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English Bull DogsEnglish bull dogs are thought to have developed from an ancient breed of Asiatic mastiff. They are very calm and placid dogs, despite their somewhat intimidating appearance. The bull dog, first born in Britain, was so named because of its sturdy, robust appearance, like that of a bull. They were originally bred for bull baiting in the medieval ages in Britain although the breed is relatively calm and gentle. They were sent out to fields to attack the bulls when the sport was legal, which was before the nineteenth century.
The bull dog
has a unique appearance which can be intimidating unless you know and understand the breed. It is a short dog with a wide, compact body. The head of a bull dog is thick and large with wide cheeks expanding to the sides of the eyes. The lips are undershot and pendent and the eyes are round, dark and spaced far apart. The ears on an English bull dog are small, thin and lie folded back. The breed is very distinctive and easily recognizable.
Bull dogs have coats which lie close to the body. The coat is noted for its appearance and texture, the hairs being straight, smooth and flat. English bull dogs have coats which differ in shades and colors. You can find shades of white, fawn, brindle, red, yellow or a mixture of these hues. Black is neither common nor acceptable but the reds, yellows and fawn colors do complement the appearance of the dog with its stocky legs and robust frame.
Looking at an English bull dog, you might not guess that it is a gentle breed of dog because of its features, but they are considered very calm and reliable in manner. They love affection and attention and interact well with other dogs and have been known to even get along well with cats. They provide good companionship for adults and children alike.
The English bull dogs are treated as a family dog nowadays because of these characteristics. They also make good guard dogs and can be trained for watching and guarding. The breed is brave and can look intimidating to potential burglars but if you want to use a bull dog to guard, it is essential to train it properly. Bull dogs are intelligent and can learn but training has to be thorough so the dog knows what is expected of it and what to do if it needs to actively guard.
An English bull dog needs regular care sessions. They like regular combing or brushing to remove loose fur or dirt. If your bull dog tends to shed its hair often, it might need a bath but a generally clean bull dog does not require frequent bathing. The mouth should be cleaned regularly and other parts which get dirty or have a lot of loose hair. These tasks should be performed by the dominant owner only and the same goes for training the animal. |
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