English Bulldogs - The Basics

Present day English Bulldogs are very different from their ancestors. They have descended from the ancient Asiatic Mastiff but their evolution took place entirely in Great Britain. The name "Bulldog" has medieval origin and it not only refers to the look of a little bull, which English Bulldogs have, but also because of the power that these dogs had when they would attack bulls in arena combat.

Bulldogs are small but wide, compact, and masculine looking. They have thick massive heads. Bulldogs are noted for their wrinkly round faces. Their snouts are short and pug and their noses are broad with large nostrils. Their eyes are big, round, and far apart. Their ears are small, thin, and floppy. Their tails are short and hang low. They come in many different colors such as red, fawn, brindle, pale yellow, washed-out red, white, or a variety of any of these. Bulldogs have stocky legs at the corners of their box-like bodies. They also walk in a bit of a waddle. They are usually about 12-16 inches long. Males weigh about 53-55 pounds and females 49-51 pounds.

Even though English Bulldogs may look intimidating, they are one of the gentlest breeds of dogs. At the same time, they are great protectors and will ward off intruders, as they were brave enough to attack bulls back in the day. They're affectionate, loyal, and great with children. However, they are noted for their guarding abilities. English Bulldogs are stubborn and persistent. Bulldogs love human attention and they are very social but since Bulldogs are dominant animals, they need a strong leader. They love their families and form strong bonds with their humans. They are good with family pets but may act differently around "strange" dogs. As youngins, Bulldogs have tons of energy but they wind down as they get older. They are very loud snorers and they can drool a lot!

The most common health problem for English Bulldogs has to do with breathing. Sometimes they have small windpipes. They don't have the best eyesight and they're prone to heat stroke. They should never be left alone in a hot room or car. English Bulldog puppies are often delivered via C-section because of their large heads. They have active digestive systems which can be a problem for people that are sensitive to smells. They're sometimes prone to skin infections and hip and knee problems.

English Bulldogs are generally an indoor breed. They do best in mild climates because they're not especially good in the heat or the cold. Some Bulldogs are full of energy and others don't exercise at all. They do need their daily walks and if they're fit, they will move fairly fast. English Bulldogs are average shedders with fine, smooth, short hair. They should be bathed only when necessary but their faces should be wiped with a damp cloth every day in order to clean inside their wrinkles. They generally are not great swimmers but enjoy being around the water like most dogs.

If you have ever spent a lot of time with an English Bulldog you know what a wonderful breed of dog this is. While not perfect for everyone they make great family pets and protectors.

Hans Lynch is a life long dog lover and the owner of http://www.lucysdoghouse.net. Lucy's Dog House has a great selection of tough dog toys, and a wide variety of great products for you and your dog.

Dog Clothes for Large Dogs-Puppy Chewing

Dog clothes for large dogs are scarce! I purchase my adorable English bulldog and the first thing I bought was a nice tweed jacket. I did not have any problems finding clothes for my English bulldog until 6 months later. I soon came to realize dog clothes for large dogs are not popular. I wondered why? Who says only the "toy" dogs should look cute. Well I could not rest until I found a store that could accommodate my needs. I searched and searched and finally came across Mydoggiemart and I found a variety of clothes to fit my "chunky" english bulldog. Whether you're in a hot or cold climate Mydoggiemart has the clothes for your dog small or large.

Another dilmea that I had was puppy chewing. How do you prevent your new puppy from chewing and destroying your house and belongings. I decided to seek proper training and chew toys. Afterall, chewing and playtime are part of normal puppy growth and development.

DO

-Provide several of a variety of toys for your puppy.

-Teach your puppy to play with these toys.

-Praise puppy every time you see him chewing or playing with his toys on his own.

-Teach your puppy to get a toy to greet you. Each time your pup runs up to greet you or anyone else, encourage him to find and get a toy. All humans, especially the owners should always be greeted by a dog with toy in mouth.

-Any area that the pup has access to must be kept clear and clean. Put out of puppy's reach anything you don't want him to chew or destroy, such as trash, shoes, hazards, etc. Your dog does not know what is valuable or dangerous and what is not.

-If you find your puppy with your best shoe in mouth, distract him away from it and replace the shoe with one of his toys. Praise him for chewing his toy. Do not reprimand him for chewing your shoe. Reprimand yourself for leaving it out where he could find it.

-Booby traps items and articles to show your puppy that these things are no fun to chew, in fact, they are an annoyance even to touch.

DON'T

-Do not allow unsupervised access to 'unchewables.'

-Do not chase the puppy in an attempt to take something away.

-Do not reprimand excessively. A verbal warning should be enough. A loud startling noise is even better. It gets the puppy's attention without the puppy associating it with you. As soon as the puppy is distracted, show him what to chew and praise him for chewing it.

If you need more information on dog clothes, any dog products, puppy traveling tips, how to stop a puppy from chewing, and house training Mydoggiemart has all the answers.

http://mydoggiemart.com

Bulldog Puppy And Dog Information

The Bulldog is basically an indoor dog that does not mind skipping exercise. She is intelligent, loving, likes to play and adores children. She snores and can have gas.

Good With Children?

Bulldogs are good with children. Of course, never leave a young child unsupervised with any dog or puppy.

Good With Other Pets?

Pretty good with pets except when feeding time comes.

Trainability

They are highly intelligent but not always interested in being trained.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male bulldog is 12 to 16 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 53 to 55 pounds. The female ranges from 12 to 16 inches to the withers and 49 to 51 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Bulldog is no exception. Be on the look out for poor eyesight, breathing difficulties, heat stroke, skin infections, canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), whelping problems, congenital heart disease and skin tumors. She may also require ear and dental care. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Bulldog coat is short, straight, flat and close to the body. She sheds an average amount. She should be brushed weekly to help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Her face and the insides of her wrinkles need to be wiped daily. Bathe only when she really needs it.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

Life Span

The Bulldog can live between 8 and 10 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Bulldog originated in Great Britain from the Asiatic Mastiff. She is currently the symbol of Great Britain. She was first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1934.

Some Registries

• Bulldog Club of America
• UKC United Kennel Club
• NKC National Kennel Club
• CKC Continental Kennel Club
• APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
• AKC American Kennel Club
• FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
• NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
• KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
• ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
• ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

Average 4 Bulldog puppies

Category

Mastiff. Non sport.

Terms To Describe

Kind, pacific, dignified, courageous, heart of gold, great intelligence, attentive

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

• Good guard dog.
• Loves to play.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

• Poor watch dog.
• Heat and cold sensitive.
• May be gassy.
• She snores.
• Very touchy about her food.

Other Names Known By

English Bulldog.

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

About the Author

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com. PetPages.com is a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info. Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.

Understanding Cherry Eye/The Third Eyelid

Humans, dogs and cats have a lot of features in common. We share many of the same reactions to stress and pain, but there is one thing that cats, canines and most other animals have that we don’t, and that is the third eyelid.

What is the third eyelid?

Well, medically it is known as the “nictitating membrane.” In English it is an eyelid that provides extra protection for the eye. Rather like the wiper on our windshield. Our windshield wipers are usually connected to a container of water to clean our windshield, the third eyelid contains a gland that provides tears to keep the eye moist, among other things. It also provides antibodies and an enzyme that can inactivate bacteria.

What is Cherry eye?

Cherry eye is a condition that affects dogs usually during their first year.

There are some breeds, more than others that are effected by this condition: Cocker Spaniels, English Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Boston Terriers, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese and Pugs are the most affected breeds. However, it can happen to any dog.

In my opinion it is ugly and scary, though it looks worse than it is. It is a red looking bump that seems to be growing out of the corner of the dog’s eye and you feel like it is going to “pop out” at any moment. Of course, it is not..

Most doctors say it is a congenital defect in the ligament that holds the gland of the third eyelid in place. It can be surgically repaired, however sometimes the surgery doesn’t hold the gland in place and it comes back up for all to see. Seeing it does not mean that it is not functioning, it just means it is not pretty to look at. Removing the gland if surgery can’t hold it in place is not recommended as this gland produces tears necessary for your dog’s eye. Without it your dog can suffer from “dry eyes” and that can be very painful.

The interesting thing is, if surgery does not hold the gland back in place and it pops up, time can work on your side as the “cherry eye” may decrease in size.

Even though this gland only supplies about 30 percent of the eye’s tear production, keeping it, no matter how bad it may look, is insurance for your dog’s eyes. It is tears that help keep the cornea of the eye healthy. The cornea has no blood vessels of its own, so the oxygen and nutrients that are supplied to it come through the tears.

Cherry eye is not known to be painful, but it can be irritating to the dog and what do dogs do when something irritates them. They scratch and it is the scratching that can cause problems that lead to eye injuries.

Today with the advent of many new techniques in veterinary surgery most of the time, positioning of the gland is successful. When a problem arises, there are other “tricks” a surgeon can perform that will remedy the problem.

On the positive side, this condition is not a “life or death” type of a situation. It can go unattended for a while, though cosmetically it bothers you more than the dog, it really needs to be attended to.

There is nothing you can do to prevent this from happening, but there are safe and effective ways to fix the problem.

Now what has this to do with cats?

Cats have a third eyelid, too. It sits for the most part on the inside corner of the eye. You might even see a bit of it peeking through.

Cats do not get “cherry eye.” However, if they are really ill or under a stressful situation the eyelid will start to cover the eye.

I have 10 year old feral cat, Mr. Boots, that did not have a chance to have a life as a treasured kitten. He came into our lives as a 10 week old kitten (more or less) and whatever conditioning had been in his past life had already made a mark on him forever.

Several years ago our “grandfather cat” died. Mr. Whiskers ruled the household and the other cats with a gentle but stern hand. His death then allowed our second in command cat, Isaac to be in control of the rest of the cats. Isaac became a tyrant and poor Boots shivered in his boots. The stress caused the third eyelid of his left eye to cover his eye and I became panic stricken.

The cat was scared to death of Isaac (and so was everyone else) so to make a long story short, Mr. Isaac packed his bags and went on to become a “nursery mouser” at a friend’s plant nursery.

Peace was restored and within a few weeks the third eyelid retracted back into its normal shape and life went on (well, sort of.)

The third eyelid in a cat functions the same as in a dog, keeping the “windshield clean. However, it only appears in time of serious stress or illness. If the third eyelid appears and stays around for a few days, please take your cat to the vet even, if the cat does not appear to be ill.

The Burmese cat is the breed most often affected by this condition.

As always, if your pet has any sign of not feeling well or is acting out of character, please call or see your vet. An ounce of prevention can save many veterinary dollars.

Motherhood not only brought me a boundless supply of children, it also filled my life with many animal critters that gave me an opportunity to learn much. Sharing some of this knowledge that I have learned through the years has become part of the "fun" I call my life. For other interesting stuff come and visit me at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

Bulldogs: Ten Things You May Not Know About Them

Some say the Bulldog was descended from the Mastiff, and others claim the opposite is true. No one is certain but it seems more likely that both breeds sprung from a breed of dog called ‘Alaunt’ which appears to have possessed a short, thick head and short muzzle with undoubted power and strength, especially in the forelegs. Here are ten more things you may not know about the Bulldog, sometimes called 'Bull Dog' …..

* In the 19th Century Bulldogs were used to chase and terrify Bulls before they were slaughtered, hence the name 'Bull Dogs'. It was widely believed the flesh of animals baited this way immediately before death tasted better than others killed in more humane fashion!

* In his diary, Samuel Pepys says he was present at a bull-baiting in Southwark, London, on August 4th, 1666, which he described as “a very rude and nasty pleasure”.

* Bulldogs were also used to bait full-grown bears and for dog-fighting. Henry VIII had his own Bull and Bear gardens and watched many bull-baitings. Queen Elizabeth was also very fond of the ‘sport’.

* When England's James II declared his disfavour toward bull-baiting in 1685, the activity fell into rapid decline among the upper classes although the lower classes continued to enjoy the despicable 'sport' for many years to come. In 1835 bull-baiting and dog-fighting became illegal and Bulldogs fell out of fashion.

* As the breed regained popularity in the late 1800s, some amazing prices were fetched for specimens for breeding or showing purposes, including: In 1901 Rodney Stone fetched £1,000 and was exported to the USA. Also exported to the USA for £1,000 apiece were Heath Baronet in 1904 and Chinsham Young Jack in 1909.

* For many years the Bulldog has been used to portray the quintessential British ‘John Bull’ caricature even though some insist the breed came originally from Spain! This seems to be due to a plaque being found in Paris by an Englishman, John Proctor, on which was portrayed the head of a Bulldog with inscription ‘Dogue de Burgos Espaque (Spain) – 1625.’

* Those against the theory of Spanish origin point out that Philip II became King of Spain in 1556 and took many English fighting dogs to that country. They insist also that British dogs may have traveled back to Spain with sailors of the Armada in 1588.

* The first known mention of the Bulldog in literature was in 1500 by W. Wulcher who referred to the dog as ‘Bonddogge’ – the words ‘bond’ and ‘dog’ referring to the belief that the dog was considered so fierce it should be kept tied up (bound) for the protection of other living beings. Also in literature, in 'Treatise of the Dog' (1576), Dr. Caius referred to the Bulldog (still known as bonddogge) as: “a vast, huge, stubborn, ugly and eager dog of a heavy burdensome and body serviceable to bait a bull, and two dogs at the most were capable of subduing the most untamable bull.” Around 1630 the dog took on its more familiar name, with slightly different spelling of ‘Bulldogg’.

* The Bulldog was appreciated by the ancient Romans, for his courage and power, and was even mentioned by Claudian, the last of the Latin classic poets, who says of the dog’s ability to floor a bull much bigger his size: “The British hound that brings the bull’s big forehead to the ground.”

* In 1864, at the Agricultural Hall in London, forty Bulldogs were on exhibition, and Mr. Jacob Lamphier, of Soho Street, Birmingham, won the first prize with his celebrated dog Champion King Dick. Born in 1858, the dog died aged eight, just a few days after the death of his master. The story is recounted that when Lamphier died, King Dick was relegated to the yard until after the funeral when he was let loose and immediately began searching for his master. Unable to find him the dog began a slow decline, refusing all offers of food and attention from Lamphier’s daughter. The dog is said to have given up looking and went to lie down on a rug where he died four days later without ever moving or feeding again."

Avril Harper is the webmaster at http://www.dog-breed.net

Dermatitis Is One Of The Dog Health Skin Problems

Itching and scratching are symptoms of dog health skin problems. The dog goes through the pain staking scratching to rid their body of an itch and if the problem is medical, they keep itching to no avail. This disturbs you and the dog as the itching continues until proper treatments relieve the underlying problem. A skin problem varies from breed to breed and is known as pruritus. In most cases, creams or ointments relieve the itch. Then you must find out the cause of the dog health skin problems.

Dog Health Skin Problems and Environmental Dermatitis

To determine the cause of environmental dermatitis, a vet will ask questions about where the dog sleeps or plays and urinates. Then he will ask about what the dog likes to do like dig holes, swim in the pool or roll in the grass. After taking a full history of the dog, you can now start eliminating one thing at a time.

The skin condition might come from bacterial in the dirt, grass or swimming pool. Things affect dogs differently then they do us. Dogs with thick hair that tend to lack proper grooming become a growing ground for bacterial. In this instance, a small skin abrasion can become a breeding ground for infection. Moist eczema is the most common form of dermatitis in dogs as well as some plastic materials. The English bulldog is allergic to plastic for example, causing a skin condition. Environmental dermatitis takes time to pinpoint the exact cause because there are so many reasons for the reaction.

Dog Health Skin Problems and Nutritional Dermatitis

Improper nutrition results in nutritional dermatitis in your dog. If the dog food is not up to the standards of the daily-recommended values needed, it may affect the skin of the dog. Poor skin condition and dull looking coats can come from an improper diet. Sometimes the cheapest dog food does not have everything the dog needs in his or her diet.

You need to supply foods comparable to the top brands; this means looking and reading the label to ensure everything is supplied as well as the percentage of recommended dosages. If you do buy cheap dog food, you may need to supplement the diet with vitamins to ensure your dog's health and prevention of nutritional dermatitis. Some important ingredients in dog food are fish or beef, lamb and poultry along with omega fatty acids, minerals and vitamins.

Diagnosing the dog health skin problem before it becomes severe, serves not only the faithful companion, but also yourself. Proper care and nutrition play an important factor in the overall health of any pet and dogs included. You can help prevent dermatitis in your dog by limiting their play area and knowing what they are doing. You need to have control over their play area and daily activities. This all sounds like having a child and it is definitely the same with a few less worries. Dogs are a part of the family and will be faithful and loving if properly cared for.

You can also find more info on faq dog health and dog health sickness problem. AboutDogHealth.org is a comprehensive resource to help dog owners identify their dog's illness symptoms and treatment options.

Making Your Own Dog Shampoo

Whether you or your pet are ready for it, a bath is going to be a necessity at some point. When the magic time comes, you can make your own dog shampoo for the pup of your life.

Making dog shampoo is fun because making things by hand are always fun. Let you children take part in it as well. Gifts for your pet loving friends make fun too. All you need to do for the shampoo is: combine 4 ounces of glycerin (available at any pharmacy), 1 pint of liquid dish soap, 1 pint of water, and 1 pint of apple cider vinegar. Mix well and you have the shampoo ready! It can be stored in your old shampoo bottles or a similar container easy for use.

When buying something for your dog, you need to bear several things in mind before you make your purchase. They are: your dog's age (puppy, adult, senior), breed, size, health, where you plan on using this item for your dog (inside or outside the house) and how much do you plan on spending.

Other dog shampoo options may contain saponified coconut, distilled water, pure olive, palm, castor, orris root powder jojoba and sweet almond oils, organic neem oil, organic hemp seed oil, essential oils of citronella and eucalyptus. They moisturize and have a quick lather, insect repelling essential oils and are biodegradable for lake-side scrubs.

These personal dog shampoos make your pets smell great and the duration of time that the soap scent remains with the dog exceeds any other shampoo you have ever used. They are good and advised by all the veterinarians for dogs with itchy and allergic skin. Even when you take the dog swimming a couple times a week, it still keeps him smelling great. Using these dog shampoos, you won’t have to use the flea and tick preventing treatment.

For example, usage of these dog shampoos is even advised for the English bulldog puppies with extremely sensitive-skin. So, even if your dog is still successful at finding a dirt spot, don’t worry a lot, even he has a sensitive skin.

Hal Storm is with Petstoreyeti.com - your free resource for local pet stores, services and pet information.