There are now over 350 recognised dog breeds worldwide, according to the FCI (the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, or World Canine Organisation). But in the UK, only 4 are considered so dangerous, they are listed as banned breeds. But does that mean the other 346 breeds are considered ‘safe’? And is deciding if a dog is dangerous or safe based on its breed, really the right way to go about things? With rises in the number of reported dog attacks, both on other dogs and on people, this reasoning is now being questioned.
The Bulldog, or British Bulldog, is the 14th most popular breed in the UK in recent years. But in the USA, it ranks at number 6. When breed variations are taken into account, their popularity becomes even more obvious. The French Bulldog lies within the top 10 breeds in the UK and sits at number 1 in the USA. So with this popularity, are Bulldogs considered a safe pet?
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The history of Bulldogs
Traditionally, Bulldogs were bred for the sport of bull-baiting until the early 19th Century when the sport was banned. They were bred to be powerful, sturdy and brave, a trait which often translated into aggression. British Bulldogs are well recognised for their short, stocky legs, broad shoulders and large head, with a wide mouth, short nose and undershot jaw. Since the ban on bull-baiting, Bulldogs have continued to be bred but the typical breed characteristics began to change, leading to new breed variations emerging.
French Bulldogs
Developed from miniature Bulldogs imported into France from England in the mid-19th Century. They became very fashionable and were recognised as their own breed in the early 20th Century
American Bulldogs
Large, muscular dogs often used on farms and kept as guard and livestock dogs. They are much taller and heavier than traditional Bulldogs. They are descended from dogs brought over to America during the 17th Century.
Victorian Bulldog
Not an officially recognised breed, but an attempt in the 1980s by an English dog breeder, to try to breed the English Bulldog back to how it looked in the Victorian era, with longer legs and a longer face. The aim of this was to reduce the health problems associated with the ‘classic’ Bulldog appearance.
Temperament
If we were to look at a 17th Century British Bulldog, they would probably be fairly aggressive, simply due to the nature of the work for which they were bred. Plus, of course, the fact that people looked upon dogs very differently to how we do today. They would very rarely enjoy any home comforts. However, they were loyal, a trait which has stayed with the breed up to recent times. The more modern British Bulldogs are also very stoic dogs, sometimes even seen as lazy, and are often very happy for a cuddle on the sofa. Because of the loyalty they can display, they can still make fairly good guard dogs and may still become defensive around other dogs.
However, although a small percentage of behaviour and temperament are due to genetics and breeding, a huge amount is due to correct socialisation and training. Therefore it should not be thought of as a particular breed being aggressive or dangerous, rather an individual animal.
Nature vs Nurture
Are Bulldogs dangerous as pets? Some, yes; others, no.
If the correct early foundations are put in place, there is no reason why a Bulldog can’t make a lovely well-rounded family pet and not be seen as any more ‘dangerous’ than any other breed. No dog can ever be seen as totally safe; they can be scared, startled or feel anxious, threatened or unsafe, and lash out like any other animal can. They have sharp teeth and can be hugely powerful, especially the larger-jawed breeds, which does include the Bulldog.
Despite their popularity and potential to be thought of as ‘dangerous’, Bulldogs are rarely identified in dog-bite or dog-fatality statistics. American Bulldogs often get a mention, as do very distantly related breeds like the recently created ‘XL Bully’, but the British Bulldog does not.
What about health?
The bigger problem with the breed is their generally poor health. These dogs have short noses and the anatomical problems that have led to them struggling to breathe, even at rest. If you’re looking for a new pet, consider the cost involved in managing one who is likely to have serious medical conditions as a result of how they’ve been bred!
Before considering any dog as a pet, it is worth researching the breed to get an overall impression of behavioural traits but don’t take these as gospel – go to reputable breeders, opt for dogs with good lineage, ensure you can see at least the mother and put in the groundwork when they’re young.
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