With lineage tracing back to the Asiatic Mastiff, the Bulldog originated in the British Isles and is popularly titled the National dog of Great Britain, featuring in various patriotic pictorials. Perhaps the oldest of the country's indigenous breeds, the Bulldog is distinctive in appearance and has long since abandoned its fighting instincts, having been bred primarily for the purposes of bull and badger baiting. Once the sport was finally dispensed with in 1850, the Bulldog grew in popularity as a fearless yet increasingly placid companion dog.
With a medium-sized, muscular build, the Bulldog is easily identified by its wide muzzle, deep-set eyes and squared jaw with overhanging upper lips. Commonly recognised in colour variations of fawn, piebald, red brindle, solid white or pale yellow, the breed is attractive and distinctive. Whilst originally a highly active breed, the Bulldog has since gained bulk and lost some of its early athleticism. Despite being well suited to apartment life, gentle exercise is essential for the physical and mental enrichment of the Bulldog, however due to its heavy build, strenuous or regular exercise is not encouraged.
Bearing in mind its early sporting heritage, the appearance of the Bulldog is somewhat intimidating, however such is not a fair reflection of its nature. The breed possesses an easy and affectionate temperament, is protective of children and its home, and is a great lover of people. A loud bark can be exercised to warn of potential danger, making it an effective guard dog. Heavier than it once was, the average weight of a healthy Bulldog is between 20-25 kg depending on its gender, with a life expectancy of 8-10 years.
Due to the breed's build and loose skin, the Bulldog is unsuited to extreme temperatures, being especially susceptible to heat stroke. Optical disorders and cherry eye are particularly common with the breed, as are skin infections and breathing difficulties. Ensuring a balanced diet is administered is essential and feeding human foods is not recommended as the Bulldog gains weight easily, which can be detrimental to its general health and happiness.
![[REDACTED] [REDACTED]'s Bulldog - Stella](http://static2.viovet.co.uk/opt/s=kr/petphotos/65146_b93d2640ce6f839e1a8cafaa97ce2b82.jpg)
My bull dog Lacy is 12months old in April .
I thouhht bulls dogs were lazy but Lacy thinks she is a greyhound forever running and jumping around mind u she does have 3 sisters ( staffIes) and they all get along lovely woulnt swop them for the world x
From Angus, United Kingdom
Ollie is a brilliant dog very good nature, but my son and husband own the mother and father these dogs can be very aggressive towards other dogs but Ollie is every ones pal I have never even heard a growl from him. what I will say is he is very strong and weighing 47kgs can pull you off your feet but he is very loving
From Angus, United Kingdom
Ollie is an American Bulldog and he is a gentle giant his weight is 47kgs and he is very strong but he hasn't got an aggressive bone in him. Family members own his parents but they are not very dog friendly and his father has attacked me before so I would not advise any one to get one without knowing about them first
From Herefordshire, United Kingdom
Bullys are a little ray of sunshine everyday! They’re all happy souls on the inside .......you’d never tell that from their wrinkled, gorgeous faces 🤣
Be warned though ....owning one of these little fury babies means they’re a people magnet on a massive scale!! Lovely to see my Colin (yes the Bully not my husband!) putting smiles on so many faces x
From Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
I currently have 5 bulldogs, all going back to my little Queen Boo. They are such loving dogs, wanting kisses and cuddles. They are far from the couch potatoes that the breed is portrayed as. They love their outings and two enjoy agility club.
Nine if my five have breathing or skin issues. Hardly ever see the vet, only for occasional ear infection and such like - the same as any breed.
If looking to buy a puppy, my advise would be - familiarize yourself with the breed standard, understand that 'rare' colours are in fact 'unrecognised' and 'undersirable', research your breeder, ask for recommendations from knowledgeable folk and ask the breeder lots of questions especially about what health testing they do.
Can't imagine my life without a bulldog in it.
From westerham, United Kingdom
We rescued Digger at the age of 1, he is now 4 and his our little Hippo :) He was horrifically abused, starved, beaten, to be honest we don't know the full story. Even now after being with us 3 years the scars are still there. He hates doors slamming, he runs at them wanting to bite them. He hates kitchen knives, if his in the kitchen and your preparing food and you walk from one side to the other with the knife in your hand he cowers :( He also hates the Bob Marley song Jamming!! If it comes on the radio he goes nuts running, barking!
His unpredictable with strangers, we never know who his going to like, so we now walk him with the Yellow flag which has the following emblazoned on it I NEED SPACE, and a Red sticker on the harness that says DO NOT PET. Which can be difficult as everybody wants to stroke a Bulldog.
At the beginning when we first got him he nipped my husband, went for me once but he now trusts us completely. He is the most wonderful boy, loves kisses and cuddles, does the silly Bulldog wiggle when we come home or get his harness out for walkies. He loves his younger sister Minnie the Bullmastiff, we got her as a pup so a completely different personality and no problems taking her out.
So to summarise on Bulldogs, yes Digger has issues but we wouldn't be without him. We see the real Bulldog personality more than the abused personality and we know that we will eventually get a bulldog puppy, so we can be the proud owners of a stable, fun loving Bulldog.
From Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
I have an American bulldog and she is by far the most loving, loyal and caring dog ive ever known. Shes brilliant with my 3 year old. Shes such a happy dog and so full of life and also very obedient, but it is also in these dogs nature to be boystres and stubborn but with the right training can be amazing companions. Although my girl hasent had it easy as a few years back she had to have an operation on her leg for a torn ligament and unfortunately recently had pyometra and just a week after her op ended up getting an eye ulcer. But shes strong willed and pulled through it all with flying colours :) absolute top breed if you have the time for them.
From Hampshire, United Kingdom
Cooper is an American Bulldog who weighs 34kgs, I had him as a foster after my 13yr old Staffie had to be put to sleep due to cancer. My house has always had a staffie in it. But when ýou are a foster parent you don't get to choose your dog, you have the dog that needs a place of safety(or they would be put to sleep) after fostering Cooper it became quite clear that he was staying put and I adopted him in Oct 2018. He is a gentle giant who loves to try and sit on your lap he's brilliant with children from babies upwards. He s not keen on small dogs as he sees them as prey and we work hard together to help him channel his high prey drive into positive behaviour. And yes American bulldog can be stubbon but very food orientated robin use this as a distraction. He hates the rain and will not go out in it.
From West Lothian, United Kingdom
We have a pocket bully called Broxi he will be a year old on 10th August and is full of mischief but loves cuddles and very protective