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Size: males about 50 pounds; females about 40 pounds.
Coat: straight, short, flat, close, fine-textured, smooth and glossy
Colour: "red brindle, all other brindles, solid white, solid red, fawn or fallow, piebald," according to the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.
Eyes: round and dark brown
Ears: small and thin, "rose ear"
Skull: very large
Muzzle: very short, broad, upturned
Nose: large, broad and black
Tail: straight or "screwed".
Below are some historical notes on the bulldog breed.
Country/Region of Origin: United Kingdom
Original purpose: bull baiting, later, dog shows
Historical notes: The bulldog was originally bred for the bull baiting ring. Generations of breeders tried to breed out the aggressive tendencies, and by the time of World War II they were largely successful. The appearance of the main English bulldog also changed, as the heavier-set bulldog of today became more popular after bull baiting was banned in the nineteenth century. There are several varieties of the bulldog breed, some of which are recognized as distinct breed by some countries' breeding organizations. In particular, the American Bulldog is bigger and more athletic, arguably closer to the original fighting bulldogs.
Cultural notes: The bulldog is one of the unofficial symbols of the UK. Bulldogs are also popular images in the mass media, particularly in cartoons, and as US university sports team mascots.
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