Name: English Bulldog
Breed Age: Recognized by the AKC in 1886
Average Size: 14-15”
Average Weight: 50lbs for males, 40lbs for females
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years
Coat Variations: Fawn, Fawn & Brindle, Fawn & White, Fawn Brindle & White, Red, Red & White, Red Brindle, Red Brindle & White, White, Fallow
*All breed information comes from the AKC website on English Bulldogs
Fun Fact: President Calvin Coolidge’s Bulldog was named Boston Beans.
Bulldog Breed History
The Bulldog breed traces its history back to a 5th-century dog called an Alaunt. Like many other breeds at the time, the Alaunt was used to protect and herd livestock, as well as protect their master’s business and home. Originally very large, muscular, and stocky, the Alaunt was well-suited for farm life where they would catch loose horses and round up cattle and other livestock.
Detail of the altarpiece, Adoration of the Magi, from 1423 by the Italian painter Gentile da Fabriano featuring an Alaunt, the early ancestor of the Bulldog.
By the mid-1600’s, a “sport” called bull-baiting was largely popular in England, Ireland, and Scotland. A new breed of dog was developed from the Alaunt for the sake of bull-baiting, and the result was the Old English Bulldog. This ancestor to the modern Bulldog was much larger and more aggressive than the Bulldogs we know now. Weighing in around 80lbs with massive jaws and paws, the Old English Bulldog was a force to be reckoned with.
Detail from “Bull-baiting” by Julius Caesar Ibbetson, circa 1817, featuring early Bulldogs.
These traits were key to the dog’s success at bull-baiting, where they would have to grab and hold onto an enraged bull’s snout in order to “pin” it. Amazingly enough, an experienced Bulldog could leverage its own weight against that of the bulls by corkscrewing its body once it had hold of the bull’s nose in order to flip the bull on its back. This practice was thought to produce better meat, as it was believed that an excited animal would produce more tender meat.
When bull-baiting was inevitably banned in the early 19th-century, the demand for the Bulldog all but disappeared in the UK. The breed would have gone extinct if it hadn’t been adopted in Germany and the US. In Germany, the Bulldog was bred to create the Boxer. Read our article on the Boxer here! In the US, the Bulldog was used as a farming dog. Two men are credited with saving the breed – Alan Scott and John D. Johnson. They took up breeding and raising Bulldogs, and shaped them into the modern breed we all know and love.
Bulldog Strengths
- Very affectionate and cuddly dogs
- Only require moderate exercise, and should not be overworked
- Easy-going
- People-pleasers
- Easy to train
- Loyal to their family
- Happy and playful
Bulldog Weaknesses
- They have a very hard time in hot or humid weather
- Not suited for the water
- Important to feed a high-quality diet as they are prone to gastrointestinal distress
- Require a gentle face cleaning to make sure their wrinkles don’t become irritated or infected
- Need to be socialized often at an early age
- Owners should be aware of the common health concerns to prevent or relieve them
8 Common Bulldog Health Concerns:
Many of the Bulldog’s health issues stem from breeding practices in the 18th-century. Frequent inbreeding for the sake of trait selection (squishy faces, more passive temperament, shorter stature, etc.) has “seriously reduced the amount of genetic variability among bulldogs.” As a result, this breed is prone to quite a few health issues. However, a responsible owner can become aware of these issues and take preventative steps to maintain the health of their pup.
Hip Dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia is a common skeletal deformation, usually started by a dog’s genetics and exacerbated by weight, exercise, and nutrition. Hip dysplasia occurs when a dog’s hip joint, normally a ball and socket mechanism, does not develop properly. This causes the grinding of the bones in the joint, and can lead to total loss of function of the dog’s leg. Foods that help temper excessive growth can be helpful for puppies of breeds most at risk for hip dysplasia. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout the dog’s life is also crucial, as extra weight only adds more pressure to the at-risk joints. A veterinarian can also recommend joint supplements as part of a preventative treatment plan.
Respiratory Conditions
- According to a peer-reviewed article from Today’s Veterinary Practice, Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is present in all Bulldogs in some capacity. BOAS is an upper airway disease that is caused by the collapse of weaker tissue in the airway, and is exacerbated by heat or heavy exercise. Bulldogs are particularly susceptible to respiratory conditions due to their shortened snout.
Skin/Food Allergies
- Bulldogs may experience allergic reactions to some environmental and food-related factors. Working with your vet to identify your dog’s specific allergic triggers will help with management. Changes in skin texture and increased itching are some indicators that a Bulldog may be having an allergic reaction.
Mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and brain tumors
- According to the National Cancer Institute, a mast cell is “a type of white blood cell that is found in connective tissues all through the body”. They continue, “Mast cells play an important role in how the immune system responds to certain bacteria and parasites and they help control other types of immune responses”. Mast cells release certain chemicals during a body’s immune response to allergens, including histamine. Mast cells are crucial components of the immune system, but if these cells release too much of their chemicals, they can cause serious issues and disruptions throughout the whole body. A mast cell tumor is, as you may guess, a tumor consisting of mast cells. If you suspect your pet may have a mast cell tumor, avoid touching the tumor and try to discourage your pet from scratching or licking the area as this can stimulate the tumor cells to release more chemicals.
Cherry Eye
- Bulldogology defines Cherry Eye in Bulldogs as “a protrusion of the dog’s third eyelid, which happens due to stretching, detachment, or other problems in the tissue.” There are a number of causes for Cherry Eye, and your vet should be consulted immediately if you believe your Bulldog is exhibiting symptoms.
Cataracts
- Most commonly caused by inherited disease, though they can be caused by diabetes and can even occur spontaneously with age. Cataracts usually present much later in a dog’s life. Sometimes they can be removed surgically, but most dogs will retain reasonable sight even with cataracts.
Aortic stenosis/sub-aortic stenosis (AS/SAS)
- From Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, “Subaortic stenosis is a narrowing (stenosis) of the area underneath, the aortic valve, that causes some degree of obstruction or blockage of the blood flow through the heart. The narrowing can be mild, moderate, or severe; if moderate or severe, it can force the heart to work harder and potentially be harmful to the heart’s health.” In cases of mild stenosis, your pet may not need treatment, however monitoring the condition with a vet is essential to make sure it does not progress. In more severe cases, medications may be prescribed to help lessen the strain on the animal’s heart.
Arthritis
- Caused by inflammation in the joints. Arthritis is a progressive and degenerative disease that can cause more discomfort over time. Poor diet, lax exercise, injury, hip dysplasia, and similar conditions all contribute to the development of arthritis. The most important thing a pet owner can do is ensure that their animal gets adequate and appropriate exercise for their limitations, and that they eat a proper and balanced diet. Joint supplements can be a helpful preventative measure as well.
If you have any questions or concerns about your pup’s health, please contact us as soon as possible to address them!
Famous Bulldog: Tillman the Skateboarding Bulldog
Tillman the Bulldog took the internet by storm in 2007 when a YouTube video of him doing his thing went viral. According to The Guardian, “The video has been seen more than 21 million times on YouTube and was featured in an early commercial for Apple’s iPhone to demonstrate the video-playing abilities of the device.” The video featured the very talented Tillman pushing his skateboard with his front paw and steering by leaning from side to side, and he seemed to love every second of it. Tillman’s human Ron Davis said that Tillman took to skateboarding right away, and loved learning how to do it more than he liked learning other tricks. In 2009, Davis took Tillman to the X Games in Los Angeles. Here, Tillman earned himself a well-deserved Guiness World Record for the fastest skateboarding dog for his time of 19.678 seconds skateboarding 100 meters. This record has since been beaten, but Tillman’s influence on the other competitors will last for years to come. Ron Davis described his canine companion as “a little 60-pound butterball of inspiration for a lot of people.” Tillman passed away in 2015 at the age of 10 from an irregular heartbeat.