Bulldog originated in 19th-century England and is a species of canine. It is also one of the most powerful breeds of dogs.
Bulldogs serve as mascots for many schools, organizations, and even some countries. For example, the mascot of Yale University is a bulldog named "Handsome Dan." The mascot of Butler University Bulldogs in Indiana, USA, is also a bulldog. The bulldog is also a mascot for the United States Marine Corps and England.
They are calm and kind, firm, loyal and reliable, brave and courageous. They may look fierce, but they are actually gentle and not aggressive. Perhaps this is why the British appreciate their gentlemanly demeanor. Bulldogs are also praised for their bravery and outstanding endurance, which is why they are known as the national dog of England. Even after bullfighting was banned, bulldogs remained very popular.
They are composed and do not bark indiscriminately. They are very friendly and affectionate towards humans, especially children.
Bulldog, originating in England, is said to have been bred by crossing the Mastiff and the Bull Terrier.
It is said that in the 13th century, a popular activity in England was to let bulls fight bulldogs until the bulldogs bit the bulls and caused them to bleed and eventually die. The game would end when the bull was injured and exhausted. People at that time specifically bred a type of dog with short legs, fierce temperament, and strong jaws among the mastiff breeds to meet the needs of this cruel sport. It is said that this dog at that time had the bloodline of the Tibetan Mastiff and the Boxer.
In 1835, bulldog fighting was banned in England due to its excessive cruelty and bloodiness. Also, due to various factors, the value of the British bulldog gradually declined, and it even faced the danger of extinction. Some dog lovers were very disappointed to see the situation of this breed and took on the responsibility of saving it without hesitation. Although this dog is fierce and no longer needed or popular, there is still hope to preserve its excellent qualities. Later, efforts were made to eliminate the undesirable characteristics and retain and strengthen some good qualities. Finally, after several generations of selective breeding, the present British bulldog has become one of the breeds with extremely strong physical strength, and it has also reduced its primitive wildness to the lowest level. This is the bulldog we see today, a breed that gives us every reason to be proud of. Nowadays, bulldogs have also served as search and delivery dogs for military intelligence in the US army and have become family pets.
Moreover, due to changes in its use and years of breeding, the intense and sharp temperament of the bulldog has improved considerably and become gentle, kind, and very affectionate. However, the biggest changes are in its body size and the wrinkled face. Although it still retains its original ferocious appearance, which is intimidating, it doesn't prevent it from becoming the national dog of England and a unique symbol of Britain.
Nowadays, the Bulldog has been selectively bred and its temperament has gradually become elegant, making it suitable as a family companion dog.
This breed is very popular due to its fierce appearance and gentle and stable temperament, and is well-known as a pet dog. It can also serve as an excellent guard dog.
1. Cardiac Disease
Dog cardiac disease is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have cardiac disease, they mainly manifest symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog cardiac disease is difficult to detect, and by the time the owner notices, the dog is already severely ill.
2. Infectious Disease
Canine distemper and parvovirus are common and deadly infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that are not vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once they are infected, they will exhibit symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease must be mentioned. The frightening thing about dog kidney disease is the unconscious process of the disease. By the time the owner discovers it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells often exceeds 75%. When dogs have problems, the symptoms are usually blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, depression, diarrhea, presence of worms in feces, and pale gums and mucous membranes. Heartworm is a type of parasite that parasitizes the dog's heart. After infection, dogs will exhibit symptoms such as poor vitality, coughing, anemia, asthma, and ascites.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is a complication of other diseases and often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral influenza, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and high body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Bulldogs are very afraid of heat, and in severe cases, they can even experience difficulty breathing. Especially in summer, beware of heatstroke.
British bulldogs generally do not require a large amount of exercise, but it is still very necessary to exercise. However, be careful not to let them engage in vigorous exercise, such as running. It is best to choose cool times in the early morning or evening to avoid putting too much strain on their hearts. Always pay attention to changes in the weather.
In addition to the common symptoms of breathing difficulties caused by flat faces and tight jaws during the process of improving the breed, their chances of getting sick are very low.
The golden time for training British bulldogs is 2-5 months. If you miss this optimal time, the difficulty of training will increase significantly. It is necessary to train the habit of following the British bulldog. It is easy for them to get lost and there are also many accidents involving cars. In addition, at the initial stage of training, repetition may be necessary several times. As long as you cultivate good habits in them, you will feel much easier in the later stage.
The owner should use special tools to groom the hair on the British bulldogs, with gentle and meticulous movements, and avoid being too rough.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing your dog, you should not bathe them too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can bathe them one or two more times, while in winter you can reduce it by one or two times. However, the total times should not exceed 5. Otherwise, it will damage their fur and skin!
2. Regularly brush their fur
Dogs almost shed every day, especially during spring and autumn. To promote healthy fur growth, regular brushing is an important step. Use a pet-specific brush to help your dog remove naturally shed hair and prevent tangles. Brush them once in the morning and once in the evening, for about five minutes each time.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making their fur shiny, sun exposure can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, you can let your dog exercise a bit, which can improve their physical fitness and promote blood circulation, helping them grow healthier fur.
4. Parasite prevention
Poor fur condition is often related to parasites. Parasites consume a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, causing nutrient loss. Parasite prevention is therefore essential. It is recommended to perform internal and external parasite prevention together. Additionally, parasiticides can cause significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advised to regularly feed them with probiotics to alleviate any discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
If you want your dog to have shiny fur, you must establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to their daily diet. On one hand, feed them with nutritious and healthy dog food that meets their needs. On the other hand, you can also give them lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderate amounts.