9 Surprising Facts About Bulldogs

Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK. With a personality that’s calm, courageous, and friendly, it’s not hard to see why people fall head over heels for this breed. From English to French, it might be said that bulldogs are having a moment. Everyone from Lady Gaga and Leonardo DiCaprio to John Legend (his dog even has a Twitter account!) seems to have a bulldog as a sidekick, so there’s clearly something special about these dogs. Here are 10 things you might not know about this trusty and adorable breed.

1) They Go Way Back

The Kennel Club recognised the bulldog in 1873 and they remain the iconic British breed.

2) About Their Namesake…

Bulldogs were originally bred for bull baiting. This explains the stout stature (for a low centre of gravity) and underbite, which made it easier for them to grab onto what they were biting. Fortunately, the vicious sport of bull baiting is now a thing of yesteryear.

3) Where Do Bulldogs Come From?

Mama bulldogs, of course! It is not uncommon for the breed to be delivered via c-section. The Telegraph sheds more light on that here. Most often, c-section is necessary because the pups’ heads are too big to fit through the birthing canal.

4) What About Those Wrinkles?

Back in the days of bull baiting, the dogs were bred for their wrinkles. The blood that flew during bull baiting was effectively blocked from getting into the dog’s eyes during battle because of the folds of skin. Brutal. Fun fact: those adorable wrinkles need to be wiped routinely in order to avoid infections.

5) Famous Faces can’t resist the

Ozzy Osbourne, Olivia Wilde, Pink, and Brad Pitt have all owned one of these adorable creatures.

6) Things That Come With the Territory

Snoring, drooling, farting—yep! All the endearing stuff. Bulldogs are brachycephalic (a condition caused by their short snouts), which makes them prone to gassiness and snorting.

7) No Two Bulldogs are the Same

Bulldogs come in 10 different colours and four different markings. This could mean brindle, fawn, piebald and more.

8) Great for City Dwellers

Bulldogs don’t require a great deal of exercise, so a quick jaunt up and down the street during the not-so-hot part of day and chill out sessions on the couch fit the bill perfectly for this medium-energy dog.

They also adapt well to different home environments and make great companions for singles as well as families of all sizes. If you can’t be around as much as you like, don’t worry, plenty of dog sitters on Rover.com offer dog boarding, so you know your  little darling will be in good hands while you’re gone.

9) An Affectionate Friend for Life

In fact, the UKC (United Kennel Club) classifies bulldogs under the companion category. Bulldogs love kids, which makes them great for families. Loving as they are, a bit of the old world bulldog endures, which also makes them well-suited for the night shift guarding the house.