The English Bulldog coat comes in a variety of colors There are standard and non standard colors Standard colors are colors approved by the kennel clubs
The English Bulldog, is not recognised in any colour that is not listed in the breed standard by the Kennel Clubs For example black, lilac and chocolate colors are all marked on their pedigree as unrecognised colors
So what standard and non standard colors are there?
Standard
Fawn/ Fallow Red White
A combination of the standard colors like red and white are considered a standard color
Non Standard Colors
Black Blue Lilac
Markings
Black Mask Brindle Merle Piebald Ticked White Markings
×
Are non standard colors more prone to health problems?
There is a lot of debat wether Bulldogs with non standard colors are more likely to have breed specific health problems However in my research, I could find a lot of peoples opinions but I could not find any scientific research or statistics on this subject
So the next question would be: Are non standard colors more prone to health problems or are bad breeders more likely to breed non standard colors for financial reasons?
In the Netherlands, we rarely see non standard colored Bulldogs, in fact, we never had one in the rescue, so I cannot judge from my own experience But here is some helpful input from our members:
Jane Grace: I follow several bulldog rescues and they report seeing more health issues with non-standard coloured dogs than the regular coloured ones. They see more occurrences of cleft palates, spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The non standard colours are very sought after here in the US, unfortunately they come at a cost to the dogs by way of health.
There are several types of Bulldog breeds
The most common Bulldogs are
the English, French and American Bulldog
Although they all
have the Bulldog characteristics,
their personalities and looks differ
For instance, the American Bulldog
is a perfect guard dog
but the English and French Bulldogs
will either sleep through a burglary
or welcome the burglars with hugs and kisses
In most cases,
the larger breeds are the more active/energetic
and tend to be a little more dominant
than the smaller Bulldog breeds
Even though their character and looks may differ,
they all have some Bulldog qualities in common
They all make great family pets
and are very loyal and stable dogs
If you are looking for a Bulldog as a pet,
make sure to read up on
their character descriptions and basic needs
All dogs differ
Even when they are from the same family
Bulldogs, however, seem to have diversified in so many ways
In my personal opinion,
if you put 50 German Shepard’s
or 50 Labradors together
you will easily find two dogs who are almost identical
Do the same with Bulldogs
and you would not find a identical Bulldog
Bulldogs all have a very characteristic face and build
and none of them look alike
If you are looking for a Bulldog as a pet,
make sure to read up on the breed
so you will choose the breed that matches
your family, your lifestyle, experience
and needs of both you and the dog
Note:
A lot of the larger Bulldog breeds
are still exposed to ear cropping and tail docking
I intentionally posted the photos of these dogs
in their natural way
(I could not find a natural photo
of the Pakastani Bulldog
so if anyone has one please share)
Ear cropping and tail docking
unfortunately is still legal in a lot of countries
In my personal opinion, it is a very sick practice
to cut off pieces of a dog for appearance
Don’t support this form of animal cruelty,
never buy a dog from a breeder
who has dogs with cropped ears or docked tails
Of course the English Bulldog
is my personal favorite
I love their personalities and character
I tried to explain my love
for the Bulldog in this Blog
For me, the English Bulldog is the perfect dog
a friend to all humans and animals
a laid back dog inside the house
and a playful dog outside
a dog with humor and a strong will
and most of all a dog that lives to make you happy
Believe me when I say:
‘Once you go Bulldog you’ll never go back’.
A list of Bulldog Breeds
in alphabetical order
The American Bulldog
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
also called ‘The Otto Bulldog’
Alano Español
also known as the Spanish Bulldog
Australian Bulldog
also called Aussie Bulldog
English Bulldog
also called the British Bulldog
French Bulldog
Pakistani Bull Dog
also known as the Gull Dong
Victorian Bulldog
Old Boston Buldog
Old English Bulldog
Bulldog Campeiro
also known as the Brazillian Bulldog
Banter Bulldog
Catahoula Bulldog
Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldog
also known as the Old Time Bulldog
Mallorquin Bulldog
also known as Ca de Bou
Valley Bulldog
This blog is to give more insight
into the Bulldog’s character.
Let me start by stating
that no Bulldog is the same.
These numbers are based
on averages and based on
my own personal experiences with Bulldogs
in over 20 years of having them as pets
and my experience as a foster parent
and dog trainer for the Baggy Bulldog Rescue.
Are you thinking about adopting a Bulldog?
These characteristics and stats will help
you understand the Bulldog’s character and needs.
Are you an experienced Bulldog owner?
Let us know if you agree with these stats
and let us know if we missed anything
in the comments or on the Bulldog Forum
Adoptability
Adapts well to apartment/city living
When choosing the perfect pooch
for your apartment, you should also
take into consideration the dog’s
energy level, noisiness, and friendliness.
The Bulldog is the ideal dog for city living.
Their mellow personalities
fit right in with city life.
They are content, they rarely bark, are very social
and don’t require much exercise.
Daily walks and lots of cuddles
and they’re all set.
Good For Novice Owners
The Bulldog is often labeled
as a dumb and untrainable dog
This is not true!
Bulldogs are in fact very easy to train
and they are also very smart
However what works for most dogs
will often not work with Bulldogs.
So even an experienced dog owner
who owned different dog breeds
can still be an unexperienced owner
when it comes to Bulldogs.
A Bulldog will need a soft approach
and may need some more repetitions
before a command is learned.
But a Bulldog will never forget
anything he or she learned.
The English Bulldog, colloquially known as the British Bulldog or Bulldog, is a medium-sized dog that originated from England. The breed was first registered by the AKC in 1934 in the non-sporting group.
Today the English Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds throughout the world.
Their stout structure, humanlike faces and loyal characters made the unique identity of this breed.
Most researchers agree that the Bulldog is either a cross between a Mastiff and a Pug, or a descendant from the Alaunt.
The earliest mentions of the Bulldog breed date back to the early in 13th century when butchers used to keep dogs that were bred to catch and hold wild cattle.
Later on, Bulldogs were bred for cruel blood sports known as bull baiting.
Bulldogs were not only forced to fight with bulls, but also badgers, lions, bears and even elephants.
The blood sports were the popular pastimes of the masses that can be traced back to the year 1209. This was a sick form of animal cruelty to entertain the people back then. This form of animal cruelty as a ‘sport’ was finally banned in 1835.
Bull-Baiting
Normally the fight was staged in a field, a pit, or an arena. The concept of bull-baiting was for the dog to engage the bull.
Bulldogs were trained to crouch low to the ground to shield their bodies from the bull’s horns when it charged. The shoulders were placed on the outside of the body. This was to make sure it could crouch low.
Similarly, the hindquarters of the Bulldog are not as well developed as the forequarters, allowing the dog to be shaken violently without suffering any spinal injuries.
The head of the Bulldog, like his body, is also the part of the fighting strategies that men wanted to develop. The short jaws allows the dog to hang onto whatever it wants with a surprising tenaciousness.
The grip of a Bulldog is very strong and so is the structure of the jaws. Should the Bulldog be able to latch onto the bull’s nose, the Bulldog has a short snout located on the face upwards to allow breathing, while retaining its grip on the bull’s nose.
A New Purpose
Once bull-baiting was outlawed in the UK, it would seem that there would be no further need for the breed, and the Bulldog would probably become extinct.
But a few fans of the breed saved it by giving the Bulldog a new purpose. This is when the English Bulldog made the beautiful change from a fighting breed to a family breed.
The Bulldog’s character changed over the years from an aggressive and vicious fighter, to a loving and loyal family friend.
Nowadays, a Bulldog will rather avoid a fight and is considered one of the most gentle, calm and loyal breeds.
A New Look
Over the years, the look of the Bulldog started to change as well.
They became smaller, more stocky and got a more flattened face. There is a lot of discussion whether this was accomplished merely by selectively breeding smaller dogs or cross-breeding.
Sadly, the last few decades, breeders started to breed even more for looks, and exaggerated the Bulldogs typical looks including their short face, short legs, small behind, and wrinkles. Some of these features are the cause of some of the Bulldog breed specific health problems.
Today’s Bulldog
The English Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds these days.
Most people will describe them as friendly, loving and funny creatures with a heart of gold.
A Bulldog is a dog that will make an appearance not only because of its looks but even more so because of its striking character.
Because the Bulldog has such a mild temperament and is very loyal and gentle, it makes an ideal family pet, especially for people who live in the city.
Also, the Bulldog gained a lot of popularity as a very widely used mascot. In the US alone, the Bulldog represents nearly four dozen universities and 250 secondary schools. It is also the unofficial mascot for the US Marines and various sports teams.
Bulldogs are everywhere … in the movies and tv shows, on postcards and posters, you see them everywhere!
How can we explain this breeds popularity? In my personal opinion, what makes a Bulldog is not their unique looks, but but rather it is the Bulldog’s Character that explains it all.
Bulldogs are born to Love the World ♥
Read more about the character of the English Bulldog here.
The Future
It is our hope and wish that we will use the example of how the breed was bred to a new standard of character in the past, and use what we know today about the Bulldog’s health, to maintain not only the English Bulldog’s character and looks, but also make the Bulldog’s health the number one priority.
Strict rules regarding health MUST be a priority, and breed specific health problems need to be bred out of the breed.
The standards and rules need to be changed worldwide. This can only be done when veterinary experts, kennel clubs, breeders and owners worldwide work together.
English Bulldog Timeline
± 1300
First ever mention of a Bulldog
1835
Bull-baiting was made illegal in England by the Cruelty to Animals Act
1878
Dedicated bulldog fanciers formed The Bulldog Club (England)
1889
Handsome Dan becomes the Yale Mascot. The history of Handsome Dan dates to 1889, when Andrew Graves ’92S, a football player and rower during the days of Walter Camp, first named Yale’s mascot. The Bulldog tradition began a few years earlier, in 1890, when Harper, a champion English bulldog, was brought to football games to inspire the athletes
1890
Bulldog Club of America was founded
1913
Bulldog, Ch. Strathtay Prince Albert wins Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
1922
Because of the tenacity and demeanor of the breed, the image took root with both the Marines and the public. The Marines soon unofficially adopted the English Bulldog as their mascot.
At the Marine base at Quantico, Virginia, the Marines obtained a registered English Bulldog, King Bulwark. In a formal ceremony on 14 October 1922, BGen. Smedley D. Butler signed documents enlisting the bulldog, renamed Jiggs, for the “term of life.” Pvt. Jiggs then began his official duties in the U.S. Marine Corps.
1939 -1945
Bulldogs have a longstanding association with English culture, to many the Bulldog is a national icon, symbolising pluck and determination. During World War II, Bulldogs were often likened to Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his defiance of Nazi Germany.
1942
Spike the Bulldog makes his first appearance in the cartoon Tom & Jerry
1955
Ch. Kippax Fearnought wins Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
1987
Jake and the Fatman was an American crime series starring William Conrad as prosecutor J. L. Fatman McCabe and Joe Penny as investigator Jake Styles. The Fatman hardly traveled anywhere without Max, his pet bulldog
1999
Baggy Bulldogs was founded
2009
Tillman the Bulldog sets the Guinness World Record for the fastest 100 meter on a skateboard by a dog
2015
Otto the bulldog sets the record for longest human tunnel traveled through by a skateboarding dog
2019
Thor wins Best in Show at 2019 National Dog Show
Let’s finish this blog with some vintage Bulldog photos …
The Bulldog is known to be a mascot for many things like sport clubs and universities. But probably the oldest and most well known mascot is the Navy and Army Bulldog. So how did the Bulldog become the Marine, Navy & Army mascot?
The year was 1917 when America declared war against Germany and joined allied forces in France in World War I. The first real test in battle for the United States Marine Corps was the battle at Belleau Wood in 1918.
The Germans had advanced to within 50 miles of Paris. The battle raged for almost a month before the Marines were finally victorious. General Pershing said it was the most important battle fought by American forces since the Civil War. It was during the battle of Belleau Wood where the fighting spirit of the Marines and soon to be mascot, the English Bulldog, became synonymous.
The Bulldog by nature is a very social and calm dog, who rarely barks and is not very observant of its surroundings. There is not much that can distract a Bulldog of one of its most important tasks: Beauty Naps. From experience, I can say that most Bulldogs would welcome any visitor into their home, known or unknown. If they wake up, the burglar will probably receive a happy, warm and wiggly welcome.
I always joked that they do have a preventive use against burglars… If the burglar would listen at the door, they will think you have a grizzly bear snoring on your couch and he will mostly likely skip your house.
But in most cases the Bulldog is not very protective. Of course there are always exceptions. I have seen Bulldogs who grew up on a farm with other guard dogs and who copied the behaviour. But if you are looking for a dog to protect your property the English Bulldog is definitely not a good match. The American Bulldog however is very fit as a guard dog.
The English Bulldog is commonly portrayed as a fierce, persevering or even aggressive, but in reality the English Bulldog is none of that. They are softies, highly social and loving couch potatoes.
But there is one very important exception to this rule; the Bulldog will not care much about your home or property but it will do anything for its family. Because Bulldogs are so highly social, loyal and devoted and they will do anything to protect their family and friends.
Bulldogs are known to be one of the best babysitters in dog form. They are very gentle with kids and they will follow them around everywhere. A Bulldog will try to save its family by jumping into a lake even when it cannot swim. They will protect the other pets in the home and they will stick up for their doggy friends in the park. No matter what the danger is, the English Bulldog will come to the rescue.
To me this is way more important than my home or my stuff. When you have a Bulldog in your Home you have a family protector. I don’t care if a burglar takes my stuff, my dog is my family and is therefor way more valuable than anything I own. With a Bulldog in your Home you know you have your own guardian angel.
As a Bulldog Addict, I talk a lot about my Fur Bully Babies. And a lot of times I get the question: But why Bulldogs? What is it that makes the Bulldog so special?
First of all, I have to state I love all animals and all dogs, but the Bulldog has a special place in my heart. Why? Well I’m gonna try to explain although I have to state in advance, the only way to truly understand a Bulldog Addict, is to become one yourself.
You have to own one to understand it. Let me rephrase that last sentence; you have to care for a Bulldog to understand the Bulldog Love. No one really owns a Bulldog ☺ That’s one of the reasons I Love them so much.
General Characteristics
Bulldogs are not just remarkable dogs in appearance; they also have an even more striking character. The Bulldogs’ character can be described as friendly, social, calm, balanced, compassionate, stubborn, cuddly, outgoing, proud and persevering. I personally believe that their friendly and peaceful nature largely determines their character.
The Peaceful Bulldog
The Bulldog’s character is what makes them so unique. You could almost say that Bulldogs have a soothing and calming effect on their owners. A nice detail is that many of those owners have a fast or hectic life and find peace and relaxation with their Bulldogs.
For example, the high-speed motor racer, Valentino Rossi, is a big Bulldog fan and owner! A perfect example of two extremes matching perfectly together. For more information about famous Bulldog owners I refer you to the topic: Famous Bulldogs.
Another example showing the relaxed attitude of a Bulldog is that a Bulldog is a rare barker will almost never use his voice to clarify disputes. I often refer to Bulldogs as the Rasta among Dogs, they have a feel good mentality and if not today then tomorrow.
Although it is a misconception that Bulldogs are Lazy and low energy dogs, Bulldogs do love to chill and relax. Laid back, would still be an understatement for the Bulldog. Have a crazy and stressful life and want to chill out? Get a Bulldog.
The Bulldog will teach anyone how to relax and chill properly. They are calm, gentle and laid back by nature in such a way they will have the same effect on their surroundings.
The Social Dog
All dogs are social animals by nature, but the Bulldog takes this to a whole new level. The Bulldog is and wants to be everyone’s friend, no matter if you are human or animal, the Bulldog will try to socialize with you. Although they might look tough they are all softy inside and are not afraid to show and share it. I have seen Bulldogs become friends with guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep and other farm animals.
This loving and social character is what makes the Bulldog such a great Family dog. They are exceptionally loving and caring with people, little kids and elderly people, dogs and other animals.
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The Energy of a Bulldog
A statement often heard is that Bulldogs are lazy dogs. Their characteristics, like their calm and relaxed nature, are often mistaken for laziness or a lack of energy.
These are false accusations; Bulldogs just use their energy very thoughtfully.
If Bulldogs feel like it, the will go for the full 100% energy explosion and when they do, they are one big ball of energy. The Bulldog is certainly not a lazy dog. A Bulldog has to see the purpose of his energy use and does not see much reason to hurry itself.
With the false idea of a lazy bulldog, a lot of owners get an English Bulldog for the wrong reasons. They think the Bulldog does not need/and doesn’t like to walk. This is just an excuse for lazy dog owners. When the Bulldog only walks a few minutes a day outside, not getting enough exercise and getting overweight, it creates a dog that is both physically and mentally in an unhealthy situation.
Devotion and Loyalty
The Bulldog is extremely devoted and loyal to it’s Family. A Bulldog is happy when it’s with his Family it loves to get affection and be around the daily activities. You can have all the toys in the world, acres of playground and plenty of exercise but a Bulldog without it’s Family is an unhappy dog.
The Bulldog is the ideal companion, always happy to see you and he is happy when you are happy. Try doing a work out on the floor, bring in groceries, take a nap on the couch or do chores around the house, .. you will never have to those things alone again. A Bulldog wants to engage in your activities and wants to be a part of it all.
The Intelligence of a Bulldog
Due to the earlier mentioned characteristics, Bulldogs are often underestimated in terms of intelligence. Bulldogs need to see the purpose of an action.
They will follow commands … but in bulldog pace (so it might take a little longer). This does not mean that Bulldogs are unintelligent dogs. There are several Bulldogs that made it to the highest level in obedience training and also have achieved these goals in agility competitions.
Crazy Time
At least once a day Bulldogs have what I call ‘Crazy Time’ sometimes also referred to as ‘The Zoomies’. The best way to describe this is your Bulldog will have fun in goin’ crazy.
This can be done in several ways.. .
some video examples will explain 😀
Wait for it …
The Bulldog and Routine
Bulldogs are dogs who are very committed to routine and structure in their daily life. Bulldogs often get upset when they deviate from their daily routine. For example, my mother’s Bulldog, Teun, walked the same route through the park every day. When my mother needed to post a letter and had to deviate from the usual route, Teun would not move and would look in the direction he would normally walk. It is simply what he was used to.
Most Bulldogs are not that fond of change. This is true of even the smallest changes such as moving furniture in the house. This is why it is very important in the upbringing of Bulldogs to let them get used to changes. Let your Bulldog gain as much experience as possible in an early stage by letting them get used to public transport, sleeping in different places, walking various routes and so on. This way, you can ensure that Bulldogs can easily adapt in different situations. For more information on Dog Training click here
Emotional Philosophers
The Bulldog might look tough in appearance but in reality is not tough at all. Bulldogs are very emotional dogs. They easily pick up on human vibes and emotions. They are easily scared and can be real wimps. A lot of people label the Bulldog as stubborn, but in my personal opinion, they are not stubborn but they do have a strong will. A Bulldog has to see the purpose of an action or following a command if not it will refuse.
Bulldogs are real thinkers.
You don’t give commands to a Bulldog
You come to agreements with them 😀
A strong character has a strong voice, and so it is. It is one more thing that makes the Bulldog special, their Sound. Although a Bulldog will rarely bark they do know how to talk. They have their own language which sounds hilarious.
Bulldogs are forever Babies, yes they grow up but on the inside a Bulldog will keep those childlike features forever. They will stay untroubled, keep exploring and want to be Daddy’s or Mommy’s little Baby Bull forever. They also tend to keep up the childish behaviour of having Tantrums by the way 😀
As a Bulldog Addict, I talk a lot about my Fur Bully Babies. And a lot of times I get the question: but why Bulldogs? What is it that makes the Bulldog so special? First of all, I have to state I love all animals and all dogs, but the Bulldog has a special place in my heart. Why?
Well I’m gonna try to explain allthough I have to state in advance, the only way to truly understand a Bulldog Addict, is to become one yourself. You have to own one to understand it. Let me rephrase that last sentence; you have to care for a Bulldog to understand the Bulldog love. No one really owns a Bulldog 😉 That’s one of the reasons I love them so much. Here are some more reasons I think the Bulldog breed is so special.
Social Dog All dogs are social animals by nature, but the Bulldog takes this to a whole new level. The Bulldog is and wants to be everyone’s friend, no matter if you are human or animal, the Bulldog will try to socialize with you. Allthough they might look tough they are all softy inside and are not afraid to show and share it. I have seen Bulldogs become friends with guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep and other farm animals.
This loving and social character is what makes the Bulldog such a great Family dog. They are exceptionally loving and caring with people, little kids and elderly people, dogs and other animals.
Devotion and Loyalty The Bulldog is extremely devoted and loyal to it’s Family. A Bulldog is happy when it’s with his Family it loves to get affection and be around the daily activities. You can have all the toys in the world, acres of playground and plenty of excersize but a Bulldog without it’s Family is an unhappy dog.
The Bulldog is the ideal companion, always happy to see you and he is happy when you are happy. Try doing a work out on the floor, bring in groceries, take a nap on the couch or do chores around the house, .. you will never have to those things alone again. A Bulldog wants to encage in your activities and wants to be a part of it all.
Crazy Time At least once a day Bulldogs have what I call ‘Crazy Time’ sometimes also referred to as ‘Zoomies’. With James and Bean it is clockwork, after their ‘after dinnernap’ it’s Crazy Time 😀 The best way to describe this is your Bulldog will have fun in goin’ crazy.
This can be done in several ways.. James will usually grab his blanket, throws it on its own head and will roll around, so I will have a little ghost barking and rolling around my living room and Bean usually does sprints and jumps on and off the couch and running and jumping around with her butt low like a crazy high energy bunny. Some video examples of Bulldog and their ‘Crazy Times’.
James goin’ Nuts with his Blanket
Wait for the Hilarious ending 😉
Face and Expression Bulldogs have such a Beautiful face. Their characteristic and distinguished faces really gives them the most diverse and cute facial expressions. Their loving eyes, those wrinkles and floppy cheeks, it is all part of the Bulldog charme.
It is no coincidence that Bulldogs are frequenly used as mascottes, in commercials etc., the Bulldog’s Face speaks to everyone and says it all.
Laid back and Relaxed Allthough it is a misconception that Bulldogs are Lazy and low energy dogs, Bulldogs do love to chill and relax. Laid back, would still be an understatement for the Bulldog. Have a crazy and stressful life and want to chill out? Get a Bulldog.
The Bulldog will teach anyone how to relax and chill properly. They are calm, gentle and laid back by nature in such a way they will have the same effect on their surroundings.
Emotional Philosophers The Bulldog might look tough in appearance but in reality is not tough at all. Bulldogs are very emotional dogs. They easily pick up on human vibes and emotions. They are easily scared and can be real wimps. A lot of people label the Bulldog as stubborn, but in my personal opinion, they are not stubborn but they do have a strong will. A Bulldog has to see the purpose of an action or following a command if not it will refuse.
Bulldogs are real thinkers. You don’t give commands to a Bulldog you come to agreements with them 😉
The Bulldog Sound One more thing that makes the Bulldog special is their Sound. Allthough a Bulldog will rarely bark they do know how to talk. They have their own language which sounds hilarious. To understand it you have to watch, listen and learn: Bully Talk
Forever Babies Bulldogs are forever Babies, yes they grow up but on the inside a Bulldog will keep those childlike features forever. They will stay untroubled, keep exploring and want to be Daddy’s or Mommy’s little Baby Bull forever. They also tend to keep up the childish behaviour of having Tantrums by the way 😉
A lot of people think Winston Churchill was a Bulldog owner. This is a misconception.
Question: What type of dogs did Churchill own and what was his connection to the English Bulldog breed?
he actually owned poodles the connection is the bulldog spirit. Winston Churchill is known to the Russians as “The British Bulldog” for his unyielding tenaciousness.
Bulldog Question #3
Which Plant or Flower is named after our favorite Breed?
Full name and Photo or Link Wins! Winning answer from: Stephie Adele The Lady Slipper Orchid, the Paphiopedilum and Cypripedioideae
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