According to the standard of theInternational Cynological Federation (FCI), the bulldogIt belongs to group two, companion and deterrent dogs, along with the Pinscher and Schnauzer breed.
The bulldog was classified as such for the first time in 1630, referring to its similarity to a “bandog”. term used today for fighting and fear-mongering dogs. The bulldog was used to fight bulls. In 1835, a version with a shorter face and a plumper body began to be developed. He began participating in exhibitions in 1860.
The FCI describes it as “a deliciously ugly dog, with a boxer’s expression, that shows affection; an affectionate nature towards family and friends.” It is known as the national dog of Great Britain.
It is a short-haired dog, somewhat heavy, rather short in stature, wide, powerful and compact. It has a larger head in proportion to its size. It has a relatively short face, wide snout and strong, muscular and robust limbs. Its fur is fine in texture, short, close and smooth. The male weighs about 55 pounds, and the female about 50.
As for your temperament, you should give the impression of determination, strength and activity. He is alert, brave, loyal, dependent and fierce in appearance, but affectionate in nature.
Mirna Palma, owner of a 9-year-old female bulldog named “Ginger,” has been researching this breed for several years. He states that they are quite noble and have an affinity with children, but it is important that they are not disturbed to prevent them from reacting in an unwanted way. They are quite territorial. They tend to get tired quickly and sleep for several hours. Therefore, it is not recommended for people looking for a dog to accompany them on their outdoor activities.
Care
Being brachycephalic, they are more prone to heat stroke, as they are not able to regulate the air that enters their lungs.s, so it is essential that they remain in a cool environment, and that they have fresh, clean water available to them at all times. They are taken out for a walk only 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon, during mild weather, never hot.
It is essential that they receive proper ear cleaning to avoid mite infections. Their facial folds should be cleaned well to prevent skin infections. After walks, the folds of their limbs should be cleaned with neutral wet wipes. Some may be allergic to grass, so the fold under their nose should be well sanitized if they come into contact with it. Because they produce a greater amount of saliva, they should always eat from clean plates.
Regarding food, you must establish if you are allergic to any food. He should be given high-quality kibble or raw “barf” diet-, according to the recommendations of a veterinarian specialized in nutrition. Low-quality food causes this dog to become overweight or obese.
Diseases
Palma indicates that they often suffer from joint problems due to their short limbs. Therefore, it is important that they maintain an adequate weight and prevent them from going up and down stairs and supporting themselves only with their hind legs. As they are brave dogs, you have to be careful that they do not carry out sudden activities.
Brachycephalic breeds also often develop a disease called “Cherry eye”, which is the prolapse of the third eyelid gland, resulting in a round red bump appearing in the corner of the eye, for which surgery is required.
Because it is sensitive to skin infections, it is recommended to use a mild shampoo and verify that you are not allergic to its components.
This breed usually suffers from gastric disorders, so Palma advises against consuming foods between meals or that are not in their diet.
“She is not a cheap dog, since her maintenance is expensive, but for me it is an investment because of the affection she gives me. She is the darling of the family,” says Palma. ANDThe owner must have time to provide all the care it needs, he adds. It is a dog that does not like to be alone, so there should always be a person at home. You have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, if you have had a good quality of life.