Breed Profile: Bulldog

The bulldog has long been considered an informal mascot of England due to the breed’s determination and courage. Bulldogs likely descended from the large and dangerous Tibetan mastiff, though it’s unclear how the mastiff originally came to England. English breeders first raised bulldogs to participate in bullbaiting, a cruel sport in which a dog would sneak up on a tethered bull and attempt to grab him by the nose and drag him to the ground—often with the result of death or serious injury to both combatants. It wasn’t until 1835 that England abolished the sport, though it continued to be practiced underground for many years. After the development of the competitive dog show, viciousness was bred out of the bulldog so that the breed could participate.

The bulldog has been in America since 1774, and the American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1886. Today, the bulldog is one of the most popular dogs in the United States and is universally recognized and beloved for his unusual appearance and character.

The following description is of an “ideal” bulldog. Not all bulldogs will fit the description exactly, but that’s not an issue unless you want a dog who can participate in dog shows.

The bulldog is solid, sensible, and patient. He can be stubborn, which makes training difficult, but he is also one of the safest and most reliable dogs around children. Though gentle, the bulldog is fearless and will defend his family to the utmost if necessary.

Here are some traits to consider when determining how well a bulldog is going to fit in with you and your family.

Bulldogs need lots of human companionship—without it, they can pine away or become destructive. Puppies in particular are active and playful, and will demand a great deal of attention. Bulldogs fit in well with families because they cheerfully make friends with everyone in the family, particularly children. Even so, children should be taught the proper way to interact with a bulldog.

Bulldogs thrive in an urban environment as long as the smog isn’t too bad, as they are prone to respiratory problems. They have difficulty with long flights of stairs, so apartments with elevators are preferable. Bulldogs are not frequent barkers, which makes them ideal for people who live in close proximity to their neighbors. Bulldogs do suffer in heat and humidity, however, and die more frequently from heatstroke than any other breed. A cooler climate—even one created artificially indoors—is ideal for bulldogs.

The bulldog’s unusual physique—short legs, narrow windpipe, and squashed face—makes him unfit for vigorous workouts. Prolonged, strenuous activity can lead to respiratory distress and even death in a bulldog. Of course, adequate exercise is still a necessity, so the key to exercising a bulldog is to do so without stressing him. Leisurely walks or a game of tug-of-war will provide suitable exercise for this breed.

Though trainable, bulldogs require a great deal of patience from their owners: they are not an “obedience breed” that will eagerly wait for an owner to provide instruction. Owners should figure out what they want their individual bulldog to learn and proceed slowly, making sure that he has achieved one skill before advancing to the next.