Australian Bulldog

The Australian bulldog is an exceptional pet. Among its delightful characteristics are fierce loyalty, intelligence, and its undeniably sweet nature.

The Aussie dog has an appearance and a similar temperament to its American relative. What differs is that the Down Under version is as much Boxer and Bullmastiff as American bulldog.

The Aussie dog will make a great addition to any household.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning an Australian Bulldog

The Australian Bulldog is a great dog for companionship. But nothing’s perfect. Here are a few good things as well as a few bad things about having this animal in your home.

Origins

The Australian bulldog is something of a newcomer on the canine scene. As its name suggests, it is a descendant of the English bulldog. As a result, it bears a close resemblance to that much-loved canine whose laid-back demeanor belies its rather violent origins and several centuries of bull baiting and dog fighting.

The Australian bulldog is also the descendant of a few other breeds with reputations for toughness. Included in that list is the bullmastiff, bred to solve the issue of poaching in the 1800s. There is also the boxer whose tasks once included taking on bears and wild boars during hunting expeditions organized by German nobles. And of course, the American bulldog. 

The Australian bulldog owes its existence to the desire of dog enthusiasts, Pip Nobes and Noel and Tina Green, for a breed which was every inch as adorable and lovable as the English bulldog — but a great deal healthier. 

In 1998, the breed became known to the Australian public by means of a lifestyle TV show, Burke’s Backyard, and the rest, as they say, was history. 

Today, the Australian bulldog, which bears a close resemblance to its European forebears, is adored by canine enthusiasts, delighted to have a unique canine breed of their own.

Size and Weight

On average, the male Australian Bulldog is between 18 and 20 inches tall. They usually weigh in the vicinity of 60 to 78 pounds. The female is slightly shorter, standing 17 to 18 inches, while weighing between 50 and 61 pounds.

Common Health Issues

Every potential owner should be aware of the most common health problems their Aussie dog may encounter.

• Cherry eye
• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Heart murmur
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy

Most bulldogs suffer from Brachycephalic syndrome. It’s a respiratory health issue that interferes with the dog’s breathing. Science attributes the condition to shorter, pushed-in faces.

Temperament

Separation anxiety is common with the breed. They’re also persistent and stubborn, which will make training a chore. You’ll have to take a firm hand with the dog, committing to a regular regimen of consistency and patience. Get started when these dogs are puppies.

How To Take Care of an Australian Bulldog

The Australian Bulldog needs companionship. It won’t matter how dog-friendly the environment is if you’re not around; they won’t be happy. From puppies through adulthood, if left alone for too long, your pooch will get stressed or bored. That can produce extended barking sessions or other bad behavior.

They might be more susceptible to you not being around if there’s another pet to keep them occupied. But even that won’t hold up for extended periods. If you’re a single owner, see what you can do to minimize the dog’s time alone.

The Best Dog Food

Unless otherwise specified by your vet, the Australian Bulldog doesn’t have any unique dietary needs. They’re fine with standard OTC dog foods. It’s better to lean toward high-quality foods, though. Categorized as a medium-sized crossbreed, so feed them accordingly.

An important thing to note is this breed’s proclivity for heart murmurs. Know that legumes in dog food have been linked to heart failure, and read your dog food ingredients carefully to avoid legumes like chickpeas, lentils, and peas.

You do want to keep in mind that these aren’t particularly active dogs. That makes them prone to diabetes and obesity if their metabolisms aren’t balancing weight and caloric intake. You have to make sure your pooch gets its daily exercise, and you avoid overfeeding.

Feed puppies three to five times a day. They naturally burn off calories as they’re likely to run around and play. Like humans, as they get older, their metabolisms will slow down, and the dog will burn calories more slowly.

The medium-sized adult dog can enjoy between two and 2 2/3 cups at their meals, which should be dispensed twice a day. Mature dogs get a little less than adults.

Maintenance and Grooming

Good grooming is critical to your dog’s appearance, health, and well-being. The coat can get matted and will make your pooch uncomfortable. Healthy coats shed less and minimize threats like ear infections and fleas.

The Aussie Bulldog has a fine, short coat with a smooth feel. He’s an average shedder, and this is manageable with a firm bristle brush. The coats are shades of brindles, pied colors, reds, and fawns. The tri-colored and black coats usually come with a BBD lineage, as they aren’t common.

Before bathing, clip the coat as needed. Always clear the anal sac as the area can irritate the dog if it isn’t clean. Bathe and rinse with shampoo and conditioner to get a thorough cleaning of the coat. Take time to trim the toenails and brush their teeth. If you’re not brushing, the dog’s breath will be bad. So, you need to pay attention. If their coats aren’t smooth, it’s time to brush and trim. It’s time to cut the nails if their feet click as they walk.

Determine how often you groom based on what you see. We do recommend professional grooming as often as you can afford it.

Training

As the Aussie bulldog loves people, training can be quite manageable. But it can still take some time and patience. Though intelligent, they take their time learning.

With patience and encouragement, keep them engaged, and it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Take note that this Aussie mix is stubborn, and negative reinforcement only gets you a dog that withdraws. The Aussie dog is famous for, upon not appreciating your approach to training, plopping down and refusing to participate.

Socialization

Expose your puppies to people, places, dogs, cats, and other animals. This bulldog leans more towards solitude. But it remains important that you get them used to strangers, family, playmates, and other animals that are a part of your lifestyle. Otherwise, you’ll find them turning into the grumpy dog their faces hint at.

Exercise

The Aussie Bulldog has no desire to hop, skip, and jump all the time. They’ll keep up with you. You may even convince the dog to engage in strenuous play as long as they enjoy your company. But these dogs are about chillin’.

Whether English Bulldog or English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a bulldog needs regular play and mental exercise. If they don’t get it, expect them to pick up destructive habits like chewing chair legs. If you have the time for exercise or daily walks, get yourself a dog walker and let them keep doggy calm and happy.

Puppies

Australian Bulldog puppies are adorable. A little pug miniature that captures the heart. The litter of an Aussie Bulldog will fall between four and nine puppies, with seven being the average. Puppies will be impressionable and ready to learn.

Bulldogs are fiercely independent and have a lot of energy. You want to get a handle on both sooner than later. Get the puppies early training and socialization. A little a day will be beneficial.

Children

You want to get an Australian Bulldog who’s comfortable being around you and others in the household.

Always monitor small children and puppies. Puppies may nip out of instinct. Young children may be a little aggressive. Show older children how to be a leader in the dog’s presence, even as they play.

Dogs Similar to the Australian Bulldog

If you have an interest in the Australian Bulldog, but you’re not sure they’re the best choice, here are other breeds similar to the Australian Bulldog you can take a look at.

• Boxer: Bright, alert, courageous, the Boxer’s a big dog, and you’ll need the space to accommodate it. They’re muscular and intimidating but incredibly loving.
• Australian Shepherd: Used in search and research missions, the Australian Shepherd is on the list of the smartest dogs in the world. They love exercise and work.
• Miniature English Bulldog: The miniature version of the bulldog is an excellent choice for smaller environments.