Paleontologists trace the ancestry of the doc back approximately 55 million years. Climate, purpose, geography, and environmental conditions were factors in the evolution of the dog. Dogs have evolved into several different branches of evolutionary development. The commonly recognized paleontological branches were: the gigantic “ bear-dogs”; the hyena-tipe dogs of North America; the wolf-type “dingo” dogs of southern Asia and Australia; the arctic Pariahs of Asia Minor and Japan; and the Basenji-type dogs of Africa.


From these different branches evolved and formed through selective, purposeful breeding the modern-day dog.

Although the exact origin of the modern-day English Bulldog is not known with certainty, it is generally thought that the Bulldog and the mastiff evolved from the ancient Alaunt – regarded as a fierce mastiff-like breed, used to restrain to fierce oxen and to hund wild boar.


It seems that the word “bulldog” was first used in a 1598 description of a bullbaiting contest. However, it is generally thought that the Bulldog was a well-known, recognized breed in England long before.

“Bandogs”,“Bonddoggess”, and “Bolddogges” were repeatedly mentioned in English literature beginning around 1200, when the “sport” of bullbaiting and bearbaiting first became popular in England. However, a reference to “British Hounds” that attacked bulls dates back to 395 AD. These dogs were bred and trained to bite and hang on to the noses, ears, and necks of bulls.

The object of the bullbaiting contest was for the Bulldog to seize the bull by the nose and to hang on, without ever relinquishing its hold on the bull. These dog could retain their hold even after their entrails had been torn out, and the dogs often times bled to death from wounds received from the bull.

A dog`s attack upon the extremities of the bull–but not the nose – called into question the purity of the breed. Litters of Bulldogs as young as six months old were often put through such trials to test the purity of breeding and to rule out the possibility of an improper crossbreeding.
Enthusiasts in the early bull and bearbaiting contests included all classes of people. In 1559, Queen Elizabeth was noted to be a frequent enthusiast and often hosted grand social gatherings centered on the barbaric «sport».

At the time, almost every village in England had its own bullring (the town`s social center), and vast fortunes were spent on sport-related wagers.

Bullbaiting was also a favorite form of entertainment of the Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks as well. Thus, the dogs were selectively bred for power, courage, and tenacity.

In 1835, bullbaiting and bearbaiting contests were abolished in England by an act of Parliament. After the abolishment, the number of purebred Bulldogs declined greatly, due in large part to the growing popularity of the sport of dog fighting, which replaced bullbaiting as a favorite public amusement in late 19th century England.
Breeders began crossbreeding Bulldogs with terrier-type breeds in order to develop a much more agile fighter. Around 1840, the existing Bulldog breed was also widely crossed with a smaller, gentler, “pug-like” dog in order to create a more domesticated housedog.

The Bulldog thus evolved from a sporting dog into a gentler companion, and its existence was preserved by fanciers of the breed in England and France to serve as a household companion and pet.

Ironically, the modern-day English Bulldog, because of its extraordinary calm, kind, and sweet temperament and disposition, is very different from the ferocious and vicious dog from which it evolved.

FEEDING

Due to his short-faced mouth, an English Bulldog should be provided with a feeding pan that has a flat bottom and is large in circumference. The new stainless steel feeding bowls with the rubber-rimmed, non-skid bases are ideal. The same type of bowl is good for providing fresh water, which should always be available throughout the course of the day and night.

Another option for providing constant fresh water is an automatic nozzle device that can be purchased at most pet stores. The nozzle attaches to a faucet and releases water only upon pressure on the nozzle by the dog’s tongue.

DOGS FOOD

Until he is approximately four months of age, an English Bulldog puppy should be fed four times a day. Most breeders use a high-quality, dry dog food. A puppy formula is used until the dog is approximately one year of age. English Bulldogs do particularly well on high-quality lamb and rice formulas. Care should be taken to make certain that the dog food that you use does not contain any soy or soybean ingredients. Also, dog food brands that contain the chemical preservative ethoxoquin should be avoided, as many believe that this chemical is responsible for causing a number of serious health problems in dogs.

There are several feeding methods and options available. Some breeders feed their English Bulldog puppies and dogs on a set schedule, while others have food available for consumption at all times. In most cases, a thriving, growing puppy that is provided with ample exercise should eat as much as he wants. If the puppy or dog becomes overweight, the amount of food may need to be regulated. However, a growing puppy should never be put on a severely restrictive diet unless done so by a veterinarian that is knowledgeable about English Bulldogs. Once the puppy reaches six months of age, the number of feedings he receives can be reduced to two per day. As your English Bulldog reaches an advanced age, he may become less active and obese. In this instance, it may be necessary to restrict the amount of food given to the dog.

It is also a good idea to give puppies and dogs a vitamin and mineral supplement, as well as one Vitamin C tablet (100-500 units) per day. Care should be taken not to overdose or oversupplement the dog since harm may result. Particular attention should be paid to guard against oversupplementing Vitamins D and A, which, when provided in excess, can cause problems.

Most breeders avoid using canned dog foods, believing them to be nutritionally inferior to high-quality, dry dog foods. Others cite an increase in gum disease and tooth decay as a result of solely using a canned dog food diet. Others dislike the quick spoilage of canned dog foods. However, many people mix a small amount of canned food with the dry food.

When providing your dog with feeding supplementations such as table scraps, the table scraps should be added to and thoroughly mixed with the dog’s dry food. A detrimental pattern can result from feeding your dog directly from your table—the dog may gradually refuse to eat his dry dog food and become a finicky eater.

Also, when choosing a brand of dry dog food, you should pay particular attention to the first few (or predominant) ingredients listed on the label of the bag. Ingredients such as lamb, chicken, or brown rice are more preferable than ingredients such as chicken meal, chicken byproducts, ground corn, or lamb meal. Diets with a large amount of corn, corn meal, ground corn, corn hulls, wheat, or peanut hulls will usually prove to be of inferior nutritional value. Dry dog food diets with predominant ingredients such as pure chicken, pure turkey, pure lamb, etc., are usually of much higher quality and of greater benefit to your pet.
 

Sometimes even off-brand or generic and cheaper, lesser-known lamb and rice dry dog foods are superior to the more expensive and well-known dog foods—including even those expensive formulas sold primarily through veterinarians.

Interestingly, several of the brands sold only by the veterinarians are both overpriced and inferior, as a quick glance to the label of ingredients will reveal.

The degree of quality among dry dog foods can be discerned by using your sense of smell. Does it smell bland or odorless? Does it smell like fresh lamb or poultry? The highly processed dry food will usually smell bland.

Until the puppy reaches one year of age, he should be fed a dry puppy formula dog food, preferably lamb and rice. Young puppies will have difficulty eating the dry food, and will need it moistened with water.

Although some believe that it is unnecessary to add supplements to a good-quality, dry dog food, many believe that since all dry and canned dog foods are highly processed—no matter how good their ingredients— supplementation with fresh foods is beneficial. Small amounts of cottage cheese, meat, chicken, yogurt, scrambled eggs, granola, cheese, and canola oil are good choices. So, too, are cooked beef and chicken entrails and livers. It is okay to mix table scraps that do not contain bones or bone matter directly into your dog’s food. English Bulldogs should never be allowed to chew on meat bones of any kind, unless supervised carefully. The throats of English Bulldogs are constricted, and they are prone to choking on bones and pieces of bones and other matter. Such choking often leads to death. Also, bone pieces are sharp and can easily pierce the dog’s stomach or intestines. If your dog ever appears to be choking or appears to have a blocked airway, inmediately reach your hand into the throat and pull out any foreign material or any accumulation of saliva or foam. Lemon juice can be squirted into the throat to help clear it out and to reduce any saliva or foam accumulation.

SPECIAL TREATS

Special treats should be limited to high-quality dog biscuits, which are beneficial to the dog’s teeth. A dog should never be provided with any amount of chocolate or onions, as both are toxic to dogs.

NAILS

English Bulldogs need their nails cut on a regular basis, approximately every three to four weeks. Their nails should be kept as short as possible by using either an electric grinder or nail clippers. Excessively long nails often lead to foot and orthopedic problems.

WRINKLES

The attendant wrinkles of English Bulldogs present some additional problems specific to this breed. The Bulldog’s nose and facial wrinkles should be cleaned on a daily basis. Zinc oxide diaper ointment can be used to lessen the bacterial and yeast accumulations in the wrinkles. Such ointments are also effective in treating, preventing, or lessening the “tear stains” often seen in English Bulldogs.

CRATES AND BEDDING

If your aim is to show your English Bulldog puppy and travel with him, then you should get him used to sleeping in a crate at an early age. As he gets older, the puppy will find solace, comfort, and security while sleeping in the crate. Crates are extremely beneficial for those who plan to travel overnight with their dogs. The crate provides a safe haven, but it should never become a prison for the animal. Dogs should not be confined to their crates for excessive periods. However, most willingly prefer to go into their crates to sleep at night.

The use of crates can also be beneficial for housebreaking purposes, as further mentioned in this book. Cotton rugs or blankets, which can be washed with ease, make good, soft bedding material for your dog. The artificial sheepskin rugs available from pet stores and many dog-product catalogs also make excellent bedding material. Many Bulldogs get great enjoyment from lying or sleeping on the new, square plastic-frame dog beds made out of nylon mesh material, which are suspended off the floor like a hammock.
 

GET A BULLDOG VETERINARIAN

It is imperative that any owner of an English Bulldog puppy or adult finds and keeps a competent and skilled veterinarian who knows and likes English Bulldogs. The vast majority of veterinarians do not possess these traits and qualities. Usually, fellow breeders in your area or fellow members of your Bulldog club are more than willing to provide you with the names of qualified English Bulldog veterinarians. This information can also be obtained by contacting the Bulldog Club of Arnerica or its local member club in your area. The Bulldog Club of Arnerica also provides its members with the excellent breed publication, The Bulldogger, distributed without charge and published on a quarterly basis. The Bulldogger provides plenty of detailed, helpful information on the health and care of the breed, and often contains articles written by noted Bulldog veterinarians, as well as many high-quality color photographs of various show dogs being exhibited around the country. Even for those who are not interested in showing dogs, this publication is highly recommended and will prove itself both informative and helpful to any owner of an English Bulldog.

HEAT AND OVEREXCITEMENT

Like all short-nosed breeds, English Bulldogs do not tolerate heat. During the summer months they must be kept cool and in an air conditioned environment. An overly excited Bulldog is also prone to overheat. Therefore, it is imperative to keep your English Bulldog both calm and cool, especially in the summertime. Once the dog becomes overheated, the risk of death or brain damage is quite substantial.

If the dog does become overheated, immediate action should be taken to cool him down using cold air or cold water, and in all emergency cases, your veterinarian should be contacted immediately.

CHERRY EYES

The gland that is normally located under the lower eyelid at the inside corner of the eye will often “pop out” in young puppies. Although this is an unsightly nuisance, the appearance of a cherry eye does not require emergency treatment. However, the puppy or dog should be presented to a qualified English Bulldog veterinarian so that the swollen gland can be surgically tacked. It is no longer an acceptable practice for the veterinarian to cut out or remove the swollen gland because to do so greatly increases the chances that the dog will develop a dangerous “dry-eye,” caused by a reduction in tear production, later in life.
 

TAIL

Unfortunately, many English Bulldogs have exceptionally tight set or short screw-type tails. Efforts need to be made in order to keep folds of skin around the base of the tail clean and dry. Wipe and clean the inside of the tail frequently. Make certain that the area is thoroughly dried and apply a drying powder or an ointment in order to deter the accumulation of yeast and bacteria in the area.

ICE

It is a good idea to provide your English Bulldog puppy with pieces of ice to eat at an early age. This is a special treat because most English Bulldogs love ice. Ice provides an enjoyable chewing opportunity for the dog and is an excellent method of cooling down a dog that is too hot.

CHEWING

Nylabone® and Gumabone® products are excellent and safe and will provide your dog with many hours of chewing enjoyment. It should be noted that all Enghish Bulldogs like and need to chew, especially while their teeth and jaws are developing. Such chewing induces growth of permanent teeth, assists in the removal of puppy teeth at the suitable time, and assists in the development of the jaw. Chewing also helps in keeping teeth clean as well as relieving stress and tension. Puppies and young dogs will ofren chew everything in sight if not provided with something proper to chew. An English Bulldog should not be permitted to chew on anything that can break or be ingested. Sharp pieces of any substance, such as bone, bark, twigs, rocks, etc., may pierce the intestinal wall and result in death.

Latex dog toys, which cannot be chewed into pieces or ingested, make ideal toys and chew items. Under no circumstances should rawhide bones or any rawhide toys be provided! Rawhide is extremely dangerous and often causes English Bulldogs to choke, since it swells when wet. Also, pieces of rawhide are not easily digestible and can block intestines, which can be fatal. Never provide your puppy or dog with old shoes to play with, either. Very few dogs are able to differentiate between old shoes and new shoes.

BATHING AND THE DANGER OF WATER

Ordinarily, an English Bulldog requires bathing once or twice a month. Overbathing can deplete essential oils from the dog’s skin, resulting in skin problems. Commercially prepared flea shampoos are often excessively harsh and serve very little purpose because you should have your English Bulldog on a once-a-month, flea-preventive gel anyway. Mild human or baby shampoos are recommended for bathing. It is extremely important to remember that Bulldogs and water are a dangerous combination. If a Bulldog falls into a swimming pool or lake, the chances are that he will quickly drown. Likewise, an English Bulldog can easily drown while in a bathtub. Never squirt water anywhere near an English Bulldog’s nose or mouth. Take special precautions to make sure that water does not drin or drain into the nose or mouth from the forehead. A Bulldog’s face should only be cleaned with a wet wash towel. A small amount of shampoo on the facial area is sometimes needed, but should                                                      be carefully rinsed out.

Pay particular attention to thoroughly cleaning the area under the wrinkle that appears over the nose of the dog, as well as on the forehead and inside the ears. Use towels to dry the dog after all of the shampoo has been carefully and properly rinsed off. Carefully use cotton swabs to remove any wax build up inside the ear canal. Periodically clean out any wax and debris in the ear canal with liquid ear cleaning solutions.

It is a good idea to clean the Bulldog’s wrinkles, ears, and under the folds of skin around the base of the tail between baths, at least once a week. Otherwise, skin and ear infections are a certain result. It is recommended that you put a soothing baby ointment, preferably containing zinc oxide, inside a deep nose wrinkle.

FLEA CONTROL

English Bulldogs are more prone than most dogs to allergic reactions from fleas. Flea infestation should be avoided. Flea collars should be not be used as they are usually ineffective and dangerous to English Bulldogs. In fact, in order to prevent your English Bulldog from accidentally choking or hanging himself, no collar should ever be left on an English Bulldog, under any circumstances. A collar should only be used in conjunction with a leash and only while the dog is being walked or leash-handled.

Once-a-month flea treatments (gels that are absorbed along the spine of the dog) are particularly effective as a flea preventative. Always consult your veterinarian and follow the label directions. Note that these preparations are not always suitable for young puppies.

COLLARS

Because of their constricted airways, English Bulldogs’ collars should never be left on, except when being walked on a leash. Collars tend to catch on chairs, fences, trees, and other objects—usually resulting in a death by choking or strangulation. Likewise, it is also extremely dangerous to tie or chain a Bulldog up for even a brief moment.

When using a collar and leash during training and daily walks, be careful not to accidentally choke your dog. The chain-type “choke” collars should be avoided