English information

Robert Benjamin asked:


The first Setters appeared in France in the 1500s. Three hundred years later, Setters were brought to Great Britain and Sir Edward Laverack developed the English Setter. These dogs were bred primarily for beauty and became show dogs. Another breeder, Llewellin, was dissatisfied with the hunting ability of this dog and developed these abilities in a separate strain of English Setter through selective breeding with Gordon Setters. Both versions are considered English Setters and both are part of the larger Setter family.

All English Setters have long, flowing coats that require regular grooming. Regular combing helps keep shedding in check (English Setters are average shedders) and helps keep the coat from becoming tangled and matted, particularly if the dog has been running through grass and fields. It is important to do the same for the hair between the pads and toes of and English Setter as well. If the hair is not cared for, it can be a breeding ground for fungus that can lead to infection. The coats are all speckled in some way with different variations of white with blue, lemon, orange, brown, or tri-color (blue, white & brown).

English Setter males will grow to an average height of 24 to 27 inches and females an average of 23 to 26 inches. The average weight for this breed is 45 to 80 pounds and will live approximately 10 to 12 years. Often described as gentle and sweet, English Setters make good family pets, and tolerate children well. They enjoy being with people and dislike being left alone for long periods of time.

English Setters also enjoy playing with other dogs. English Setters have ample amounts of energy so frequent exercise is important. English Setters are not suited for apartment life as they need plenty of time to run off leash, or at least in a fenced in backyard, as they sometimes roam. Though a placid dog, English Setters can be quite stubborn. Obedience training should begin early and be consistent, especially to discourage barking, digging and jumping.

English Setters will become obese if overfed and not exercised enough. English Setters are susceptible to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, some cancers and some are deaf. Female English Setters are also prone to false pregnacies.

There is a website that has great information on English Setters and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Brendan Forde asked:


The English Mastiff dog is often imagined as a huge and powerful animal, but his character and temperament belies this initial impression.

In some regards you are right. Well, the English Mastiff is definitely on the large side, at about 30 inches at the shoulder for males, with the female a few inches shorter.

And he is no lightweight - a male English Mastiff can weigh in between 160 and 230 pounds, and the female around 140 and 190 pounds or more!

The English Mastiff dog has traditionally been seen primarily as a large and powerful guard dog, but many centuries ago he was bred as a fighting dog. Indeed there is evidence that the Romans, when they invaded Britain, discovered that their own fighting dogs were bettered by the native English mastiff breed. Whereupon they exported these English dogs back to Rome, to fight in the Colosseum, alongside all the other exotic wild animals from the length and breadth of the Roman Empire.

The English Mastiff is supposed to have originally arrived in Britain over 2 millenia ago on the ships of adventurous Phoenician traders.

Over the ensuing centuries, the English mastiff was used in many different capacities other than as a powerful guard dog. It was particularly renowned in the doubtful sports of bear and bull baiting, as well as dog fighting, which were enormously popular past-times in Britain until fairly recent times, but it was also used to hunt wolves and boar.

However, following the outlawing of such shameful activities, the numbers of English Mastiff dogs declined rapidly, so that there were less than 100 in Britain by the mid 20th century. Whereas the breed was declining in Britain, it was thriving in the USA, and stock was imported to strengthen and revive the breed in the Britain.

So why would you choose such a dog?

The modern English Mastiff dog is a mixture of grandeur, dignity and courage. He is also highly prized as a fearless and tenacious family guardian, loving and affectionate towards his family. He has a powerful protective instinct towards his family, and will place himself between his owner and any “threatening” stranger.

The Official Breed Standard for the Old English Style Mastiff from Kennel Club of the UK describes his temperament as : Calm and affectionate to his owners, and also capable of guarding.

A huge dog, with a natural guardian instinct, enormously strong yet gentle and loving to his family, the English Mastiff dog will reward the suitable owner with years of unswerving and loving care, protection, and gentle companionship. He is incredibly gentle with children.

Nightingale Bullies asked:


Country of Origin: The English Bulldog (or simply ‘Bulldog’) was bred in England in the 1500’s for bull baiting, a popular gambling ‘sport’ in which one or more dogs were matched up against a chained bull (or bear). These dogs were bred for sheer fighting capacity, and they were famed for latching onto their prey with an iron jaw which they refused to release—they could even suffocate opponents this way. English Bulldogs fell in popularity when bull baiting was outlawed in the 1830’s, but a committed group of devotees kept the breed alive and selected away any trace of ferocity. Easily recognizable by their distinctive and adorable ‘sourmug’, English Bulldogs serve as the mascots of dozens of sports teams, most famously Georgetown University. Other famous English Bulldogs include Handsome Dan, the Yale mascot, and Tyson, the skateboarding Bulldog of internet fame. English Bulldogs are simultaneously a symbol of British tenacity and an immensely popular American pet.

Size: The English Bulldog has a shoulder height of 31-36 cm (12-14 in) and weighs 22-25 kg (48-55 lbs). It is known for its short, wide muzzle, undershot jaw, and wide, droopy face giving the appearance of a frown. English Bulldogs have short legs and tails, rounded chests, and compact, muscular bodies.

Coat: The English Bulldog has a short, smooth, glossy coat which can be beige, mottled, brindle, or white.

Character: The English Bulldog is affectionate, uncomplicated, gentle, intelligent, sensitive, and fearless. It is known for its loyalty; its happy-go-lucky attitude is in sharp contrast to its sour face. English Bulldogs are happiest by their owner’s side and will misbehave if ignored. English Bulldogs are active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous.

Temperament: English Bulldogs enjoy mixing with other dogs and household pets. They are great with children, well behaved, adaptable, comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition. Some English Bulldogs are cautious with strangers, but most are friendly to everyone. They are likely to drool or snore.

Care: When the English Bulldog is shedding, use a rubber brush to remove dead hairs. A special lotion will occasionally need to be applied to the facial and tail folds to keep them clean; soft tooth brushing with an approved toothpaste is also recommended. The English Bulldog has a lifespan of 8-12 years. Due to its facial features, it is susceptible to breathing problems and skin infections, and many are delivered via Caesarean section due to their large heads. Most English Bulldogs cannot swim and are averse to hot weather.

Training: Consistency is important, but the English Bulldog is highly sensitive to the tone of its handler’s voice, making training a fairly simple process. It is inquisitive and quick to learn simple tasks, yet unpredictable as it is a bit stubborn on occasion.

Activity: The exercise needs of the English Bulldog are uncomplicated. It will adapt itself to the activity level of your family. Sufficient rest is key to development of healthy bones, muscles, and joints—do not expect your English Bulldog to run long distances or jump down from tall ledges. English Bulldogs are well suited to apartment life.

For puppies for sale view www.nightingalebullies.com Nightingale Bullies

Nightingale Bullies asked:


Health Concerns Of The English Bulldog

Once again I want to stress that buying your puppy from a reputable English Bulldog puppy breeder is an important step to take to ensure you get a healthy pup. A good breeder will carefully plan each mating, breed from good quality stock and screen for hereditary disease.

English Bulldogs typically live up to 10 years of age - they do suffer from a wide range of health problems. Your Veterinarian and breeder are the best people to give you specific health care advice but here is a list of common health issues:

English Bulldogs are very sensitive to extreme temperatures - both hot and cold. A nice mild climate is best for a happy and comfortable Bully.

Keep a close on the weight of your English Bulldog. Overweight dogs are susceptible to a long list of health problems that fit and healthy dogs are not. Make sure you feed a good quality fresh diet and provide adequate exercise (English Bulldogs do not require too much exercise).

It’s also important to clean out the loose face folds on your dog’s face. Use a soap and water solution every day or so to avoid the build up of moisture which can lead to infection.

Depending on what you feed your English Bulldog puppy you may need to brush your puppy’s teeth every couple of weeks.

Their flat face and also soft palate causes many English Bulldogs to have breathing difficulties.

Other health problems can include - hip dysplasia, allergies, cherry eye, cataracts, senotic nares, inverted tail, shoulder luxation and there’s others….

One other thing! English Bulldogs are not good swimmers - be especially careful with your Bully around water.

Training

Lets be honest here, English Bulldogs are not one of the best obedience training students - but don’t be fooled, they are capable.

It’s important that you establish yourself as your English Bulldog puppy’s leader. Give him/her clear guidance, in a positive non violent manner. Be consistent in your training, use plenty of encouragement and always enthusiastically reward desired behavior.

Below are some training issues you and your English Bulldog puppy should practice together:

As soon as your puppy arrives home you need to begin teaching him/her proper household etiquette. This includes things like chew toy training (Bulldogs love to chew!), puppy house training, preventing food stealing and other basic tasks. Preventing problems before they arise is always a better alternative than trying to rectify established problem behaviors.

Crate training is a good way to supervise and confine your puppy - for your benefit and your puppy’s wellbeing. It is also a useful tool to use when housebreaking your English Bulldog puppy.

All of the basic obedience commands are easily learned by Bullys. They should be taught sit, stay, down, heel, come etc.. Your puppy will enjoy these training sessions and you will build a very strong connection with your dog during the training process.

Training your puppy to walk nicely on a loose leash is an important skill to master. English Bulldogs grow to be big powerful dogs, so it’s crucial to educate your puppy how to behave on the leash.

English Bulldogs can be a bit stubborn or some may say indifferent towards training but if you keep your training sessions short, intense and fun you’re sure to achieve pleasing results.

Steve Peters asked:


If a “top ten” list existed for guard dogs, the English Mastiff dog would definitely rank right up there in the top two or three. His appearance alone guarantees that anyone who stumbles across this dog thinks twice about coming near him.

It comes as no surprise then that this big dog was used ? as early as the sixth century BC ? for many “fighting” purposes. He was indispensible in a lot of the blood sports that have become legendary, including bear-baiting, bull-baiting, lion-baiting (believe it or not!) as well as dog fighting.

The English Mastiff breed is an incredible intermingling of grandeur, dignity and courage. He is perhaps to those who don’t fully understand the breed, the ultimate paradox of dogs. Loyal, calm, affectionate and loving toward his family, he is a first-class guardian as well, ferocious, tenacious and fearless when the need arises. As if to prove this point, if a stranger approaches the family?s ?territory? the English Mastiff will instinctually place himself between owner and stranger.

Should the approaching stranger not give the dog his due, the Mastiff may take swift, immediate defensive action. But for all his fierceness, the English Mastiff is incredibly gentle with children.

The English Mastiff is indeed an imposing figure of a canine . The average Mastiff stands at about 30 inches at the shoulder for males and only a little shorter ? 27.5 inches ? for females. A male English Mastiff can tip the scale between 160 and 230 pounds. As with any breed of dog, the English Mastiff has its share of health issues. These include hip dysplasia and bloating. The breed is also prone to obesity. As loved as this dog is, there are still plenty of english mastiff rescues.

Bone cancer is higher in incidence with the English Mastiff than a lot of other breeds.A healthy English Mastiff lives to be between nine and 11 years old. He demands a good diet as well as plenty of exercise ? as you can well imagine. a bit like us humans, he’s prone to enjoying “the good life.” Don’t forget to brush your English Mastiff daily. The chances of developing any concerns dealing with the Mastiff’s skin are far less if you make it a habit to brush him regularly.

Ultimately, enjoy your time with your English Mastiff, you will have picked a wonderful breed of dog.

Robert Benjamin asked:


Descended from ancient Asian Mastiffs, the English Bulldog was developed in Great Britain by crossing the bulldog descendants of the Mastiffs with Pugs. The result is a small dog that is wide and compact with a large head that has an intimidating look with a lot of folds in the skin. English Bulldogs will average only 12 to 16 inches in height but weigh anywhere from 49 to 55 pounds. They only live an average of 8 years. The English Bulldog has a short and smooth coat that needs minimal grooming and are considered average shedders. Baths are only given when necessary.

English Bulldogs are mostly brindle or red and it tends to be a uniform color, but there are also coats of liver, tan, black and white. English Bulldogs have a short muzzle and the lower jaw extends past the upper jaw. Because of this jaw structure, English Bulldogs have a tight grip when clamping down on anything. English Bulldogs make good watchdogs, alerting its family to an approaching stranger by growling and barking, but will not attack. They make good family pets and enjoy being in the company of humans as well as other animals. They are generally gentle with children but can be dominating at times. For this reason, obedience training is a must, as well as an owner who is not afraid to act as the alpha of the pack, as English Bulldogs can be stubborn and difficult to train.

Younger English Bulldogs tend to be full of energy while older ones tend to slow down. It is important to exercise an English Bulldog at least once a day to discourage obesity – sometimes a difficult feat since some English Bulldogs are content to not move at all (though almost all English Bulldogs are relatively inactive indoors). This choice of inactivity also makes it important to not overfeed an English Bulldog. Whatever their preferred activity level,

English Bulldogs will do well in apartment living. Most English Bulldogs tend to drool, slobber and snore. This is due to their small windpipes, which also makes them prone to breathing problems. English Bulldogs do not handle heat well at all and are susceptible to heat stroke. They are also sensitive to cold, so English Bulldogs are best in temperate climates. English Bulldogs also are prone to flatulence, hip and knee problems and skin infections.

There is a website that has great information on English Bulldogs and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Robert Benjamin asked:


More likely thought of as being on a racetrack or the side of a bus, English Greyhounds, are probably one of the most ancient dogs. They are thought to date back as far as Egyptian times, but this cannot be proven. It is known that English Greyhounds were brought to England by traders before 900 BC. Originally used as a hunting dog, thanks to its strong hunting instinct and speed, English Greyhounds were eventually used in racing events.

Most English Greyhounds will live about 10 to 12 years and reach and average height of 28 to 30 inches. They will on average weigh about 65 to 70 pounds, creating the long and slender physique. They have short smooth coats in different colors that do shed but only an ‘average’ amount. Though English Greyhounds are very fast dogs, they are surprisingly low energy and do not require a lot of space or exercise. English Greyhounds can stay indoors for long periods of time, but should be exercised at least once a day, and because of this, can live in an apartment.

An English Greyhound has an extremely strong hunting instinct (the instinct that allows for the ‘rabbit chase’ at the track) and will hunt almost anything. Therefore, when outside, an English Greyhound should be kept on a leash at all times or in an enclosed, fenced in area. This hunting instinct can also extend to other pets in the household, though it is rare to have problems. This hunting instinct does not translate into a protective instinct and English Greyhounds do not make good watchdogs. Sometimes described as aloof, the English Greyhound can be quite timid, unless socialized early. Retired racing dogs tend to be more socialized than puppies.

Though good with children and loyal to the family, English Greyhounds do not like to rough house and younger children may frighten it with sudden noises or movements. In general, English Greyhounds do not do well in environments where there is a lot of activity or loud noises. Due to the vigilant breeding standards for this dog, they do not suffer from many genetic health problems. Some can develop bloat, so it is important to feed English Greyhounds several times a day to avoid this. Older dogs may be prone to kidney failure. The unique physiology and anatomy of an English Greyhound makes it important to find a veterinarian familiar with this breed’s special needs.

There is a website that has great information on English Greyhounds and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

Daniel Millions asked:


The bulldog was first given it’s name in 1567 by England residents. The English Bulldog was originally breed and used for bull baiting.

Bull baiting was a form of entertainment in England. The English Bulldog would bite a ring that was hooked to a bull’s nose and try to suffocate the bull. Bull baiting was deemed a barbaric sport and was banned in 1835. The English Bulldog was then breed to be a family pet and a show dog.

English Bulldog’s are know to be be short in stature but very stocky. Another well know characteristic of an English Bulldog is it’s very wrinkly face. The English Bulldog comes in a variety of coat colors from white to brindle.

A mature English Bulldog male and female weighs from 55 - 80 pounds and is 12 - 16 inches long.

English Bulldogs are great family pets and get along with children very well. They have no problem being around other pets or environments where there may be a crowd of people. Unlike some other bull breed dogs the English Bulldog is a very playful and charismatic dog.

The English Bulldog can not take extended periods of time in the heat. English Bulldog’s can easily overheat and which will cause fatigue. Due to problematic health issues it prefers cooler climates which makes it a necessity to be an inside dog.

English Bulldogs tend to breathe and snore very heavily and this is a trait you will need to grow accustom to. Along with the snoring English Bulldogs pass gas and some can be prone to drool.

You will need exercise the English Bulldog to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If it does not receive regular exercise English Bulldogs will gain weight which in turn could lead to serious health problems. A healthy Bulldog will live about 10 - 11 happy years.

English Bulldogs suffer from several health issues that may need to be addressed. Two health problems that English Bulldogs are prone to is hip dysplasia and elongated soft palate.

Hip dysplasia is a genetic flaw that is caused from abnormal hip joint development when a puppy. This will cause the Bulldog to walk stiff or almost look like it is bunny hopping when trying to walk. Hip dysplasia can be corrected through a surgical operation that can be expensive.

When a Bulldog has an elongated soft palate this will cause stressed breathing. The palate can be corrected by surgery and should be an easy fix if detected early. This is generally an easy fix and is not to expensive when compared to the corrective surgery for hip dysplasia.

One last area that will need attention is the folds on the English Bulldogs face. These folds need to be regularly cleaned and checked for any hot spots or sores. They tend to get filled with dirt and anything else the Bulldog rubs it’s face in.

An English Bulldog is a wonderful pet and will bring you many years of happiness if well cared for. I would not recommend a Bulldog for a first time pet owner unless you are ready for the responsibility or a medium - high maintenance pet.