The history of the breed, the appearance of the bulldog, the characteristic features of the dog's behavior and health, advice on care, features of training, interesting facts. Purchasing a puppy. These animals are inactive. They conserve their energy and spend most of their time dozing. And when they sleep, they make such sounds! Amusing, unhurried pets, they simply cannot live without their owners, and are sad alone. But, nevertheless, they are real, strong fighters. Such dogs are a historical heritage of Great Britain.
History of the English Bulldog
Its progenitor is the Tibetan Great Dane. He had great parameters and was able to overcome a strong opponent. The inhabitants of the hard-to-reach plateaus considered it their property, and strictly preserved this "value". After some time, nevertheless, he was brought to other regions of the East, where he gave rise to other species of guard dogs. There is an ancient bas-relief of a dog, with features inherent in a dog, which has been preserved in the Syrian city of Nineveh. It depicts a man with a sword, holding a huge fighting dog on a chain.
Translated from English "bull dog" means - bull dog. In the Middle Ages, these dogs were used as shepherds, and later as pickling dogs. Hound-baiting among the British has always been considered the favorite of the mass spectacle. Such "entertainment" has been popular since ancient times, but the first genuine mentions of fighting between dogs and bulls date back to 1199.
According to the writer, the ruler of Staffordshire walked around his castle and witnessed an interesting scene. The bull was attacked by two dogs from a local butcher. The animal, trying not to hit the "muzzle in the mud" in front of a cow grazing nearby, desperately defended itself. The dogs attacked the cattle more and more furiously, pursuing them through the village. It all ended in a merciless, bloody battle. The feudal lord liked what he saw. Subsequently, he presented the butchers with a piece of land on which there was a clash of animals. But he made a condition that they would organize a similar show there every year.
The mention of bulbaiting can be found in the private correspondence of the aristocrats of the 17th century. Fortunately, over time, people's views tend to evolve. What was deemed appropriate during the Crusades, in Queen Victoria's enlightened age, was deemed cruel. Therefore, animal baiting in the United Kingdom was banned at its highest level in 1835.
Thus, bulldogs from ferocious dogs were retrained into the category of pets. Their popularity was greatly facilitated by the cartoonists who invented the symbol of the English middle class - a character named "Jong-bul". Its prototype was the representatives of this breed, distinguished by stubbornness, determination and an iron grip.
Today, the Bulldog is considered the flesh of the flesh of English culture, the personification of everything for which we love the UK so much. Love for animals in this city sometimes reaches such an extent that certain quarters of the city are named after them. For example, "dog Island" is a dog island, because in the 15th century, by order of the monarch Edward III, royal kennels were built here.
Alas, these buildings or the authentic hounds with which the British nobility hunted can no longer be found. The only mention of them is a monument to Sir Robert Grosvenor, the third Marquis of Westminster, a politician from the time of Queen Victoria. The sculptor captured Ser Robert surrounded by dogs of his kind - Talbuts. This breed, once popular with English aristocrats, is now considered extinct. But the locals believe that it was these dogs that became the ancestors of absolutely everyone in the world of cops.
To the ancestors of bulldogs, it is customary to refer to huge fighting dogs - molossians. These handsome men once inhabited the Apennine Peninsula. It is believed that they came to Britain together with the Roman legionaries, but unlike humans, dogs were able to truly assimilate here. London is the true capital of the bulldog kingdom.
Here, absolutely everything reminds of these dogs, from the appearance of the stocky and prim Englishmen, and ending with the main attractions of the city, which, of course, should include Baker Street. For foreign tourists, the door on the famous street at 221B is an excuse to remember the Sherlock series and make another software. But for any Russian fan of the breed, this is the place where the best of the service dogs, a bulldog named "Torri", stayed in the treasures of Agra.
The role of the unsurpassed bloodhound in the Soviet film was played, no one, but the pet of actor Vasily Levanov, nicknamed "Bambula". On the set, the "Englishman" became everyone's favorite, but the creators of the picture never treated him like a cute animal. With his professionalism, the dog earned universal respect and a salary, which he was paid on an equal basis with other filmmakers.
Breed lovers' clubs began to open at the beginning of the 19th century. But only one, has extended its existence to this day. Its members have developed breed standards for mature individuals. For 100 years of the club's existence, only two amendments were made to its position. The first one concerned the fact that not only the "Rose" bitch, which was depicted in the painting by Abraham Cooper, is an ideal, from the point of view of the constitution. The second concerned the cancellation of the provision that none of the existing dogs meets the standard of a dog sufficiently.
In Russia, bulldogs appeared around the end of the 19th century. They were kept exclusively by aristocrats, both for hunting and as pets. A great lover of these dogs was the great Russian writer Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy. He was so attached to his "Bulka" that he devoted a whole cycle of short stories to him.
And the British statesman and politician Winston Churchill, said: "The English Bulldog is beauty brought to the point of absurdity." Although he is now mostly a pet, he is a real farm dog from the English countryside.
Description of the appearance of the bulldog
Squat, smooth-haired, broad boned, strong and compact. She is determined and firm. Her gait is heavy, with a small sweep, as if a dog is walking on the tips of its paws. The male weighs 25 kg, and the bitch 22, 5 kg.
- Head - massive and large if compared with the growth of a bulldog. Tall, wide, square in front, short from the side. The cheeks are extended laterally - rounded. The frontal part is flat, the skin on it forms wrinkled folds. Forehead with projections of square bones and a depression between them.
- Muzzle short, wide, blunt, slightly raised to the top. In the frontal part, between the cheekbones and the nose, it is short. The skin covering it is wrinkled. Between the eyes and the lip - snub-nosed and thick. The lips are thick, drooping and strongly drooping, overlapping the jaws on both sides, not in front. The jaws are massive, wide, square. The lower jaw protrudes forward, bent towards the top.
- Nose - large with wide nostrils and a well-defined vertical line. The tip of the nose is turned back towards the eyes. The pigmentation of the nose is only black.
- Eyes English Bulldog, set wide and low, far from the ears. The eyes and forehead are placed on the same vertical line. They are round, not bulging or sunken. Their color is from brown to almost black.
- Ears set high. Small and thin, rosette-shaped. The front and top edges are folded outward and backward.
- Neck the bulldog is short, thick, powerful and strong when it passes into the body. The withers are convex. The skin is loose, rough and wrinkled. Forms a dewlap.
- Frame shortened and tight. The back tapers towards the rump. The chest is wide, deep and round. The ribs are well rounded. The loin is raised.
- Tail - located low. A straight line at the base, then goes down. Round, smooth, no fringe or coarse fur. Relatively shortened, thicker at the base, then sharply tapers and ends with a thin end.
- Front limbs short, muscular, strong. They have a crooked set and are shorter than the hind legs. The shoulders are broad and sloping. The hind ones are thick, but less powerful than the front ones.
- Paws - Moderately round, of medium size. The toes are dense and thick, set apart from each other.
- Coat The American Bulldog has a fine structure. The hair is short, thick and smooth.
- Color - solid or spotted. When stained, a mask or black muzzle is required. Solid colors should be bright and free of blotches: red, red, sand, white. Maybe brindle.
Characteristic traits of dog behavior
English Bulldogs are like little people. Each has its own character. No two are exactly alike. Each is a unique personality. The owner of the dog, first of all, needs to study it well. Understand what the pet likes and what it does not like.
Bulldogs are a rather stubborn breed. They have their own point of view on everything, and only it is the most correct one. It should be just the way they decided. The animal requires constant communication with people. He needs at least someone who is constantly nearby, otherwise the pet will be depressed. Then the owner needs to either change the occupation, or hire a person who would watch the dog in his absence.
They get along well with children. The dog is not aggressive. These dogs adore their own kind. They like to communicate. From this they become truly happy. They are not talkative, quiet dogs. They bark very rarely. On walks, they do not leave the owner for more than five meters.
Any owner of an English Bulldog walking around the city can feel like a companion of a star. Such imposing pets are very popular with people. They are often asked to be photographed with them. They are always in the spotlight.
Animal health
They need to be given attention from the very first days of life. This is not an empty whim. This breed often suffers from allergies, a weak heart and breathing problems due to deviated nasal septa.
In bulldogs prone to atopy, the skin barrier does not perform a protective function. Atopic dermatitis in them is in second place after flea. The first thing to do in order to recover is the right diet. It should include nutrients that help protect the skin from negative external influences. Since animals are inactive, this increases the risk of being overweight. In this regard, it is important to monitor their mass. High fat in a dog's diet provides more calories than carbohydrates and proteins. The structure of her body is such that the joints are always under great stress, especially with extra pounds. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the cartilage.
The special anatomical characteristics of brachycephalic breeds can also lead to stomach problems. Their diet should aid digestion, limit fermentation and gas production during intestinal transit. To improve the quality of the stool, it is necessary to keep the balance of the intestinal microflora of the bulldog normal.
You can't run a lot with them for a long time. The most important thing is to make sure that your dog does not overheat. If you follow these precautions, you will have a healthy and beautiful long-lived dog. Another important point is to find a pedigree veterinarian for a pet.
English Bulldog Care Tips
- Wool Dogs need to be kept clean, but often not bathed. She has her own specificity of the skin. Wrinkles form in certain areas. They can collect dirt and are more prone to inflammation. Therefore, every day, they examine the folds of the skin and, if necessary, wipe them.
- Teeth. The bulldog has a flattened face, which implies a specific arrangement of the teeth of the upper jaw. As a result, the dog has to use its tongue, or side canines, to grab food. Given this placement of the dentition, it is necessary to monitor its condition carefully and regularly, avoiding the deposition of tartar and the development of periodontal diseases.
- Feeding maybe both ready-made concentrates and natural food. But, with homemade food, food must be cooked correctly and often, choosing a harmonious composition. This is inconvenient and time consuming. In addition, the "English" are susceptible to allergies. Therefore, it is best to find dry food from a good manufacturer for allergic dogs. Its composition was carefully selected and tested by specialists. It contains additional vitamins and minerals necessary for the excellent functioning of the pet's body.
- Walking - three times a day, for about an hour. Better to find play partners.
English Bulldog training
Before you start exhibiting your dog, take a course of training from professionals. You shouldn't participate in a dog show if you don't know what to do. Once in the ring, you need to be completely focused on your dog, whose appearance must be perfect. There are subtleties that come with experience.
For example, very often judges, during an individual examination of a bulldog, study not only a specific animal, but also look at other competitors. At such moments, you need to correct the pose of the dog. He must be ready for assessment and confident in his abilities. Only then does he develop the magnetism that attracts the judging committee so much. While walking around the ring, he must exude confidence, in no case run or jump.
Interesting facts about the English Bulldog
There are a lot of dogs on the streets of the British capital. And who looks after them while their owners are at work or on a business trip? It turns out that they delegate their duties to employees of special boarding houses for animals. There are also luxury hotels.
Each guest dog has the right to count on a bed, pillows, blankets and designer interiors in the rooms. Everything is organized so that it is comfortable at home. They try to find an individual approach to each animal. The employees of the institution make up a whole schedule for each pet, agreed with the veterinarian.
Pets get grooming procedures, play with them, devote a lot of time, coming up with ways to keep them busy. Otherwise, a dog without an owner will be bored, depressed and depressed. Those animals who have visited such establishments at least once and are familiar with their procedures, part with their owners without any problems.
Every pet is there as a member of the family. Employees learn everything about their habits and document it: what they prefer to eat, which toy is their favorite. These are hundreds of small but important factors. Only by operating with such data, the pet, in the absence of the owners, feels great.
Although among the dog breeds, English Bulldogs are not considered to be any outstanding athletes, but they are more often than anyone else, sports teams are used as mascots. In America alone, you can count more than a dozen sports or football teams, in the name or logo of which there are bulldogs.
Purchasing an English Bulldog puppy
For those who dream of an English Bulldog puppy, it can be noted that their lives will change once and for all. You have to be ready for this. If you are confident in yourself and are serious about it, then, first of all, you need to choose a pet according to all the rules.
He should be neat in appearance, with shiny fur, clear eyes, clean nose. The behavior is agile and lively. It is not easy for breeders to part with them. They are not cheap, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Keeping such a dog according to all the rules is an expensive pleasure. The approximate cost for a bulldog puppy will be from $ 700 to $ 2500.
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