The Top 5 Reasons Bulldogs Are the Perfect Family Dog

Have you decided to welcome a new dog into your home? With so many different breeds, it can be a confusing and overwhelming time for some. However, certain dogs are more well-suited to family life than others. One such breed is the bulldog, which has a variety of different qualities that make them highly desirable for families. Let’s dive into five reasons why bulldogs make the perfect family dog!

1. Bulldogs Get Along Well with Children

First and foremost, bulldogs are wonderful with children. They typically have docile, relaxed personalities and a high tolerance for children’s shenanigans. Despite their intimidating appearance, they’re gentle giants. Bulldogs do best in homes with older children, as they may accidentally hurt smaller kids by knocking them over. In addition, children should be kept away from food-possessive bulldogs during mealtime.

However, it’s important to acknowledge this breed’s history with bull baiting. Although this antiquated process has long been outlawed, owners may have concerns about the bulldog’s temperament. According to Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue, “The original bulldog had to be courageous, very ferocious and savage. It also had to be almost insensitive to pain. Many of the features in the current bulldog standard are derived from the physical requirements needed by these dogs.” Despite this, owners today have little to worry about when it comes to the ferocity of bulldogs. As long as they are properly socialized and grow up in loving households, they almost always have sweet and relaxed personalities.

2. Bulldogs Are Perfect Watch Dogs

As we stated above, bulldogs have a very tough-looking outward appearance. Some people might think that they’d make excellent guard dogs, and they’d be right! Bulldogs are fiercely loyal to their immediate families. They bark at the first sign of danger, which helps alert family members to potential threats. In addition, they have a deep-rooted protective nature. It’s no secret that this breed would go to the ends of the Earth if it meant keeping their humans safe!

3. They’re Low Maintenance to Groom

While some breeds have long and luscious coats, the bulldog’s mane is very short and easy to manage. Owners should brush their dog’s coat about once a week to cut down on shedding, whereas bathing only needs to happen about once per month. During this time, owners should also clip their nails, clean their ears, and clip away any excess fur that grows between their paw pads. Despite having a relatively easy grooming routine, bulldogs require extra skin care. Owners should take extra care to properly clean their many skin folds daily. If you decide to bring your bulldog to a professional groomer, make an appointment for about every three to four weeks.

4. Most Bulldogs Have a Relaxed, Easy-Going Personality

Let’s face it, bulldogs are total mushballs. This breed thrives on one-on-one attention, and they typically love nothing more than spending quality time with their families. Unlike other breeds, bulldogs aren’t overly excitable, moody, or combative. They’re very patient and loving, and if they do feel agitated or stressed, their first reaction is to walk away instead of showing aggression. They’re well-behaved and take instruction well if trained from a young age. However, it’s important to mention that there are exceptions to these generalizations. As always, individual personality will differ slightly from bulldog to bulldog.

5. Bulldogs Have Low Exercise Needs

Compared to other dog breeds, the bulldog has relatively low exercise needs. They only need about 20 to 30 minutes of physical activity per day. This can be met by taking walks, playing, or running around the backyard. Because of this, they’re an excellent choice for families that are on the busier side. Other similar breeds can require 50 minutes to one hour of exercise per day, which makes the bulldog low maintenance in comparison. Individuals who work a lot or love to lounge on the couch will find that the bulldog fits their lifestyle perfectly.

Because bulldogs have such a variety of great personality traits, they have the ability to adapt well to a number of different home environments. Overall, this breed is one of the best suited for family life. As long as owners are up for a little bit of messy eating, snoring, and slobbery kisses, they’ll be rewarded with many years of devotion and love!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Vera Reva/Shutterstock.com