The term Bulldog has been used since the 1500's to describe ancestors of the modern Bulldog. Today's Bulldog, the English Bulldog, was bred in England and is characterized by its short, wide body, wrinkled face and under-bite or constant frown. Bulldogs may appear intimidating but most are gregarious, comical dogs with large personalities. The Bulldog is thought to be a mixture of Mastiff and Pug. These dogs were used in ancient times to bait, or torture bulls. Every Bulldog breeder works hard to breed aggression out of Bulldog bloodlines.

In the 1800's, English Bulldog breeders began to breed toy versions of the Bulldog. These smaller versions were not popular in England and were subsequently exported to France. The French version of the Bulldog became so popular that French breeders renamed it the French Bulldog, or Frenchie. Many English people were offended due to the Bulldog being a traditionally English symbol. The French Bulldog remains a distinct breed today. It is smaller than the English Bulldog with bat-ears rather than rose-ears seen in English Bulldogs. The American Bulldog is another breed that is larger in size and resembles its cousin, the Pit Bull, more than the English or French Bulldog.
Bulldog breeders are knowledgeable about all three varieties of Bulldog. Every good Bulldog breeder can relate the history, temperament, behavioral issues, social needs and common genetic disorders of the various Bulldog breeds. French and English Bulldogs have similar issues due to their small size. Both are prone to breathing problems including a reverse sneeze in which moisture becomes trapped in the windpipe. These small Bulldogs can have skin allergies, eye disorders and a tendency to become obese. Bulldog females often need assistance giving birth and may require caesarian sections to deliver puppies. American Bulldogs are much larger in size but need to be screened for genetic disorders common to Bulldogs and medium to large sized dogs.

Potential Bulldog buyers should research the breed thoroughly before finding a breeder. Bulldogs require high maintenance and are not for inexperienced dog owners. Buyers should also thoroughly research Bulldog breeders and make sure they choose a breeder that has continued to breed out the aggression once bred into the Bulldog.
A goodBulldog breeder will not sell puppies to pet stores. It is important that dog buyers purchase Bulldogs from certified, loving breeders who maintain their own kennels. Puppy brokers, backyard breeders and pet stores buy and sell puppies like any other merchandise with no guarantee on puppy health or lineage. An alternative to buying direct from a breeder is buying from a breed-specific rescue center. Rescue dogs are often saved from lives in puppy mills, puppy auctions and pet stores. These dogs may have been neglected, abandoned, and abused and will be grateful to be rescued by a loving owner. Like any pure breed, rescue dogs need an experienced owner who knows how to socialize, positively reinforce and care for them.

Bulldog buyers have a responsibility to research both breed and breeder before buying a purebred Bulldog. It is important not to continue the cycle of puppy mill breeding. Buyers should report any breeder they suspect of mistreating animals. A good Bulldog breeder will do the same and will encourage buyers to look into rescued Bulldogs.

An ethicalBulldog breeder would never broker Bulldogs or sell Bulldog puppies to pet stores. FindingBulldog information about breeders that do not sell to pet stores is the subject of this article.