English Bulldog
It is hard to mistake the classic image of the English Bulldog. This square and stout looking dog is very wide and broad, giving the appearance of power and strength even though it is not very tall. The overall impression when looking at an English Bulldog is one of power and dignity, along with maturity and sensibility. The face of the English Bulldog is just as distinctive as its body. The face is brachiocephalic, which means that the muzzle is very short and compressed. The lower jaw is noticeably undershot, and longer than the upper jaw and nose. The lips of the upper jaw hang down below the lower jaw, and are loose to the mouth. The cheeks are very noticeable, and are obvious when viewed from the front as well as the side. The eyes are round and set well off the center of the face. They are always dark in color, and lighter colored eyes are not characteristic of the breed. The ears are very small and thin, held close to the head. A rose type fold in the ears is most desirable. The skull is broad and wide, and should never appear narrow. The forehead and skull area should be covered with deep folds of skin, forming large "wrinkles" across the forehead area. The neck of the English Bulldog will be thick and massive, matching the base of the broad skull. The short neck flows into heavyset front shoulders that are slightly sloped outwards. The front legs should be thick and well boned, while appearing proportional and muscular. The elbows should be loose from the body of the dog, and the feet may be slightly turned out when viewed from the front. The chest is deep and significant, moving in to a well-developed rib cage. The topline of the body is considered a "wheel-back" - often mistakenly called a "roach-back". This means that the center of the back is slightly higher than either the shoulders or the tail. The hindquarters are very substantial and balanced-looking. The hind feet will turn out slightly and the hocks will turn in slightly. The hind legs are longer than the front legs, but are in proportion. The tail is either short and straight, or short and somewhat kinked or bent in appearance. The tail will be wide, and the base and will taper to a fine point that is always held lower than the broad base of the tail. The coat is very fine and short, and is the same length across the entire body. There may be folds of skin on the neck and around the tail. The breed is also known for its distinctive dewlaps under the jaw.