Bulldogs originated in England. They were reared as working dogs that minded the cattle and acted as watchdogs. They were largely used for bull-baiting, but the sport was outlawed in the early 19th century, and the original bulldog lost much of its athleticism.

The English bulldog as we see today is small in stature. It is a wide, compact creature and has a thick, massive head. Its cheeks extend to the sides of its eyes. As is the hallmark of bulldogs, the skin on its skull and forehead falls in dense folds. It has a short muzzle and large black nostrils. The tail is normally short and the legs are stocky. The English bulldog gets its peculiar gait from these physical characteristics. In fact, to some people, the appearance of the English bulldog can be somewhat intimidating. However, it is a very gentle creature and people-friendly. At the same time, it is fiercely loyal and brave and can chase an intruder away at any time of the day or night. The English bulldog is the epitome of courage and affection. It loves attention and can get very friendly with humans if they shower it with love.

English bulldogs are not very fond of exercise and are, more or less, indoors dogs. As such, they adapt easily to apartment life. They can be quite inactive without complaining. They are more suited to temperate climates and do not do very well in either hot or cold weather. They should be exercised regularly, even if they show disinclination towards it.

They are fairly easy to groom they have a smooth, fine, shorthaired coat that can easily be combed and brushed. It is their wrinkles that need special care and cleaning. Care should be taken to clean the folds regularly. English bulldogs tend to drool quite a bit and snore quite loudly. If their owners pay a little bit of extra attention to them, both the dog and owner can have a warm, long-lasting relationship.