Bulldog

Canis lupus

Last updated: January 31, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – License / Original

Friendly, loving and docile!


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Bulldog Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Bulldog Conservation Status

Bulldog Locations

Bulldog Locations

Bulldog Facts

Temperament
Gentle, calm and affectionate
Training
Should be trained from an early age due to their stubborn nature
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
10
Common Name
Bulldog
Slogan
Friendly, loving and docile!
Group
Mastiff

Bulldog Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Fawn
  • Black
  • White
  • Tan
Skin Type
Hair

Bulldog as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
Moderate
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$1500 to $4000
Dog group
Non-sporting
Male weight
50-55 lbs
Female weight
39-50 lbs

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Commonly known as the English or British bulldog, the bulldog is a medium-sized and hefty dog with a muscular body. It has a wrinkled face and a nose that is ‘pushed-in’


They are known to be kind as well as courageous in nature. These dogs are also extremely friendly. It has also been said that this dog’s ‘sour mug’ face has now become the universal symbol of courage. Bulldogs are known to be loyal companions and are very docile. There are three types of bulldogs – the English Bulldog, the American Bulldog, and the French Bulldog.
The ‘British Bulldog spirit’ became a phrase of courage, especially after Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister. He was known to absolutely love these dogs.

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Bulldog infographic

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Bulldog

Owning any pet could mean that you will have to be ready for a lot of stuff to deal with. Every animal comes with its own set of pros and cons.

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Pros!Cons!
Excellent guard dogs
If you are looking to own a dog for security and guarding purposes, the English Bulldog would be a good choice as it is known to be an excellent guard dog due to its vigilant and alert nature and muscular built.
Slow maturity process
If you are looking for a dog that is both playful and responsible, this might not be the correct pick. These dogs have a very slow maturation process and do not become adults up about 30 months of age.
Great with children
These dogs are known to be excellent with children. They are friendly and are known to be loyal companions. They are known to make friends with children very easily.
Susceptible to heart problems
Bulldogs are very prone to heart problems which means that if you own these dogs, there will always be a chance that your dog would develop a heart problem and would require special care.
Good for laughs
These dogs are great for fun and laughter. They are usually clumsy and can often make you laugh with all the dramatic stuff they do around the house.
Troublesome energy
While them being energetic is often a great thing, sometimes, the bulldogs can get into a lot of trouble because of their energetic behavior. They can sometimes chew out of boredom so you might randomly find chewed shoes, socks, and towels around the house.

History and Origins

In the 13th century, during the rule of King John in England, Bulldogs were bred to participate in the cruel sport of bullbaiting. These ancestors of today’s Bulldogs were known for their immense strength and bravery, having huge jaws and seemingly unstoppable pain tolerance.

A significant change in the Bulldog’s history happened in 1835 when England prohibited animal blood sports. This led to pit-dog fighting taking place in concealed spaces, which necessitated more active dogs than the sluggish Bulldogs of the early 1800s. People who bet on these fights combined different types of terriers with Bulldogs to make their fierce four-legged warriors, which became the ancestors of today’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, and other bull-type terrier breeds.

Health and Entertainment for your Bulldog

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Bullbaiting becoming a thing of the past, the Bulldog was in danger of becoming extinct. To prevent this, lovers of the breed worked to make it more appealing by altering its physical features and its temperament, ensuring it became a gentle and loving pet that is especially fond of children. By 1886, their efforts had been successful enough for the American Kennel Club to recognize the Bulldog.

The Bulldog has a long history of being England’s national symbol, especially during World War II when they were likened to the determined Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In America, they are the mascot of many sports teams, most notably Yale University’s Handsome Dan, who is believed to be the first animal mascot in all sports. Uga is another famous Bulldog mascot and can be found cheering on the University of Georgia Bulldogs from a special air-conditioned doghouse. Additionally, the Bulldog is also the face of Mack Trucks and the U.S. Marine Corps.

English bulldog in flower field

English bulldogs have been bred since the 13th century.

©iStock.com/bgsmith

Size and Weight

Bulldogs are medium-sized, hefty dogs that have a muscular body. The height of both the female and the male dogs is 12-14 inches. Meanwhile, a female weighs about 39-50 lbs. while a male bulldog weighs about 50-55 lbs.

MaleFemale
Height12-14 inches Tall12-14 inches Tall
Weight50-55 lbs., fully grown39-50 lbs., fully grown
A bulldog shows off his clean, toothy smile.

Bulldogs weigh 39-55 pounds when fully grown.

©Little Moon/Shutterstock.com

A Bulldog’s Underbite

These dogs are quite famous for their underbites that have made their face quite famous. An underbite is related to a situation of the teeth when improper teeth alignment.

It usually causes the lower jaw to protrude further out than the upper one, causing a peculiar facial expression that is commonly seen in the English and French bulldog. This situation often causes the bulldog’s teeth in the lower row to be visible even when the dog’s mouth is shut.

An underbite can be an issue that is much more than just cosmetic. It can also cause chewing problems and can often cause food to fall from the dog’s mouth.

10 Incredible Bulldog Facts Cover image

Bulldogs are famous for their underbite, which makes them look quite handsome.

©Vera Reva/Shutterstock.com

Common Health Issues

Like any other animal, these dogs are also susceptible to several diseases, including several heart conditions, respiratory diseases, and hip dysplasia. The onset of hip dysplasia often comes from the abnormal development of the hip sockets in these dogs.

A condition that often impacts them is colloquially called “cherry eye.” It gets this name from the protrusion of the third eyelid, and it can cause vision issues with too much progression.

Other than that, bulldogs are also prone to heat-related problems. Their skin folds can also easily develop infections, so cleanliness is a must. Plus, there is always a threat for the bulldog to drown in any kind of water including that of a swimming pool.

Therefore, some of the common health risks that these dogs are prone to include:

  • Heart diseases
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Cherry eye
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Heat-related problems
  • Infections in their skin folds
English Bulldog in Poland

Bulldogs are prone to heart conditions.

©Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons – License

Temperament

The Bulldog is known to be very sweet and friendly. It is gentle and is known to be a great family dog. These dogs are especially great with the children in the family and are extremely people-oriented. They often attract a lot of human attention and are predictable as well as dependable.

Courage is a very prominent trait of their personality. These dogs are also known to be excellent watchdogs. Usually kind, these dogs can still become territorial and aggressive when they meet a new dog.

English bulldog puppy next to a basket of potatoes

Bulldogs have sweet and friendly temperaments.

©WilleeCole Photography/Shutterstock.com

How to Take Care of a Bulldog

To own a pet needs for you to know a lot of information on what to do and what to not do about them. You need to know how to take care of your pet – in this case – a bulldog.

The Best Dog Food

The amount of food that you give your dog should be monitored. You will have to observe and monitor your English Bulldog as each of them have special and individual needs.

The major ingredient in the diets of these dogs includes fish, lamb, and chicken. Extra attention should be paid to the fact that the dog should not be fed soy as some of them are allergic to it.

Sources suggest that there should be no fillers in their food and their meals should be full of healthy fats and should be reliable sources of carbohydrates. Avoid dog food containing legumes since Bulldogs are prone to heart disease and legumes may lead to heart failure in dogs. Rawhide bones should be avoided in your Bulldog’s meals. You can, however, feed your dog some biscuits as treats on occasion.

At A-Z Animals, we believe the best dog food option for Bulldogs is NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken Lamb & Salmon Flavor.

It doesn’t contain allergy-inducing soy or problematic legumes like peas and lentils that are found in many dog foods. Instead, the ingredients feature wholesome chicken, lamb, salmon, and brown rice. There’s vitamin A for your Bulldog’s eyes. Plus, the salmon in this recipe is perfect for providing natural omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA for immune system and cardiovascular support.

Check Chewy and Amazon for this product.

Maintenance and Grooming

The dogs require regular grooming. You will have to invest your time in your Bulldog’s maintenance and grooming about four times a week. Their short fur hair needs to be brushed, trimmed, and plucked weekly. Moreover, it is also necessary to regularly clean the folds in your dog’s skin and their wrinkled face to avoid any hidden infections. Bulldogs also need to have their ears cleaned regularly.

Training

The Bulldog is known to be a ‘not-so-easy’ dog breed to train. It is very stubborn and resisting in such a case. They usually do not care about what their owner wants them to do – thus making the training exceedingly difficult.

To start the training of your dog, however, you could start with basic commands and see if your dog follows them. Once the dog starts understanding simple commands, you can move on to the more complex commands. This could, however, take some time, given the stubborn resistance of these dogs towards training.

Bulldog sleeping on its back

Bulldogs are not the easiest to train. They tend to have their own agenda and are stubborn.

©WilleeCole Photography/Shutterstock.com

Exercise

The Bulldogs usually need about an hour of exercise daily. However, the amount also varies from dog to dog and is especially dependent on their size.

At first glance, these dogs might look lazy and lethargic. However, they can surprise you with their speed skills while exercising. Your bulldog would still most likely enjoy being lazy on your couch the most.

Puppies

Bulldog puppies are extremely cute with a wrinkled face. They are tiny and stocky and have a lot of extra skin. The puppies must be fed much more often than the adult ones. However, their nutrition and the amount of food that is given to them have to be properly monitored else the puppies can gain a lot of extra weight in no time.

Bulldog puppies also tend to heat up faster than the adult ones, which is why you should always keep cool and clean water around them for better reach for when they might need it.

Cute brown, black, and white English Bulldog puppies

Bulldogs need 1 hour of vigorous exercise daily.

©K Hanley CHDPhoto/Shutterstock.com

With Children

Bulldogs love children and are extra playful around them. They are known to be affectionate, kind, and loyal creatures and make great family dogs. These dogs are particularly known to be patient around children and are also said to have motherly instincts and are very protective of them.

Dogs Similar to Bulldogs

Some dogs that are very similar to these dogs are:

  • American Pitbull Terrier – Much like bulldogs, these dogs are also medium-sized, have short hair, and are sturdy and intelligent. They are also affectionate and cannot be considered dangerous.
  • American Staffordshire terrier – These dogs are also similar to the bulldogs in size and appearance with medium size and short hair. However, they are also different in the sense that they are usually aggressive and also often labeled dangerous.
  • Boston Terrier – Boston Terriers are known to be great family dogs – much like bulldogs. They are highly affectionate and friendly towards their owners and are known to be loyal pets.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Bulldog

English bulldogs love children and love to play.

©Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com

Famous Bulldogs

There are several famous bulldogs in the history of the world. Some of them include – Tillman, who was a skateboarding English bulldog and holds a Guinness World Record, Uga, who is the official mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs University and the old boy – who was the loving famous bulldog of Republican President William G. Several famous personalities too have these dogs as pets. Some of them include Ozzy Osbourne, Adam Sandler, Joe Jonas, Brad Pit, Olivia Wilde, and Willow Smith. Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill also loved bulldogs. The term “British Bulldog spirit” symbolized courage especially gained momentum after Churchill came to power.

As you can see, bulldogs of all types are very photogenic!

©iStock.com/Firn

Some of the most popular names for these dogs are:

  • Caesar
  • Chomper
  • Axel
  • Brutus
  • Diesel

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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

Bulldog FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much does a bulldog cost to own?

Bulldogs are expensive, both to own and to take care of. They can cost anywhere between $1500 to $4000.

Is the bulldog good with kids?

Yes, bulldogs are exceptionally good with children. They are very affectionate and protective of children and have motherly instincts.

How long does a bulldog live?

On average, bulldogs live for about 8 to 10 years.

Do bulldogs make good pets?

Yes, bulldogs make excellent family pets and are very kind, loving, and friendly towards their owners – especially children.

How big do bulldogs get?

Female and male bulldogs both are usually just 12 to 14 inches.

Is bulldog dangerous?

Bulldogs are rarely dangerous and are hardly ever aggressive. They are very loving, kind, and friendly.

Are Bulldogs easy to train?

No, bulldogs are difficult to train and can be very stubborn and resistant to the idea of training.

How many types of bulldogs are there?

There are three types of bulldogs – the English bulldog, the American bulldog, and the French bulldog.

Are Bulldogs herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Bulldogs are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Bulldogs belong to?

Bulldogs belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Bulldogs belong to?

Bulldogs belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to Bulldogs belong to?

Bulldogs belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Bulldogs belong to?

Bulldogs belong to the family Canidae.

What order do Bulldogs belong to?

Bulldogs belong to the order Carnivora.

What genus do Bulldogs belong to?

Bulldogs belong to the genus Canis.

What type of covering do Bulldogs have?

Bulldogs are covered in Hair.

How many babies do Bulldogs have?

The average number of babies a Bulldog has is 10.

What is an interesting fact about Bulldogs?

Bulldogs are friendly, loving, and docile!

What is the scientific name for the Bulldog?

The scientific name for the Bulldog is Canis lupus.

What's the difference between English bulldogs and French bulldogs?

There are many differences between a French bulldog and an English bulldog. English bulldogs are larger than French bulldogs, and French bulldogs have a longer life expectancy.

What's the difference between an American bully vs American bulldog?

There are many differences between an American bully and American bulldog. American bullies have fewer wrinkles than American bulldogs, and there are some size and weight differences between these breeds.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  5. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bulldog/
  7. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulldog
  8. Cesar's Way, Available here: https://www.cesarsway.com/have-we-overbred-bulldogs/
  9. Bulldogs World, Available here: https://www.bulldogsworld.com/care/groomingsheddingbathing-and-basic-care
  10. Borrow My Doggie, Available here: https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/doggypedia/guide-to-dog-breeds/bulldog-information-guide
  11. Any Bulldog, Available here: https://anybulldog.com/are-english-bulldogs-good-with-kids/

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