Bulldogs For Dummies

Susan M. Ewing

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2011
• eBook ISBN:
  9781118054802
• Print ISBN:
  9780764599798
• Edition: 1

Find out how to select, train, and care for your Bulldog

Though originally bred for bull baiting, today's Bulldogs are calm, dignified, and courageous - and make great pets. Whether you're already a Bulldog owner or you're thinking about becoming one, this friendly guide will answer your questions and help you and your Bully live happily ever after. From choosing your dog to training, diet, and health, it's just what you need for Bulldog success!

Discover how to
* Understand the breed and its history
* Buy or adopt a healthy Bulldog
* Housetrain your Bulldog and teach basic commands
* Keep your Bulldog well-groomed and active
* Watch for breed-specific health problems

Part I

A Bully for You

In this part . . .

What makes the Bulldog the way he is? What don’t you know about the breed that you would like to know? Is a Bulldog right for you? In this part, I ask you to consider your lifestyle and help you determine whether the Bulldog is the breed for you. Discover the Bulldog’s history and read about his physical build and temperament. If you decide that it’s a Bully and nothing else for you and your family, I give you ideas on where to find your puppy and how to choose the one who’s right for you.

Chapter 1

Bulldog: A Tough Name for a Big Softy

In This Chapter

Getting to know your Bulldog

Caring for and feeding your Bulldog

Being active with your Bulldog

J ust the name “Bulldog” conjures up an image of a real tough guy, and when you put a picture of the dog with the name, you get an image of a real tough dog. Bulldogs are stocky, sturdy dogs with a solid, foursquare stance and a face that says, “Bring it on; I can take it.” All those wrinkles and that pushed-in nose give an impression of gruffness and a ready-to-fight attitude. No wonder the Bulldog is the mascot of the United States Marines!

The English Bulldog was unofficially adopted as the Marine Corps mascot during World War I, when the German army reportedly nicknamed the attacking Marines Teufelhunden, meaning “Devil Dogs.”

Yet in spite of that face and sturdy body, today’s Bulldog is a sweetie — a real softie with no hard feelings toward anyone.

Transitioning from the Bull Baiter to Loving Companion

Bulldogs weren’t always big softies. Originally, the Bulldog was bred for the sport of bull-baiting in England. The fanciers of the sport molded a Bulldog to perform specifically for bull-baiting.

The Bulldog who fought a bull in the ring needed to be a certain build and to have fighting qualities. Breeders worked diligently to mold the fighter that became the bull baiter. The fanciers wanted a dog built low to the ground to make it harder for the bull to get his horns underneath the dog. If the bull lifted the Bulldog on his horns, the dog would be thrown across the stadium.

Plus the dog needed to be sturdy and well muscled to withstand the occasional toss. Many early Bulldogs were smaller and lighter than the Bullies of today. The nose needed to be set back from the front of the muzzle and needed to turn up, so that when the dog had a good grip on the bull’s nose, the dog’s nose wouldn’t be buried in the bull’s face. The dog would be able to breathe without ever letting go of the bull. The Bulldog’s distinctive wrinkles were a sought-after feature because they channeled the bull’s blood away from the dog’s eyes and nose.

The breeders also wanted a dog who was determined and wouldn’t quit. In bull-baiting, people placed bets on how long the dog would face the bull. Horrible stories circulated about handlers who maimed their dogs to show that the dogs, even on two or three legs, would keep going after the bull.

When bull-baiting was finally outlawed, the Bulldog’s future looked grim. But fortunately, many people admired the Bulldog’s temperament, and breeders set out to preserve and perfect the Bulldog by breeding out any viciousness but keeping the tenacious side of the dog’s personality.

The result is today’s Bulldog — fierce looking on the outside and a marshmallow on the inside. (See Figure 1-1.) But remember that your Bully’s marshmallow interior can turn to granite if you ask him to do something he doesn’t want to do. A Bulldog has retained his spirit of determination and steadfastness. You can’t argue with a Bulldog. Read more about the transition of the Bulldog and bull-baiting in Chapter 2.

Figure 1-1: Recognizing the features of a typical adult Bulldog.

Getting to Know the Bulldog

The Bulldog is a member of the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) Non-Sporting Group (see Chapter 2).The non-sporting group mostly includes dogs who may have had a specific job once upon a time but who are now considered great companion dogs. When you think about the Bully’s role, that’s not such a bad job description. Being a friend may be the most important job a dog can have.

So your Bully is a companion. Although plenty of Bulldogs compete in performance events (see Chapter 11), just as many are content to be low-maintenance buddies. Bullies are good with children and enjoy a walk with the family or a game of tag or hide-and-seek. They’re not enthusiastic about playing fetch, but they certainly don’t mind watching you get the ball.

Be aware of the fact that your Bulldog can’t be your jogging companion. He isn’t built for that, and his breathing (see Chapter 14) doesn’t allow for wind sprints. The Bulldog is also highly susceptible to heat stroke, so beware of hot summer days.

You can’t force a Bulldog to do anything. He’s bred to be single-minded and unyielding to rough handling. Also, fighting with your Bully can aggravate breathing problems, if they exist, and can lead to a serious emergency. Coax your Bully with kind words and tasty treats.

Why non-sporting?

The Bulldog is too large for the toy group, and he definitely isn’t a terrier — he’d never fit down the burrow of any small animal. The Bully isn’t a sight or scent hound and doesn’t have the endurance for chasing game, even if he wanted to. The Bulldog doesn’t herd sheep or cattle, so that eliminates the herding group. He’s not a sporting dog. He doesn’t flush or point birds, and he ...

Table of contents

• Title
• Contents
• Introduction
• Part I : A Bully for You
• Chapter 1: Bulldog: A Tough Name for a Big Softy
• Chapter 2: Acquainting Yourself with the Bulldog Package
• Chapter 3: Deciding on a Bulldog
• Chapter 4: Finding the Best Bulldog for You
• Part II : Living with Your Bulldog
• Chapter 5: Preparing for Your Bulldog
• Chapter 6: Bringing Your Bulldog Home
• Chapter 7: Feeding Your Bulldog
• Chapter 8: Grooming Your Bulldog
• Part III : Training, Working, and Traveling: The Busy Bulldog
• Chapter 9: Housetraining Your Bulldog
• Chapter 10: Mastering Good Manners and Basic Commands
• Chapter 11: Showing and Showing Off Your Well-Trained Bulldog
• Chapter 12: On the Go: Taking, Leaving, or Looking for Bully
• Part IV : Keeping Your Bulldog Healthy
• Chapter 13: Knowing Your Veterinarian, Vaccinations, and Common Treatments
• Chapter 14: Recognizing and Tackling Bulldog Health Issues
• Chapter 15: Familiarizing Yourself with Fido First Aid
• Chapter 16: Caring for Your Senior Bulldog
• Part V : The Part of Tens
• Chapter 17: Nine Great Resources for Bulldog Owners
• Chapter 18: Ten Good Reasons for Not Breeding Your Bulldog
• Chapter 19: Ten Important Things to Do for Your Bulldog
• : Color Insert