An English Bulldog is a popular dog breed that originated in the UK. They are one of the top five most common dog breeds considered today. Here, we will be focused on what you need to consider before getting an English Bulldog.
As always, each dog breed is different and comes with specific advantages and drawbacks. Below, we will explain all of these and a bit more.
English Bulldog: Overview
As you should know by now, the English bulldog originated in the United Kingdom, more precisely in England, hence the name. Their ancestors are fighting mastiffs and they came to the island alongside Romans. These dogs were common participants in a game called bullbaiting, which was a dangerous sport back then.
This is the first thing we had to reveal about what you need to consider before getting an English Bulldog. Today, however, the English bulldog doesn’t look much like its ancestor, and it is a lovely dog you will like to play with.
They can reach 14–15 inches in height, and they can reach 50 pounds in weight. Males are bigger, and only they can reach this weight. Female dogs will reach 40 pounds. Most of the dogs will live between 8 and 10 years. English Bulldogs are confident, beautiful, and lovely dogs.
Great Things About English Bulldogs
English bulldogs are a type of dog you will want if you want to be seen. They look like no other dog, so you can expect plenty of comments when walking your pet. They are also known as English icons, so you can get a better idea of their popularity and the perks they come with.
As a guard dog, an English bulldog is a perfect choice. First of all, they love children, and they will treat them as a part of their pack. They will protect them at all costs. This breed will attack when they feel threatened, and they don’t care about size.
Even if the opponent is bigger, the English bulldog will still attack. This made them one of the most desirable breeds of guard dogs in the world. English bulldogs are strong, fast, and fearsome. Here we can see another perk. English bulldogs will enjoy spending time with children. Although this cannot be generalized, most of them enjoy and protect children at the same time.
Those of you who want to have a great time and laugh with their dog need an English bulldog today. They are known as “dog clowns,” and they will constantly do something funny with their faces, their movements, or something else. In other words, you will laugh when you come home from work, and you will de-stress instantly. This dog breed is a bit clumsy, which makes them even better clowns.
Some people believe that English bulldogs are too aggressive and impatient
In reality, they are completely opposite. They are patient, and they love spending time with their pack. They are not too aggressive unless threatened. Keep in mind that this breed can be paired with other dogs and animals in general. They enjoy the company of any animal.
To make your dog more social, you will need to introduce other people and animals at an early stage. This is a very simple process that comes with amazing benefits and should be considered.
Maintenance is low. English bulldogs have short hair, so they don’t shed. Walking your dog is recommended, but they don’t need hours of activity per day. All of this means that they don’t need a lot of effort to keep, and they can be kept in any apartment, including small ones.
Not So Great Things About English Bulldogs
English bulldogs do come with certain drawbacks that owners don’t really like. For instance, they have a slow maturation. It means that your dog will become an adult when he reaches 30 months of age. But, they start showing ageing signs at age 5, which makes the time you have to train the dog and enjoy his companionship too short.
You cannot play fetch with English bulldogs. Despite the fact they come from fighting dogs, their body isn’t very strong. Most of the dogs cannot run for very long. Playing fetch with them isn’t recommended. They are calm, and they need a low amount of physical activity. Sadly, you will have to play fetch with another dog breed.
English Bulldogs are not the healthiest dog breed out there
They commonly suffer from heart conditions, cancer, hip dysplasia (75% rate, which is higher than any other breed), and even cysts that can be seen between the toes. The latter is easy to treat, but it will cause pain and discomfort to your dog.
They love to chew for longer than other puppies. When English bulldogs are young, they will have too much energy. But they stay young longer than other dogs. This means that you will have to keep an eye on your dog longer than with other dog breeds. You can expect to see your pet chewing furniture, shoes, and so much more.
English bulldogs are an expensive breed to keep. They are born via C-section (because of the shape of their heads), and this only increases the cost. This can be an issue for some families. Keeping them isn’t extremely expensive, but getting one certainly is. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most expensive dog breeds to get! Adopting one may be an alternative, so feel free to consider that.
The Final Word
What you need to consider before getting an English Bulldog question answered. We have provided you with all the main facts, along with the pros and cons of owning and keeping a dog of this breed. In general, these are desirable and lovely dogs you will want to keep if you can adapt to his lifestyle and also if you can adapt your wallet to the price.
If you are calm, enjoy relaxing in nature, and want to laugh, this dog breed is the best choice you can make today.