The Continental Bulldog is a rare and unique breed that's often misunderstood. They're not just a mix of a Bulldog and a Pug, but a distinct breed with their own characteristics.
Their origins date back to the 19th century in Europe, where they were bred as a companion dog for aristocrats. This heritage is reflected in their gentle and affectionate nature.
One of the most distinctive features of the Continental Bulldog is their flat face, which can make breathing and eating challenging. This requires careful attention from owners to ensure they're eating and exercising safely.
With proper care, Continental Bulldogs can live up to 12-15 years, making them a long-term companion for many families.
Physical Characteristics
The Continental Bulldog is a compact, medium-sized dog with a sturdy, muscular body that gives off an athletic appearance.
Their legs are short and broad, supporting a sturdy body that's agile and resilient. They weigh between 20 and 30 kilos.
The Continental Bulldog's head is less massive than that of the Bulldog, with a flat to slightly domed forehead and wrinkles that are not too distinct. Their muzzle is typically equipped with a large mouth, and the lips are thick.
Their short, smooth coat is shiny and glossy, with an undercoat that's often completely absent, keeping grooming effort low.
Here are the Continental Bulldog's typical height and weight ranges:
Characteristics
The Continental Bulldog is a compact, medium-sized dog that's perfect for families. They stand between 40 to 46 centimeters tall at the withers, with males being slightly taller than females.
Their short legs are broad and sturdy, supporting a muscular body that gives off an athletic appearance. The Continental Bulldog weighs between 20 to 30 kilos, making them a manageable size for most households.
The Continental Bulldog has a short, shiny coat that's dense and fine. The undercoat can sometimes be completely missing, but this doesn't affect their overall health or appearance.
Their head is almost square with high-set, small, and thin ears. The forehead is often wrinkled, adding to their unique charm.
The muzzle of the Continental Bulldog is equipped with a large mouth and thick lips. The upper lips usually overlap the lower jaw, giving them a distinctive look.
The Continental Bulldog is known for being calm and friendly, making them a great companion for people of all ages. They're also highly attentive and self-confident, with no aggressive traits or shyness.
Their life expectancy is between 10 to 12 years, which is relatively long for a breed of their size. This means you can enjoy their company for many years to come.
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Appearance
The Continental Bulldog is a medium-sized dog with an athletic build, weighing between 20 and 30 kg. Its height at the withers is 42 to 46 cm for males and 40 to 44 cm for females.
The Continental Bulldog's legs are short and broad, and its coat is shiny in a healthy animal. The topcoat is short and dense, while the undercoat consists of fine hairs.
The Continental Bulldog's head is less massive than that of the Bulldog, with a flat to slightly domed forehead and wrinkles that are not too distinct. Its underbite is not as pronounced as that in the Bulldog.
The Continental Bulldog's neck line is well-arched, and its movement is regular and fluid, with good advancement of the forelegs and spacious thrust of the hind legs.
Here are the Continental Bulldog's allowed coat colors, along with a dark nose:
- Solid colors
- Brindled patterns
- Combinations with white
- With or without a black mask
Temperament & Intelligence
The Continental Bulldog's temperament is a unique blend of calmness and playfulness. They are not lazy dogs, but rather, they have varied interests and can be enticed for a round of fun.
Their friendly nature quickly wins over hearts, and they have no qualms about connecting with people, other animals, and other dogs. They are trustful and quickly make new contacts.
Despite their friendly demeanor, Continental Bulldogs are good watchdogs who may be leery of strangers at first. This is not due to aggression, but rather, their instinct to be cautious around new people.
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Continental Bulldogs are very loving and affectionate pets, and they rarely bark. However, they will bark if they sense something is off or if they're trying to alert their owners to potential threats.
Their even-keeled nature makes them great family dogs, and they can be very playful animals, making them wonderful companions for children.
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Care and Maintenance
The Continental Bulldog has a short coat that requires minimal grooming, but regular brushing with a standard dog brush or grooming glove will keep its coat healthy and shiny. Your pet will love the massage sessions that come with it.
Use a dry cloth to wipe the wrinkles on your dog's face, and clean the ears from time to time to prevent any issues. Regular dental care with a brush and paste is also essential to reduce the risk of tooth and gum problems.
To keep your Continental Bulldog healthy and agile, regular exercise is a must. He loves long walks in the woods, meadows, or fields, and sufficient exercise will keep him that way.
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Nutrition: What It Eats
The Continental Bulldog is not a picky eater, but it's essential to tailor its diet to its age, health, and exercise routines.
Feeding your dog twice a day is generally sufficient, and you can try out different types of food such as dry, wet, or raw feeding to see what it prefers and meets its needs best.
To ensure your Continental Bulldog gets the right amount of nutrients, make sure to monitor its food intake and adjust it accordingly.
This breed is relatively easy to feed, but it's crucial to provide a balanced diet to keep it healthy and happy.
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Health and Care
The Continental Bulldog's grooming needs are relatively low maintenance. A short coat requires only occasional brushing with a standard dog brush or grooming glove for a healthy and shiny coat. Regular massage sessions will be a hit with your pet, and it's a great way to strengthen the bond between dog and owner.
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Cleaning the wrinkles on the face with a dry cloth is a must. This will help keep your dog's face clean and prevent any skin irritations. Cleaning the ears from time to time is also essential to prevent infections.
Trimming the claws regularly will prevent overgrowth and keep your dog's paws healthy. Regular dental care with a brush and paste will reduce the risk of tooth and gum problems.
Exercise is crucial for the Continental Bulldog's health. This agile dog loves long walks in the woods, meadows, or fields, and sufficient exercise will keep him healthy and happy. He's eager to learn, curious, and social, making him an ideal candidate for training as a rescue dog or therapy dog. His sociable nature also makes visits to old people's homes possible, bringing joy to those who need it most.
Here are some potential health issues to be aware of:
- Eye problems
- Ear infections
- Joint dysplasia
- Bloat
The Continental Bulldog is generally a healthy breed, with an average lifespan of 12 years. This is a significant advantage over other breeds of bulldogs, which often suffer from various health issues.
Suitable Accessories
The Continental Bulldog needs its own place to sleep, so consider getting a dog basket or sleeping mat that's suitable for its size.
A dog basket or sleeping mat will provide your Continental Bulldog with a cozy spot to retreat to when it needs some alone time.
You'll also need to provide a food and water bowl for mealtime, and a grooming brush to keep your dog's coat clean and healthy.
A lead, harness, or collar is a must-have for walks, and a transport box is necessary for safe car travel.
Plenty of dog toys will keep your Continental Bulldog occupied and entertained, but be prepared to replace one or two utensils over the course of its life - they'll get chewed up by your playful pup.
It's a good idea to take out dog liability insurance and dog health insurance to cover any unexpected veterinary costs, such as illnesses, vaccinations, or worming.
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Sources
- Continental Bulldog: appearance, character, price (zooplus.co.uk)
- Bulldog Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
- Continental Bulldog (fci.be)
- "Continental Bulldog Breed standard" (cbcs.ch)
- Continental Bulldog Club Schweiz (Continental Bulldog Club of Switzerland) (cbcs.ch)
- A post shared by Grümmer's-Continental Bulldog (@gruemmers_continental_bulldog) (instagram.com)
- A post shared by ACBC (@acbc_continental_bulldog) (instagram.com)
- Continental Bulldog (character, nutrition, care) (hundeo.com)
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