National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day was created in 2007 by Jackie Valent, a writer of children’s books. See Stinky, The Bulldog. Valent thought if people could see the beauty of a Bulldog, they could also see beauty in their neighbors of different ethnicities, colors and cultures.
Thank you, Jackie Valenti!
You can grab Stinky, The Bulldog here.
******
The British Bulldog
When someone says, “Bulldog,” I think of the British or English Bulldog. Do you? Keep reading!
The “Bulldog” is also known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. The ancestors of the English/British Bulldog are the Asiatic Mastiff and the Pug.
Bull Dogs of the Past
Bulldogs originated in the 16th century, when they were bred to participate in a cruel “sport” called bull-baiting, in which dogs would fight bulls. The bulls were tethered and the dog that could bring the bull to the ground won. That’s where the name comes from.
The original dogs were (clearly) fearless and thought to be insensitive to pain, as many were gored by bulls or trampled.
Bull-baiting was finally outlawed in the 1800s, and Bulldogs might have lost their reason for being, except for their loyal and affectionate personalities. Rather than finding themselves at the end of the line, their popularity as pets grew. Thereafter, Bulldogs were bred for domesticity.
Today’s Bull Dogs
An English Bulldog is totally recognizable! An adult is medium sized, stands 12 to 16 inches tall, with a short, stocky build. Their bodies are muscular; their heads are large, with a relatively flat face, a protruding lower jaw, and thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders.
Males weigh about 50 to 55 pounds, and females weigh between 40 to 50 pounds. Both sexes stand 12 to 16 inches, and your new friend will be with you for about 9 to 12 years.
In addition to their appearance, Bulldogs are known for being friendly and affectionate – and for having temperate personalities. As if that doesn’t make them “winners,” they are loyal and devoted to their families.
These “sensitive” or “emotional” dogs can be stubborn sometimes, but they can be taught to follow commands and behave well, if you are patient and consistent with training.
Other Kinds of Bulldogs
Remember earlier, I said, “Keep reading? Well, here’s why. The English Bulldog isn’t the ONLY kind of Bulldog; there are a number of other kinds of Bulldogs.
Red-Tiger Bulldog – Red-Tiger Bulldogs weigh between 75 and 110 pounds, stand about 26 inches tall and have a life expectancy of up to 16 years. These Bulldogs function best with a long daily long walk. They do well living in an apartment or a home with a yard. If they aren’t trained from an early age, these elegant dogs can be aggressive towards other dogs and animals. They are gentle with children and wary towards strangers.
American Bulldog – American Bulldogs weigh between 60 and 120 pounds, stand 20 to 28 inches tall and have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. They look intimidating; in fact, they are actually extremely gentle and affectionate. They are big, brave lap dogs that love children.
Australian Bulldog – Australian Bulldogs weigh between 50 and 78 pounds, stand about 26 inches tall and have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. They are fine with city or country life as long as they are properly fed, exercised and cared for. They can be more active than other Bulldogs, but don’t expect them to be by your side when you run the marathon. Aussie Bulldogs are affectionate, loyal, and intelligent.
French Bulldog – French Bulldogs (nicknamed Frenchies) weigh as much as 28 pounds, stand about 11 to 13inches tall and have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. They are not just “one of the most popular small dogs in the world,” they are the American Kennel Club’s No. 1 Most Popular breed for 2022!
The list goes on, including the Olde English Bulldogge, the Victorian Bulldog, the Catahoula Bulldog, the Ca de Bou, and the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog.
Famous Bulldogs
Here are a few of the many famous Bulldogs:
Tillman and Tyson are skateboarders. Tillman is an English Bulldog. He holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest 100-meter on a skateboard by a dog. Tyson has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show – and his pay exceeds a $1,000 a day!
Old Boy, the English Bulldog, Laddie Boy the Airedale Terrier, and Pete the squirrel can all claim Republican President William G. Harding as their pet parent.
Canines – Real Dogs – in the White House
We can’t omit Uga, the official live mascot of the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
Actor Adam Sandler, had a beloved English Bulldog named Meatball. Meatball was an actor who starred in the movie Little Nicky. More than that, he was the best man and ring bearer in Sandler’s wedding to Jackie Titone in 2003.
Finally, there is Spike, who may be the most famous cartoon Bulldog of all time, having made his animated featuredebut back in the 1940s on the Tom and Jerry show. You may know him as Killer or Butch, the Bulldog that had a tough attitude and wore a huge spiked collar.
As we’ve seen, Bulldogs are not just a pretty face!
BTW – If you do make one, I don’t get a commission for your purchase of Stinky, The Bulldog; just want to make it convenient for you.
Sk.
Resources:
animals.mom.com, Article: What Two Breeds Make An English Bulldog?, by Maureen Refior, Updated September 26, 2017,https://animals.mom.com/what-two-breeds-make-an-english-bulldog-12535261.html
DogTipper, Article: National Bulldogs are Beautiful Day, by Grace Sydney, last updated August 19, 2022,https://www.dogtipper.com/blog/2018/04/bulldogs-are-beautiful-day.html
Wikipedia, Article: Bulldogs, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulldog_type
National Today, Article: National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day, April 21, 2023, https://nationaltoday.com/national-bulldogs-beautiful-day/
woman’s day, Article: 11 Types of Bulldogs That Are as Adorable as They Are Loyal, by Jo Yurcaba and Elizabeth Berry, Updated June 8, 2022, https://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/g30111879/types-of-bulldogs/?slide=2