In the US, the size of a typical mature male is about 50 pounds; that for mature females is about 40 pounds. In the United Kingdom, the breed standard is 55 pounds for a male and 50 pounds for a female, but it is not uncommon for males to be 70 pounds.

 

The Bulldog comes in a variety of colours and ideally has a smooth, short coat. The colours, in order of desirability, are brindle (especially red), red (like a chestnut horse), white, and fawn (often with white markings on any colour, or piebald). The prime disqualifier for the breed in the show ring is a pale or liver-coloured nose, although black-coated bulldogs are not preferred, and many judges will dismiss a bulldog lacking an underbite.

 

 

 

Much like any pure-bred dog, 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, 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. Puppies are frequently delivered by Caesarean section, as they can get stuck in the birth canal during natural birth. However, it is not entirely uncommon for a bulldog to whelp naturally and successfully. The folds 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. In January 2009, after the BBC documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed, the The Kennel Club introduced revised breed standards for the British Bulldog, along with 209 other species, to address health concerns. Opposed by the British Bulldog Breed Council, it was speculated by the press that the changes would lead to a smaller head, less skin folds, a longer muzzle, and a taller thinner posture, in order to combat perceived problems with respiration and with breeding due to head size and posture.

 

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. Bulldogs were not needed after these sports were outlawed, and so 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 1875. 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.