Shorty Bull Dog: What You Need to Know About

0
7526
Photo from Pinterest

The Shorty Bull is among the new bully breeds with a large following across the globe. The meticulous breeding is one of the reasons they have desirable traits and temperament. Read on for more details about the Shorty Bulls if you are thinking of getting one.

History

This new line of bulldog originated in Kansas, U.S. around the early 2000s. Bull Breed Coalition Registry founder Army Krogman and Jaime Sweet of Blue River Bullies aimed to develop a small, healthy, and functional type of bulldog.

Krogman and Sweet used established breeds like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, English Bulldog, and the French Bulldog in developing Shorties. Contrary to many people’s belief, it does not have the Pit Bull’s or the American Bulldog’s gene in its lineage.

Before the dam and the stud are bred, they undergo health checking and worming. Tests should also be done to check for possible genetic traits they might pass on to their offspring.

Jaime Sweet said he prioritized stability and strong nerves when developing the Shorty Bull. He hopes to pass it on to the new generations of Shorties.

Recognition

Shorty Bulls, also called Shorties, are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club but they are acknowledged by the American Bully Kennel Club.

American Temperament Testing Society is one of the organizations providing temperament testing for the Shorties. This examination measures various aspects of a dog’s temperament including their stability.

Many Shorties are also receivers of the Canine Good Citizen Certification. This certification by AKC can be given to any purebred or mixed breeds of any age.

Appearance

Shorty Bulls may be small, but they are heavy-boned and well-muscled. As adults, they stand 15 inches or below and weigh 40 pounds on average.

A Shorty Bull’s body is very similar to the English Bulldog’s low-slung and thick set body. However, the Shortie’s facial features are more like Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Any height over 15 inches is discouraged in this breed. They could weigh a little over 40 lbs as long as their weight is in proportion to their stature.

Their facial features have similarities with other bully breeds. They have that oval-shaped and dark-colored eyes, round head, and cropped ears.

The eyes should be set apart but not protruding forward. The preferred colors of their eyes are brown and amber.

Based on the Shorty Bull standard, this dog is supposed to have a broad and short muzzle. It is not supposed to be indented or pushed up in the middle of the eyes.

Any coat color is okay except for merle and black with tan. The most common colors you will see are white, black, and brown. They may also be in beige, gray, and tawny colors.

Grooming

Owners of Shorty Bulls will not have a hard time grooming them because they are easy to groom. Weekly brushing is enough to keep their short coat healthy and shiny.

For short-coated breeds, the best brush to use is a brush with soft bristles, like a rubber brush. It also helps to use a fine-toothed comb that removes fleas and ticks from the coat.

In general, bully breeds only need baths every four to six weeks but this still depends on the pet’s lifestyle and activity level as well as the heat or humidity in the region where it lives.

If you have several walks a day, it will not be a bad idea to bathe the dog every three weeks to keep it smelling nice. Always use a gentle shampoo formulated for canines when washing your pooch.

A pet shampoo has a different pH level compared to human shampoos. Hence, even a baby shampoo can irritate your Shorty Bull’s skin. Use a product with natural ingredients like oatmeal and aloe vera.

Avoid grooming tools with metal bristles because they are too rough for bully breeds with wrinkled skin. Brushing should be done as gently as possible to avoid irritating the dog’s skin.

Although coat care is minimal, the skin that folds around the face needs to be wiped every day. You can wipe it with a soft cloth dipped in warm water. Also, don’t forget to keep the area dry as any moisture left behind their folds can attract bacteria. You can also use baby wipes with aloe or a bulldog wrinkle wax.

Moisture left in the skin folds can cause skin infections. Common signs of wrinkle infections to watch out for are skin redness, flaking, and dryness. It may also emit an unpleasant odor.

You can prevent wrinkle infection by applying topical creams. They have a soothing effect and they work just like wrinkle wipes. You can find a lot of them online and in pet health stores.

In addition to wrinkle wipes and creams, there are also shampoos especially created for cleaning skin folds in dogs. It just requires thorough cleaning and drying when applied to your Shorty Bull.

Personality

Temperament is one of the priorities in breeding Shorties. They have a range of desirable traits, like being confident and outgoing.

It is developed as a companion animal so it can be a good family pet. It can put up with young children given that they were trained on how to handle a pup.

Although the Shorty Bull looks fierce, this buddy will impress you with its good disposition. It will be considered a fault if the dog exhibits extreme shyness.

Likewise, extreme aggression is not a common trait of this breed. This dog is known for its will-to-please attitude and agile nature.

It could be dominant as it ages but this should not result in undue aggression. This dominance could show when they are with other Shorty Bull males that are also dominant.

One of the best traits of Shorty Bulls is their ability to adjust to any kind of environment. They can live in an apartment or in a rural area with a large yard.

Shorties need to be socialized as early as seven weeks. This prevents dogs from being afraid of new circumstances and situations.

In addition to developing confidence, it helps them to be friendlier around people, especially kids. It’s very important to expose dogs to other people and places.

Shorty Bulls enjoy routine. Hence, it will be easier to potty-train them. You can introduce housebreaking at seven or eight weeks, because most pups can understand basic commands like “sit” and “stay” by this stage.

Because of its agile and alert nature, Shorty Bull can take the role of a watchdog. This dog can detect if there is any dubious activity in its habitat.

Health

Shorty Bulls are carefully bred to set them apart from other bully breeds. They are not prone to a lot of health issues and boast a long life span, ranging from 10 to 16 years.

Because of their good health, they do not require frequent trips to the vet. However, that does not mean they should not be taken to the vet clinic at least once a year for general examinations.

Part of caring for your Shorty Bull is ensuring it receives the core vaccines to protect the dog from distemper, hepatitis, rabies, and parvovirus. Do note that some vaccines only require boosters after three years and not every year.

As one of the new bully breeds, there is not much known about their typical health concerns. But just like their flat-faced fellows, keep an eye for signs of overheating, skin allergies, and respiratory problems.

When well taken care, Shorties can enjoy a happy life until their senior years. This means you can create more memories with your Shorty Bull.

Feeding

Most Shorties start to wean off their mother starting at five weeks. From this stage, breeders normally begin feeding them puppy formula. Shorty Bulls should be completely weaned at eight weeks.

Puppies need to be fed two to three times a day. Dogs with flat faces are recommended to be fed using a non-slip slanted bowl. It comes with a ridge that helps bully breeds access their meal without difficulty.

Ensure fresh water is always available. Pups can start drinking water at around three weeks of age. From birth and until the second week, they should cover their hydration needs from their mother.

A grain-free dog food formulated for pups can be given starting at eight weeks of age. Some breeders add brewer’s yeast to the meal as it has a number of benefits, especially for the health of the Shortie’s coat.

Pups do not need any special vitamins as long as they are fed a high-quality diet. A well-balanced diet is needed for the proper growth and development of puppies.

One of the best things about Shorties is they are economical to feed. Because they are not prone to many diseases, they don’t really need a special diet.

Adult bully breeds are normally given one to two meals per day. The amount of food depends on the dog’s activity and weight, but one and a half cup per feeding is a good starting point.

As with any breed, your Shorty will thrive with high-quality dog food supplemented with multivitamins and omega-3. When combined, these should contribute to your pet’s overall health, nails, and coat.

Many bullies benefit in a raw and homemade diet. But before transitioning to raw foods, work with your vet first to avoid any gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea.

Exercise Needs

Like many bully breeds, this one belongs in the working group. It is suitable for people with an active lifestyle, since this breed enjoys lots of time outdoors.

However, daily exercise for Shorties should be limited. Flat-faced breeds only need short periods of exercise because they can easily overheat and have trouble breathing after a long walk.

Brachycephalic dogs usually need only half an hour of exercise a day. A brief indoor play is not a bad idea, especially when the weather does not permit going outside.

Avoid exercising in hot weather. Consider taking your walk in the morning or in the evening. Indoor exercises are also a great way to burn the extra energy.

Playtime outdoors can start at nine weeks of age and should not be more than 15 minutes per day. If you just adopted your dog, it is the perfect time to bond and spend more quality time together.

You may also introduce leash training a few months before your dog turns 1 year old. When buying a leash, go for the most durable ones you can find.

The best materials for their leash are nylon and leather. The Shortie’s leash needs to be as strong as them because they have the tendency to pull it out during walks.

As a dog bursting with energy, this dog will do well in agility competitions. It is also a smart dog, making it a good contender for rally obedience.

Agility and behavioral training usually starts when the dog reaches a year old. If you are thinking of training your buddy, get advice from your vet first.

Bully breeds can participate in agility training as long as they are completely ready for it. A Shorty also needs to master obedience training first before joining agility training classes.

If you have a yard, make sure to keep your fences high. This dog is a good jumper and has the tendency to escape if given the opportunity.

In addition to exercise, Shorties will also enjoy lots of mind-stimulating activities. Consider doggie puzzles and interactive games. These can be as simple as taking your buddy to new places as it can do wonders for their mental perception.

Conclusion

The Shorty Bull is a small breed with a big personality. It is fairly healthy and it boasts many desirable traits. This dog has a will-to-please attitude and will make an excellent family pet because it has a strong need for human interaction.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here