English bulldog: history, appearance, maintenance and care (+ photos)

At what age do you start training?

Puppy training must begin from the very first days

the presence of a dog in your home. Because already from infancy, the puppy must learn the rules of behavior in your house, what is allowed and what is forbidden, how to behave with all family members, even the smallest and oldest, what he can play with and what he can’t, where to go. toilet and much more.

And we are talking, first of all, about the proper upbringing of an English bulldog puppy, and you can start training and learning commands when the puppy is completely comfortable in your home. As a rule, one week is enough. By this time, the puppy is already filled with curiosity and is diligently exploring the world around him. If, after this time, the puppy remains fearful and does not make contact well, then it is better to seek help from a dog handler-animal psychologist, because This behavior is not typical for puppies of this breed.

When can you start training with a dog handler?

The beginning of the puppy's training coincides with the time of the first exit to the street. When the first two vaccinations have already been done, the quarantine (lasts 7-14 days, depending on the vaccination) after them is over. It is not at all necessary to train your puppy only outside; the first sessions are best done at home, where there are fewer distractions.

Often new puppy owners worry that training from the first days will be excessively stressful for the dog. This is only possible if outdated, rigid methods are used, and with the right approach, training from the first days will, on the contrary, be very useful, since it allows you to immediately establish contact

with the puppy and build a trusting relationship.

You can start raising a puppy from the first days of its appearance in your home, and training and classes with a dog handler can begin simultaneously with the start of walks, when quarantine ends after the second vaccination.

Why you don't need to wait up to 6 months

You often hear that English bulldogs, like other dogs, cannot be trained before 6 months, because training is stressful. This opinion remains from the times of outdated methods based on cruel coercion and intimidation of the dog. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of dog handlers using similar techniques today. But fortunately, science does not stand still and modern techniques make it possible to train a puppy from the first days in a new home. Therefore, you should not wait until unwanted behavior has become established in your English Bulldog puppy; you can start training much earlier.

Rare bulldogs

Rare Bulldogs
In addition to the popular breeds mentioned above, there are also those bulldogs that are considered either rare or now do not exist in principle, having degenerated into other breeds.

The intermediate stage between the American and English Bulldog is the Alapaha Bulldog. The dog, in the photo of which you can see the wide stockiness characteristic of the British, combined with developed muscles, has a rather complex character: it is infinitely devoted to its owners, but is quite aggressive with strangers. This breed needs physical exercise; in addition, Alapaha bulldogs are excellent guards.

Continental Bulldog

The Continental Bulldog is a dog whose photo does not at all indicate that it belongs to the bulldog family. This breed arose relatively recently - about twenty years ago. Then breeders from Switzerland decided to try to “resurrect” the Old English Bulldog, the ancestor of the dogs we know today.

Externally, the dog is very different from its modern English relative: 46 centimeters at the withers and 30 kilos of weight make it the second largest bulldog. She has a relatively small head, a powerful neck and noticeable muscles. At the same time, the dog is completely non-aggressive (unlike the Old English Bulldog) and not lazy (in defiance of the English) - he is an ideal companion, ready to accompany his owner always and everywhere.

Bulldogs Campeiro

Campeiro bulldogs are one of the oldest varieties of this breed existing today. They arrived in Brazil with European colonists and immediately began working as herding dogs. One campeiro could easily handle a flock of sheep, but sometimes the dogs herded the bulls.

And sometimes the dogs really had to risk their lives to stop the angry buffalo. They are very smart and pick up commands on the fly. And if you need a dog with a truly inexhaustible supply of energy, choose a Brazilian Bulldog. A dog whose photo makes it clear that it is capable of a lot will definitely not let you down.

Training at 2 months. Upbringing

At 2 months old, your English bulldog puppy is still at home, in quarantine after the first vaccinations, and he is not yet allowed to go for walks. Therefore, it’s time to start raising a puppy in the home conditions that are already familiar to him.

Toilet training

The first step is teaching the puppy to go to the toilet in a diaper . You should not rush to teach going to the toilet directly outside, bypassing this stage, because puppies are not physiologically ready for walking twice a day. This ability is developed in English Bulldog puppies no earlier than 6 months, and in some up to 1 year.

Collar and leash training

The second important point will be to accustom the puppy to a collar and leash . Yes, yes, this should be done at home, so that by the time the puppy goes outside for the first time, wearing a collar will not be additional stress for him, but is already a familiar thing, and he can start exploring the world around him, rather than trying to get rid of an unknown object.

What to allow a puppy and what not

The third point, which causes the greatest difficulty for new puppy owners, will be determining the puppy’s boundaries of what is permitted. Often, many novice dog owners think that the unwanted behavior of an English bulldog puppy will “go away on its own, outgrow it.” But, unfortunately, the behavior that is allowed for a puppy will be taken for granted later by an adult dog.

Any unwanted behavior in a puppy WILL NOT go away on its own, but will only become stronger over time.

Therefore, it is necessary to start defining the puppy’s boundaries of what is permitted now. You will need:

Teach to play only with your toys, and not with your things;
Explain that you cannot bite your hands even in a game;
Establish the correct daily routine, establishing the rule that in the morning you need to sleep and not wake you up;
Stop chewing furniture, clothes, walls and baseboards;
Teach to stay home alone, knowing that your absence is not a reason to bark or howl.

IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO KNOW: constant and excessive punishments that follow almost every action of the puppy have a detrimental effect on his fragile psyche and can lead to the fact that the English bulldog puppy grows up cowardly and embittered. For normal natural development, a puppy must have the opportunity to explore the world around him, which is currently limited to your apartment or house.

Introduction to Basic Commands

Already now you should begin to familiarize yourself with the initial obedience commands in a light playful form, while focusing on rewards for execution, because the puppy’s psyche is still quite plastic and excessive severity and exactingness can lead to the puppy being intimidated and cowardly. Therefore, it is necessary, first of all, to try to interest the puppy by offering him a toy or treat, and sometimes just praise.

French Bulldog

This is one of the most recognizable dog breeds. French bulldogs, photos of which can be found on food packages and on veterinarian posters, are excellent companions, successfully combining the characteristics of their English and American counterparts.

This breed is said to have originated from the English. Less massive by nature, French bulldogs did not show such high results in battles as they would have liked, so they gradually turned from fighting dogs into pets. They are calm in nature, treat people warmly and learn commands well. At the same time, the French are quite jealous - they do not tolerate competitors in the form of other animals.

The French bulldog dog, whose photo has recently often appeared on clothes and accessories, making this breed even more popular, is an excellent companion: it will adore its owner’s friends, but at the slightest danger to a person, it will protect him to the last. The dog desperately needs contact with people, so it should be adopted by those who are willing to devote all their free time to the four-legged dog.

These dogs are very small compared to their relatives: males at the withers grow up to 35 centimeters, females – up to 32. The dog’s weight should not exceed 13-14 kilograms. In addition, the only dog of its breed with a naturally short tail is the French bulldog. From the photo of an adult dog, we can say with confidence: this is an active dog, with moderately developed muscles, which really needs movement.

Training at 3 months. Socialization

Three months is an important stage in an English Bulldog puppy’s introduction to the outside world. Your first walks should be short and not too tiring for the puppy. You should start with 15 minutes, gradually increasing the walking time to 1 hour.

Correct formation of the nervous system

At this age, the puppy’s nervous system is forming.

. It has been proven that raising puppies in isolation during this important period contributed to the development of pronounced cowardice in them later. It is necessary to show the puppy as much as possible: noisy streets, large crowds of people, etc. Everything that he will have to face in later life.

This must be done very carefully, gradually, over and over again increasing the time spent in noisy places, so as not to overload the puppy or frighten him.

The territory of a country house, cottage or village are places with a minimum amount of external stimuli for a city dog. Therefore, if you plan to keep a dog in an urban environment, “growing up” an English bulldog puppy in such conditions depleted of irritants is unacceptable.

A city puppy must grow up in the city, in conditions that are saturated with external stimuli, such as: noisy streets, large crowds of people, other animals, birds, cyclists, cars, etc.

Meeting people and dogs

It is necessary to introduce the puppy to friendly dogs and people

so that later the puppy does not develop aggression or cowardice caused by the fear of new things and the inability to communicate and make new acquaintances. Currently, unfortunately, this is not uncommon in the behavior of adult dogs, but a fairly common problem with which people turn to our specialists for help.

Puppy behavior on the street

The emergence of new places leads to new rules that need to be consolidated:

Now you can and should go to the toilet on the street, and not stoically endure it, carrying everything home;
Not every new person or dog wants to communicate, so you don’t need to run headlong to meet everyone;
Not all food is healthy, so it should only be taken from the owner’s hands.

Training and practicing commands

Training a puppy follows the same principles as at 2 months. It should be remembered that at this age puppies develop conditioned reflexes quite easily, but they are forgotten just as quickly, so you should not scold the puppy for not following commands, especially if they have not been repeated for a long time, but you should pay more attention to learning new things and repeating already covered material .

Maintenance and care

Despite the fact that the dog is not whimsical in terms of maintenance and care, you should not keep it in an enclosure or on a chain. It is recommended to keep the dog at home; it will get along well in a city apartment. It does not tolerate heat and extreme cold well - therefore, in such climatic conditions it is better to take the dog indoors.

Grooming the coat is not difficult; it is enough to brush the dog once a month. There is no need to wash your Australian Bulldog on a schedule; bathing is done as soon as it gets dirty. During shedding, the dog's movement in the house should be limited; hair may get stuck in the upholstery of upholstered furniture.

The skin on the face at the folds may require special care. They must be wiped with a damp cloth to avoid diaper rash, skin ailments and infections. More regular fold care is recommended in hot climates.

Read What is good about a bobtail dog: a detailed description of the Old English Sheepdog

Training at 4 - 5 months

By this time, the English bulldog puppy has already become accustomed to your home and usual walking areas, and no longer needs your support and care so much. He begins to flirt with other dogs, pretend that he does not hear you when you call him, and show a certain persistence and disobedience when performing various commands.

This means it's time to move on to full training . In classes at this age you can already be persistent and demanding. At the same time, the most important thing is not to overdo it, remember that classes should bring joy to both you and your dog, and only then you can achieve the desired result.

Required commands in 4 months

What commands are practiced by an English bulldog puppy at 4 months:

Calm movement next
to the owner with and without a leash, with landing when stopping, with a change in pace and direction of movement
Return to you
upon request
Staying
in a free or certain position (sitting, lying, standing) for a long time: if necessary, wait for the owner on the street, when visiting a store or other establishment
Indifferent attitude towards treats scattered on the ground
Inhibitory command
to stop unwanted actions
Execution of a set of commands “sit”, “lie down”, “stand”
at a distance and near the leg, when giving commands by voice and gestures
Stop barking
on demand.

American Bulldog

This breed is very different from its European cousin. Moreover, not every person who knows about dogs can tell what kind of dog is in front of him. From the photo, an American bulldog can be considered a boxer, a Stafford, or a representative of another fighting breed. But he is unique even from the point of view of the Bulldogs.

When these dogs arrived in America, they immediately began to receive a wide variety of tasks. As a result, as a result of a peculiar evolution, American bulldogs were divided into two apparently different breeds. The more massive ones, which served to guard and accompany their owners, were called Johnson's American Bulldogs.

They are considered classic representatives of their species. The second variety is a smaller, leaner dog, accustomed to pursuing goals and even having some characteristics of herding dogs - Scott's American Bulldogs. They are also called standard. Often, Johnson and Scott are crossed, which makes it possible to create a medium-sized American bulldog, capable of both chasing prey and guarding.

Very often this breed serves as police dogs or participates in hunting. It is worth noting that special attention should be paid to the upbringing of these dogs: they tend to dominate and often get involved in conflicts with other animals. Overcoming the stubbornness of an American Bulldog takes some real effort, but your efforts will be rewarded with the devotion of one of the smartest dogs around.

The American is the largest of the modern bulldogs. At the withers, the height of a male can reach 70 centimeters, and that of a female – 65. Weight – up to 55 and 50 kilos, respectively. It is not customary for this breed to have its tail docked. The body of the American Bulldog is quite short, but massive. And at the same time, the dog has very well developed muscles - its strength qualities allow it to even work as a working dog. This breed is not predisposed to most bulldog diseases, but problems with the third eyelid can sometimes occur.

Training from 6 months

At this age, the puppy begins puberty and the real rebel awakens in him. He begins to re-test the boundaries of what is permitted and, sometimes, deliberately does not respond to your commands, only in order to look at your reaction. If she is not what the puppy expects to see, then he may decide that now he can no longer carry out your commands.

Remember that a puppy is still a child.
, and excessive harshness can forever undermine his trust in you.

At this stage of an English Bulldog puppy's growing up in training, all the shortcomings made at the previous stages, which were smoothed out by his young age, become clearly visible. And if they appear, it’s time to correct them.

In many training schools, there is an opinion that a puppy needs to be trained in two stages, the first at an early age, and the second at 8 - 10 months, in order to “consolidate” what has been learned. This is not an entirely correct position; this opinion appeared when newer operant training methods began to be added to the old “DOSAAF” rigid training methods, where they began to work with the puppy strictly after 6-7 months, including working with the method of pointing and following the “target”.

Their weakness was that they were two different techniques.

, which began to be used without adapting to each other, having a huge gap between their tools for developing training skills. The difference between them is like between choreography lessons in kindergarten and army drill training. Therefore, they required training in two stages, which were in no way connected with each other.

Modern methods based on zoopsychology make it possible to train a puppy in a single system , when no additional stages of training are required.

Price: how to choose a puppy

Due to the lack of an officially approved standard, choosing a puppy is difficult. You can't really tell whether the puppy in front of you is English or Australian.

It is difficult to study the pedigree; the parents of the Aussie Bulldog will not have passports. Buying a real purebred dog is done only in Australia, from breeders of this breed. The cost of a puppy is unknown, but it can be assumed that such puppies without breed recognition cost from 0 to 5,000 rubles.

Online test! Is an Australian Bulldog Right for You?

Our dog handlers

English Bulldog training specialists

Alexander Chaplygin Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 37 years Read more..

Ekaterina Panova Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 34 years Read more..

Yaroslav Morozov Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 25 years Read more..

Lada Yurtseva Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 21 years Read more..

Victoria Fox Dog psychologist-animal psychologist

Experience: 14 years Read more..

Ekaterina Budkina Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 13 years Read more..

Evgeniy Bravinsky Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 17 years Read more..

Vitalia Bravinskaya Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 10 years Read more..

Kira Ageeva Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 19 years Read more..

Evgenia Zuber Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 12 years Read more..

Tatyana Melnikova Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 10 years Read more..

Alexey Melikhov Dog psychologist-zoopsychologist

Experience: 22 years Read more..

* Check with the managers for the possibility of a specific specialist visiting the area you specified. If the desired dog handler does not work in your area, then we can offer you another specialist from the above.

Training an English Bulldog puppy in

When you turn to our dog training center for help in training an English bulldog puppy, you can be sure that a real specialist in his field

and will provide training at the proper, highest level.

A dog trainer will come to your
home at a time convenient for you.
Classes are held 1-2 times a week
, depending on the program.
Instructors work from 9:00 to 21:00
, on weekends inclusive
The training program is drawn up at the first lesson,
taking into account the breed, age, personal characteristics of the dog and your wishes for training
Some classes take place at home
, some
outside
, depending on the topic of the lesson.
Puppy age
from 2 months

Our Center employs dog handlers - animal psychologists who have experience in working with English bulldog puppies and training adult dogs from 10 to 35 years old, who know all the nuances of their behavior

and features of training at each stage of a dog’s growth. Therefore, your pet is guaranteed to learn to carry out your commands the first time in any conditions, and will become your faithful and reliable companion.

Puppy at birth

English bulldogs are born in miniature lumps weighing 200-250 g. Within 3-4 days, dark spots and inclusions appear on their pink noses. By the second week of life, the lobe becomes completely black. In light-colored puppies, darkening of the nose may take about a year.

During the first 10 days, it may seem to the owner that the kittens are growing more in width than in length. Of course, with age, the dog will definitely stretch out. Then, on days 10-14, the puppies begin to develop eyes.

Newborn English Bulldog: