Dog Breed Guide

Bulldog

Profile

Size

Medium

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Origin

Around the 13th century

Bred for

Formerly bull-baiting, Companion

Height

31 - 40cm (12 - 16in)

Weight

male about 25kg (55lb), female about 23kg (51lb)

Life span

8 - 10 years

A broad head, a short, pushed-in nose, an undershot jaw and deep wrinkles are its trademarks. It is low and stocky, with broad shoulders and narrower hips. The short, smooth coat comes in fawn, red, brindle and piebald (patches with white).

Despite its tough-looking face, the Bulldog is gentle, friendly and deeply devoted to its family. It can be laid-back and go at its own pace, and it has a stubborn streak, but that is part of its charm.

Its short nose makes breathing difficult, and it is extremely sensitive to heat. Summer walks should be in the cool of the day, and indoor temperatures must be carefully controlled. Many Bulldogs snore. Dirt collects easily in the wrinkles, so they need frequent wiping.

Good to know

The "bull" in the name refers to cattle. In England, bull-baiting, a spectacle in which dogs were set on a tethered bull, was once hugely popular. A low, sturdy body, a short nose that let the dog breathe while holding on, and powerful jaws for gripping the bull's nose were all prized, and these became the basis of the Bulldog's look today.

When bull-baiting was outlawed by the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835, the Bulldog lost its purpose and nearly died out, but fanciers reshaped it into a gentle family dog. Today it stands as a symbol of British tenacity, and Winston Churchill, Britain's wartime leader, was nicknamed "the British Bulldog" for his indomitable spirit.

At Yale University, a line of Bulldogs named Handsome Dan has served as the school mascot since 1889. On the other hand, because the puppies' heads are so large, natural birth is difficult; one British study found that 86 percent of Bulldog births were by cesarean section.