Bulldog dogs

The Bulldog is also known as: English Bulldog

Fast FactsGroup classification: Non-Sporting    Country of origin: England    Date of origin: 13th century
Weight (M): 50 lb    Height (M): 13 - 15"    Life expectancy: 8 - 11 years
Weight (F): 40 lb    Height (F): 12 - 14"

General Description of the Bulldog

The Bulldog is a medium sized dog whose build suggests strength and vitality. It is a stocky dog with broad shoulders and a large, short head. The eyes are moderately sized, round and dark, and set wide apart and low away from the ears. The ears are small and thin, placed wide and far back on the skull. The head is broad and square, held high with a short profile and flat forehead. The nose is large and black, with the tip set deeply angled towards the eyes. The muzzle is extremely short and turned upward with large teeth and a level bite. The tail can be either straight or corkscrewed and is always held low. The coat is straight, short, and flat with a smooth feel and glossy look. The skin around the face and neck should be loose and covered with wrinkles. The color of the coat may be brindle, red, fawn, fallow or solid white.
 

Bulldog Temperament

Don’t let the Bulldog’s scowling visage fool you, because those sagging jowls can just as easily be turned into a smile only a mother could love. For a dog that was bred to go toe to toe with bulls, the Bulldog is extraordinarily docile and gentle. Anyone who has spent any time with this breed will tell you that they are truly affectionate, and much more likely to lick your face than bite your head off. Bulldogs are kind with children and cats, and sociable around strangers. Strange dogs are another story, however, and perhaps the only time you will see a Bulldog act aggressive and mean is in the presence of a dog it just doesn’t like; this behavior is especially prevalent among males. The Bulldog is quite playful, but it will oftentimes need to be goaded into physical activity, as it is innately dormant and somewhat lazy.
 

Caring for a Bulldog

The Bulldog is an ideal dog for apartment life as it is fairly inactive indoors. They have trouble cooling off in hot weather and chill easily so a temperate climate is ideal. The Bulldog is notoriously lethargic and neither desires nor requires a lot of exercise. A short, brisk walk around the neighborhood every day is sufficient. This breed is an average shedder; it needs a brushing several times a week and the wrinkles on its face cleaned with a damp cloth often. Bathe your Bulldog only when you find it necessary. Bulldogs may have trouble breathing in humid weather and often snore at night. They do not like water, and generally cannot swim. Hereditary health issues are rather common in this breed, and include canine hip dysplasia, shoulder luxation, elongated soft palate, internalized tail, stenotic nares, ventricular septal defect and KCS. Other, less common, concerns include patellar luxation, entropion, ectropion, distichiasis and demodicosis.

Bull Terrier dogs

The Bull Terrier is also known as: English Bull Terrier

Fast FactsGroup classification: Terrier    Country of origin: England    Date of origin: 19th century
Weight (M): 60 - 70 lb    Height (M): 21 - 22"    Life expectancy: 11 - 14 years
Weight (F): 50 - 60 lb    Height (F): 21 - 22"

General Description of the Bull Terrier

 Strong and handsome, the Bull Terrier is a dog of muscular symmetry and sweet disposition. The head is long and deep, curving from nose to the top of the skull; when viewed from the front, the head should resemble an oval. Eyes are close and deep set, small and triangular. Ears are small, erect and close set; teeth meet in a scissors bite. The body is muscular and big boned, though never coarse. The tail is short and carried horizontally. Feet are round, compact and catlike. The Bull Terrier’s coat is short, glossy and harsh to the hand, and the skin should be tight throughout. Color is either solid white with our without markings on the head, or any color other than white (often brindle) with white markings on the head.

Bull Terrier Temperament

 The Bull Terrier is a friendly and gentlemanly dog of inquisitive and imaginative temperament. It is always up for a game or a joke, and enjoys being around people. The Bull Terrier is a notoriously stubborn and assertive breed, and as such it may be a bit much to handle for a first time owner. Those with limited dog experience are encouraged to think twice before adopting this dog, since proper obedience training may be difficult. The Bull Terrier is aloof toward other dogs and, consistent with its terrier heritage, enjoys giving chase to small animals; occasionally, a poorly socialized or abused Bull Terrier may behave aggressively toward other dogs. Bull Terriers are usually pretty friendly toward strangers and other pets, especially when raised with them from a young age.

Caring for a Bull Terrier

 Taking your Bull Terrier for a long walk or romp in the park every day will prevent hyperactive behavior and promote good health and long life in the dog. Take care that your dog is stimulated both physically and mentally, or you may come home to find your favorite pair of shoes in tatters. The Bull Terrier can adapt to outdoor living in temperate climates, though it prefers living inside. Coat care is easy, and entails little more than an occasional brushing to remove dead hairs. Some white Bull Terriers carry the Dalmatian’s deafness gene. Other health issues in the breed include hereditary neprhitis, cystic kidney disease, renal dysplasia, SAS, mitral stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy and allergies.

Other:

Description: A replica of the Bull Terrier, the Miniature Bull Terrier shares the same breed standards except for the height. They are strongly built, symmetrical and active, with a keen, determined and intelligent expression. They have thick muscular bodies, despite their small stature. Miniature Bull Terriers are full of fire, having a courageous, even temperament. Mini Bulls are comical, lively, playful and mischievous dogs who may be small, but are not a lap dog. This breed has the distinctive mark of a muzzle without a stop. It has the typical Romanesque face. Mini Bull Terriers are active and tenacious. They can be fearless, but reserved when it comes to other dogs instigating a fight. Bull Terriers have been known to avoid fights when they are not the one picking it. They are not guard dogs, but they are scrappy fighters. They love to be with their family, and are a polite breed. The Miniature Bull Terrier has all of the spunk and tenacity of the larger Bull Terrier, just in a smaller package.

Other Names: English Bull Terrier, Miniature English Bull Terrier, Mini Bullies, Mini Bulls

Type: Terrier

Height: 10 - 14 inches.
Weight: 24 - 33 lbs.

Colors: White, white with another color or completely colored. They can be any dog color, including brindle, red, black, fawn or even tricolor. Blue and liver colors are undesirable in the show ring.
Coat: Short, dense, and flat, with a fine gloss.

Temperament: Miniature Bull Terriers are fearless and determined. They love to be companions, and thrive off of family. They are stubborn, courageous, playful and energetic. Mini Bullies are clownish, humorous and fun loving. They can be protective and willful, and do not obey orders consistently. They are difficult to train, and males usually do not get along with other males, although any other combination is fine. They love to play in family rough-housing and enjoy the company of their owners, and should not be left alone for hours.
With Children: Yes, generally good with children, but children should be warned not to tease them.
With Pets: Accepts most other pets, but needs to be socialized to cats. Males are aggressive with other males, but this breed will get along if the combination is male/female or female/female, as long as it is not male/male.
Special Skills: Family pet.

Watch-dog: Very High. Miniature Bull Terriers are very alert and protective.
Guard-dog: Medium. Although protective and sometimes possessive, they are not the biggest defensive dog.

Care and Exercise: Grooming is easy, minimal grooming is necessary for Miniature Bull Terriers. Brush with a firm bristle brush, bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. Bull Terriers need plenty of exercise, and should be kept on a leash.
 Training: Training should begin early as they require firm and precise, but not overbearing handling.
Learning Rate: Low. Obedience - Low. Problem Solving - Low. This breed is mostly brawn.

Activity: High.
Special Needs: Attention, socialization, supervision around water and training.
Living Environment: Apartment living is fine as long as sufficient exercise is given to the Miniature Bull Terrier. Owners must desire an aggressive, active breed.

Health Issues: Zinc deficiency and deafness.

Life Span: 12 -13 years.
 Litter Size: 1 - 9 puppies. Average is 5 puppies.

Country of Origin: Great Britain
History: The Miniature Bull Terrier is a direct descendant from the Bull Terrier and they share the same history. Bull Terriers were crossed with the old English Bulldog and English White Terrier (now extinct) in the early 19th century. James Hinks, from Birmingham in Great Britain, originally developed the breed between the 1830s and the 1860s. They are also most certainly mixed with Dalmatian, and are thought to have converged with the Spanish Pointer, Greyhounds and Whippets. White being Hinks' favorite color for the breed, the dogs were originally all white. The characteristics chosen from this mixing of the breeds was the egg shape of the head, the white color, and the small triangular eyes. Along with these preferred attributes came frequent deafness, heart disease and skin problems. At this time they were a lighter more agile dog who was used to bait bulls, dog fighting and to tackle vermin. Color was only added later on in the 1900s when crosses were made with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Added as an AKC variety of Bull Terrier, the coloreds were not originally well-received, but soon found their place. The white Bullies were nicknamed the "white Cavalier" because of their ability to discern pit fighting from confrontations outside of work. Some Bull Terriers were known to avoid a fight when they weren't in the pit, and were bred for the ability of not provoking a fight. Bull Terriers were prized for their courage, agility and tenacity. They were rated as the third most suitable breed in wartime achievements by Colonel James Y. Baldwin, Commander of the War Dogs Training Establishment. Originally, the ears had to be cropped, but since 1895 when cropping was outlawed in Britain the breed has since been fixed to have naturally cropped ears. At one time the smallest white bull terriers were called Coverwood Terriers. Sometime during the 1900s the Miniature Bull Terrier was bred from the smallest of Bull Terriers. At first, the distinction was set on the weight of the breed, this sometimes being no different between the two. This caused a number of Mini Bulls to be bred down so small they looked like Chihuahuas. Because of this, in the 1970s, the breeds' distinctions were set at height, making a Mini Bull to be under fourteen inches, and normally are no less than ten inches. Sometimes a defender and sometimes a clown, this uniquely shaped breed has since become a popular sight among Americans.

Brussels Griffon dogs

The Brussels Griffon is also known as: Belgian Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois

Fast FactsGroup classification: Toy    Country of origin: Belgium    Date of origin: 19th century
Weight (M): 8 - 10 lb    Height (M): 9 - 11"    Life expectancy: 13 - 15 years
Weight (F): 8 - 10 lb    Height (F): 9 - 11"   

      
General Description of the Brussels Griffon

 The Brussels Griffon is a short, thick Toy breed. Prominent black eyes are set far apart, large and wide, with what has been described as almost a humanlike expression of intelligence and energy. The high-set ears are small and high on the head. Whether or not they are cropped is the owner or breeder's choice. The skull is round and the forehead is domed. The nose is short and black, with large nostrils. Jaws are undershot, which means the lower incisors protrude over the upper. The gently arched neck is medium in length and leads to a level, short back and compact yet thick body. There are two different kinds of coats found on the Brussels Griffon, rough and smooth. The rough coat is wiry in texture, with no wooly or silky texture. The smooth coat is short and close to the body with no indication of wiriness. Coat color for the Brussels Griffon can be black, red, or black and tan. Some breeders refer to black Griffons as Belgian Griffons and reserve the Brussels Griffon title for red Griffons.

Brussels Griffon Temperament

 The Brussels Griffon is intelligent, affectionate and at times stubborn. Their personality is often described as similar to that of a terrier. This breed makes an excellent companion because it always wants to be where its family members are. Brussels Griffons can be a bit nerrvous in temperament and sometimes hard to train. However, they make great watchdogs and don't need a whole lot of exercise. This makes them a great choice for people who want a small indoor dog. Because the Brussels Griffon can be rather high-strung they are not recommended for households with small children.

Caring for a Brussels Griffon

 The grooming required for your Brussels Griffon will depend on the type of coat it has. For smooth coated dogs, very little grooming is required. Simply brush periodically and bathe when necessary. For wire coated Griffons, many owners choose to go to a professional groomer to have the coat hand stripped. Wire coats will need a bit more brushing than the smooth coated variety. One great thing about Brussels Griffons is that they shed very little. Make sure you keep your Brussels Griffon's nails trimmed, ears cleaned and vaccinations up to date. Exercise requirements for the Brussels Griffon are modest and can be satisfied with a short walk every day. The dog is generally very healthy, and the only health problems to really watch out for are eye problems such as cataracts, distichiasis and progressive retinal atrophy, canine hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and weak bladder.

Other:

Description: The Brussels Griffon who is also known as the Griffon Bruxellois, is a toy dog who is intelligent, alert, and has a terrier like disposition. Brussels Griffons attracts attention by their almost humanlike, quizzical expressions. The Brussels Griffon is not an overpopulated dog, and therefore a fine choice for a family pet. There are two types of coat, rough or smooth, and in Europe these distinctions are considered separate breeds. The rough coated breed is called the Brussels Griffon, and the smooth coated breed the Petit Brabonçon. Brussels Griffons owe much of their existence to the Pug, which played a large part in creating the breed. Other terriers, like the Yorkshire and Irish Terriers, also contributed to the Griffon. Brussels Griffons, originating in Belgium, are very short, small dogs. They have small round heads, and short, pointy, drop ears. Some have their ears cropped to a very short point, as is the fashion in Europe. The rough coated Brussels often grow a rather bushy beard that is usually black. Their eyes are dark and small, and they have the likeness of an Ewok. They are round, fuzzy little dogs who are full of personality. They present full confidence and can be challenging to train. The Brussels Griffon is divided into three distinct categories: smooth coated, rough coated reds, and roughs of other colors. The smooth coats are called Petit Brabonçons; the rough reds are called Brussels Griffons, and the roughs of other colors are called Belgian Griffons. Some prefer not to be around children or strangers. However, they are not usually aggressive with people.

Other

Colors: Red, Belgian Griffon: Black, black and tan, or red, black and grizzle. Brussels Griffon: Completely and clearly red. Petit Brabonçon: Red, red and black, red, black, and grizzle, black and tan, or just black. The Petit Brabonçon can be any of the Griffon colors, while the other two varieties are separated by the red color.
Coat: The rough coat of the Griffon is harsh and wiry, and often bushy. The smooth coat is soft, smooth, and dense.

Temperament: Brussels Griffons are lively, obedient, and love to be around their owner. They do not do well by themselves in a backyard, and need to be near their owner much of the time. They enjoy and need association with people from an early age, and do not tend to be aggressive. They are an intelligent, cheerful dog, and they have the disposition of a terrier. They are alert and sometimes too confident. They can be difficult to train, and some do not get along well with children. They are mostly a one-person dog.
With Children: Okay. Older children who help train are okay, but the Griffon has a strong tendency to stick closely to one person, possibly becoming defensive around another who steals their person's attention. Supervision is a must around children.
With Pets: Yes, the Griffons are fine with other pets and get along well. But they may try to take on an animal much larger than themselves due to their overbearing confidence, therefore supervision is appropriate when around larger animals.

Watch-dog: High. They are reserved with strangers, and are very alert.
Guard-dog: Low. Brussels owners must be careful because this breed is not afraid of dominating another dog, even if the other dog is several times their size. So although they can defend, they are not appropriately sized to do so.

Care and Training: A Brussels Griffon smooth coat needs brushing two to three times a week. The rough coat needs to be hand stripped by a professional groomer. Brussels Griffons can obtain their exercise indoors, but will enjoy daily walks. Training should start early and needs to be consistent and precise. Although they are stubborn they are sensitive to being rushed or to overbearing training techniques.
Learning Rate: High. Brussels Griffons are said to be very intelligent. Obedience - Low. Griffons may be difficult to train. Problem Solving - Very High.

Activity: High. They are energetic little dogs.
Living Environment: Apartment is suitable if regular exercise is provided. Owners should be patient, precise and enjoy a busy, amusing dog. As long as there is enough space to follow, the Brussels Griffon will go with their owners anywhere. The best owner for this breed would be a dedicated owner who lives in a suburban or city area.

Health Issues: Brussels Griffons have difficulty in becoming pregnant and delivering newborns. Only 60 percent of the puppies survive. Other health concerns include brachycephalic syndrome, cleft palate, eye problems, and respiratory problems.

Country of Origin: Belgium
History: A painting by Jan Van Eyck portrayed the Brussels Griffon in 1434. Once the Brussels Griffon was known as the "Belgian street urchin" who was often found killing rats in stables. Bred for their ratting abilities, their heritage is probably largely due to the Affenpinscher, as well as the Dutch Pug, Ruby English Toy Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier and Irish Terriers. It is said that even more breeds were added to the mix including Barbets, Smoushounds, and Pekignese. Originally, they were mostly a peasant's dog, riding as passengers on cabs on the seat next to the cab driver. This created more popularity for the little dog, and soon it made its way to royalty. French King Henry III, Belgian Queen Henrietta Maria and Queen Astrid were all fans of the breed. Most sources agree that after the breed was mixed with the English Toy Spaniel, however, its nose became shorter and its ratting abilities were depleted. Having Pug blood did not help either. Back then, though, the breed was probably the size of a Fox Terrier and with a longer muzzle, all of them being rough-coated. After which, the two types of coats were developed. The two were the rough coats and smooth coats. In Brussels, Belgium, the Griffon Bruzellois was highly popular between World War I and World War II, literally having thousands in Brussels alone. Once the Griffon had developed into distinct coat variations, the breed was divided into three categories: smooth coated, rough coated reds, and roughs of other colors. The smooth coats are called Petit Brabonçons; the rough reds are called Brussels Griffons, and the roughs of other colors are called Belgian Griffons. If this wasn't confusing enough, Belgium considered all three to be separate breeds. But in the United States and other countries, the breeds are considered one in the same. They made their way to England in the mid 1800s, and reached the U.S. near the early 1900s. Brussels Griffons remain largely celebrated in Europe to this day.

Brittany (Spaniel) dogs

The Brittany (Spaniel) is also known as: Brittany Spaniel, Epagneul, Breton

Fast FactsGroup classification: Sporting    Country of origin: France    Date of origin: 19th century
Weight (M): 30 - 40 lb    Height (M): 17.5 - 20.5"    Life expectancy: 12 - 13 years
Weight (F): 30 - 40 lb    Height (F): 17.5 - 20.5"

 

General Description of the Brittany (Spaniel)

 The Brittany is an athletic and sturdily built dog of medium size. The ears are short and triangular, lying flat against the skull, which is rounded and medium length. The face is intelligent and expressive, with eyes of various shades of amber or hazel. The dog’s frame is strong and leggy, with the dog’s height at its shoulders equal to its length. The tail is naturally short but is generally docked to a length of about four inches. The coat is dense and either flat or wavy with some feathering on the ears and legs. The dog’s coloring is typically orange and white or liver and white in clear or roan patterns, with some dogs displaying a tri-color pattern; freckles are also common. This breed is still commonly referred to as the Brittany Spaniel, despite the AKC's official removal of "Spaniel" from the breed name in 1982 (read more about this in the history section).

Brittany (Spaniel) Temperament

 The Brittany is quick and curious with an abundant love for running, hunting, and playing. The dog’s good nature and natural eagerness to please make it a great companion pet, but potential owners should be aware that the breed requires plenty of exercise – let your Brittany roam in open areas whenever you can, especially with other dogs. The Brittany is highly trainable and obedient but is also very sensitive to reprimand; take care not to chastise your Brittany too roughly, or it may become shy and fearful. The dog is a natural socializer and gets along exceedingly well with other dogs and children, though small children should never be left alone with a Brittany as the dog’s natural energetic play could cause the child accidental harm. The Brittany’s athleticism and friendliness make it equally attractive as a hunting buddy or a lifelong companion.

Caring for a Brittany (Spaniel)

 The Brittany is a relatively easy dog to care for, and is especially well suited to damp and cold conditions. Health problems are rare, though the breed is susceptible to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and ear infections; owners should take special care to inspect the dog’s ears after playing in brambles and brush. The coat requires occasional brushing and shampooing, and shedding is generally light to moderate. The dog requires a great deal of exercise and plenty of room to move around – a sedentary or apartment lifestyle is therefore not recommended.