Bulldog

Bulldogs come from the ancient breed of Bullenbeissers, a Mastiff-like dog used for guarding and attacking wild animals in Assyria, Greece, Egypt, and Rome. The Bullenbeisser came in various sizes. The original large Bullenbeisser was bred to be a smaller dog once it reached England. 

Get ready to be dedicated to the Bulldog as they are dedicated to you—and prepare yourself for lots of drool puddles and loud yet endearing snoring. Unfortunately, their short face, skin wrinkles, and short tails underscore the need to keep them healthy and updated on vet visits. The happiest Bulldogs have owners who are home most of the time, enjoy a bit of fun training, and get long, slow walks.

That sound you hear is your Bulldog flopping down on the floor for another nap. They have low exercise needs, getting by on relatively short walks at a somewhat brisk pace to exhaust them and maintain a healthy weight. Bulldogs should never be exercised in the heat of the day.

A Bulldog will be happy so long as you have a comfy sofa and access to outdoor space for toileting and short walks.

A Bulldog’s coat should be groomed with a rubber grooming mitt to remove loose and dead hairs. Their folds, tear stains, and wrinkles need regular cleaning. If the dog has a recessed screw tail, it’s important to keep moisture away from it to prevent bacterial infections.

The Bulldog likely won’t earn any prizes for obedience, as they can be quite stubborn. But with patience and fun games, they can easily be trained. It’s necessary to use lots of repetition, though, along with positive reinforcement via voice commands and treats.

Affectionate and loyal, although potentially slobbery—the Bulldog gets along with most children, especially if they grow up alongside them. They are patient and good-natured and have long fuses when it comes to the chaos of family life.

The cost of a Bulldog from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.