National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
When you hear the word bulldog what does it inspire? Does it invoke fond memories of your high school or college alma mater? Or do you envision snoring bodies and drool everywhere?
Bulldogs are a prolific group which historically served many purposes. They were likely derived from the Molosser, a type of dog used in battle, which is also a common predecessor of the mastiff. The earliest record in history is traced back to the 13th century. Today there are many breeds that comprise the ‘Bulldog’ group.
Bulldog Origins
Today’s popular English and French bulldogs are a far cry from the purpose they originally served but the intensity they bring to the table owes homage to their roots. Bulldogs were initially bred to assist butchers and herders in the control of horses and cattle. They were designed to ‘latch’ on to wayward animals and hold them in place until collected by their master. In these times, popular (though repugnant) sports of the day included bull and bear baiting. Bulldogs, known for their persistence and determination, were set loose on these animals until either the dog or the bull died.
Luckily these activities soon fell out of favor and, while other unfortunate forms of entertainment took their place, the bulldog remained a popular and common dog. Children were often left under the protection of ‘Nanny dogs’ as bulldogs were associated with loyalty and protectiveness.
Common Bulldogs
Today there are many variations of the bulldog group including spin-offs such as the pug and pit bull. The most common bulldog breeds include the English, French, and American. The Olde English Bulldogge is an attempt to breed the better health back into the animals after years of confirmation focused breeding moved away from producing functional robust animals.
Bulldogs are known for the humorous goofy antics and personalities can be plagued with a number of behavioral and health related issues. Bulldogs often have sensitive skin and digestive issues which can present as ear and skin infections. Brachycephalic dogs are dogs with short noses and those with particularly flat faces can suffer from palate deformities and breathing issues. Due to this they are typically vulnerable in extreme temperatures and can suffer from heatstroke.
Bulldog Stats
In honor of National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day here are some interesting stats!
- #4 – the ranking of bulldogs as the most popular dog breed in the U.S.
- 1886 – the year when bulldogs were officially inducted into the American Kennel Club.
- 4 – the number of different markings found on bulldogs.
- 55 – the weight in pounds of the average male bulldog.
- 50 – the weight in pounds of the average female bulldog.
- 8-12 years – the lifespan of a bulldog.
- 15 – the number of minutes walking before a bulldog is tired out.
- 40 – the number of universities in the U.S. naming their teams after bulldogs.
Breed Specific Considerations
So what are the secrets to successful Power Dog ownership?
First you need to know your individual dog’s traits and drives and then adopt a proactive management program to avoid situations where problems may arise. Second is to adopt training techniques which allow your dog to be rewarded consistently for behavior you want to reinforce and remove rewards from behaviors you want to discourage. These two strategies will help you empower your dog to make the right decisions and make him a well trained companion dog!
Bulldog Savvy Training
Bulldogs are wonderful dogs but they can display breed specific dispositions that challenges their owners. Having owned and fostered numerous bulldogs over the last 15 years we have the first hand experience necessary to guide bulldog owners to success.
If your bulldog is Bullying you we can help put you back in the drivers seat.
913.712.8742
OlatheKSDogTraining.com
Info@olatheksdogtraining.com
