Looking for English Bulldog breed information? This guide got you covered all you need to know about the English Bulldog breed. The English Bulldog is also known as British Bulldog or simply Bulldog. In this guide, we will use these three terms interchangeably.
The English Bulldog has a distinctive look that makes it different from other dog breeds. With its look, you can easily recognize the English Bulldog, especially with the short snouts, skin, large head, chubby face, muscular body, and all.
The English Bulldog is not very tall, they are short build with a muscular and stocky body – they have a sturdy body. Originally bred for wrestling bulls, this shows that this dog breed has some toughness in them.
With a Bulldog, you have a cool and loving dog that is playful and loyal to the family. Let’s take a look at the several things you should know about the English Bulldog.
History of English Bulldog
The earliest record of English Bulldogs dates back to the 13th century when they were seen in England; during this period English Bulldogs were used for the bullbaiting sport.
It should be noted that the English Bulldogs of today are much smaller in size and less temperamental than the Bulldogs used for bullbaiting.
The earlier Bulldogs were bred to fight, hence, they are larger, taller, and heavier than what we have today.
The bullbaiting sports continued until 1853 when it was banned by the British government. That however does not mean that the ban put a complete stop to the sport, as some still get involved in fights for a while.
During this period, the gamblers crossbred the English Bulldog with other breeds, such as terriers to have what we know today as pit bull terrier and the bull terrier.
Original dog breeders who do not want the British Bulldog breed to go into extinction started working on the breed, refining it into what we know today.
They were refined and modified into smaller, less temperamental, and family dogs. They are the 5th most popular dog breed in the United States, they fall in the top 10 most popular dog breeds in the United Kingdom as well as in the top 10 most popular dog breeds in Canada.
Important Stats About English Bulldogs
Here are some important stats to know about the English Bulldogs:
- Dog Breed Group: Companion Dog/Non-Sporting
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
- Height: 12-15 inches tall (shoulder level)
- Weight: 40-50 pounds
- Breed Size: Medium
- Shedding: Normal/Moderate
- Energy Level: Low
The appearance of the English Bulldog
English Bulldogs come in various colors, from the standard colors to the non-standard colors. The standard colors usually vary from one dog club to the other.
Below are the colors and markings of British Bulldogs, as approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC):
Standard Colors of English Bulldogs
- Fallow
- White
- Red
- Fawn
- Red and white
- Fawn and brindle
- Fawn and white
- Fawn brindle and white
- Red brindle
- Red brindle and white
Standard Markings of the English Bulldog
- Black Mask
- White Marking
- Brindle
- Piebald
- Ticked
- Blacktips
Bulldogs have fine short and glossy coats, which gives them that unique look; they have a large amount of skin on them that gives them a wrinkled body, especially around the neck area.
The English Bulldog weighs around 40-50 pounds and is regarded as a medium-sized dog breed. They are sturdy, short, wide, and heavy – which makes many refer to them as stocky dogs.
While there are many dogs in the Bulldog family, the British Bulldog has a very distinctive look, which makes them totally different from other breeds.
They are known as one of the Brachycephalic dog breeds, as they have short snouts and flat faces; their cheeks are extended to both sides of their eyes, coupled with large nostrils,
The eyes of the English Bulldogs are dark. They have small, thin ears. Their jaws are massive, square, and broad.
Let’s take a look at some essential body parts of the English Bulldog and give you a concise description of them as this is very important in recognizing them. This is part of what you need to know, and that is why we have added it to our English Bulldog breed information guide.
Head of the English Bulldog
The English Bulldog has a broad head, that appears to be square when viewed from the front. They have a flat forehead with perfect-looking temples that are broad, square, and high. Their cheeks are rounded, extending to either side of their eyes.
The muzzle of the English Bulldog
The muzzle of the English Bulldog is shaped in a way that it is positioned upward, extending from the corners of their eyes to that of the mouth.
Teeth of the English Bulldog
The English Bulldog has large, strong, broad white teeth that meet in an undershot bite. They have sets of canines that are very much apart and incisors that have even sizes.
Eyes of the English Bulldog
This is one of the defining features of the British Bulldog, as they have round and medium-sized eyes. Their lids often lower the white part of the eyes when looking straight.
The eyes are positioned loosely in the skull inches away from their eyes. There is a significant distance between both eyes, with outer corners on the verge of the cheek outline.
The nose of the English Bulldog
The nose of the English Bulldog is large, black, and broad. It sits deeply between the eyes, and they have large nostrils.
Ears of the English Bulldogs
The English Bulldog has small, thin, rose-like ears that are set high on its head. They are wide away from the eyes.
The neck of the English Bulldog
The necks of English Bulldogs are thick, short, and strong. They have a lot of skin around their neck, which gives them a wrinkled look and feel.
Forelegs of the English Bulldog
The English Bulldog has broad and muscular shoulders that provide stability, balance, and power to them. Their forelegs are short, straight, muscular, and stout. They are wide apart – all of these give them a straight and strong look.
Body of English Bulldogs
The English Bulldog has a short and compact body that is very strong, well-muscled, and hard. They have protruding fore chests and chests that tend to come lowly around the front legs.
They have strong backs that are wider in the shoulder region and slimmer in the hind area. The outline of the British Bulldog looks like a pear shape when viewed from above.
Hind Legs of English Bulldogs
The English Bulldog has strong, large hind legs, and they are longer than their forelegs. They have more length from the hip to the hock and a shorter length from the ground to the hock.
The tail of the English Bulldog
The tail of the English Bulldog is short, and they come in various shapes, such as the screw tail.
The skin of the English Bulldog
The English Bulldog has loose and soft skin, and it tends to have much of it around the neck and shoulder areas of their body, which usually appears wrinkled.
The Lifespan of the English Bulldog
Due to the various health issues, the English Bulldogs are prone to, they don’t live that long when compared to other dog breeds. It is also worthy of note that they don’t have the shortest lifespan among dog breeds.
The life expectancy of the English Bulldog is usually between 8-12 years. With proper care, they can live up to this age. Some English Bulldogs have been reported to live up to 15 years.
Personality and Temperament of the English Bulldog
The English Bulldogs are one sociable pet and they are good family dogs. Aside from being a companion dog, the Bulldog is also a great watchdog that is ever-ready to protect the family.
The early Bulldogs used for bullbaiting are fighters, but the Bulldogs of today have been altered genetically and redefined to become ‘lovers.’
British Bulldogs are kind, and this makes up for their character; sometimes, they show some stubborn attitude. Generally, they are friendly and easygoing – they, therefore, get well with people, especially children.
The appearance of the English Bulldog tends to scare people off and which has made people label them as aggressive dogs. This is however not true, as English Bulldogs are just an instance of ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ They are sweet dogs.
When talking about the temperament of dogs, they are defined and structured by so many factors which include genetic factors, socialization, training, and more.
The temperament of the English Bulldog is determined by these factors and this is why you need to buy a Bulldog puppy from a good breeder, socialize them early and give them proper training from their early years.
When choosing a British Bulldog puppy, go for puppies that are not too tough and those that do not always hide in the corner of their cage. The traits they show at this early stage will determine to a great extent how they will behave later in life.
In order for English Bulldogs to behave well around strangers and other dogs, there is the need to socialize them early – how do you do this?
Enroll your Bulldog puppy in a puppy kindergarten class, take them on walks, let them sightsee, allow them to listen to sounds, and music, and meet other puppies and pets. All of these will enhance their social life.
The health of the English Bulldog Breed
English Bulldogs are prone to several diseases and illnesses, and this altogether affects their health and wellness. It also affects their lifespan, and this is one of the reasons why they usually live an average of 10 years.
The way they were bred, and the structure of their body all affect their health, they have a tiny air passage, and their shortened nose, etc. all affecting their health and wellbeing. Nowadays, measures are being taken to enhance the health of English Bulldogs and give them improved wellbeing.
Let’s take a look at some of the health issues associated with English Bulldogs.
Brachycephalic Syndrome
This is one health issue suffered by all English Bulldogs. The cause of this is the short construction of their face which leads to a tightened airway passage, called ‘Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome’ (BOAS).
This tightened space for air often leads to difficulty with breathing and sometimes, it causes the collapse of the dog’s larynx.
This becomes worse when British Bulldogs are faced with hot weather or when they are in a place where the ventilation is poor.
Hip Dysplasia
This is also common to English Bulldogs, especially older dogs. Here, hip dysplasia refers to various abnormalities of the hips that can lead to joint problems.
These health problems are transferred from parent dogs to the puppies, the environment and the level of care they receive can also cause this.
Interdigital Cysts/Furuncles
The interdigital cysts or interdigital furuncles are growths that shoot out in the feet webbing of the English Bulldog – these growths are usually painful.
This health condition is caused by bacterial infections, whereby inflammation, bacterial and fungal infections are caused by hairs being forced back into the English Bulldogs’ hair shaft.
See your vet for treatment of this ailment.
Cherry Eye
Cherry eye in English Bulldogs is a health problem caused by the protrusion of the third eyelid.
Obesity
Bulldogs are dog breeds that have a high tendency of getting overweight. They eat a lot and they are not very active, they lie around, this is why they get fat.
As an owner of an English Bulldog, it is important you watch and pay careful attention to your dog’s weight; this you can do by serving them the appropriate amount of food as well as taking them for exercise.
Obesity in English Bulldogs can lead to other health issues that can be injurious to the dog’s health.
Hyperuricosuria
This is another health condition common to American Bulldogs, whereby the uric acid present in their urine does not dissolve and stores up to form bladder stones and crystals which can cause painful blockage.
Skin Problems
Skin problem is a common ailment among all Bulldog breeds. They have a high tendency of developing problems with the skin. This problem with their skin can sometimes be traced to excess skin and wrinkles on their body.
Health Problem with Tails
Some Bulldogs have screwed or cropped tails that could lead to skin problems. In order to avoid this, it is important to keep their tail dry and clean always.
Tips on How to Take Care of an American Bulldog
If you want your English Bulldog to live longer, then it is important you take good and proper care of their health. We have compiled short but powerful and effective tips on caring for English Bulldogs.
- They need about 25-30 minutes of exercise daily, it is important you allow them to exercise. Please note that you should split the exercise period into two, and allow them to exercise for 15 minutes and rest before completing the remaining minutes.
- Provide them with a comfortable lifestyle, as they are known to be indoor dogs.
- Avoid taking your English Bulldog to a very hot or cold environment.
- Control the weight gain of your dog by giving it the appropriate type of food and meal size; also, take them for walks and let them exercise its body.
- They are prone to heatstroke, so it is important you provide them with a cool place to stay.
- Always provide fresh water to your British Bulldog to quell their thirst and also subside the heat they feel.
- Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is important as this will help fight bacterial infections.
- It is important to wash and clean your dog’s nose to avoid getting dry and flaky.
- Always be on the lookout for rashes and infections on their skin, so as to be able to give them quick and early treatment.
- Cleaning your Bulldog’s ear is very important, as it helps clean out wax and gunk that could cause the ear to be smelly.
Feeding your British Bulldog
Here is our guide on how to feed an English Bulldog.
- The daily amount of food to serve your English Bulldog should be between ½ – 2 cups of Bulldog-specific food.
- The daily food amount should be divided and served 4 times for dogs between 0-3 months.
- The daily food amount should be divided and served 3 times for dogs between 4-9 months.
- The daily food amount should be divided and served 2 times for dogs aged 10 months above.
Some important tips to note about feeding Bulldogs include the following:
- You should also serve fresh and healthy foods of high quality to your English Bulldog.
- Avoid overfeeding your dog as this can cause obesity in English Bulldogs.
- Serve them different types of food on different days.
- Try adding fruits and vegetables to their meals; as adding those to their meals will help get them used to it.
- Treats and snacks should not be served as regular foods; they should be used only when rewarding them for completing a task or doing something commendable.
- Always wash your hands before preparing your meals.
- Only feed solid food to a puppy after they have completed weaning.
- Always keep fresh water nearby for your British Bulldog. They drink this to quench their thirst and repel heat.
Grooming an English Bulldog
Bulldogs are not heavy shedders, they are moderate shedders, it is important you groom them. This does not require one special skill.
How do you groom your English Bulldog? Ensure you brush their furs on weekly basis with a firm bristle brush. Ensure you wipe their face daily with a damp cloth; you should also wipe the inside of their wrinkles with a damp cloth or with baby wipes that contain aloe vera or lanolin.
Another important step in grooming your English Bulldog is by washing the nose of your pet and applying petroleum jelly as this will help prevent a flaky and dry nose.
Also, you should brush your dog’s teeth regularly – some experts suggest doing this daily, while some suggest twice or thrice a week, doing this will help in getting rid of bacteria in the teeth.
Trimming the nails of your English Bulldog is also an important aspect of grooming your dog. This should be done once a month.
Always lookout for signs of infections, sores, or rashes in some areas of your Bulldog’s body; such body parts include: the nose, mouth, ears, feet, and eyes. This should be done on weekly basis.
Are English Bulldogs Good Family Pets?
Will a Bulldog be a good family pet? Here are some facts you should consider if you want to add the English Bulldog to your family:
- English Bulldogs don’t bark much.
- They don’t require a high amount of daily exercise.
- They enjoy staying indoors than outdoors.
- British Bulldogs are calm, gentle, and easy-going.
- Bulldogs get along well with kids, neighbors, and pets.
- They are stubborn, you will need to teach them obedience at an early age.
- They are intolerant to heat.
- English Bulldogs fits well into any apartment size.
- They are brave guard dogs.
- British Bulldogs are moderate shedders.
- They are prone to a number of health issues.
- Bulldogs drool, snore and wheeze.
How to find a Good and Reputable English Bulldog Breeder
Remember, you should buy your English Bulldog from a reputable breeder. This is very important as these breeders meet up with the guidelines for breeding English Bulldogs.
You can check out the website of the ‘Bulldog Club of America,’ where you will find a list of English Bulldog breeders that are in your area or location.
Before you buy the English Bulldog, there are some questions you need to ask the breeder – ask the breeder questions pertaining to the family history of the dog, questions pertaining to the temperament of the dog; also, ask for health screening certificates of the dog and that of the parents, just to know you are buying a healthy dog that won’t give you some serious health issues in future.
Price of an English Bulldog Puppy
English Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, this could affect the price; aside from this, you have a dog breed that requires huge investment when it comes to breeding.
While considering the cost of buying an English Bulldog puppy, there are several things to consider such as the gender of the English Bulldog puppy, your location, the breeder’s reputation, the family line of the dog, etc.
The cost of buying an English Bulldog ranges between $1,500 – $5,000.
Why are English Bulldogs Expensive?
Have you seen the exclamation and expression on the faces of people when they discover the cost of buying a British Bulldog puppy? This is because they are considered expensive. Calm down and relax; let me tell you why they are expensive.
The English Bulldog has a physical appearance and builds that make giving birth naturally difficult and dangerous for them. As a result, English Bulldogs are often given birth to through Caesarian Section, and that costs a whole lot of money. This is one of the reasons why English Bulldogs are expensive dog breeds.
Another reason for their high cost is as a result of the many health issues they are prone to. Reputable breeders will have to perform so many health tests and screenings; all these costs are in turn passed down to the Bulldogs’ buyers.
British Bulldogs puppies that are sold for less than $1,500 have a high probability of not passing all the tests and screenings conducted or not being tested or screened at all.
English Bulldogs Rescues and Shelters
As part of this English Bulldog breed information guide, it is important we bring to your attention that there are many abandoned Bulldogs out there, which in most cases are adult and older dogs.
If you want to give a home to any of these Bulldogs, there are Bulldog rescues and shelters you can adopt an English Bulldog from.
Here is a compact list of English Bulldog and Bulldog mix Rescues and Shelters you can adopt from:
- Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network
- Rescue Bulldogs
- Buckeye Bulldog Rescue
- Southern California Bulldog Rescue
- Bulldog Rescue & Rehoming Charity
- Geordie Bullies Bulldog Rescue
- Austin Bulldog Rescue
- Bulldog Rescue & Rehoming UK
- No Borders Bulldog Rescue
- Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue
- Queen City Bulldog Rescue
- Pacific Northwest Bulldog Rescue etc.
English Bulldogs as Mascots
The English Bulldog is a very popular dog breed. Aside from taking them as pets, they are also being used for many things, either physically or as an image or pictorial representation of them.
The official mascot of the United States Marine Corps is the Bulldog.
The Bulldog is associated with England or the United Kingdom; also, it is used to represent Winston’s Churchill strength against the Nazi regime of Hitler.
The English Bulldog is also synonymous with a late wrestler, Davey Boy Smith who was given the nickname ‘The British Bulldog.’ He would always come to the ring accompanied by an English Bulldog.
Many universities in the world have the Bulldog as their mascot. In the United States only, there are about 39 universities that have the English Bulldog as their mascot.
Universities such as Butler, CSU Fresno State, Drake, Georgetown, Georgia, Gonzaga, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State, The Citadel, University of Minnesota Duluth, University of Redlands, Yale, etc. have English Bulldog as their mascots.
Final Thoughts on English Bulldog Breed Information Guide
With this English Bulldog breed information guide, you have been able to know more and have more information about the English Bulldog and this will definitely help you determine if the English Bulldog breed is for you or not.
With the British Bulldog, you have a dog breed that is quiet, gentle, and a great companion. They don’t require a whole lot of exercise, they are not heavy shedders and they are very loyal.
English Bulldogs have many health issues that need to be looked out for, and this usually affects their lifespan. It is therefore advisable to take your dog for regular checkups.
In your attempt to buy a British Bulldog, it is important you look for a reputable English Bulldog breeder that has a reputation for breeding quality, healthy and strong Bulldogs.
With the English Bulldog, you have a dog that will be loyal to you till the end; you have a good family pet that will get along well with you, your family, kids, neighbors, and other pers.
Do you like our English Bulldog breed information guide? Let’s hear your views about this beautiful dog breed in the comment section. Also, check out our other Bulldog guides.
