bulldog

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Bulldog

Other names	British Bulldog English Bulldog
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Traits
Classification & standards FCI Group 2 Section 2 #149 standard AKC Non-sporting standard ANKC Group 7 (Non-Sporting) standard KC (UK) Utility standard NZKC Non-sporting standard

A Bulldog, also known as British Bulldog or English Bulldog, is a breed of dog which traces its ancestry to England. It should not be confused with other varieties such as the American Bulldog or the French Bulldog, which have a similar appearance.

Description

Appearance

American Bulldog, Purebred 6 month-old puppy from AKC Champion bloodlines

The bulldog is a breed with characteristically thick shoulders and a matching head. There are generally thick folds of skin on a bulldog's brow, followed by round, black, eyes that are far apart, a short muzzle with characteristic folds called "rope" above the nose, drooping lips, and the pointy teeth. The coat is short, flat and sleek, with colors of red, fawn, white, brindle (mixed colors, often in waves or irregular stripes), and piebalds of these.

In the US, the size of a typical mature male is about 50 pounds and that for mature females is about 45 pounds. In the United Kingdom, the breed standard is 55 pounds for a male and 50 pounds for a female, though it is not uncommon for males to be 60 pounds.

While some canine breeds require their tails to be cut or "cropped" soon after birth, bulldogs are one of very few breeds whose tail is naturally short and curled. A longer or "gay" tail is a serious fault in a show bulldog.

Temperament

Despite their famous "sourpuss" expression, bulldogs are generally docile although can prove to be very fast movers over a short distance. They are friendly and gregarious but occasionally willful. The phrase "stubborn as a bulldog" is loosely rooted in fact. They rank 77th out of 79 in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, being of lowest degree working/obedience intelligence.

Breeders have worked to breed aggression out of the breed, and as such the dog is known to be of generally good temperament. Bulldogs can be so attached to home and family that they will not venture out of the yard without a human companion. Due to their friendly nature bulldogs are known for getting along well with children, other dogs and pets.

Health

Adult female bulldog with under-bite

Some individuals of this breed are prone to interdigital cysts, which are 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), certain allergies, and hip issues in older bulldogs. However, bulldogs are bred to be bowlegged in the hind-legs and thus do not usually develop hip dysplasia.

Puppies are frequently delivered by Caesarean section because their characteristically large heads can become lodged in the mother's birth canal during natural birth. However, it is not entirely uncommon for a bulldog to whelp naturally and successfully.

The folds or "rope" on a Bulldogs face should be cleaned daily to avoid unwanted infections caused by moisture accumulation. Also, some bulldogs' naturally curling tails can be so tight to the body as to require regular cleaning and a bit of ointment.

Like all dogs, bulldogs require daily exercise. If not properly exercised it is possible for a bulldog to become overweight, which could lead to heart and lung problems, as well as joint issues.

Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to heat. Extra caution should be practiced in warmer climates and during summer months. Bulldogs must be given plenty of shade and water, and must be kept out of standing heat.

In January 2009, after the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, the 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, less skin folds, a longer muzzle, and a taller thinner posture, in order to combat perceived problems with respiration and with breeding due to head size and posture.^[1]

History

The term "bulldog" was first used around 1568 and might have been applied to other various ancestors of modern bulldog breeds before adorning the breed we recognize today.

It has been theorized that bulldogs were bred in England as a cross between the Mastiff and the Pug, though their genetic origin is debated^[2]. Since the pug did not arrive in Europe until the late 16th century, it is unlikely that the breed is an original progenitor of the Bulldog. The Bulldog and the Mastiff are widely thought to have common roots in the ancient Pugnaces Britanniae of Great Britain^[3].

In the 1600s, bulldogs were used for bullbaiting (as well as bearbaiting)--a gambling sport popular in the 17th century with wagers laid while trained bulldogs leapt at a bull lashed to a post. The bulldog's typical means of attack included latching onto the animal's snout and attempting to suffocate it.^[4]

However, the bulldog's early role was not limited to sport. In mid-17th century New York, bulldogs were used as a part of a city-wide round-up 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.^[5]. The use of dogs for fighting with other dogs or other animals was banned in the United Kingdom by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835, but Bulldogs as pets were continually promoted by dog dealer Bill George^[6].

In time, the original Old English Bulldog was crossed with the pug. The outcome was a shorter, wider dog with a brachycephalic skull. Though today's bulldog looks tough, he cannot perform the job he was originally created for, as he cannot withstand the rigors of running and being thrown from a bull, and cannot grip with such a short muzzle.

Champion Rodney Stone, 1907

The oldest single breed specialty club is The Bulldog Club (England), which was formed in 1878. Members of this club met frequently at the Blue Post pub on Oxford Street in London. There they wrote the first standard of perfection for the breed. In 1891 the two top bulldogs, Orry and Dockleaf, competed in a contest to see which dog could walk the farthest. Orry was reminiscent of the original bulldogs, lighter boned and very athletic. Dockleaf was smaller and heavier set, more like modern bulldogs. Dockleaf was declared the winner that year. Although some argued that the older version of the bulldog was more fit to perform, the modern version’s looks won over the fans of the breed because they proved they were equally as fit and athletic in the walking competition.

At the turn of the 20th century, Ch. Rodney Stone became the first Bulldog to command a price of $5000 when he was bought by controversial Irish-American political figure Richard Croker.

Popular mascot

The breed is the official mascot of the United States Marine Corps and many bases have their own mascot on base. Thirty-nine American universities use a bulldog as their mascot.^[7] This includes mascots such as Yale University's Handsome Dan, Georgetown University's Jack the Bulldog, the University of Georgia's Uga, Gonzaga University's Spike the Bulldog, Butler University's Blue, Louisiana Tech University's Tech, Mississippi State's Bully, and Western Illinois University's Rocky.

Bulldogs in popular culture

Bulldogs have been widely featured in popular culture. In several cases they are portrayed as bullies; children will say a bulldog looks "tough", but in fact modern bulldogs' temperament is very social and lovable.

• Hermanos Herrera famous winners of the Sol Poniente Lifetime Achievement award album includes a song titled Las Canastas, Bamba Herrera, group mascot and accomplished English Bulldog, gained notable attention and international fame.
• The Beatles famous Yellow Submarine album includes a song titled Hey Bulldog, which prominently features famous bassist and vocalist Paul McCartney barking.
• Yale University has had a succession of bulldogs named "Handsome Dan" as its mascot.
• The University of Georgia has had a succession of Bulldogs named "Uga" as its mascot.
• Barton College has an English Bulldog "Bully" as its mascot.
• James Madison University has an English Bulldog "Duke Dog" as its mascot.
• In the American television show Gossip Girl, Blair owns a bulldog named "Handsome Dan", who she names after Yale University's mascot with the same name.
• Disney has Butch the Bulldog as a bully to Pluto.
• Disney's Oliver and company has Francis the Bulldog.
• In Looney Tunes there are three bulldogs: Hector the Bulldog (a supporting character in some Sylvester/Tweety cartoons), Spike (seen with a terrier named Chester), and Marc Antony (always seen with a kitten named Pussyfoot).
• Tom and Jerry have Spike the Bulldog and Tyke, his son as recurring characters.
• Droopy has Butch the bulldog as an antagonist.
• Tiny Toons has Barky Marky mirroring Marc Antony and the other Looney Tunes bulldogs.
• Jonny Quest has a bulldog pet named Bandit.
• In Thundercats, Mum-ra, their main foe, has a bulldog pet named Ma-Mutt.
• In Veronica's Closet the main character has a bulldog pet in the earlier seasons.
• In MacGyver there is a bulldog named Frog.
• In Mr. Magoo there is a bulldog named Angus.
• The Batman films directed by Joel Schumacher feature a bulldog in odd scenes.
• In Seinfeld Kramer sets a bulldog to chase Newman, perpetuating the stereotypes of dogs chasing mailmen and bulldogs as aggressive dogs.
• In Little Nicky the main character is advised by Mr. Beefy, as a demon bulldog.
• In Jake and the Fatman there is a bulldog named Max.
• In Rob & Big and Fantasy Factory, professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek owns 2 bulldogs, Meaty (which he got in the first episode of Rob & Big) and Beefy (whom he got when he started Fantasy Factory).
• 70s pop duo Captain & Tennille often featured their pet bulldogs, Broderick and Elizabeth, on their album covers.
• During World War II, Winston Churchill was commonly referred to as the "British Bulldog" and was often characterized as one in cartoons at the time.
• Pete Wentz has a bulldog named Hemingway who is best known for Fall Out Boys video clip "the take over, the breaks over" revolving around him. He also has a bulldog puppy named Rigby.
• James Mead, guitarist for the band Kutless owns a bulldog named Nixon, who appears in the band's DVD, Live From Portland.
• In Everybody Loves Raymond, Robert (Brad Garrett) had a bulldog named Shamsky (after the baseball player) for the first three seasons of the show.
• In National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj, the main character Taj Mahal Badalandabad had a bulldog called Ballzac.
• In National Lampoon's Van Wilder, the main character Van Wilder has a bulldog named Colossus.
• In Mannequin the night time security guard has a bulldog named Rambo.
• Actors Cole & Dylan Sprouse own an English Bulldog named Bubba, who is seen on many Sprouse Bros. merchandise.
• In Pixar's animated film Up, one of the characters, Gamma, is a bulldog.
• Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington) uses the popular image of the Bulldog as mascot.
• The Mack Trucks logo features a bulldog and a 20 ft bronze bulldog stands outside the Mack Trucks headquarters in Allentown, PA.
• Valley's mascot on the show Saved by the Bell was an English Bulldog
• Brad Pitt owns an English Bulldog.
• Michael Phelps has pet English Bull Dog named Herman.
• The lead character, Billy Butcher, from the comic book series, The Boys owns a bulldog called Terror.
• The mascot of the Marvel Comics comic book series and fictional "clean-up" company, Damage Control has their mascot as a bulldog.
• The mascot of the United States Marine Corps is the English bulldog.
• High schools:La Porte High school
• High Schools: [1] Golden Valley High School (Bakersfield, California)

See also

• Molosser
• Companion dog
• Companion Dog Group
• Utility Group
• Non-Sporting Group

References

1. ^ Valerie Elliott (14 January 2009). "Healthier new bulldog will lose its Churchillian jowl". The Times. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5512620.ece. Retrieved 14 January 2009. ""The classic British bulldog..shake-up of breeding standards by the Kennel Club has signaled the end of the dog's Churchillian jowl... will have a shrunken face, a sunken nose, longer legs and a leaner body...British Bulldog Breed Council and it is threatening legal action against the club. Robin Searle, the chairman, said: "What you’ll get is a completely different dog, not a British bulldog." New breeding standards for 209 dog species...after...BBC One documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, last summer.... In a statement [the Kennel Club] said: "The breed standards have been revised so they will not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog breathing, walking and seeing freely."... Bulldogs are prone to skin and coat problems, cherry eye, respiratory disorders, orthopaedic conditions, and soft or cleft palate. Most are born by Caesarean section because large heads and proportionally small hips make natural births difficult. The breed’s anatomy also hinders mating, with many litters conceived via artificial insemination."" 
2. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition. 2003. 
3. ^ The History of the Mastiff, M.B.Wynn, 1885. William Loxley.
4. ^ Fogle, Bruce (2000). The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. Doring Kindersley (DK). ISBN 0-7894-6130-7. 
5. ^ Ellis, Edward Robb (2005). The Epic of New York City - A Narrative History. Basic Books, New York. ISBN 978-0-7867-1436-0. 
6. ^ The Mastiff and Bullmastiff Handbook, D.B.Oliff, 1988. The Boswell Press.
7. ^ Janik, Kinga (July 6, 2007). "Bulldogs Best at Bolstering School Spirit?". Georgetown Journalism. http://journalism.georgetown.edu/kingajanik.html. Retrieved 2008-07-22. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bulldog

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Bulldog

Bulldog rescue

• [2]

Breed Information

• Bulldog Club of America - Official Breed Club
• ABRABULL - Official Brazilian Breed Club
• Bulldog Club of Brazil
• History of the Bulldog
• Bulldog Information
• Bulldog Channel- Information
• Bulldog History: the extinction
• American Kennel Club