50-125 lbs
12-25"
Nova Scotia, Canada
In the picturesque Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia there is a sweet and compact dog breed called the Valley Bulldog. These dogs was developed by breeding a Boxer with an English Bulldog. This mix created a small, sturdy and healthy dog with few health issues. They shed moderately and do not require frequent brushing, although there are other maintenance tasks needed specifically for this breed. They get along well with other dogs and all types of people, young and old. Because they can easily become overweight, you need to make sure that your Valley Bulldog gets enough physical stimulation and exercise in order to stay in shape.
Valley Bulldogs get their name from the Annapolis Valley, in Nova Scotia, Canada. This beautiful place is the region of origin of this dog breed, where they were mostly used as cattle dogs that would herd and watch over the livestock on farms. These dogs were discovered in the mid 1900s, but may have existed for longer. Still a companion and helper today, the Valley Bulldog remains a very popular breed in this area. These dogs were bred from the two parent breeds with the goal of having a well tempered dog with an athletic build like the Boxer, and the courage and bravery of the English Bulldog. The combination of these two breeds also made the Valley Bulldog into a healthy dog, as the cross resulted in the elimination of many of the health problems that are often associated with Bulldog breeds. Although they began as a hybrid breed, the Valley Bulldog can now be purebred by mating a male and female from the same breed. There have been an estimated 15 generations of purebred Valley Bulldogs up until today, and they are sometimes known as the Bull-Boxer.
Valley Bulldogs are sturdy dogs that were originally bred from the Boxer and the English Bulldog. Depending on the parent which the dog develops more of their physical traits from, this attractive dog could resemble a tall English Bulldog or a shorter version of the Boxer. The Valley Bulldog has strong, broad shoulders and a large head. The neck is thick and solid and the chest is muscular. Interestingly, they can have two shapes of nose; they have either a long muzzle or a snout that is described as pushed in. The ears are typically short and can have a slight fold. With a small tail that is sometimes developed naturally as if docked, these dogs also have a sturdy hind end that is supported by strong legs. Colors that are normally seen are tan, fawn, red, white and brindle. Some Valley Bulldogs have an underbite. All canines of this breed have strong jaws and often look as though they have a smile on their face.
These dogs are fairly easy to maintain, although the folds in the skin on their face, body and tail area can require some extra attention. In order to keep your Valley Bulldog healthy, you need to make sure that these areas are always dry and clean, or they may become infected. This should be a quick chore but it will need to be done daily. These dogs have a soft coat and short fur that is easy to take care of. Since this breed has a moderate shedding level, only occasional brushing is required, and baths are rarely necessary. Other needs for the Valley Bulldog include teeth brushing, which should ideally be done daily, although 3 times a week is fine. They should have their nails clipped as needed, which will usually be around twice a month, depending on how active the individual dog is. Cleaning your dog’s ears at least once a week is also important in order to prevent ear infections. As with all dogs, you should go through basic obedience while they are a puppy in order to raise a calm and respectful pet.
The Valley Bulldog is a very sweet breed with a kind, gentle and willing temperament. They do best with owners who can take on the role as the pack leader, and once properly trained and socialized, these dogs can be great companions for humans of all ages as well as other dogs and pets. The Valley Bulldog’s wonderful personality will bring joy to their whole family, as their calm and gentle nature can quickly turn to playfulness and goofing around. These dogs are affectionate and love nothing more than to be around their beloved owners. They love to please and can be easily trained and taught tricks. Furthermore, the Valley Bulldog makes a great watchdog as they will alert you of any unrecognized sounds or people. These sweet dogs definitely need a dominant owner who can match their strength and who will give them rules and a person to follow.
These dogs can be prone to obesity and will need sufficient exercise, as well as a monitored diet. Valley Bulldogs will require daily exercise and can actually be quite athletic, thanks to their Boxer heritage. However, these dogs are also related to the English Bulldog, and can sometimes be clumsy. They will love to run free in a large area, so access to a safe enclosed space is a definite must. They love to play with toys, but can chew through almost anything with their strong jaws. Therefore, make sure that you buy very durable chew toys that can withstand the playfulness of the Valley Bulldog. Since these dogs are not a particularly large breed, they do not need to live in a huge house. A moderate to small sized home is typically sufficient for the breed to move around in, as long as they have access to the outdoors and are able to get enough exercise to stay in shape. The Valley Bulldog can become uncomfortable in heat and cold, and should not be left outside in extreme weather or exercised excessively in the heat.
Written by a Great Dane lover Madison Stott
Published: 06/05/2018, edited: 02/24/2021
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