English Bulldog: Dog Breeds

In this month’s Dog Breed Corner we host the stoutly dignified English Bulldog. Check out the English Bulldog’s origins, personality, trainability, grooming needs, and more. Does your British Bully need a quality carer? With Mad Paws, you can find Dog Sitters in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, and all ’round Australia!

 Quick Facts ✔ 

Height –  31 – 40 cm

Weight – 18 – 23kg

Lifespan – 8 – 12 years

Country of origin – England

Breed type – Companion Dog

• Apartment living
• Docile Owners
• Families with children

English Bulldog Breed History ♜

Today’s English Bulldogs are some of the most laid-back doggos around. If you’ve ever seen a video of them skateboarding with enviable confidence or lounging at the beach, you might wonder where this chill dog comes from. As it turns out, their gentle demeanours, fondness for naps and inability to master stairs is all quite misleading. The first British Bulldogs share little in common with the stubborn but tender wrinkle floofs we know today.

Unfortunately, the history of the English Bulldog is a violent one. For most of their existence, these dogs were bred for one thing: bull baiting. Back when the English Bulldog entered the arena, as early as the 16th century, pitting dogs against bulls was a widely popular sport. While we shun the idea today, it was a much different time; most people couldn’t read, play music, or afford theatre tickets, and animal rights were in the distant future. 

The remnants we have of this violent past are still visible in the physical features of the Bulldog. Their flat nose, underbite, and muscle mass let them latch onto the noses of their bovine prey. Likewise, their low slung bodies allowed them to evade the horns of the bulls during their forced fights. And while most people at the time didn’t understand physics, everything about the Bulldog was intended to maximise their own centre of gravity while throwing off that of the bull. This early Bulldog was larger than our modern pup, but still, their ability to take down such a large and powerful animal was unbelievable.

Thankfully, the British government banned bull baiting in 1835 – and at the time, dog lovers assumed the Bulldog breed would slowly vanish. However, as many people admired the Bulldog’s strength and courage, a handful of dog lovers convened to rehabilitate the breed. By breeding the most gentle Bulldogs, they created a canine that evolved into one of the most family-friendly dogs around.

Today, we can’t imagine life without these hilarious little puppers. Without them, we wouldn’t have the pint-sized French Bulldog or the distinguished Aussie Bulldog. And, we would be missing out on one of the world’s most popular canine companions.

English Bulldog Personality Traits ★

Did we mention that they’re one of the most family-friendly dogs around? Well, yeah, I guess we did…but it bears repeating. They might sport the face of a cranky old man, but beneath their stout shell you’ll find a heart of gold. They adapt well to children and strangers alike, and will make human friends wherever they waddle. 

English Bulldogs are loyal pups who want to be with their beloved family at all times. Don’t be surprised if your Bulldog demands to be on your lap for your next Netflix binge. They are excellent movie-watching company, and will gladly cuddle for hours on end. 

If you’re not going to be with this constant companion all the time, they can be prone to separation anxiety. With a little desensitisation training and regular visits from a friendly Dog Walker, they can learn to tolerate a few hours on their own.

As ready as they are to make human friends, English Bulldogs are slightly more selective with the furry variety. They can be distrustful of more energetic dogs, and don’t always play well in packs. Part of the reason is that they simply can’t keep up; the other dogs at the dog park are likely to run circles around them while they get more and more frustrated. Instead, it’s a good idea to pair these lumbering pups with other dogs of the same size and energy levels.  

Bulldogs can learn to get along with cats, but usually only if they’ve been socialised from a young age. If you do want to try some interspecies introductions, make sure to learn some tips for How to Get Your Dogs to Like Cats. 

British Bulldogs can be pretty hard-headed and obstinate. And if the need arises, they’re not afraid to defend their family with a surprisingly intimidating bark. But most of the time, this docile doggo is happy to sit around and enjoy life with their favourite humans.

Personality Traits & Trainability ★

If the phrase “hard-headed and obstinate” gave you pause, you probably already know what we’re going to say. English Bulldogs can be a challenge to train. They require patience and persistence, and quite a bit of understanding!

Even though they love their Owners and have a people-pleasing attitude, these little guys aren’t well-known for being fast learners. They may need a command to be repeated several times before they decide to play along. It’s not that they’re trying to be stubborn, it’s just that they don’t understand why you won’t give them the treat for being so darn cute.

Here are a few recommendations for making Bulldog training a little easier:

• Find your Bulldog’s favourite treats. All dogs respond well to Positive Reinforcement Training, but it can be particularly useful or a dog with a stubborn streak like the Bulldog. To make training sessions more engaging for them, make sure to use a reward system that they can’t say no to!

• Keep your training sessions short and sweet. A good starting point for a Bulldog is a ten to fifteen minute daily training session. You’ll generally be able to tell when your Bulldog has had enough when they take longer and longer to respond to a command. If this is the case, you can end the session with a simple command that they’ve already mastered and come back to the training at another time. 

• Keep your expectations realistic. Some Bulldogs can learn a variety of commands beyond the basics, while others will spend a lot of time mastering “sit” “down” and “stay.” If your pup is well-behaved and responsive to your commands, don’t feel pressured to keep training new tricks. Instead, make sure to reinforce their obedience training every once in a while.

• But, don’t let your expectations limit your Bulldog! With the viral Bulldog skating videos as proof, it’s clear that these dogs have the potential to learn more than the basics. If your dog is engaged in the training process, keep it up! They’ll benefit from the mental stimulation and extra bonding time with their beloved Owner.

Exercise Needs & Living Conditions ⌂

English Bulldogs are low-energy doggos who don’t need much by way of daily exercise. Thanks to their lethargic nature, they’ll be happy with a short stroll in the park. And, a backyard can give them the daily fresh air and sunshine they need to be happy.

But, just because these dogs aren’t athletic doesn’t mean they should skip daily activity altogether. Getting them to stretch their legs and smell new smells is an important part of mental stimulation and physical health. On the days that you can’t take a leisurely lap with this pupper, a friendly Dog Walker will be happy to step in.

Bulldogs are also enthusiastic adventure companions, if by adventure, you mean a picnic in the park or day at the beach. Just make sure that if they’re around water, they don’t have the opportunity to go beyond their knees. Their massive head is much like a bowling ball strapped to their shoulders, and will cause them to sink.

You may have deduced this by now, but the British Bulldog perfectly fits the bill of “Apartment Dog”. They’re custom-built to be indoor pups, and can struggle if they spend the day outside in the yard. They’re also very vulnerable to overheating, so ensure they drink plenty of water during their walks. If you don’t have one, you should invest in an A/C unit before you bring home a Bulldog. On the flipside, they also don’t respond well to extreme cold. Keep them rugged up in the winter months and they’ll be happy.

As English Bulldogs get older, they may have more trouble getting up and down stairs and furniture. Make sure to update your living conditions to accommodate a senior Bulldog.

English Bulldog Grooming ✄

Do you like dog drool? Then you’ll looooooove the British Bulldog. This pup is a celebrated drooler, and will leave puddles of saliva wherever they roam. You’ll also need to wipe under their loose folds of skin every few days to avoid a buildup of bacteria. 

The good news? The Bulldog doesn’t shed much! And what they do shed can be managed easily with a brushing session a couple of times per week. Their skin can be sensitive, so make sure to use a soft-bristled brush.

In terms of washing, less is more for the Bulldog. Frequent baths can give them skin rashes, so stick to a once every six to eight week schedule.

English Bulldog Health +

English Bulldogs may have been bred to be strong in the ring, and aren’t likely to get easily hurt. But, they do have some considerable health concerns that Owners should know about:

• Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. Because of their flat snouts, Bulldogs are at high risk of this serious respiratory condition. If you hear your Bulldog wheezing even when they’re not exercising, it’s a good idea to have them checked by a vet. You may also be able to ease the symptoms of this condition by helping your dog maintain a healthy weight with a balanced, all-natural diet. 

• Heart failure. The chronic stress put on the respiratory system can sometimes also lead to heart conditions and heart failure.

• Hip dysplasia

• Cherry eye, and Brachycephalic ocular disease

• Skin allergies

• Certain types of cancer, including mast cell tumours and lymphoma.

As you can see, life with a Bulldog can come with some frequent visits to the vet. It’s best to stay proactive with a healthy lifestyle and regular screenings to catch symptoms of larger problems early. And, getting this doggo on an excellent pet insurance plan can be a  big help. 

Fun Fact  ♥ 

Winston Churchill, the U.K. Prime Minister during World War II, was often referred to as “the British Bulldog”. Some say this was due to his courage and refusal to quit. If you glance at his image, though, you might wonder if it had something to do with the fact that they shared the same scowl.

Perhaps because it would be too on-the-nose, Churchill didn’t own a Bulldog himself. An animal lover at heart, the British leader was often seen with his miniature Poodle Rufus.

English Bulldogs have certainly gained the eye of other famous figures, including comedian Adam Sandler, football player David Beckham, and rockstar Ozzy Osbourne. And at one point, pop star Joe Jonas had his own British Bulldog whom he cleverly named Winston! 

Final Thoughts on the English Bulldog 

Distinguished, affable, and entirely hilarious, you can’t help but fall in love with the English Bulldog.

These hulky little dogs get along well with humans of all ages, and they can grow strong bonds with other family pets. They’d prefer to be in the company of their beloved Owners, and would rather stay in the care of a Pet Sitter than spend time alone.

While their grooming needs are low, these dogs do come with some considerable health concerns. Owners should be prepared to keep this pup in good shape, and take special care to deal with their respiratory issues. 

Even though training can be a challenge, it can be part of some much needed mental stimulation. These dogs aren’t athletes at heart, so they need this kind of interaction, plus a nice daily walk to stay happy.

If you’re able to be a responsible caretaker for this cute curmudgeon, you’ll have plenty of laughs and cuddles to look forward to in your life with a British Bulldog!

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