Bulldog Breeder

• Recognized by: AKC, CKC, canKC, UKC, FCI, AFDSB, KCUK
• Country of Origin: Great Britain
• Life Expectancy: Approximately 10 years
• Height median: 12 - 15 inches
• Weight median: Approximately 50 - 60 pounds
• Coloring: White, Red, Red Brindle, Fawn - Any of these with white markings, Piebald (predominantly white)
• Disposition: Cheerful, loving, playful & relaxed but stubborn. Training take patience and time!
• Children: Excellent with children. They love to play but tire easily and are not demanding. They are protective over children and will guard them.
• Other pets/animals: They are good with other pets but not around feeding time. They tend to guard their resources.
• Climate: They are not suited for hot weather. They are prone to heat exhaustion. Air conditioning is a must for them during the summer.
• Indoor or Outdoor: They are indoor pets.
  
• Exercise: They require little exercise as they overheat easily and cannot breathe like most dogs. They are couch potatoes!
• Grooming: Very minimal coat brushing is required but their wrinkles, teeth and ears must be cleaned regularly.

The English Bulldog has changed drastically over the years. They are well known and loved for their appearance today but historically were bred and built for destruction. They were raised for bull and bear baiting, a horribly vicious practice that is thankfully now extinct. English Bulldogs powerful jaws and short muzzle were perfect for latching on to a bull and holding on with brute force. Their top heavy weight distribution and relatively short, straight back made it very difficult for the bull to shake them off. Although modern English Bulldogs retain many of those physical characteristics, their personality is vastly improved. English bulldogs are a loving, gentle breed who adore human attention but actually demand very little from their owners. They love to play but vary rarely will they ever take the initiative to start the fun. English Bulldogs docile, tolerant and attentive nature makes them an excellent companion for children, although the older Bulldog puppies can be a little too rambunctious for toddlers who are just learning to walk. Adult Bulldogs are much more careful and passive about play but they never quite grow up!

A commonly held misconception about English Bulldogs is that they are not an intelligent breed. That could not be farther from the truth! English bulldogs are actually highly intelligent and are more than capable of learning any trick you might ask of them. However, they would much rather have you rub their fat belly or scratch behind their ears. So, if you keep it fun and interesting, you will find that they are more receptive to learning. A few short sessions of 5 minutes or less about 3 times each day should do the trick. Boredom sets in quickly for this breed so keep it fast and fun and they will reward you with good behavior and polished manners in no time. English Bulldogs are masters at figuring out how to get their own way. They will do what is expected of them until you aren't watching and then you'll find them snoozing happily away on your favorite pillow or blanket. If you punish them, English Bulldogs are the master of the guilt trip. They seem to know how to melt your heart with that squishy face and a well timed sigh. If punished, their feelings get hurt very easily but they are fast and eager to forgive, especially if their favorite treat and a hug is involved.

The English Bulldog is not a demanding breed but they do require quite a bit of health maintenance. If you are not financially able to commit to veterinary visits and regular care then the Bulldog is not for you. They are prone to skin allergies, cherry eye and possible hip dyplasia in later life. All of these health challenges require veterinary intervention which can be costly at times. It is imperative for you to find a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about English Bulldogs and their specific needs.

One extremely critical note is that anesthetizing the English Bulldog is extremely dangerous which is why you must have a veterinarian who is highly skilled with the breed. Because of their unusual airways and difficulty in breathing, the muscle relaxation that comes with anesthesia can easily cause their airway to collapse ending in a fatality. Sadly, many English Bulldogs have been lost due to accidents related to anesthesia. If necessary, try to group any surgeries together to minimize the amount of times that the Bulldog has to be put under. It must also be noted that only highly skilled breeders attempt to breed these dogs as nearly 90% of births must be performed as a Cesarean section which is quite dangerous.

Overall, the English Bulldog can be the most wonderful addition to your family if you are committed to educating yourself about their specific needs. Additionally, English Bulldogs require your love, attention, time, companionship and patience. In return, you will get unconditional love (except for the occasional pouty face) and a wonderful, often comical, furry best friend. Think of it like this, your English Bulldog is merely a little human just in a Bulldog's hairy body.