April 21 is "Bulldogs are Beautiful Day" and what better way to celebrate than to talk about our beloved Bulldogs? Recently, the French Bulldog made big news when the AKC announced that the French Bulldog was now the #1 dog of choice for the United States. The Frenchie is now #1, moving the Labrador Retriever to the 2nd Top Dog position, after it held the #1 spot for the past 31 years! Bulldogs that most of us think of have been bumped to the 6th most popular dog breed in the US. We will go through all the Bulldog deTAILS and more. One thing we can all agree on: Bulldogs are one of the best dogs, plus they are friendly and gentle, and relatively easy to care for. Let's look into what we know about the Bulldog and the rise to stardom in the dog breed world.
10 Reasons We Love Bulldogs
- We love Bulldog Puppies! Just look at that photo. How can you not LOVE a Bulldog? Those eyes! Those wrinkles! Yes, love at first sight.
- Unique physical qualities of a Bulldog. Even folks who are not dog lovers, or with little dog knowledge know what a Bulldog is. It’s hard to mistake them from any other breed. The loose skin on their heads, the furrowed brow and up-turned nose. Yes, it’s a Bulldog! That’s why we love them.
- The adorable Bulldog under-bite. The Bulldog’s under-bite makes these sweet pooches even more lovable. When you see their under-bite exposed, it is perfect for taking a picture and posting pictures of because it looks as if they are always smiling or about to tell you a funny joke.
- Their outgoing Bulldog personality. Bulldogs are friendly, courageous and sweet, but also outgoing and extroverted. They are often a symbol of perseverance and courage. No wonder they are the most popular dog colleges use as their mascot.
- Easy to care for. Bulldogs are a great choice for people who want a low-maintenance dog. They are not high-energy dogs and do not require a lot of exercise. They are also relatively easy to groom and do not shed a lot.
- Bulldogs have personality. Bulldogs are known for being friendly, affectionate, and playful dogs. They are also known for being stubborn and independent, which can add to their goofy personality.
- Can live in apartments. Bulldogs are growing in popularity in urban cities because of their smaller size, which makes them excellent apartment dogs.
- Good family dogs, and excellent companions for people of all ages. They are patient and tolerant of children. They are not aggressive or territorial. They are relatively quiet dogs and not high maintenance.
- Bulldogs are known as couch potatoes. This goes back to why they are good living in apartments, but overall Bulldogs enjoy sleeping near you while you watch your favorite show. If you are ready for a snuggle day, the Bulldog is down for it!
- Bulldog idiosyncrasies. It only takes a few quick searches to find funny things about Bulldogs. From how they sleep, and how they sit to their stubbornness when they put their mind to something. Bulldog owners get lots of laughs thanks to these interesting behaviors. Quick! Grab a camera when you have a Bulldog!
Breaking News: French Bulldogs Are Now Top Dog
The French Bulldog is now the top dog breed in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club. The breed knocked off the Labrador Retriever from the top spot, ending its 31-year reign.
The French Bulldog is a small, muscular dog with a short muzzle, large bat ears, and a wrinkled face. They are known for being friendly, affectionate, and playful dogs. French Bulldogs are also relatively low-maintenance dogs, making them a popular choice for city dwellers.
There are a few reasons why the French Bulldog has become so popular in recent years. One reason is that they are relatively small dogs, which makes them well-suited for apartment living. Just look at the size difference between a Labrador and a French Bulldog! Plus, they come in multiple colors!
Another reason for their popularity is that they are hypoallergenic, which means that they are less likely to trigger allergies in people. French Bulldogs are simply adorable dogs, with their wrinkly faces and big eyes. They make great additions to any home.
Bulldogs Have a Big Variety
We’ve made it clear the Bulldog is adorable and lovable in their own unique way. More good news is there are not just one type of Bulldogs. There are over 48 Bulldog mixed breeds which attempt to take the best characteristics of the Bulldog and mix them with another great breed. What seems to be the most interesting is that although they are all types of Bulldogs, the variety is quite vast.
Want a large Bulldog that is traditional, beautiful and yet gets along with children? English Bulldogs are your choice.
Measurements of the English Bulldog:
- Height: About 12 to 16 inches. Bulldogs that are shorter in size are great in dog shows.
- Weight: Males are 53 to 55 pounds and females are 49 to 51 pounds
Do you have a sense of humor that you would like to see in your dog? Or maybe you love the Bulldog, but it’s just too big for you. The smaller French Bulldog is your choice.
Measurements of the French Bulldog:
- Height: 12 inches
- Weight: 19 to 22 pounds for the male and 22 to 28 pounds for the female.
Bulldogs are not natural swimmers, but being Australian, you may want one that could swim. Then the Australian Bulldog is your choice.
Measurements of the Australian Bulldog:- Height: Males are 18 to 20 inches tall while females are 17 to 19 inches
- Weight: Males weigh 60 to 78 pounds, and females weigh 50 to 61 pounds
And there are many more types!
Bulldogs Are Great Mascots
Known as the happy, friendly and calm dog, the English Bulldog was originally bred for fighting. The breed was prized for aggression and its strong bite, plus its thick skin made it hard to puncture or injure during the fighting. Today, Bulldogs are known for their personality, but they are also honest, loyal dogs with tenacity and perseverance. No wonder they are a favorite selection for mascots.
In 2019, Cadbury, one of the world’s top chocolatiers and makers of the Cadbury Easter Egg announced that Henri the Bulldog would be the Cadbury Easter bunny. Henri still has celebrity status.
Here are a few popular sports teams are who love Bulldogs:
Of course, we have the University of Georgia Bulldogs from Athens, GA with "Uga" and "Hairy Dog" rotating through events.
And also:
- Butler Bulldogs, Indianapolis, IN, with dog named Butler Blue II
- Drake Bulldogs, Des Moines, IA with bulldog Spike
- University of Georgia Bulldogs, Athens, GA, named Uga and Hairy Dawg
- Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, named Spike the Bulldog
- Mississippi State, Starkville, MS, with dog named Bully
- Yale University, New Haven, CT with a bulldog named Handsome Dan
Because the list is so long, we won't also mention all the other world-wide Bulldog mascots, including in the United States, Great Britain and other countries. A Bulldog mascot is a great motivator to win!
TOP HEALTH PROBLEMS OF BULLDOGS
All dog breeds will have health problems, Bulldogs are no different. These are not drawbacks to having a Bulldog, just things to consider keeping them in tip-top shape.
- Hip & Elbow Dysplasia. Any Bulldog is very active in their youth. As they age, some joints get overused and therefore problems become more prevalent. Joint problems arise especially in the hip and elbow joints. This causes pain and impacts their mobility.
- Loose Knees or Luxating Patella. Bulldogs inherited kneecaps that could become dislocated or move out of place as they age. There could also be a potential accident or injury that would cause this to happen. If your dog seems weak or slows down, consider checking their knees as the first point of deterioration in their cartridge.
- Osteoarthritis, or arthritis. Because of the joint problems already mentioned, Bulldogs are at-risk for osteoarthritis. They are on the ‘Very High Risk’ section of the risk chart because of their size and weight. Check out all the risk factors, and the other dogs that join the Bulldog on the chart.
- Weight problems. Because of their overall size, Bulldogs can get larger than their large frame is intending for them to get. Be sure to feed your Bulldog the correct amount of food and stay away from too much people food as that is often what might side-track your Bulldog from a healthy weight.
As the Bulldog is unique, there are some problems that are uniquely Bulldog health issues. such as eye issues, breathing issues and overheating issues. This is not in the expertise of Parnell Living Science, so here is a brief article that explains it better.
WORK NOW FOR PROTECTED JOINTS IN THE FUTURE
Because the Bulldog breed is built as it is, Bulldogs can start to slow down sooner than expected due to joint pain or arthritis. Help relieve these signs safely and naturally by adding a joint supplement to their diet.
- The best way to prevent signs of arthritis is to begin joint protection earlier. Joint supplements can promote joint health and cartilage development which keep dogs active and youthful, longer. Learn what to look for in joint supplements for your dog.
- If your Bulldog is over age 5, consider starting them a joint supplement as cartilage improvement can be seen in most labs with a daily dose.
- Of course, make sure your dog stays active to help their joints work better. This includes regular walking and playing with your dog. A great opportunity to go to the dog park!
- Keep the weight down on your dog. Bulldogs are already big. If they begin to get overweight, it will amount to more pressure on their joints. Exercise and proper feeding will help as they age.
While Bulldogs are happy to relax with their human, they also enjoy going on walks and moderate exercise to stay trim. Note that when the weather ticks up in temperatures, Bulldogs need to stay inside with air conditioning flowing. Their short muzzle can make it difficult for them to breath in heat and humidity. Plan to take those long walks early in the morning or later as the sun goes down.
GLYDE MOBILITY CHEWS
Parnell Living Science are the experts on osteoarthritis (OA) of arthritis in dogs and cats. We created a unique formula with key anti-inflammatory ingredients to combat the signs of aging. Glyde uses natural, gluten-free ingredients to promote healthy joints to let your dog do everything he or she loves to do! Glyde is the only nutraceutical that contains proven levels of three key components that work to relieve the painful signs of arthritis.
Glyde's proven formula has all-natural ingredients and high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, plus Green Lipped Mussel (GLM). The proven levels of these key ingredients are what makes the formula unique:
- New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel (GLM):A powerful anti-inflammatory
- Glucosamine:Reduces cartilage degradation
- Chondroitin Sulfate:Helps rebuild cartilage
ABOUT BULLDOGS ARE BEAUTIFUL DAY
While we could not find the origin of "Bulldogs are Beautiful Day" on April 21, we could find several posts that talked about the beauty of Bulldogs and how to celebrate it with your Bulldog. While you could take a walk in the park with your Bulldog, or enjoy some time snuggling with them, we suggest checking out some of these great posts about Bulldogs:
- Priceless video created for Bulldogs are Beautiful Day
- Another adorable Bulldog video. Let's face it: they are beautiful!
- As if you weren't convinced, here's another tribute to the Beauty of Bulldogs from Rover.com.
One thing is clear: enjoy your Bulldog today and every day. Most importantly, always keep them happy and healthy!