British Bulldog

A direct decedent of the ancient Mastiff breeds and thought to have been mixed with Old English Terrier types, the Bulldog was developed entirely in England. The breed was first noted in the 1500s in the description of a man who had ‘two Bolddogges by his side’.

The name ‘Bulldog’ comes from the practice of bull baiting, the task for which the breed was developed. The English believed that if a bull could be tied down and provoked into a rage by a dog, its meat would end up being much more tender and delicious. Additionally, the act of bull baiting was a popular spectator’s sport; sometimes bears would be baited as well, simply for the amusement of the crowd.

When the practice was deemed ‘cruel to animals’ in England in the 1830’s and made illegal, the British Bulldog, as well as a number of English terrier breeds, was swiftly put out of work.

Despite having no apparent purpose in a working dog era, the British Bulldog was still admired by many for its brutish determination and loyalty. Selective breeding followed in order to promote the docile qualities we know today, while retaining the breed’s strength and its traits of loyalty and persistence.

In the 1860’s the British Bulldog began to be entered into dog shows by the new type of breeders, helping to cement its place in the ‘companion dog’ category of our minds.

British Bulldogs are not overly energetic but are enthusiastic at play time and should be exercised moderately at least once a day. They are best suited to living indoors as they struggle in the heat, especially in an Australian summer, and their short snout can cause laboured breathing in hot and humid conditions. Be vigilant around water as they may struggle to swim.

Good training from a young age, paired with firm and consistent discipline, is a must when owning an British Bulldog. Because the British Bulldog is a stubborn and persistent animal, training can be challenging if not tackled with patience and consistency. They are very loyal animals and are keen to please their owners.

A good brushing a couple of times per week will keep the British Bulldog coat in good shape, with increased frequency during shedding season.

Be warned – British Bulldogs do tend to drool and need to be wiped as needed to prevent slobber all over the house.

British Bulldogs do tend to have quite a few health issues, and extra care is recommended to prevent forseeable problems from occuring in the first place. Their wrinkles need to be checked daily to ensure they are clean and dry and to avoid skin irritation or infections. Their ears and the area under the tail also need to be kept clean.