

[citation needed] The folds, or "rope", on a Bulldog's face should be cleaned daily to avoid infections caused by moisture 🧲 accumulation.

[35] Some Bulldogs' naturally curling tails can be so tight to the body as to require regular cleaning and ointment.

Due 🧲 to the high volume of skin folds on the Bulldog's body, they have high prevalence of skin-fold dermatitis.[36]

Over 80% of 🧲 Bulldog litters are delivered by Caesarean section because their characteristically large heads can become lodged in the mother's birth canal 🧲 and to avoid potential breathing problems for the mother during labor.[37][38]

Controversies and legal status [ edit ]

In January 2009, after 🧲 the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, The Kennel Club introduced revised breed standards for the British Bulldog, along with 209 🧲 other breeds, to address health concerns.

Opposed by the British Bulldog Breed Council, it was speculated by the press that the 🧲 changes would lead to a smaller head, fewer skin folds, a longer muzzle, and a taller thinner posture, in order 🧲 to combat problems with respiration and breeding due to head size and width of shoulders.

[39] In 2019 the Dutch Kennel 🧲 Club implemented some breeding rules to improve the health of the Bulldog.

Among these is a fitness test where the dog 🧲 has to walk 1 km (0.

62 miles) in 12 minutes.

Its temperature and heart rate has to recover after 15 minutes.[40]

In 🧲 2014, the Dutch government forbade breeding of dogs with a snout shorter than a third of the skull, including Bulldogs, 🧲 a law which it began enforcing in 2019.

[41] In 2022, the Oslo District Court made a ruling that banned the 🧲 breeding of Bulldogs in Norway due to their propensity for developing health problems.

In its verdict the court judged that no 🧲 dog of this breed could be considered healthy, therefore using them for breeding would be a violation of Norway's Animal 🧲 Welfare Act.[42][43]

Cultural significance [ edit ]

Chesty XIII, Marine Corps mascot

Bulldogs are often associated with determination, strength, and courage due to 🧲 their historical occupation, though the modern-day dog is bred for appearance and friendliness and not suited for significant physical exertion.

They 🧲 are often used as mascots by universities, sports team, and other organizations.

Some of the better known Bulldog mascots include Butler's 🧲 Blue IV, Yale's Handsome Dan, the University of Georgia's Uga, Mississippi State's Bully, and United States Marine Corps' Chesty.[34][44]

The Bulldog 🧲 originated in England and has a longstanding association with British culture; the BBC wrote: "to many the Bulldog is a 🧲 national icon, symbolising pluck and determination".

[45] During the Second World War, the Prime Minister Winston Churchill was likened to a 🧲 Bulldog for his defiance of Nazi Germany.

[46]See also [ edit ]

vocational rehabilitation success stories.