Of all the species of dogs, the bulldog, perhaps, looks the strangest. With its funny, wrinkled-up face and very dark patches of color, it does not look like a picture perfect, cuddly pet to own. But a bulldog is an extremely loyal companion and makes for a great pet.

Bulldogs derive their name from the sport of bull-baiting. It is assumed that in all likelihood, bulldogs are a cross between a pug and an Alaunt/Mastiff cross breed.

Bulldogs are no longer reared for bull-baiting. They are very civilized creatures and very loyal and charming. However, they are harder to train than other dogs, because they have an inherent streak of stubbornness.

In order to ensure that a bulldog lives a healthy, active life, it is essential to know its traits and peculiar characteristics. For instance, bulldogs are not particularly good at running - they cannot sprint for miles on end. Bulldogs are more likely to waddle than hop and run at top speeds. But bulldogs should be taken for long walks regularly, just like other dogs. Furthermore, bulldogs do not easily learn new tricks. For instance, they take much longer than other dogs to do things like heel on command.

Bulldogs do not adapt well to a hot climate. They need special care in the summer, as they tend to overheat. During the summer, it is best to take them for shorter walks or walk them at night. Bulldogs do not have a very long life span, living eight to ten years at the most.