IF YOU HAVEN’T ENTERED THE TREAT GIVEAWAY, DO IT NOW!
I met the most adorable English Bulldog last week, Millie.
I found myself asking if the English Bulldog would have been a good pet for my family (if we hadn’t found Chewy the Affenpinscher). So today we’re going to look at the English Bulldog as a breed and see who they would suit. If you’re looking for a new puppy or rescue dog, especially looking for a bully breed, ride along!
The AKC website has this to say about the English Bulldog:
Known for their loose-jointed, shuffling gait and massive, short-faced head, the Bulldog is known to be equable, resolute and dignified. A medium-sized dog, they are not your typical lap dog, but would like to be! … Said to have originated in the British Isles, the name “bull” was applied because of the dog’s connection with bull baiting. The original bulldog had to be ferocious and courageous, and almost insensitive to pain. When dog fighting became illegal in England, fanciers set to the task of preserving the breed by eliminating the fierce characteristics.
Wow. So THAT’S where the Bully comes from! Bizarre. I know so little about this breed, or bullies in general.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of bringing home this medium size lap dog wanna be.
Pros:
- Don’t require much grooming in the way of fur and brushing
- Gentle and affectionate, this dog LOVES people and is good with children
- As much as it loves people, the dog once took on bulls, and it will take on an intruder
- A great apartment dog, they don’t need a lot more than a daily walk for exercise, though they’re prone to weight gain, so more exercise is better than less
Look at this face:
What cons could there be to owning such a cute little clown of a dog? Actually, plenty, sadly. Let’s look.
Cons:
- Health issues – only about a million, and that’s only a small exaggeration – from cherry eye (as you see on Miss Millie), to skin, to hips, to breathing, to flatulence – the list goes on
- Life span – this breed lives about eight years, give or take
- The flip side of grooming is needing to clean the face wrinkles daily with a wet washcloth to keep them from stinking and getting gross
- Susceptible to both hot and cold extremes – don’t leave this dog outside for any length of time in weather that’s not just right
That’s enough, right? None of that has to do with the dog’s behavior, but the English Bulldog has a lot of health and breeding issues which make it the perfect dog for someone with time, money and a passion for the breed. I hope this isn’t depressing for those of you with your hearts set on the English Bulldog. Better to be prepared than give up a dog because you didn’t know what you were getting into, right?
They’re still gosh awful cute. Please, if you’re looking at the English Bulldog as a pet, or any of the bully breeds, do your homework. Know the breed inside and out. Check out potential breeders. Make sure you can see both parents. Get to know the breeder well and ask a ton of questions. Know potential health issues and ask about the blood lines in both parents. It’s that important.
And what treats would the English Bulldog like? Bones! Big bones for strong jaws. Miss Millie is young yet, less than a year by a long shot, and she’s already taken to bones. Also, Windees and Pig Ears. Pig Ears sparingly. Really, probably a lot of the Jones chews for this breed.
Tomorrow check in to see how things are going at Blog Paws! If you’re reading this on Wednesday morning, I’m on a plane on my way to Vegas. By tomorrow morning I should already have plenty of photos and lots to talk about! And don’t forget to enter the treat giveaway!
Until I write again …
Flea
