English Bulldog puppies grow up to be just like their larger counterpart, the English Bulldog, but in a smaller size. In fact, they're not actually a separate breed. Instead, English Bulldogs have been bred specifically to be of a smaller size but still have all of the temperamental and physical characteristics of the English Bulldog. Regardless of whether you decide to get a English Bulldog or a Standard English Bulldog, you will have a friendly, good-natured pet that is docile, affectionate, gentle, and very mellow, receptive to strangers and a great child-friendly pet.

 

History
About 1500, the Bulldog was first mentioned in literature but spelling varied and names such as "Bondogge" and "Bolddogge" were used. In the early 1600s, a letter written by Preswick Eaton included a reference to the first modern spelling of "Bulldog." This breed is thought to originate from the Phoenician traders' Molossian dogs in the British Isles. However, it may also be a descendant of the Asiatic Mastiff. The name "Bulldog" was given because of the dog's role in bull-baiting, in addition to its bullish appearance with its overly large head and thick, stout, short, and wide body.

 

Originally, the Old English Bulldog's main function in England was for the popular sport of bull-baiting. Dogs were placed on bulls that had been restricted. The winning dog was required to take the bull by the nose and hold it on the ground. Unfortunately, this "sport" was responsible for the death of many dogs. As a result of this activity, these original Old English Bulldogs were bred to have huge heads, thick stocky bodies, and a ferocious demeanor. After 1835 when bull-baiting was banned, Bulldogs no longer served that purpose there, but emigrants sought these dogs in the New World minus the original trait of fierceness. For this reason, the belligerent characteristic is no longer instilled in this breed. Today, these gentle dogs are considered a true "gentleman's" breed.

 

Introduction Of The English Bulldog
The original Old English Bulldog was likely bred in England as a cross between Bandogges, the ancient Pugnaces Britanniae of Great Britain. Eventually it was crossed with the Pug, resulting in a short, wide dog with a very large head. Although the original Bulldogs were athletic, today's breed is most definitely less so. Still short, stocky, and muscular but with a compact snout and an inability to run for long distances, today's English Bulldog is bred purely to be a family pet that will give plenty of love, loyalty, and sweet patience to an embracing owner and family.

 

As stated before, the English Bulldog is actually not another breed separate from the English Bulldog. Instead, it simply is a downscaled English Bulldog of a smaller size. Breeders use English Bulldog parents to get the smaller English Bulldogs, with no crossbreeding between other breeds to achieve a smaller size, as opposed to what might happen if one were to breed a Bulldog with a small terrier.

 

Physical Characteristics
Just like their full-sized counterparts, English Bulldogs have dense, powerful bodies with wide shoulders and massive heads. Your pet is smaller than his or her full-sized counterpart, though, with a height of between 10 and 14 inches at the shoulder and a weight of between 25 and 40 pounds. Unlike English Bulldogs of a typical size (with a weight approaching 90 pounds or even more, in some cases), your little pet could indeed make a fine lapdog in adulthood.
 

Temperament
These little dogs are loyal, affectionate, extroverted, and gregarious. If you decide to adopt a English Bulldog as a member of your family, you must give him or her as much attention as is possible. If you do, your pet will return such affection generously. Very friendly to children, this breed is extremely loyal and devoted. However, make sure you socialize your puppy as soon as you bring him or her home so that he or she sees you as pack leader. Bulldogs are not particularly combative if you set down firm ground rules right from the start and make sure that your new family member knows that you're in charge. That said, Bulldogs are very determined (they really do embody the term "bullheaded" in every sense!), so if you don't take charge, you may find that you have quite a stubborn problem on your hands.

 

The bottom line, though, is that the English bulldog is all about love. If you give your little pet lots of love and affection and simply make sure that he or she knows you're in charge, you don't have to do much more than that. Your pet will become a loyal, loving, and completely obedient member of the pack.

Young Bulldogs are very energetic, but they become very sedate as they get older. It's really true that the epitome of the "old English gentleman" can be seen in the personality and physicality of the English Bulldog – polite, docile, inquisitive, incredibly friendly, and very affable.

 

Proper Environment
English Bulldog puppies and adults do especially well with apartment living. Your English Bulldog does not need a lot of activity and is especially inactive indoors. Although it's necessary to take your dog for a daily walk, he or she does not need a constant physical challenge. Although curious and determined, English Bulldogs are also not particularly in need of mental stimulation other than that provided by companionship and, again, of course, constant adoration.

 

Your pet is quite intelligent and will eagerly learn tricks in order to be obedient to you. Any kind of environment that will give your pet constant human companionship will be suitable. If you are a single owner who can nonetheless take your dog with you "everywhere," this will be just as suitable for a English Bulldog as a large, rambunctious family with constant activity would be.What's notable about a English Bulldog, though, is that it does not do well alone. If you can't provide nearly constant companionship to your pet, it's best to get a breed that is more independent.

 

Health
English Bulldogs in particular are quite healthy and hardy, with some having life spans of up to 17 years. That said, they do have some difficulties typical to brachycephalic (large-headed) breeds, namely breathing problems caused by small windpipes. They also have poor eyesight and can be prone to eye problems because their eyes bulge out slightly and can be injured easily.

 

Despite their sturdy appearance, though, there are some things that you must pay attention to. Specifically, your pet does do not do well with extreme heat or cold. In fact, if these dogs are not kept in temperate climates at all times (even if it must be done artificially with heat and air-conditioning, for example), they can die quite quickly. Therefore, if it's hot out, make sure you provide plenty of shade and water for your pet, and air-conditioning if necessary. Bulldogs sweat through their feet, and one of the things you can do to help keep your pet cool is to let him or her sleep on a cold floor. If it's cold out, make outdoor excursions as brief as possible, providing extra "doggie clothing" if necessary for warmth.

 

Grooming
The English Bulldog's short coat is easy to care of and you should only need to brush it weekly. However, the deep skin folds characteristic of Bulldogs will require you to clean them carefully on a daily basis, with a damp cloth. After the creases are clean, they should be dried to avoid dampness and a risk of infection.