Breed of the Week: English Bulldog

This week’s featured breed is the lovable English Bulldog! Commonly known to be the comic relief wherever they go. They can be couch potatoes one moment, then running laps at full speed the next! A wonderful breed that can always put a smile on your face with their antics.

Originally developed in England, in the 13th century, English Bulldogs were bred for bull-baiting & guarding. It is believed that they were crossbred from Mastiffs brought over from Asia and the Pug, and through years of specific breeding, we were able to have Mastiff type dogs that were shorter and lower to the ground for better grip and balance, as well as a powerful jaw and determination to lock on to their target and not let go. The Bulldogs were responsible to keep the bulls under control and butchers believed that when bulls were baited before slaughter, that the meat would be more nutritious.

The English Bulldogs you see today are much friendlier and are certainly not put into a ring to fight anymore! But they still have similar characteristics their ancestors had. Today, the English bulldog is known to be a very stubborn breed that will not give up easily if they really want something. This can sometimes make it difficult for training, but don’t worry, they are very food motivated! They love to spend most of the day on the couch with their family, but once in a while they will get a short burst of high energy and need to run laps around the backyard!

Their coat is fairly easy to maintain. Being short-haired, they won’t require hair trimming, but they do still need regular brushing. With that famous wrinkly face, don’t forget to wipe in between the folds of their face to keep it clean otherwise they can easily get infected. Some English bulldog owners will find that their little bully needs their face and under tail wiped daily, while others only need it 1-2 times a week.

English Bulldogs have quite the personality. They will make you laugh on a daily basis and love hanging out with their family. It’s no wonder they are one of the most popular breeds in North America! They easily adapt to living in a home or an apartment, as long as they are with you! The English bulldog is suitable for someone who already has some dog experience due to their stubbornness and may be difficult to train. But with the right owner, they will bring joy and laughter every single day!