Despite their lazy demeanor, English Bulldogs are loved by many worldwide. The Guinness world record for the fastest dog on a skateboard is held by a bulldog called “Tillman.” These dogs make excellent mascots, are used by major sports teams worldwide, and have featured in movies such as Adam Sandler’s “Little Nicky” and popular TV shows such as “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
English Bulldog
Although they look intimidating, English Bulldogs have a friendly, laid-back attitude, and they love spending time with their families, usually in the role of couch potato.
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Breed Group
Non-sporting
Height
Male 16-19 In
Female 15-18 In
Weight
Male 50-60 Ib
Female 50-55 Ib
Life Span
8-10 years
In a Nutshell
Jovial, comical, and amiable, the English Bulldog is one adorable dog with a friendly personality and gentle temperament. They have a cheerful, childlike outlook and are full of life. They are also known to be docile but vigilant dogs and are excellent watchdogs that can detect even the slightest changes in their surroundings. Although English Bulldog isn’t specifically a barker, they will let you know when something is amiss in your house or yard by letting out a short, sharp bark. They require lots of space to run around freely, play and do all the other activities that dogs like to do.
Since they are so loyal to their families, they make excellent family pets. Just take into consideration, though, that English Bulldogs are known to be a bit stubborn and may take some training before they become well-behaved dogs. That said, these dogs have a lot of love to offer once they get along with their new owners.
Life With a English Bulldog
Low (1)
High (5)
Energy level
Trainability Level
Amount of Shedding
Tendency of Barking
Exercise Needs
Kid Friendly
Pet Friendly
Looks & Personality
The English bulldog is a brawny little powerhouse whose characteristic crablike waddle exudes great strength, stability and vigor.
This breed’s most prominent features include a large head with deep-set eyes, defined cheeks, short legs, short stifles, and a short tail. Their short, stocky build makes them sturdy but not heavy. English bulldogs come in various colors and thick coat patterns that can be smooth or rough in texture. The most common colors are brindle and fawn. Other coat colors include black or blue merle coat patterns.
The English Bulldog is a friendly and outgoing breed that loves to be around people. They are listed among the most easily recognizable dog breeds worldwide. They are also eager to learn new things and will make an excellent companion. Their personality actually depends on their owner. Treated well, Bulldogs’ will be happy and affectionate dogs. But when mistreated, they tend to become aggressive or withdrawn.
English bulldogs make fine apartment pets and do not require a yard. They are typically low-endurance dogs that need only a moderate amount of exercise. They thrive best in temperate climates – they readily overheat and have breathing difficulties in hot weather (can even be deadly), while chilling easily in cold temperatures.
Generally loud breathers, English bulldogs tend to snore and wheeze. Many drool as well. They are moderate shedders and their short coats require little grooming. However, the wrinkles on the face should be wiped regularly to prevent skin infections.
A tip from a vet
Unfortunately for the bulldog, many of the physical features that make them desirable also make them unhealthy. The misshapen heads also affect reproduction, as bulldog puppies cannot fit through their mother's birth canal and must be delivered via cesarean. It is estimated that 80 percent of bulldog births result from artificial insemination and cesarean. Therefore, any pregnancy of a female English bulldog requires frequent checkups at the vet, preferably a specialist.
A tip from a trainer
English bulldogs are pure sweethearts, but they also have a very stubborn temperament, making them difficult to train. The best English bulldog care and training techniques revolve around positive reinforcement via voice commands and treats. Because dogs of this breed suffer from health conditions that affect their breathing and joints, you must take care to prevent overexerting your dog during training.
What about your English Bulldog?
Did You Know
Bulldogs were initially bred to fight bulls back when bull baiting was a popular sport in the United Kingdom.
English bulldogs almost became extinct after bull baiting lost popularity and was banned.
English bulldogs are fantastic skateboarders.
In The News
Famous English Bulldog Owners
Michael Jackson, Adam Sandler, Brad Pitt, Truman Capote, President William G. Harding, President Calvin Coolidge, Pink, Olivia Wilde, John Legend, Reese Witherspoon, Danny Trejo, David Beckham & Chris Brown
The History Behind the Breed
The Bulldog’s early history doesn’t provide many clues as to how this beloved breed became such a popular family pet. The Bulldog had its origin in the British Isles, somewhere in the 13th century. The name “bull” was applied because of the dog’s use in the sports of bull-baiting and dog fighting. Bull-baiting was an especially cruel sport where specially-bred Bulldogs were set loose on a tethered bull.
In order to survive, the Bulldog needed tremendous jaw power, so Bulldogs were selected for their short muzzle and wide lower jaw. The original Bulldogs had to be ferocious, courageous and almost insensitive to pain. Bull-baiting gained popularity in the early 1800s until it was made illegal by the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835.
Bulldogs were considered useless. However, a number of dog lovers took it upon themselves to preserve the breed and make it more suitable for life as a domesticated companion. These dog lovers eliminated the aggressiveness required to survive in a brutal sport and accentuated the breed’s finer qualities. Within a few generations, the Bulldog was bred to be the fine companion we know today.
If a English Bulldog Could Talk…
A Quick Anatomy Lesson
The bulldog may be a symbol of strength and tenacity, but more than a century of selective breeding has weakened the once-tough canine. The dogs have breathing, skeletal, and skin problems, and, even worse, many can't naturally mate or give birth. If they develop breathing difficulties early, it's unlikely they will make it past the age of five.
Common Health Problems
What about your English Bulldog?