Bruiser Bulldog Personality Standards
The behavioral makeup of the English Bulldog is often admired (for good reason). We believe the strength of the bulldog personality has been essential to its preservation and popularity despite its enduring health issues. These magical qualities must be studied, understood and maintained as a means of preserving breed integrity. Quite simply – let’s keep the lighting in the bottle!
What makes a bulldog personality special?
We believe there are several essential qualities:
Laid Back Demeanor:
The bulldog was originally bred for bulldog baiting, which required high levels of intensity and focus. This violent activity quickly fell out of societal favor and required the bulldog breed to be reimagined. The breed moved from a working class dog to a companion dog and a calm, laid back personality was deemed desirable. We believe the mellow behavior of the bulldog fits the modern family well. A bulldog can seamlessly fit into the fabric of a busy family by simply being present. Lower energy levels allow the breed to thrive in domestic life without necessitating high levels of attention. Laid back personality allows the breed to differentiate itself from breeds like the Labrador retriever or boxer who “grow up” around mid life.
Lower Prey Drive and Territorial Instincts:
We believe the most coveted English Bulldogs display a lower prey drive and territorial instinct. Lower prey and territorial instincts increase the trust level of the bulldog as a companion animal. It improves the probability that the bulldog will respond positively to other dogs, strangers and children. The tradeoff is lower guard dog behavior. With dog breeds there is always a tradeoff in behavioral tendencies. Increased territorial behavior is almost always correlated to increased social friction in some way. There are still some English bulldogs that display higher prey and territorial instincts. We intentionally move away from these behavioral types as they are unproductive to the overall personality of the bulldog. We believe prey drive is one of the crucial separation points that distinguish English Bulldog from alternative “bully” type breeds. Olde English Bulldogs, American Bulldogs, Victorian Bulldogs, ect have all been bred as alternatives to the English Bulldog to varying levels of success. One of the primary downfalls of these breeds is the increased prey drive and heightened aggression that is often correlated. The modern family loves the English Bulldog because of its trustworthy, docile nature. Bulldog lovers want a companion not a killer. A low prey drive is essential to the behavioral fabric of a Bruiser Bulldog.
People Oriented Nature:
The very best English Bulldog personality types love to be close to their owners. They have a distinct desire to “do life” with their human. We want our bulldogs to sit on our feet, cuddle next to us on the couch and love to be held. There are different levels of people oriented behavior in the English Bulldog. We admire this trait and view it as a crucial element to the Bulldog Breed. Bruiser Bulldogs are selected and screen for their people oriented nature. Independent or standoffish bulldogs are discounted in our breeding program.
Quirky and Fun:
Yes, the best English Bulldog personalities are a bit goofy. From skateboards to zoomies, we strive to breed for full personalities. A laid back demeanor mixed with humor is the best type of Bulldog to do life with. Every Bruiser Bulldog is a little different, but we certainly value and aim to preserve the fun in the English Bulldog breed.
A Touch of Stubbornness:
The English Bulldog will always be an independent thinker. They do care about pleasing their owner, but also value their own will. A touch of stubbornness is part of what makes the breed unique. A bulldog is intelligent and can certainly be trained, but they will also make you think and will let you know they aren’t a robot. In a world of automation – stubbornness in the bulldog is sometimes a relief.
