This article is about the English Bulldog. For other uses, see Bulldog (disambiguation).
See also: French Bulldog, American Bulldog, and Old English Bulldog
The Bulldogis a British breedof dog of mastifftype. It may also be known as the English Bulldogor British Bulldog. It is a stocky, muscular dog of medium size, with a large head, thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders and a relatively flat face with a protruding lower jaw. Selective breedingfor appearance has led to increased susceptibility to health problems including brachycephaly, hip dysplasia, heat sensitivity and skin infections. The dogs may not be bred in Norway or the Netherlands, because of concerns about their quality of life.
The modern Bulldog was bred as a companion dogfrom the Old English Bulldog, a now-extinct breed used for bull-baitinguntil that was outlawed under the Cruelty to Animals Actof 1835. The Bulldog Club (in England) was formed in 1878, and the Bulldog Club of America was formed in 1890. While often used as a symbol of ferocity and courage, the modern Bulldog is generally a friendly, amiable dog. It is commonly kept as a pet; in 2013 it was the twelfth-most-frequently registered breed worldwide.
