Bulldog history originates in England. The term Bulldog generally refers to the English version of the breed though there are also French and American Bulldogs. The original Bulldog, the Old English bulldog, was a large dog used to drive cattle. The English later bred these dogs to be aggressive and used them in gambling sports like bull baiting and dog fighting. When England passed the Cruelty to Animals Act of1849, bull baiting and dog fighting were banned and much of the population lost interest in the Bulldog.
More than one Bulldog breeder began to mix Bulldogs with smaller breeds to create a lap dog that could be an indoor family pet. This resulted in the current form of the English and French Bulldogs. Some European immigrants took their Bulldogs with them when immigrating to America. These Bulldogs would become the progenitors for the American Bulldog breed, which more closely resembles the Old English Bulldog.
Bulldog Breeders should be able to educate potential buyers about Bulldog information including care, grooming and discipline. Whether an American, French or English Bulldog breeder, he will have knowledge of all Bulldog breeds and their specific needs. Bulldogs are not for inexperienced pet owners. This breed is high maintenance and requires significant attention, training and medical care.
European versions of the Bulldog often have respiratory problems due to their small bodies, flat faces and Pug noses. These versions also need help giving birth, usually by c-section, as puppies' heads are too wide to be delivered naturally. The American Bulldog has a life expectancy of almost twice that of the European versions, but these larger dogs have their own set of behavioral, social and health issues. Bulldogs buyers should approach Bulldog breeders with a list of questions. Good breeders will be able to provide extensive Bulldog information. Buyers should also expect Bulldog breeders to interview them to make sure they can adequately provide for Bulldog puppies.
The most important thing for buyers to know about Bulldog breeders is that good breeders never sell to pet stores. Any purebred dog breeder, like the
Bulldog breeder, loves the breed and treats animals like family members, not merchandise. Due to the high price that can be fetched for purebred puppies, some breeders run illegal puppy mills, which are operations in purebred dogs are bred constantly to produce multiple litters to sell at auction. Dogs in puppy mills are mistreated. They are bred incessantly without regard to their health, kept caged with no exercise or play, and receive little human contact. Puppy auctions and puppy brokers are usually the methods by which pet stores acquire puppies. Not only is this a cruel process, but also it offers no guarantee on the health or lineage of purebred puppies. On the opposite end, pet stores, unlike good breeders, don't care whom they sell Bulldog puppies to. Breeders will make sure dogs go to appropriate, loving homes. Pet stores sell to any buyer with appropriate funds.
Buyers should research a
Bulldog breeder thoroughly before buying a purebred Bulldog. Finding
Bulldog information about breeders that do not sell to pet stores is the subject of this article.