Post by charmingnancy on Mar 17, 2009 14:45:43 GMT -5
Bulldog
Group: 6- Non-sporting
Origin: United Kingdom
Purpose: Bullbaiting
Description:
A Bulldog, colloquially known as the British Bulldog, or English Bulldog, is a type of dog which traces its ancestry to England. It should not be confused with other varieties such as the American Bulldog. The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short-faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs. The general appearance and attitude should suggest great stability, vigour, and strength. The demeanour should be pacific and dignified.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour:
The coat should be straight, short, flat, close, of fine texture, smooth and glossy (no fringe, feather or curl). The colour of coat should be uniform, pure of its kind and brilliant. The various colours found in the breed are to be preferred in the following order:
(a) red brindle;
(b) all other brindles;
(c) solid white;
(d) solid red, fawn, or fallow;
(e) piebald;
(f) inferior qualities of all the foregoing.
Note: A perfect piebald is preferable to a muddy brindle or defective solid colour. Solid black is very undesirable, but not so objectionable if occurring to a moderate degree in piebald patches. The brindles, to be perfect, should have a fine, even and equal distribution of the composite colours. In brindles and solid colours a small white patch on the chest is not considered detrimental. In piebalds the colour patches should be well defined, of pure colour and symmetrically distributed.
The skin should be soft and loose, especially at the head, neck and shoulders.
Head:
The head and face should be covered with heavy wrinkles. The skull should be very large, and in circumference, in front of the ears, should measure at least the height of the dog at the shoulders. Viewed from the front, it should appear very high, from the corner of the lower jaw to the apex of the skull, and also very broad and square. Viewed at the side, the head should appear very high, and very short from the point of the nose to occiput. The forehead should be flat (not rounded or domed), neither too prominent nor overhanging the face. The cheeks should be well rounded, protruding sideways and outward beyond the eyes. The temples or frontal bones should be very well defined, broad, square and high, causing a hollow or groove between the eyes. This indentation, or stop, should be both broad and deep and extend up the middle of the forehead, dividing the head vertically, being traceable to the top of the skull. Muzzle: The face, measured from the front of the cheekbone to the tip of the nose, should be extremely short, the muzzle being very short, broad, turned upwards and very deep from the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth. The chops or flews should be thick, broad, pendant, and very deep, completely overhanging the lower jaw at each side. They join the underlip in front and almost or quite cover the teeth, which should be scarcely noticeable when the mouth is closed. Nose: Nose should be large, broad and black, its tip being set back deeply between the eyes. The distance from bottom of stop, between the eyes, to the tip of nose should be as short as possible and not exceed the length from the tip of nose to the edge of underlip. The nostrils should be wide, large and black, with a well-defined line between them. Any nose other than black is objectionable and Dudley or flesh-coloured nose absolutely disqualifies from competition. Mouth: The jaws should be massive, very broad, square and undershot, the lower jaw projecting considerably in front of the upper jaw and turning up. The teeth should be large and strong, with the canine teeth or tusks wide apart; the six small teeth in front, between the canines, in an even, level row. Eyes: Eyes seen from the front should be situated low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, and their corners should be in a straight line at right angles with the stop. They should be quite in front of the head, as wide apart as possible, provided their outer corners are within the outline of the cheeks when viewed from the front. They should be quite round in form, of moderate size neither sunken nor bulging, and in colour should be very dark. The lids should cover the white of the eyeball, when the dog is looking directly forward, and the lid should show no haw. Ears should be set high in the head, the front inner edge of each ear joining the outline of the skull at the top back corner of skull, so as to place them as wide apart, and as high, and as far from the eyes as possible. In size they should be small and thin. The shape termed "rose ear" is the most desirable. The rose ear folds inward at its back lower edge, the upper front edge curving over, outwards and backwards, showing part of the inside of the burr. (The ears should not be carried erect or prick-eared or buttoned and should never be cropped.)
Neck:
The neck should be short, very thick, deep and strong and well arched at the back. At the throat, from jaw to chest, there should be two loose pendulous folds, forming the dewlap.
Forequarters:
The shoulders should be muscular, very heavy, widespread and slant outward, giving stability and great power. The elbows should be low and stand well out and loose from the body. The forelegs should be short, very stout, straight and muscular, set wide apart, with well-developed calves, presenting a bowed outline, but the bones of the legs should not be curved or bandy, nor the feet brought too close together. The feet should be moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and with short stubby nails. The front feet may be straight or slightly out-turned.
Body:
The back should be short and strong, very broad at the shoulders and comparatively narrow at the loins. There should be a slight fall in the back, close behind the shoulders (its lowest part), whence the spine should rise to the loins (the top of which should be higher than the top of the shoulders), thence curving again more suddenly to the tail forming an arch (a very distinctive feature of the breed) termed roach back or, more correctly "wheel back."
The brisket and body should be very capacious, with full sides, well-rounded ribs and very deep from the shoulders down to its lowest part, where it joins the chest. The chest should be very broad, deep, and full. It should be well let down between the shoulders and forelegs, giving the dog a broad, low, short-legged appearance. The body should be well ribbed up behind with the belly tucked up and not rotund.
Hindquarters:
The hind legs should be strong and muscular and longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks should be slightly bent and well let down, so as to give length and strength from loins to hock. The lower leg should be short, straight and strong, with the stifles turned slightly outward and away from the body. The hocks are thereby made to approach each other, and the hind feet to turn outward. The hind feet should be pointed well outward.
Tail:
The tail may be either straight or screwed (but never curved or curly), and in any case must be short, hung low, with decided downward carriage, thick root and fine tip. If straight, the tail should be cylindrical and of uniform taper. If screwed, the bends or kinks should be well defined, and they may be abrupt and even knotty, but no portion of the member should be elevated above the base or root.
Gait:
The style and carriage are peculiar, his gait being a loose-jointed, shuffling, sidewise motion, giving the characteristic ?roll.? The action must, however be unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Disqualification:
Dudley or flesh-coloured nose.
Scale of Points:
General Properties
Proportion and symmetry- 5
Attitude- 3
Expression- 2
Gait- 3
Size- 3
Coat- 2
Colour of coat- 4= 22
Head
Skull- 5
Cheeks- 2
Stop- 4
Eyes and eyelids- 3
Ears- 5
Wrinkle- 5
Nose- 6
Chops- 2
Jaws- 5
Teeth- 2= 39
Body, Legs, etc.
Neck- 3
Dewlap- 2
Shoulders- 5
Chest- 3
Ribs- 3
Brisket- 2
Belly- 2
Back- 5
Forelegs and elbows- 4
Hind legs- 3
Feet- 3
Tail- 4= 39
TOTAL= 100
Size:
The size for mature dogs is about 50 lb. (23 kg); for mature bitches about 40 lb. (18 kg).
Temperament:
Many people do not consider Bulldogs for pets mostly because of its stocky stature and seemingly mean appearance. However, this breed is actually known to make good family pets. It is actually quite gentle and not too hyperactive. In fact, it is known to be quite the lazy dog which is the reason why it is perfect for small homes or apartments. Even families with small children will do well with Bulldogs. Some are very playful when they are puppies and tend to be a little bit restless. However, it often becomes calm and composed as it grows to become a full adult.
The Bulldog sometimes displays a sense of mischief and hardheadedness. It sometimes completely disregards orders and commands from its master. However, this breed is known to be extremely affectionate to its owners, especially to the little children. It tries to seek as much attention from its family as it can get. This is very important in keeping a pet Bulldog happy. The less human attention it gets, the more it seeks for it and as they continue to receive very little, it can be quite destructive. This, however, shall not be mistaken for the lack of discipline. All it needs is an owner who gives it enough attention yet does not spoil it by giving it all that it wants. It is important to make the Bulldog understand that it is dominated by a master. Simply recognizing this will allow it to display a better sense of obedience. It also shows a sense of intense loyalty towards its family.
Health:
The bulldog's specific traits can (but not always) contribute to some specific health issues. Breathing issues can be prevalent in the breed due to the shape and the shortness of muzzle. Most noticeably, bulldogs are known to snore loudly. In the United Kingdom, some dogs can be prone to interdigital cysts, which are cysts which form between the toes. These cause the dog some discomfort, though they are treatable either by vet or an experienced owner. Other problems can include cherry eye a protrusion of the inner eyelid which can be routinely corrected by a veterinarian, certain allergies, and among older bulldogs hip issues. Bulldogs, however, tend to be bowlegged in the hindlegs and thus do not tend to hip dysplasia. Bulldogs are famous for their snoring during sleep.
Puppies are frequently delivered by Caesarean section, as with their large heads they can get stuck in the birth canal during natural birth. It is possible for the mother to die during birth. However, it is not entirely uncommon for a bulldog to whelp naturally and successfully.
The folds or ("rope") on a Bulldog's face should be cleaned daily to avoid unwanted infections caused by moisture accumulation. Also, as with any companion animal, teeth brushing with a regular human soft toothbrush using a vet approved toothpaste can be recommended.
Like all dogs, bulldogs require daily exercise. If not properly exercised the bulldog could gain weight, which could cause health problems relating to the lungs and heart. Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to heat and great care should be given to the dog during overly warm periods. During these times, the owner must ensure that the dog has plenty of shade and water, and bulldogs must be kept out of standing heat.
While some canine breeds have their tails cut soon after birth, Bulldogs are one of very few breeds whose tail is naturally small and curled, and can appear as though they do not have one. A longer or "gay" tail is a serious fault in a show bulldog. The tail of some can be so tight to the body that regular cleaning and maintenance is recommended.
Average Lifespan:
The average life span is 10 years.
History:
The term "bulldog" was first used around 1568 and might have been applied to various ancestors of modern bulldog breeds. It has been theorized that Bulldogs were bred in England as a cross between the mastiff and the pug, although their genetic origin is debated.
In the 1600s, bulldogs were used for bullbaiting (as well as bearbaiting), a gambling sport popular in the 17th century with wagers laid in which trained bulldogs leapt at a bull lashed to a post, latched onto its snout and attempted to suffocate it. However, the bulldog's early role was not limited to sports. In mid-17th century New York, bulldogs were used as part of a city-wide roundup effort led by governor Richard Nicolls. Because cornering and leading wild bulls was dangerous, bulldogs were trained to seize a bull by its nose long enough for a rope to be secured around its neck.
In time, the original athletic bulldog was crossed with pug. The outcome was a shorter, wider dog with a brachycephalic skull. Though today's bulldog looks tough, he cannot perform the job he was originally created for, as he cannot withstand the rigors of running and being thrown from a bull, and cannot grip with such a short muzzle.
The oldest single breed speciality club is The Bulldog Club (England), which was formed in 1878. Members of this club met frequently at the Blue Post pub on Oxford Street in London. There they wrote the first standard of perfection for the breed. In 1891 the two top bulldogs, Orry and Dockleaf, competed in a contest to see which dog could walk the farthest. Orry was reminiscent of the original bulldogs, lighter boned and very athletic. Dockleaf was smaller and heavier set, more like modern bulldogs. Dockleaf was declared the winner that year. Although some argued that the older version of the bulldog was more fit to perform, the modern version’s looks won over the fans of the breed because they proved they were equally as fit and athletic in the walking competition.
Sources:
Wikipedia
CKC
Bulldogs World
Bulldog Owner's Guide
Pictures:
Photobucket
Group: 6- Non-sporting
Origin: United Kingdom
Purpose: Bullbaiting
Description:
A Bulldog, colloquially known as the British Bulldog, or English Bulldog, is a type of dog which traces its ancestry to England. It should not be confused with other varieties such as the American Bulldog. The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short-faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs. The general appearance and attitude should suggest great stability, vigour, and strength. The demeanour should be pacific and dignified.
Appearance- Breed Standards:
Coat and Colour:
The coat should be straight, short, flat, close, of fine texture, smooth and glossy (no fringe, feather or curl). The colour of coat should be uniform, pure of its kind and brilliant. The various colours found in the breed are to be preferred in the following order:
(a) red brindle;
(b) all other brindles;
(c) solid white;
(d) solid red, fawn, or fallow;
(e) piebald;
(f) inferior qualities of all the foregoing.
Note: A perfect piebald is preferable to a muddy brindle or defective solid colour. Solid black is very undesirable, but not so objectionable if occurring to a moderate degree in piebald patches. The brindles, to be perfect, should have a fine, even and equal distribution of the composite colours. In brindles and solid colours a small white patch on the chest is not considered detrimental. In piebalds the colour patches should be well defined, of pure colour and symmetrically distributed.
The skin should be soft and loose, especially at the head, neck and shoulders.
Head:
The head and face should be covered with heavy wrinkles. The skull should be very large, and in circumference, in front of the ears, should measure at least the height of the dog at the shoulders. Viewed from the front, it should appear very high, from the corner of the lower jaw to the apex of the skull, and also very broad and square. Viewed at the side, the head should appear very high, and very short from the point of the nose to occiput. The forehead should be flat (not rounded or domed), neither too prominent nor overhanging the face. The cheeks should be well rounded, protruding sideways and outward beyond the eyes. The temples or frontal bones should be very well defined, broad, square and high, causing a hollow or groove between the eyes. This indentation, or stop, should be both broad and deep and extend up the middle of the forehead, dividing the head vertically, being traceable to the top of the skull. Muzzle: The face, measured from the front of the cheekbone to the tip of the nose, should be extremely short, the muzzle being very short, broad, turned upwards and very deep from the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth. The chops or flews should be thick, broad, pendant, and very deep, completely overhanging the lower jaw at each side. They join the underlip in front and almost or quite cover the teeth, which should be scarcely noticeable when the mouth is closed. Nose: Nose should be large, broad and black, its tip being set back deeply between the eyes. The distance from bottom of stop, between the eyes, to the tip of nose should be as short as possible and not exceed the length from the tip of nose to the edge of underlip. The nostrils should be wide, large and black, with a well-defined line between them. Any nose other than black is objectionable and Dudley or flesh-coloured nose absolutely disqualifies from competition. Mouth: The jaws should be massive, very broad, square and undershot, the lower jaw projecting considerably in front of the upper jaw and turning up. The teeth should be large and strong, with the canine teeth or tusks wide apart; the six small teeth in front, between the canines, in an even, level row. Eyes: Eyes seen from the front should be situated low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, and their corners should be in a straight line at right angles with the stop. They should be quite in front of the head, as wide apart as possible, provided their outer corners are within the outline of the cheeks when viewed from the front. They should be quite round in form, of moderate size neither sunken nor bulging, and in colour should be very dark. The lids should cover the white of the eyeball, when the dog is looking directly forward, and the lid should show no haw. Ears should be set high in the head, the front inner edge of each ear joining the outline of the skull at the top back corner of skull, so as to place them as wide apart, and as high, and as far from the eyes as possible. In size they should be small and thin. The shape termed "rose ear" is the most desirable. The rose ear folds inward at its back lower edge, the upper front edge curving over, outwards and backwards, showing part of the inside of the burr. (The ears should not be carried erect or prick-eared or buttoned and should never be cropped.)
Neck:
The neck should be short, very thick, deep and strong and well arched at the back. At the throat, from jaw to chest, there should be two loose pendulous folds, forming the dewlap.
Forequarters:
The shoulders should be muscular, very heavy, widespread and slant outward, giving stability and great power. The elbows should be low and stand well out and loose from the body. The forelegs should be short, very stout, straight and muscular, set wide apart, with well-developed calves, presenting a bowed outline, but the bones of the legs should not be curved or bandy, nor the feet brought too close together. The feet should be moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and with short stubby nails. The front feet may be straight or slightly out-turned.
Body:
The back should be short and strong, very broad at the shoulders and comparatively narrow at the loins. There should be a slight fall in the back, close behind the shoulders (its lowest part), whence the spine should rise to the loins (the top of which should be higher than the top of the shoulders), thence curving again more suddenly to the tail forming an arch (a very distinctive feature of the breed) termed roach back or, more correctly "wheel back."
The brisket and body should be very capacious, with full sides, well-rounded ribs and very deep from the shoulders down to its lowest part, where it joins the chest. The chest should be very broad, deep, and full. It should be well let down between the shoulders and forelegs, giving the dog a broad, low, short-legged appearance. The body should be well ribbed up behind with the belly tucked up and not rotund.
Hindquarters:
The hind legs should be strong and muscular and longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks should be slightly bent and well let down, so as to give length and strength from loins to hock. The lower leg should be short, straight and strong, with the stifles turned slightly outward and away from the body. The hocks are thereby made to approach each other, and the hind feet to turn outward. The hind feet should be pointed well outward.
Tail:
The tail may be either straight or screwed (but never curved or curly), and in any case must be short, hung low, with decided downward carriage, thick root and fine tip. If straight, the tail should be cylindrical and of uniform taper. If screwed, the bends or kinks should be well defined, and they may be abrupt and even knotty, but no portion of the member should be elevated above the base or root.
Gait:
The style and carriage are peculiar, his gait being a loose-jointed, shuffling, sidewise motion, giving the characteristic ?roll.? The action must, however be unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Disqualification:
Dudley or flesh-coloured nose.
Scale of Points:
General Properties
Proportion and symmetry- 5
Attitude- 3
Expression- 2
Gait- 3
Size- 3
Coat- 2
Colour of coat- 4= 22
Head
Skull- 5
Cheeks- 2
Stop- 4
Eyes and eyelids- 3
Ears- 5
Wrinkle- 5
Nose- 6
Chops- 2
Jaws- 5
Teeth- 2= 39
Body, Legs, etc.
Neck- 3
Dewlap- 2
Shoulders- 5
Chest- 3
Ribs- 3
Brisket- 2
Belly- 2
Back- 5
Forelegs and elbows- 4
Hind legs- 3
Feet- 3
Tail- 4= 39
TOTAL= 100
Size:
The size for mature dogs is about 50 lb. (23 kg); for mature bitches about 40 lb. (18 kg).
Temperament:
Many people do not consider Bulldogs for pets mostly because of its stocky stature and seemingly mean appearance. However, this breed is actually known to make good family pets. It is actually quite gentle and not too hyperactive. In fact, it is known to be quite the lazy dog which is the reason why it is perfect for small homes or apartments. Even families with small children will do well with Bulldogs. Some are very playful when they are puppies and tend to be a little bit restless. However, it often becomes calm and composed as it grows to become a full adult.
The Bulldog sometimes displays a sense of mischief and hardheadedness. It sometimes completely disregards orders and commands from its master. However, this breed is known to be extremely affectionate to its owners, especially to the little children. It tries to seek as much attention from its family as it can get. This is very important in keeping a pet Bulldog happy. The less human attention it gets, the more it seeks for it and as they continue to receive very little, it can be quite destructive. This, however, shall not be mistaken for the lack of discipline. All it needs is an owner who gives it enough attention yet does not spoil it by giving it all that it wants. It is important to make the Bulldog understand that it is dominated by a master. Simply recognizing this will allow it to display a better sense of obedience. It also shows a sense of intense loyalty towards its family.
Health:
The bulldog's specific traits can (but not always) contribute to some specific health issues. Breathing issues can be prevalent in the breed due to the shape and the shortness of muzzle. Most noticeably, bulldogs are known to snore loudly. In the United Kingdom, some dogs can be prone to interdigital cysts, which are cysts which form between the toes. These cause the dog some discomfort, though they are treatable either by vet or an experienced owner. Other problems can include cherry eye a protrusion of the inner eyelid which can be routinely corrected by a veterinarian, certain allergies, and among older bulldogs hip issues. Bulldogs, however, tend to be bowlegged in the hindlegs and thus do not tend to hip dysplasia. Bulldogs are famous for their snoring during sleep.
Puppies are frequently delivered by Caesarean section, as with their large heads they can get stuck in the birth canal during natural birth. It is possible for the mother to die during birth. However, it is not entirely uncommon for a bulldog to whelp naturally and successfully.
The folds or ("rope") on a Bulldog's face should be cleaned daily to avoid unwanted infections caused by moisture accumulation. Also, as with any companion animal, teeth brushing with a regular human soft toothbrush using a vet approved toothpaste can be recommended.
Like all dogs, bulldogs require daily exercise. If not properly exercised the bulldog could gain weight, which could cause health problems relating to the lungs and heart. Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to heat and great care should be given to the dog during overly warm periods. During these times, the owner must ensure that the dog has plenty of shade and water, and bulldogs must be kept out of standing heat.
While some canine breeds have their tails cut soon after birth, Bulldogs are one of very few breeds whose tail is naturally small and curled, and can appear as though they do not have one. A longer or "gay" tail is a serious fault in a show bulldog. The tail of some can be so tight to the body that regular cleaning and maintenance is recommended.
Average Lifespan:
The average life span is 10 years.
History:
The term "bulldog" was first used around 1568 and might have been applied to various ancestors of modern bulldog breeds. It has been theorized that Bulldogs were bred in England as a cross between the mastiff and the pug, although their genetic origin is debated.
In the 1600s, bulldogs were used for bullbaiting (as well as bearbaiting), a gambling sport popular in the 17th century with wagers laid in which trained bulldogs leapt at a bull lashed to a post, latched onto its snout and attempted to suffocate it. However, the bulldog's early role was not limited to sports. In mid-17th century New York, bulldogs were used as part of a city-wide roundup effort led by governor Richard Nicolls. Because cornering and leading wild bulls was dangerous, bulldogs were trained to seize a bull by its nose long enough for a rope to be secured around its neck.
In time, the original athletic bulldog was crossed with pug. The outcome was a shorter, wider dog with a brachycephalic skull. Though today's bulldog looks tough, he cannot perform the job he was originally created for, as he cannot withstand the rigors of running and being thrown from a bull, and cannot grip with such a short muzzle.
The oldest single breed speciality club is The Bulldog Club (England), which was formed in 1878. Members of this club met frequently at the Blue Post pub on Oxford Street in London. There they wrote the first standard of perfection for the breed. In 1891 the two top bulldogs, Orry and Dockleaf, competed in a contest to see which dog could walk the farthest. Orry was reminiscent of the original bulldogs, lighter boned and very athletic. Dockleaf was smaller and heavier set, more like modern bulldogs. Dockleaf was declared the winner that year. Although some argued that the older version of the bulldog was more fit to perform, the modern version’s looks won over the fans of the breed because they proved they were equally as fit and athletic in the walking competition.
Sources:
Wikipedia
CKC
Bulldogs World
Bulldog Owner's Guide
Pictures:
Photobucket