Pinch Of Woof And A Dash Of Paw : Bulldog

The one-of-a-kind breed of dog is known for its unique features such as wrinkly-skin, flat face, cute starry eyes, and eyes that are almost-always overflowing with love. Who would deny a cute little bull-dog puppy with shiny eyes? Literally no-one! It’s almost a no-brainer that this breed of dog is known both for its tough looks as well as cute looks. Bulldogs have been a popular choice for adoption for a long time. This breed traces its origins to Old-Britain since records pertaining to bulldogs have been found dating back to the Renaissance era. However, there are some records dating back to the 4th century CE that mention bulldogs. So, all-in-all this breed is quite an ancient one.

In today’s blog, let us take a quick look at the world of bulldogs- the chubby, strong, rough and buff ball of cuteness..

FEATURES: THE POWERFUL DOG- BULLDOG.

Origin: Britain.

Size: Medium dog breed

Built : Usually on the obese side or not properly maintained/walked.

Height : Short- Medium

Coat : standard colours: chocolate, black, white, fawn.

Synonyms: English Bulldog, British Bulldog

Type : Companion dog breed.

Temperament: Calm, Loyal, Loving, Obedient, Smart.

What’s In A Name?

Have you ever wondered why bulldogs are called, well, bulldogs? There’s a little story behind the name that shall clear the clouds of ‘what’s in a name?’ No Shakespearean dramatic story here, though. The name bull-dog, as the word suggests has something to do with the bull. Throughout history, dogs have been reared for a variety of reasons. May it be as a guardian for the sheep herd or as companions for the kids, Dogs were literally all over the place. There used to exist this little game which had made quite a household name, known as ‘Bull Baiting’ ow what exactly was Bull-Baiting?

In this sporting event, the bull would be chained down to the ground rendering the bull with limited mobility. Dogs were specially trained to grab and hold on to the bull’s nose and hold on until either- 1. The dog was pressed against the ground by the bull: a process through which the dog died or 2. The dog pulled the Bull to the ground. Sounds like quite a show. This sporting event was eventually banned owing to Animal Welfare. However, this breed of dog: The Bulldog was especially preferred for this bull-baiting event.

Bull-Mastiffs and other large dogs were used in bull-baiting. However, these dogs were too slow which made the breeders realise that they had to develop a new kind of dog that was both swift and sturdy. Bulldogs carried more of their weight on the front of their body making them less susceptible to injury whenever the bulls tossed them on the ground. Also, owing to their small size, these dogs could easily evade the bulls’ horns. One can imagine the immense strength of bulldogs, for these dogs are quite small compared to the big bull itself, which weighs anywhere between 400-500 Kg or maybe more!

And that’s how this breed got its name! Unique? Definitely. So, to answer the question: What’s in a name? The answer would be- Definitely,‘POWER’.

“It is important to emphasize the fact that, dogs are not aggressive unless and until provoked or programmed to do so. Bulldogs, similarly was bred and taught to fight/race against bulls a few hundred years ago. Thus, bulldogs or any dogs in general are not aggressive unless hurt/provoked.”

Bulldogs are not as physically capable as their ancestors. They have decreased levels of aggression resulting in a far calmer temperament of this breed. They are known for being gentle giants, or gentle companions. They are loving and kind just like other breeds of dogs and are one of the most preferred breeds for adoption.

The Wrinkly Cuteness: Challenges And Wins.

Dogs are usually bred in order to make them more appealing and friendly as companion animals. Bulldogs too, are bred while keeping certain things in mind. Bulldogs have a characteristic set of folds on their face and no, these folds are not insignificant. Bulldogs too, have been bred thoughtfully. As mentioned earlier, these dogs were the prime choice of the bullbaiting club for the bull-baiting game. These folds served the purpose of protecting the face of the bulldog from the blows of bulls’ horns. These folds also acted as channels for blood to flow down the face in order to protect the eyes. These wrinkles are almost always absent at birth and are subsequently developed due to fat deposition under the skin. At around 16-18month of age, these wrinkles become prominent and are a signature feature of the bulldog breed.

However, these dogs are no-longer the same breed of dogs as they were a few hundred years ago. Due to evolution and constant domestication, bulldogs are now much calmer, docile, well-behaved and trained.

These folds however possess a certain challenge for the bulldog parent. Due to excessive humidity, there may be a chance for your pet to develop dermatitis and allergies. Let’s have a quick look into folds: challenges and wins.

Wrinkles: Problems That May Arise

Wrinkle folds can act as a water-humidity trap which may give rise to skin problems such as dermatitis. This type of dermatitis faced by bulldogs is commonly termed skin fold pyoderma. Pyoderma essentially refers to dermatitis [skin inflammation] due to pus – forming bacteria.

Reasons:

The wrinkle folds are not cleaned on a regular basis.
The wrinkle folds are constantly humid.
Your pet has the habit of enjoying the water and enjoys splashing it all over their face as well their surroundings! [may it be via baths/water sprinklers/ water bowls.]
You live in a humid city/place which has high air moisture and the environment is constantly warm and humid.

Keen Eye: What Do You Observe?

Due to excessive humidity, secondary bacterial and mixed fungal infections may be set up on the skin, especially in the folds. This may ultimately lead to dermatitis, which in turn may give off a foul smell. Now, our body has various good/commensal bacteria living on the skin. Whenever, these bacteria get a chance to invade the skin, they do so and in this process, they end up setting an infection. Now, the most common infections of the skin are due to Malassezia, and Staphylococcus which are secondary invaders. Here are a few signs that you may notice-

FOUL SMELLING ODOUR
REDNESS& RASHES: due to infection, there is reddening of the affected skin due to infection and constant irritation.
ITCHING AND PAWING THE FACE
CONSTANT IRRITATION

Well, how do they set up an infection?

Low immunity
Minerals and essential vitamins deficiency
A breech in skin continuity
Concurrent infections
Mites/ticks and other ectoparasites
Poor endoparasite control measures, etc.

Cleanse, Detox And Soothe: Taking Care Of The Folds.

Ensure proper cleaning and regular folds. This will ensure proper hygiene as well as promote good skin health. Now it is essential to note that, the health of good skin is not only dependent upon good shampoos/creams but also dependent upon what is in the food. Well, food? Yes, food! Good nutrients ensure that the body’s demands for essential vitamins and minerals are met. Zinc and vitamin A are extremely important for good shiny skin and coat. Vitamin E, Vitamin B-complex and Selenium are important for building good immunity. Immunity has a major role to play in protecting the body against secondary invasions and building up the defence wall.

Apart from internal care, external care is also important. Only when we approach a problem holistically with a broad vision can we tackle the issue swiftly.

Cleanse, Detox And Soothe: Taking Care Of The Folds.

The word “aloe” comes from the Arabic term alloeh, which means- A shining bitter substance, and“vera” comes from the Latin word veritas, meaning- truth.Aloe vera contains: Vitamins B1, B2, B6, and B12, and vitamins A,Vitamin E, and Vitamin C, along with Niacin and Folic Acid and acts as a strong antioxidant. It prevents infections and has a mild soothing action on the skin.

Aloe vera has been shown to have a good effect on working against scalp-hair problems such as dandruff. Aloe Vera also has certain anti-fungal properties! Fungal infections are almost always secondary in nature. This type of infection is very common in the wrinkle-folds of bulldogs which may arise due to concurrent skin infections, allergies, rashes or immunity related diseases.

Aloe vera also helps to hydrate, rejuvenate and improve the quality of the fur. Aloe Vera helps to exfoliate dead cells and tissues effectively. This is why aloe vera is considered to be a good ingredient in shampoos-conditioners. Aloe Vera also stimulateshair growth. The Gel substance of aloe vera has a chemically similar composition to that of keratin. Keratin is a protein that is normally found in skin,hair, nails, etc. and which is why, good hair health is promoted by Aloe Vera.

Me & My Aloe Vera Shampoo is one such shampoo which has ingrained all the natural benefits aloevera has to offer. This shampoo is particularly useful for maintaining good fur health. It cleanses the coat properly, leaving behind, shiny, bright and soft fur. ME & MY Aloe Vera Dogs Shampoo is a gentle yet thorough cleansing shampoo that removes dirt, grime, and odour without being harsh on the skin or coat. Ensure that you wash and clean the wrinkle folds once a week with Me& My aloe vera shampoo or clean the folds once a couple of days with dry soft cotton towel/ tissue. If you stay in a humid environment, ensure that you are cleaning the folds often as this may prevent unnecessary infections and inflammation.

Me & My Aloe Vera Shampoo is paraben free thus, it is as effective as it is safe. It is pH adjusted and free of parabens, and sulphates. This shampoo also smells good and the long-lasting fragrance has a wonderful aroma on for days, keeping your dog smelling fresh.

Bulldogs are gentle and loving dogs. They are exactly the way they are raised. They are kind souls who are extremely protective of their families and owners. Wrinkle folds add to the overall cuteness quotient of bulldogs and thus, next time when your furry friend is due for a bath, make sure that you clean and address the folds on the face, back and near the tail with Me & My Aloe Vera -Gentle, Paraben Free and Soothing shampoo.

HAPPY PET PARENTING!

Homeopathic Solution For All Skin Issues in Dogs and Cats

Dermisule homeopathic remedy for skin infection in dogs and cats

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