English Bulldog

Bulldogs Might Be Ugly But Are Great Pets

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but most who behold bulldogs are unlikely to use the adjective “beautiful” to describe them. Bulldogs are ugly but make great pets.

They may be ugly, but bulldogs are very popular pets. The English Bulldog and the French Bulldog consistently rank in the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United States, England, and Australia.

French Bulldogs

Described by the AKC as:

 

 

Adaptable, Playful, Smart
AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 4 of 196
Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: under 28 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

The French Bulldog is a breed of domestic dog, bred to be companion dogs. The breed is the result of a cross between Toy Bulldogs imported from England and local ratters in Paris, France, in the 1800s. They are stocky, compact dogs with a friendly, mild-mannered temperament. Wikipedia

 

French Bulldog
French Bulldog

The French Bulldogs are descendants of dogs of the Molossians, an ancient Greek tribe. Bet you had never heard of the Molossians before reading this. But neither had I until researching the breed. British Molossian dogs are ancestors of the English Mastiff.

 

 

Bulldogs were used in blood sports such as bull-baiting. When England outlawed these atrocious events, the “Bulldogs” became unemployed. However, they succeeded in moving from a sporting to a companion breed.

French Bulldogs In Movies

The French Bulldogs have acted in several movies and on television. One notable role was in the film “Titanic.”  Tragically, along with the humans who drowned when the Titanic sank, several dogs perished, including a French Bulldog.

 

 

For More French Bulldog Information

American Kennel Club
French Bulldog Club of America

Bulldogs, according to the AKC, are:

Friendly, Courageous, Calm
AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 5 of 196
Height: 14-15 inches
Weight: 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy: 8-10 years

The “bull” in Bulldog comes from its use in the brutal betting “sport” of bull-baiting. Several dogs attacked a tethered bull, and the dog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground would be the winner. The bull was likely to maim or kill several dogs by goring, tossing, or trampling over them at such an event.

Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill

Bulldogs are popular in English culture. For many, it is a national icon, and Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s character is often described as similar to that of a bulldog. Some might say he has the face of a Bulldog.

A definite tribute to the Bulldog is how often it is used as a mascot. Does anyone know of any other dog, such as a poodle, pomeranian, miniature schnauzer,, etc., often used as a mascot?

(Winston Churchill was often compared to a bulldog. (Looking at this picture makes it easy to see why.)

The Bulldog is the mascot of many American universities: Georgetown, Gonzaga, Georgia, Yale, and Mississippi State, to name a few. Mack Trucks use the Bulldog as their hood emblem, and it is the mascot of the United States Marine Corps. Oorah!

Both bulldog breeds make good family pets. When I was a kid, my arch-enemy had a bulldog, and I took great care to keep my dog, Lucky, away from that dog! The English Bulldog is calm, affectionate, and peaceful with other pets but may have disputes with other dogs it does not know.

The French Bulldog is also a great family dog, and its smaller size may be more suitable for some families. The Frenchie is cuddly and fits the description of a lap dog.

 

Bulldogs Are Ugly But Great Pets

Other breeds similar to the bulldogs include the Boston Terrier, the Pug, the Bull Terrier, and the Miniature Bull Terrier. None of these breeds are likely to win a beauty contest, either.

Because of his intimidating looks, the Bulldog makes a good guard dog. Being smaller, French Bulldogs are not as good guard dogs but good watchdogs.

 

Compare Bulldog Breeds

[table id=3 /]

 

 

Similar Posts