25-30 lbs
12-17"
Unknown
The Miniature Bulldog is a designer dog, an intentional crossbreed between the English Bulldog, an amicable companion dog that was originally developed to bait, guard, and even control bulls, and the Pug, a small, good-humored canine who has had a place at one royal court or another since around 1600 BC. This crossbreed is a small, affectionate canine who doesn’t require a large time commitment when it comes to either grooming and typically gets along with people of all ages. They are able to live happily in either an apartment or in a larger home, although due to their shortened muzzles they may also be more susceptible than most to extremely low or extremely high temperatures.
The Miniature Bulldog is a hybrid animal, a deliberate cross between the Pug, a small canine who has been a companion to royalty in Asia for thousands of years, and the English Bulldog a companion dog that was originally developed to bait and control bulls in England. The Pug dog is an extremely old breed, recorded as the prized possessions and cherished companions to Chinese royalty since as far back as the Shang dynasty, which ruled from approximately 1600 to 1046 BC. They were valued enough to be presented to esteemed dignitaries and visiting royal families as gifts, allowing them to be distributed throughout the world. They also enjoyed enormous popularity in England, notable at the court of King William III and his wife Queen Mary II during the 17th century and one of several breeds that were raised and shown by Queen Victoria during her reign in the 19th century. The ancestry of the English Bulldog is also somewhat mysterious, although many suspect that they were originally the offspring of a Mastiff breed dog and a smaller dog, possibly even the Pug. Initially, the English Bulldog was utilized to help control, bait, and even guard bulls and as such, they were bred to be much more aggressive and tenacious than today’s Bulldog. These traits, combined with an extremely high tolerance to pain, made them excellent candidates for the rather barbaric blood sport of pit fighting, where they not only participated in the fights themselves but also leant their genetics to well-known breeds that were developed for fighting, such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Just a few fanciers continued to breed Bulldogs after blood sports were outlawed in England in 1885, but they elected to alter their focus to developing a more family oriented dog, and specifically bred Bulldogs for the more docile and agreeable natures that they are known for today.
The Miniature Bulldog is, as the name suggests, a fairly small canine that is typically characterized by a broad skull, short legs, and a particularly thick-set body, though the female Miniature Bulldog is often a slightly more svelte animal than the male. Like both parent breeds, this hybrid frequently has a shortened muzzle which can occasionally lead to difficulty breathing, particularly if the dog is exposed to extreme weather conditions. Their eyes are situated low on the skull and are generally large, dark, and round, with a soft expression, they also have small, thin ears which can hang down in either a rose or button configuration. This crossbreed also sports a short, easy to care for coat of short, glossy, soft fur that sheds moderately, but rarely tangles. Although black and fawn coloration is the most common, this coat can come in several other colors as well, including brindle, red, and white.
The grooming requirements for this canine are fairly uncomplicated due to its short, smooth coat. Bathing is an infrequent requirement, once every few months, or if the dog gets into something messy or smelly. The Miniature Bulldog may also be more prone to developing allergies and skin conditions than other dogs, which may necessitate additional bathing, possibly with medicated shampoos. The short coat requires brushing with a bristle brush, slicker brush, or grooming glove about once a week, both to remove dead hair and to properly distribute the dog’s natural oils. Dogs with extremely shortened muzzles or small mouths are also more likely than other dogs to develop dental problems, so dental hygiene should be attended to on a regular basis.
This hybrid tends to be fairly dignified in temperament, although they can definitely pull out an entertaining clownish side on occasion. They tend to be rather peaceful with the world around them and get along well with all sorts of new people and animals, although a few males may exhibit some territorial or dominance related aggression, particularly when dealing with other male dogs. They are generally very patient with children, but interactions should be closely monitored to avoid misunderstandings or rough behavior from either the dog or the child. Due to the nature of the Bulldog, this dog can occasionally display overprotective behaviors, but this can often be mitigated by ensuring that your dog gets a great deal of socialization and familiarization, preferably when they are young. The Pug is notorious for being difficult to housetrain and Bulldogs may also have trouble with this, particularly if it is wet, rainy, or cold outside. Although they can be a bit slow and stubborn when it comes to training in general, they are usually quite good at retaining the information that they do pick up.
The Miniature Bulldog can be energetic when they are young, but they tend to calm down quite a bit as they get older. This hybrid is less likely than most to ask for a walk and some can even tend towards downright laziness, but it is important to ensure that your dog gets around a half an hour of exercise per day, in order to avoid obesity, which both the English Bulldog and Pug are prone to. Precautions should be taken when exercising dogs with shortened snouts like that of the Miniature Bulldog as this hybrid is more sensitive to both hot and cold temperatures.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/31/2017, edited: 10/26/2021
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