Bulldog

AKC Group: Non-Sporting

Club: Bulldog Club of America

Corresponding Secretary : Ann Locke
Address: 2315 SW Cornelius Pass Rd, Hillsboro, OR , 97123-6735
Website: www.thebca.org
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short-faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs. The general appearance and attitude should suggest great stability, vigor and strength. The disposition should be equable and kind, resolute and courageous (not vicious or aggressive), and demeanor should be pacific and dignified. These attributes should be countenanced by the expression and behavior.

Size:

Size --The size for mature dogs is about 50 pounds; for mature bitches about 40 pounds. Proportion --The circumference of the skull in front of the ears should measure at least the height of the dog at the shoulders. Symmetry --The "points" should be well distributed and bear good relation one to the other, no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears deformed or ill-proportioned. Influence of Sex In comparison of specimens of different sex, due allowance should be made in favor of the bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same degree of perfection and grandeur as do the dogs.

Coat:

Coat --The coat should be straight, short, flat, close, of fine texture, smooth and glossy. (No fringe, feather or curl.) Skin --The skin should be soft and loose, especially at the head, neck and shoulders. Wrinkles and Dewlap --The head and face should be covered with heavy wrinkles, and at the throat, from jaw to chest, there should be two loose pendulous folds, forming the dewlap.

Temperament:

The disposition should be equable and kind, resolute and courageous (not vicious or aggressive), and demeanor should be pacific and dignified. These attributes should be countenanced by the expression and behavior.

History:

The Bulldog, to the best of our knowledge, had its origin in the British Isles. The name "bull" was applied because of the dog's use in the sport of bull baiting, which was extremely cruel. The original Bulldog had to be very ferocious and so savage and courageous as to be almost insensitive to pain.

In 1835 dog fighting as a sport became illegal in England. Therefore, the English Bulldog had outlived his usefulness and his days were numbered. However, there were dog lovers who felt deep disappointment at the passing of the bred, and they set themselves the task of preserving it. They proceeded to eliminate the undesirable fierce characteristics and to preserve and accentuate the finer qualities. Within a few generations, the English Bulldog became one of the finest physical specimens, minus its original viciousness.

We may be justly proud of the Bulldog we know today, and we must express our gratitude to our British cousins, who realized the value of the English Bull sufficiently to preserve him for posterity.

Fun Facts:

• The Bulldog originated in the British Isles.
  
  
• The name "bull" appears in "Bulldog" due to the breed's connection with bullbaiting.
  
  
• The first Bulldogs were bred for ferocity only and eventually began a line of fighters, developing keen savagery and courage so as to be rendered veritably insensitive to pain.
  
  
• In 1835, when dogfighting as a sport became illegal in England, the English Bulldog had seemingly outlived its usefulness; however, fanciers set themselves to preserving it and eventually set themselves on eliminating the undesirable savagery.
  
  
• The Bulldog is featured in the Disney film "Lady and the Tramp."
  
  
• Despite their small size, Bulldogs can weigh up to 50 lbs.
  
  
• Warren Harding owned a Bulldog named "Oh Boy."
  
  
• Calvin Coolidge owned a Bulldog named "Boston Beans."