Grade 7 Information Writing

The writer interested The Bulldog: A Dog Like No Other readers with a A small dog huddles in a corner, waiting to be released into a giant compelling anecdote arena. Though it seems difficult to believe, there was a time when and provided dogs were bred for sport, a brutal sport called bull-baiting. The background dogs were trained to clamp on to a bull’s nose and to not let go information in the form of historical until either the bull killed the dog or the dog brought the bull to context. the ground (Gray, 1976). Not every kind of dog would have been up to this task. The dog bread for this sport is the dog that we know today as the bulldog. In fact, that’s how this dog got its name. The writer developed Maybe this is also why these dogs have a reputation for being fierce. not just information However, bulldogs are one of the most special dogs out there, for but also an idea about many reasons. There are no other dogs that look like a bulldog, with the information. The its characteristic wrinkles. Bulldogs do require some unique care, author made the as does any prized possession, so owning a bulldog isn’t easy, but claim, and made it clear how the ideas is very, very rewarding. Finally, Bulldogs have a fascinating history, and information in the unlike that of any other dog. text would unfold. I. A Unique and Varied Appearance The writer used a The English Bulldog looks like no other. It is a compact dog with transitional phrase The writer attempted a short, smooth coat and a wide head and shoulders. Bulldogs to compare/contrast. to vary the sentence typically have prognathism, essentially meaning its lower jaw sticks Comparisons were structure, combining out beyond its upper jaw. This is also called an underbite. In contrast, used as a way to simple sentences with dogs like golden retrievers rarely have an underbite. Their top teeth explain information complex sentences. stick over their bottom teeth. Though this condition is not considered and the explanation attractive in humans, many people find it to be quite adorable on a was further supported small dog. by text features.

Bulldog underbite Golden retriever with no underbite

A bulldog’s eyebrows are made of thick folds of skin, and it has small black eyes. These small eyes and eyebrows with folds give it the illusion of being angry, though that’s typically not the case.

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Bulldogs’ coats and even the names for them are as unique and The writer used The writer introductory sentences varied as they are. For instance, some names for bulldog’s coats are incorporated domain- and phrases to clarify quite special, like brindle (mixed colors and stripes), fawn (a kind of specific vocabulary the structure of the light brown), and piebald (black and white spots). However, some of and defined these piece. the coat colors have common names, like red and white. throughout the text. Bulldogs weigh a surprising amount in relation to their size. According to James Thomas, bulldog expert and author of the text Bulldog Life, the smallest weigh about 35 pounds, with some of the biggest males reaching up to 55 (2009).

The writer’s formatting II. Special Care Requirements showed how the piece Though all species require exercise to be healthy, bulldogs require was structured and some unique considerations in order to be in top physical condition. also highlighted the To explain, if they aren’t walked at least two times every day, main points. they tend to become dangerously overweight. This problem is exacerbated because they don’t usually move much on their own. According to Inforpedia.org, “When English Bulldogs are do not receive the prescribed amount of exercise, they can develop severe cardiac and pulmonary issues that may shorten their life The writer consistently span considerably” (2010, paragraph 3). Other ways that owners incorporated and cited can help their bulldogs to maintain top physical condition is by sources. practicing ball-handling skills and by teaching their pet a few simple commands.

The writer used a Like their exercise requirements, bulldogs have unique needs variety of information when it comes to grooming. A bulldog’s trademark wrinkles, in to elaborate, including particular, need special attention. Esther Gray, in her text This is a quotations, and also Bulldog, explains: “If the wrinkles around a bulldog’s muzzle are explained why the not properly cleaned on a frequent basis, this can lead in infection” information was (1976). This means that if someone is considering getting a bulldog, The writer important to readers. they need to understand that they have to be responsible for incorporated a variety cleaning its wrinkles so the dog does not sick. The best way to clean of text structures, here a bulldog’s wrinkles is to carefully pull the skin tight, and gently including a procedural passage. scrub the skin with a soft brush and mild soap. A final area of consideration when it comes to the special The writer used transitions that helped care that bulldogs require is balanced nutrition. Proper nutrition readers follow from is essential for all dogs, and even more so for a bulldog. Most section to section and experts, like James Thomas, who wrote Bulldog Life, caution about understand how parts the danger of feeding bulldogs too often. He writes, “A well-trained are connected. bulldog does not beg for food. If bulldogs are fed constantly, especially from the table, they will learn bad habits and will begin to beg. Also, they will be in danger of becoming overweight from eating too much” (p. 56). This information may be surprising, as bulldogs seem as if they could eat copious amounts of food. But in fact the opposite is true.

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III. Particular Health Concerns Unfortunately, in addition to all of the characteristics that make The writer not only bulldogs wonderful pets, they have a few unique characteristics that organized the entire are not so wonderful. No dog owner wants to think about his or piece into parts, he/ her dog getting sick, but unfortunately bulldogs have some unique she also organized the health concerns. In order of seriousness, bulldogs can suffer from chapters, or sections. illnesses such as heart disease, hip dysplasia, and cherry eye. Here, the writer forecasts the structure Bulldogs can have grave heart problems. Owners should take of this particular special considerations when bulldogs are in hot weather. Heat stroke section. is a serious health concern for bulldogs. If a bulldog starts panting heavily, it’s best to get them to a cool place and give them water immediately. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, 73.9% of bulldogs have hip dysplasia. This is a problem where the hip gets out of joint. In fact, bulldogs have this problem more than any other dog breed, which further demonstrates their need for special care. Another common illness is cherry eye. This is caused by a swollen gland in a bulldog’s eye. If this happens, most veterinarians recommend taking the dog to be looked at right away. Bulldogs don’t live forever, some sources say as little as eight years on average, much less than many common dogs. Owners should keep their dogs as healthy as possible to help them live as long as they can and should appreciate each moment with this special dog.

The writer used graphics to illustrate points.

*information from www.veterinariandaily.com

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IV. Why You Should Consider Being a Bulldog Owner The writer incorporated a variety There are three reasons why I recommend being a bulldog owner. of text structures. First, bulldogs are wonderful, loyal pets. Next, they are particularly This section has an attractive. No one can resist their funny looking wrinkles and the argument structure, way they waddle. Finally, they are safe around kids, even babies. To with a claim and illustrate this, a family with a young baby had bulldog. Once, the supports, and it also baby went to the dog’s food dish and splashed around in her water. includes a narrative The dog was not pleased, but she didn’t even bark. She just stood to illustrate one of the there and watched the baby, whereas some other dogs might have reasons. bitten the baby. Some say there are cons to owning a bulldog, such as that they don’t live very long and that they must be cleaned often, and that they can be stubborn. As Mr. Thomas says in his book on page 75, they have the worst flatulence (gas) of any dog breed. But there are many more pros than cons. V. A Brutal, Unique History Bulldogs come from a rather stunning history. As described earlier, The writer attempted they were bred for the sport bull-baiting. Though it is now difficult to maintain a formal to imagine, in the 1600 and 1700s in England, people considered it tone throughout the great entertainment. They would bet on which dog would grab a bull text. by the nose and push the bull to the ground. Many dogs would die or become seriously hurt at these events because they were stomped on or trampled, or poked by the bulls. Finally, this sport became illegal in 1853 (Gray, 1976. p. 24). Very few other dog breeds have such brutality in their history.

Dogs such as these were bred specifically to fight bulls. Hence the name: bulldog.

A Chart: Characteristics of Bulldogs Created by Breeding s Short legs so the bull couldn’t get the dog’s legs with its horns s Large jaws, so the dog could grab the bull and hold on to its nose s A larger and heavier body to fight big bulls s A muzzle that curved up so the dog could breathe while it grabbed the bull’s nose s Wrinkles so blood from the bull wouldn’t get into the dog’s eyes

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VI. Conclusion The writer reinforced the main points Certainly, society has come a long way from the time that bulldogs and highlighted were put in life-threatening danger for entertainment purposes. their significance, Many people are starting to realize that the bulldog is a dog unlike encouraging readers any other. Though it requires special care, its beauty and unique to take action. disposition make the extra care worth every minute. And even though it is no longer legal to throw bulldogs into an arena with a bull, some are mistreated. It’s always a good idea to try to adopt a bulldog (or any pet) from a rescue center. Bibliography The writer used a Bulldogs. (n.d.). In Inforpedia.org. Retrieved from www.inforpedia. standard format for org/bulldog citation and included a Gray, E. (1976) This is a Bulldog. New York, NY: Schoolpub list of sources. Hudson, T. (2013, October). A Complete Guide to Bulldog Care. Retrieved from www.bulldoginfor.com Michael, J. (n.d.). Typical Life Span of Common Dog Types. Retrieved from www.veterinariandaily.com Thomas, J. (2009) Bulldog Life. New York, NY: Schoolpub.

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