49-51 lbs
12-13"
England
It’s fair to say that Bulldogs have a reputation as tough and tenacious fighters — it’s not for nothing that the breed is so commonly chosen as a mascot for sporting and military organizations.
However, anybody who has spent any time around one of these distinctive-looking canines will know they’re nowhere near as aggressive as they first appear. In fact, Bulldogs have slotted into many family homes seamlessly, providing lots of affection and a few humorous moments with their occasionally erratic behavior.
Read on for a comprehensive introduction to the Bulldog breed, including:
The Bulldog acts as a lesson in never judging a book by its cover. To some eyes, they appear fierce and threatening, but that description hasn’t been true of the breed for a couple of centuries now.
Instead, this is a dog known for its gentle and friendly disposition, especially among family members. They’re very fond of children and quite tolerant, too — once they’ve had enough of a game, they’ll get up and walk away. Bulldogs tend to deal well with other animals, as well.
Bulldog puppies are high-spirited and perhaps a little stubborn, but they grow calmer as they get older and could even be accused of being a little lazy in their later years — although who can really blame them?
When it comes to maintenance, they don’t need a lot of exercise or grooming, but there are several things pet parents need to know about to keep their dog happy and healthy.
Like every breed, Bulldogs are prone to certain health conditions, which is why taking out a pet insurance policy makes such good sense — compare some of the best options available with Wag!’s comparison tool.
It’s thought that Bulldogs derive from Asiatic Mastiffs, which made their way to Europe along with wandering nomads.
It’s understood that the breed was established in 13th-century England and was originally bred to compete in the sport of bull-baiting, which is where the name comes from.
An English Bulldog was perfectly designed for this barbaric practice. Their bodies were low to the ground, which prevented them from being tossed around by the bull, while their upturned noses allowed them to breathe when their jaws were clamped to their opponent’s nose. Added to that, they were fearless and seemed impervious to pain.
It wasn’t until after the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835 that animal-baiting was banned, which left the Bulldog in somewhat of a precarious position. Could this creature bred for the purpose of violence ever find a place in people’s hearts?
The answer was yes, but it took several decades of selective breeding to soften their more aggressive tendencies and round off some of their features. This project could be said to have been successful by 1886, as this was the year the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
In the years since, the Bulldog has become a beloved companion and a popular pet — the sixth-most popular dog breed in the USA in 2022, according to the AKC. What’s more, the breed has been regularly used in hybrid mixes since the 1990s, often with Boxers, Terriers and Poodles.
There’s little chance of mixing up a Bulldog with another breed, as they’re quite unique looking — depending on your preferences, you might read this as a compliment or you might not.
The Bulldog is a solid, compact-looking animal, medium in size and short in legs. This leads to a peculiar sideways style of walking and running. They tend to reach 14 or 15 inches in height once fully grown and weigh between 40 and 50 pounds, with male bulldogs towards the heavier side. They can be quite hard to lift as adults.
Their coat is short, straight and soft to the touch. You can find Bulldogs in a variety of colorways, including a mixture of white, red, brindle, fawn and pied.
At one end of the body is their tail, which is either straight or screwed and carried low, while their large head sits in the other direction. Their skull is covered in an excess amount of skin, which leads to their famous wrinkles. The eyes are both deep set and deep brown, while the ears are small, thin and set high on the head.
Their jaws are truly impressive — broad, square and complete with hanging upper lips. The teeth should have an underbite, which is a hangover from their baiting days when they would latch onto a bull and not let go.
In some regards, Bulldogs are quite simple to look after. Their coats only need brushing once a week and their face should be wiped with a damp cloth once a day. Be sure to wipe in the folds of their skin to remove debris and check that there’s no inflammation, sores, or parasites lurking. These folds should be dried afterwards to stop bacteria from festering in wet pockets.
There are some regular habits that parents should get into the habit of regardless of the breed in question — this includes clipping nails and brushing teeth. Starting this early in life will help your Bulldog get used to these tasks.
When it comes to exercise, Bulldogs only need half an hour’s activity a day and no more than five miles’ walking a week. During hotter parts of the year, this should be during cooler parts of the day or even just inside — this will prevent overheating.
And as you can probably guess from their rotund build, the Bulldog is not a natural swimmer, so should be kept away from open water.A responsible pet parent will only deal with breeders that carry out screening for joint, heart and eye screening on their animals. This lowers the risk of Bulldog puppies from suffering from diseases later on in life.
However, this isn’t a failsafe method of ensuring a healthy dog and there are certain conditions to which a Bulldog is more predisposed to suffering. Some of these are down to their unusual anatomy, but others are genetic hand-me-downs.
A Bulldog’s squished face and upturned nose can make them prone to Brachycephalic Syndrome, which is when a dog’s deformed airway makes it difficult for them to breathe and more susceptible to respiratory infections. You might also see them purring or reverse-sneezing — things that might look cute but are actually a cause for concern.
Their facial physiology also makes Bulldogs particularly unsuited to hot environments and they can overheat, even after as little as 30 minutes in 85°F temperature. Pet parents need to ensure their Bulldogs have access to a cool space and lots of water during the warmer months.
If respiratory symptoms get especially bad, a vet might be able to carry out surgery to clear the passages, but this might not be a suitable option for every dog. Lifestyle changes can be made, including keeping your pet at a healthy weight and using a donut bed to aid breathing during sleep.
One of the most effective ways to avoid Brachycephalic Syndrome is to only get dogs from breeders that actively seek to avoid producing animals with breathing difficulties, rather than those that prioritize a dog’s pedigree appearance over their welfare.
Like many other breeds, Bulldogs aren’t immune from developing joint problems at some point in their lives.
One of these that’s common in smaller breeds is patellar luxation, which is when one of the kneecaps begins to regularly pop out of the socket as they walk. You might see your dog intermittently hopping or skipping, as well as stiffness in their hindquarters.
Mild cases of the condition can often be treated with a combination of pain relief and physiotherapy, but more severe instances might require surgical intervention to correct the problem.
Another issue Bulldog breeds sometimes face is hip dysplasia, which is when the hip bone and socket stop moving smoothly with one another and friction arises in the joint. This can lead to reduced mobility, pain, and occasionally sleeping in a sitting-up position. However, it can usually be treated successfully by a vet with medication or surgery.
One factor that reduces the likelihood of both of these conditions from developing is ensuring a Bulldog is a healthy weight, as obesity can put more pressure on joints.
Another medical complaint frequently spotted in Bulldogs is Demodectic Mange, This happens when a dog’s immune system is unable to fend off rough microscopic mites, which irritate the skin and can lead to infection.
Due to their short coat, you should be able to spot signs of this quite easily — look out for hairless patches, inflammation, excessively oily skin, crusting or swelling of the paws.
Demodectic Mange can usually be treated successfully by a vet with cream, shampoos and medication. The recovery time depends on the severity of the skin condition and the stage at which it’s caught.
Many medical conditions are easier to treat if caught earlier, which is where the regular examinations and tests that form part of a wellness plan really make a difference.
Meals high in protein, vegetables and nutrients are the best type of dog foods for a Bulldog, as they will encourage a healthy weight. As a breed prone to obesity, parents need to carefully watch the amount their Bulldog eats — so the quality of the food is important.
If you’re ever in need of inspiration when it comes to what to feed your pet, our partner Dog Food Advisor has a huge collection of lists outlining recommended recipes for different breeds and sizes.
The stereotype of a Bulldog is a creature that’s scrappy, determined and tough despite their limited size. In reality, they’re not much of a fighter and can be better described as quiet, dignified and friendly, especially when it comes to young children and other animals.
They’re often accused of being a little stubborn, which can present challenges during training and socialization. However, it’s well worth being patient in order to discourage habits such as nursing on toys, chewing or sitting on your feet.
As well as that, you’ll undoubtedly encounter some bizarre Bulldog behavior at one point or other — some parents hear their Bulldogs going berserk at nighttime or even chewing rocks. There are ways of training them out of these quirks, thankfully.
Over the course of the Bulldog lifespan — which is an average of eight to ten years — their energy levels start to decline and they’ll start to spend the majority of their time dozing and relaxing.
Bulldog behavior can sometimes be a bit confusing. Like a lot of other types of dog, the Bulldog may show some characteristics that will leave you scratching your head in bemusement, or laughing out loud in amusement. Whether it’s chewing rocks or running sideways, Bulldogs do some strange things — but here’s why:
Written by Joe Holyoake
Published: 08/30/2006, edited: 01/03/2024
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