Bulldog

About This Dog

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A Bulldog is the common name for a breed of dog also referred to as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is breed of dog developed centuries ago in Great Britain for use in fighting bulls (bullbaiting). Other bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.

The bulldog stands 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm) and weighs 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg). It has a large head, folded ears, a short muzzle, a protruding lower jaw, and loose skin that forms wrinkles on the head and face. Its short, fine coat is tan, white, reddish brown, brindle, or piebald. These kinds of breed are friendly and gregarious, they are also known for getting along well with children.

Health

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These dogs were mostly prone to hip dysplasia, among the 467 Bulldogs tested 73.9% of them were affected, tested by Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Another is Patellar luxation which affects 6.2% of Bulldogs. Some 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 a veterinarian or an experienced owner. Other problems of these dog is having a cherry eye, a protrusion of the inner eyelid (which can be corrected by a veterinarian), hip problems and certain allergy. Usually, puppies are frequently delivered Caesarean Section, because of the large size of its head. The folds on the face of a Bulldog should be cleaned daily to prevent from infections caused by moisture. Daily exercise is required in order to avoid obesity which can lead to lung problems as well as joint problems. Bulldogs like cool places, because they are sensitive to heat, proper ventilation is needed to keep them healthy and secure.

History

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The term "bulldog" was first mentioned in literature around 1500, the oldest spelling of the word being Bondogge and Bolddogge. The modern spelling is dated 1631 or 1632 in a letter by a man named Preswick Eaton where he writes: "procuer mee two good Bulldoggs, and let them be sent by ye first shipp". The name “bull” was also based in the use of the dog, they were used in bull baiting. In 1835 dog fighting as a sport became illegal in England. Therefore, the Old English Bulldog had outlived his usefulness in England and his days were numbered in England. It also said that Bulldogs were crossed between Mastiff and the pug, but still the genetic origin is debated.

Bullbaiting

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Bullbaiting is once a barbarous but widely popular sport. A bull was tethered to a stake and attacked by specially trained bulldogs. This sport is also related to bearbaiting, cockfighting, and bullrunning which was outlawed in Britain in 1835.

In England many large groups of bears were kept expressly for the purpose. Contemporary records reveal, for example, that 13 bears were provided for an entertainment attended by Queen Elizabeth I in 1575. When a bull was baited, its nose was often blown full of pepper to further arouse it. Specially trained dogs were loosed singly, each attempting to seize the tethered animal's nose. Often a hole in the ground was provided for the bull to protect its snout. A successful dog was said to have pinned the bull. Variations on these activities included whipping a blinded bear and baiting a pony with an ape tied to its back. Dogfighting and cockfighting were often provided as companion diversions. A sport called bull running also developed in some places, usually as an annual affair. The townspeople, armed with clubs, chased to death.

Bearbaiting

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Bearbaiting is closely related to Bullbaiting in which bulldogs are most often included in this form of bloody sport, once common in Europe, including England. The bear was tethered to a stake in a bear pit or sunken “bear garden”. Dogs were set on the animal and a fight ensued until the bear was killed. Very often some or all of the dogs were killed instead, and the bear was saved for another occasion. The sport was particularly popular in England in the 16th century at all levels of society including the monarchy, and the Master of Bears was a Crown appointment. Tudor nobles kept “bear wards” where they had groups, or sleuths, of bears. There was a particularly famous bear garden at Southwark, London near Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Town councils had official bears, and a really fine one was a matter of civic pride. In 1835, Bearbaiting was banned in Great Britain but persisted illegally and in secret for many years as did cockfighting, which still takes place in many countries.