Bulldog

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Bulldog

Bulldog Characteristics

Size:
Grooming Needs:
Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Bulldog Breed Information

Breed Group: Non-Sporting

Weight: Male: 50; Female: 40 lbs

Height: 12-15 inches

Color(s): brindle, solid white, red, or fawn, or any of these on a white background

Overview

Descended from the Asiatic mastiff, the Bulldog was developed in Great Britain. Their primary function was that of a participant in the blood sport of bull baiting. They were also used against bears, other vicious carnivores, and lions. During the 19th century purebred Bulldogs were very rare due to the enactment of the anti-baiting laws. Today the Bulldog is a family companion and show dog.

Character

The Bulldog is moderate in size, heavy, and built low to the ground. They are strong, kind, amiable, and courageous. This breed is not vicious or aggressive and is quite dignified. They possess a passive demeanor and have a quirky sense of humor.

Temperament

This breed is loyal, exceedingly affectionate, and deeply devoted to their family. The Bulldog is dependable, gentle, and does well in a home with children. They will get along with other pets they have been raised with but may be rude and try to bully strange dogs. They thrive on human attention and are dependent upon it for their happiness and well-being. The Bulldog has excellent guarding abilities but will only bark when absolutely necessary. This breed is very possessive of food and should never be fed in the presence of children or pets.

Care

The Bulldog needs occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush. Bathing or dry shampooing should only be done when necessary. This breed has a tendency to slobber and drool so daily cleaning of the face is a must. They are prone to such health issues as breathing problems, low tolerance to anesthesia, poor eyesight, skin infections, and hip and knee problems. Nearly all Bulldogs must be born by Caesarean section due to their large heads. They are adverse to weather extremes and are highly susceptible to heat stroke. This breed is also well known for their active gastrointestinal system.

Coat

The coat of the Bulldog is close, straight, short, glossy, and smooth. It is of fine texture and there is no feathering, fringe, or curl. The color of the coat comes in red brindle, solid white, solid red, fawn, or fallow, piebald, and various colors of brindle. This breed is an average shedder.

Training

Early socialization and obedience are a must for the Bulldog. They have a tendency to be hardheaded and stubborn. It is important that they be taught to know their owner is dominant. They do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with firmness, fairness, patience, consistency, praise, and reward.

Activity

The Bulldog must have daily exercise to stay fit. A securely leashed walk will suffice. They also benefit from and enjoy short family play sessions. This breed is well suited for apartment, condominium, and city dwelling. Bulldogs are very inactive indoors and do not need a yard.

Ask a Question Bulldog Questions & Answers

QUESTION: How do I know that my Bulldog is ready for mating and at what age is it appropriate to introduce it to male partner?

Anonymous - 1/17/2012 4:07:55 AM

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QUESTION: i just got what they told me to be an english / american bulldog mix. but he has one blue eye. is that common or does he have more mix in him?

Anonymous - 12/13/2011 9:10:05 PM

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QUESTION: Show me a Picture of a Victorian Bulldog, and how large will they get.

Anonymous - 11/27/2011 6:30:37 PM

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QUESTION: I want to get a bulldog because one of my dogs died and i think that the other one is lonely, but i live in Connecticut and we have cold winters and hot summers. Is that an okay climate for a bulldog? Also I have a Cocker Spaniel and i want to know if a bulldog would get along well with her.

Anonymous - 11/7/2011 10:45:31 PM

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As long as your Cocker is friendly toward other dogs you should be just fine :) I breed Australian Bulldogs which are like English but have slightly longer necks and legs which helps them to breathe bette and be a bit more active. They would do just fine in Connecticut. With any dog on the warmest and coldest days keep them inside :) Mine play outside during the day but are inside with the fam in the early morning and evening/night.

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:10:12 PM

QUESTION: what is the difference of a mini and a regular sized bulldog?

Anonymous - 10/24/2011 10:03:27 PM

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QUESTION: how long do bulldogs live?

Anonymous - 9/7/2011 4:30:26 PM

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Bulldogs can live about 10 years.. sometimes a year or 2 more and sometimes less. I love them too and they are gone too quick.

wildacrefarms - 10/17/2011 11:57:10 PM

QUESTION: Looking for recommendations for dog food for my 13 week old male english bulldog. Does anyone have anything?

Anonymous - 8/13/2011 4:40:53 PM

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We have had GREAT success with our Australian Bulldogs on Taste of the Wild Salmon formula!! It is the best I've found by far! Grain free too!!

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:11:16 PM

All natural food. First 2 or 3 ingredients should be meat, no corn, don't fall the BIG names they are not always the best. Read the label.

wildacrefarms - 10/18/2011 12:04:27 AM

QUESTION: I have had my bulldog for a month now. Does anyone have good food suggestions, and about how much. He will be 13 weeks next week. I want to make sure he is fed while a growing puppy but not overfed. Sometimes it seems that he is often hungry. He started on Royal Canin, I started mixing Blue puppy mix together with the Royal Canin. I have good things about both brands, any suggestions would be very helpful! Thank you!

Anonymous - 8/13/2011 3:48:23 PM

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We do Taste of The Wild Salmon Formula for our Australian Bulldog puppies and adult dogs. It is WONDERFUL!!! It is an all stages high quality food so it will work for puppies and adults and the nice part is you don't ever have to change food again :) It is also grainfree and I have found that the salmon or fish formulas are just better in general because fish is a simplier protein for them to digest and it really does great things for their coats!! at 13 weeks we are feeding about 2.5 / 3 cups a day. Follow the instructions on the bag to determine how much to give, it is usually based on the puppy's weight and as they grow it changes so keep checking!! :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:15:25 PM

QUESTION: how old do bulldogs live

Anonymous - 8/3/2011 7:49:18 PM

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Typically bulldogs live an average of 10 years sometimes a little more or a little less

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:16:07 PM

QUESTION: Is a bulldog a first time pet? I have had other dogs before. If I live in arizona how long can they stay out side ?

Anonymous - 8/1/2011 1:45:14 AM

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You may want to look into Australian Bulldogs. They are like English but they have longer necks (better breathing), longer legs (better movement), longer noses (better breathing and less cleaning maintenance on the facial wrinkles), and crank and long tails (no tail infections like English and no need to wipe their fanny's after a BM) You would still want to keep them inside during the really hot part of the year but they would do much better :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:21:51 PM

The short answer is no. You have to really love bulldogs. They are prone to many health problems, they have a short life span, they fart and snore all the time. i dont know any bulldog owners who have not spent thousands in vet bills. finally, Arizona is just to hot for this breed, they cannot handle extremes in temperature so they would have to be kept inside most of the time. For a first time pet owner i would stay away from bulldog type breeds and working breeds.

Anonymous - 8/5/2011 7:40:27 AM

QUESTION: i have a 1 yr old english bulldog she had one period already im waiting on her second to breed her is that a good time or should i wait till the 3 period ?

Anonymous - 7/18/2011 7:17:44 PM

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QUESTION: What is the average lifespan of a Bulldog? How long has your Bulldog lived?

Anonymous - 7/18/2011 10:06:06 AM

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8-10 years

Anonymous - 8/24/2011 2:40:46 PM

Bulldog's live on average 8 years. Mine is 3 and is healthy.

Anonymous - 7/18/2011 4:01:27 PM

QUESTION: Can two bulldogs with brindle coats have a puppy without brindle?

Anonymous - 7/8/2011 11:45:17 AM

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Yes they can!! I just had a litter where my female was a tiger brindle and the father was a blue brindle pied and out of 6 puppies we had 3 tiger brindles, 1 black brindle, one red (no Brindle), and one liver nosed fawn and white (no brindle). I also DNA tested the fawn and white and not only does he not have brindle....he doesn't even carry the brindle gene!

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:19:11 PM

Yes they sure can!

Anonymous - 7/18/2011 4:01:50 PM

QUESTION: just got an english bulldog puppy. Hellp hes a bitter

Anonymous - 7/7/2011 3:22:11 PM

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First off don't smack your english bulldog, thats just wrong and it will have very negative effects later! The best thing to do is to #1 get him in a reward based puppy class! Next...work with him. You can hand feed him his meals that way you are not a chew toy but you transform into a provider of food :) Also, as my dogs are puppies I constanlty and putting y fingers and hands in their mouths and letting them play bite on me...if they bite too hard I let out a little high pitched yelp just like another puppy would to warn then that's too hard. They will learn by your whelps what is and is not okay and this will really help with bite inhabition!!

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:25:28 PM

Smack your bulldogs mouth and tell him no! My dog used to do that! And know she doesnt

Anonymous - 10/5/2011 7:26:42 PM

He's a puppy. He is gonna teeth. But when your Bulldog bites don't face him or pay attention. Turn around and ignore him until he calms down. Then repeat the process. It helps.

Anonymous - 7/18/2011 4:03:16 PM

QUESTION: How much do Bulldog puppies typically cost???

Anonymous - 7/1/2011 2:11:24 PM

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It all depends on WHERE you want to purchase him from. Some people sell them really cheap and some really expensive.

Anonymous - 12/21/2011 8:57:17 PM

Our Australian Bulldog Puppies are $1500 or $1800 depending on the puppy. Shipping to anywhere in the USA is an additional $350 which includes a vert health cert., a kennel, and the airline ticket

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:26:43 PM

My bulldog was 3000 dollars i got her from my friend

Anonymous - 10/5/2011 7:27:34 PM

You can find bulldogs as cheap as $1000 and up to $2500 or $3000.

mobullybabies - 7/4/2011 1:13:58 PM

QUESTION: are bulldogs lazy like all the time

Anonymous - 6/27/2011 12:40:23 PM

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Definatly NOT! Our bulldogs can outrun our mastiff's. They love to play, always chasing balls and rough housing with the other dogs. After a good spurt of energy they will go take a nice long nap though.

mobullybabies - 7/4/2011 1:15:24 PM

Majority of the time, bulldogs are lazy. LOL. But it just depends on how spoiled the dog is and how much you play with it.

Anonymous - 6/28/2011 11:02:54 AM

QUESTION: Do bulldogs swim?

Anonymous - 6/27/2011 8:55:06 AM

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Had my bulldog for 5+ years and she loved to go to the beach for a swim. I would keep her on a line just in case but she could swim better than my brother-in-laws labrador.

Anonymous - 8/17/2011 3:46:36 PM

Bulldogs can't swim but many of them LOVE the water. A kiddie pool works great for letting them get some water time without worrying about them. They also have doggy life jackets but be careful with those - bulldogs have such an odd shape to them that they can easily slide out of a lifejacket.

mobullybabies - 7/4/2011 1:17:09 PM

NO! Had my bulldog for nine years, read all that I could about the breed and they do not make good swimmers. They actually swim like a rock.

Anonymous - 6/27/2011 12:55:50 PM

QUESTION: Do Bulldogs shed a lot?

Anonymous - 6/27/2011 8:43:23 AM

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yes

Anonymous - 7/2/2011 11:40:18 AM

Yes bulldogs shed and since their hair is so fine, it sticks to cushions and rugs and is hard to get up with a vacuum cleaner depending on the kind of rug.

Anonymous - 6/28/2011 10:58:59 AM

QUESTION: does anyone have problems with ear problems with bulldogs?

Anonymous - 6/23/2011 10:55:49 PM

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Try taste of the wild salmon formula. It could just be a food allergy. If the inner ear is not infected and it is just the skin of the outter ear I would bet it's a food allergy. Sometimes the food allergy can also make it look like they have "dirty " ears inside but on the right food the "dirtyness" goes away :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:28:56 PM

bulldogs are notorious for having ear/skin issues. Sometimes a grain free diet will help, but I would talk to your vet about an ear solution, as he/she may have an infection & need treatment.

halochis - 6/30/2011 2:21:44 PM

QUESTION: Thinking of buying a Bulldog puppy. I take long walks 2-3 miles, would this be ok for a Bulldog?

Anonymous - 6/16/2011 8:04:23 PM

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You may want to look into Australian Bulldogs. They are like English but they have longer necks (better breathing), longer legs (better movement), longer noses (better breathing and less cleaning maintenance on the facial wrinkles), and crank and long tails (no tail infections like English and no need to wipe their fanny's after a BM) You would still want to keep them inside during the really hot part of the year but they would do much better :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 1:32:26 PM

I strongly suggest that you don't. Bulldogs have flat snouts, which can make it hard for them to breathe. I tried taking my bully for a walk and I was scared he would collapse after walking for ten minutes. Try walking with him and determine how long he can keep up with you by his breathing! :)

Anonymous - 7/5/2011 4:31:41 PM

Even thou well bred Bulldogs can be athletic and some may certainly can go on brisk walks, I would not recommend walking your Bulldog 2-3 miles a day. Their body types inclucing respiatory and skeletal systems are not put together like a sporting breed therefore are limited to extreme activity. If you like the look of teh Bulldog breed you may want to consider other Bullie breeds that are listed on this site. If your heart is set on the Bulldog you may want to compromise and shorten your walks and pay close attention to the temperature as most Bulldogs do not do well in heat. Good luck.

sillyfab - 6/19/2011 10:16:30 AM

QUESTION: can bull dog live in myanmar

Anonymous - 6/15/2011 4:06:39 AM

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Yes. Just make sure the bulldog doesn't get over heated and make sure it drinks a lot of water.

Anonymous - 6/28/2011 11:01:46 AM

QUESTION: could we introduce a british bulldog puppy into the family if we already have a yorkshire terrier, would our small dog be ok?

Anonymous - 5/12/2011 2:29:29 PM

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It should be ok if your yorkshire terrier is good with other dogs.

Anonymous - 5/17/2011 12:45:48 PM

QUESTION: Can Bulldogs live in Texas? some times it gets really hot an at my house theirs not a lot of shade..unless i go inside i dont want to kill it in the heat or any thing :(

Anonymous - 5/5/2011 9:43:11 PM

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You may want to look into Australian Bulldogs. They are like English but they have longer necks (better breathing), longer legs (better movement), longer noses (better breathing and less cleaning maintenance on the facial wrinkles), and crank and long tails (no tail infections like English and no need to wipe their fanny's after a BM) You would still want to keep them inside during the really hot part of the year but they would do much better :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 1:32:42 PM

No if it is really hot in your house alone then its to much heat for a bulldog . My dog can only go outside for 15 minutes at a time when its hot . try to keep your house cold in the summer if you are wanting a bulldog pup .

Anonymous - 5/17/2011 12:44:41 PM

QUESTION: My question is that i have this Olde English bulldog that is peeing blood, is this normal when you first get them?

Anonymous - 5/3/2011 2:06:13 PM

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No, that is not normal.... a little bit of blood, or is it passing straight blood? CALL YOUR VET.

Anonymous - 5/3/2011 6:38:30 PM

QUESTION: My bulldogs name is Howie, and is 7 years old. I have a chihuahua who is 11 months. My chi is always licking his face. Y to the U to the C to the K! YUCK! What do I do to stop it!?

Anonymous - 4/24/2011 8:04:03 PM

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When dogs lick another dogs mouth area, it is a communication of pack affiliation. It means that one dog accepts the other as a member of the pack.

Anonymous - 8/22/2011 2:18:17 PM

Y do you want to? he or she is just showing affection, what's wrong with that? Unless it bothers your other dog ignore it, and if it did, than the other dog would move away, or stop the chihuahua his/herself. If it bothers you, then don't watch.

Anonymous - 5/29/2011 12:48:19 PM

QUESTION: Where do bulldogs come from?

Anonymous - 3/31/2011 6:45:16 PM

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Ours came from Australia :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 1:33:08 PM

Well it depends what type of bulldog.

Anonymous - 5/3/2011 11:06:33 AM

QUESTION: I adopted a white, spotted, pink skinned bulldog. Is he a pure bred?

Anonymous - 3/31/2011 5:03:05 PM

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i have a 1 yr old bulldog and she is white and brown her skin is very pale even her eyelids she has no black what so ever around her eyes so they look red all the time , i also have her sister who is so different so yes he or she can be full bread

Anonymous - 7/18/2011 7:11:30 PM

He could be. I would need to see a picture of your Bulldog to be sure though.

Anonymous - 7/18/2011 4:03:57 PM

QUESTION: There is a female puppie English Bulldog that I really want , but she has black nails on one whole foot . Is there something wrong with black nails on EB ?

Anonymous - 3/23/2011 1:47:49 PM

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This is normal. Some english bulldog's have black nails on all toes or just one or two. It is probably in relation to her color.

firemanns_wife - 3/28/2011 7:30:17 AM

I dont think that there is anything too worry about but if you get this english bulldog, when you take it to the vet, I would ask about it just to be safe!

Anonymous - 3/26/2011 1:36:44 PM

QUESTION: Which other breed of dogs are good with English bulldogs? I'm looking to get him a brother .. He is 15 months...

Anonymous - 3/14/2011 1:53:17 PM

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Australian Bulldog :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 12:31:21 PM

my bulldog is 8 mo old - lives with a pit bull/lab mix he also has cats and a small dog. she is 13 he bugs her a lot and kicks her like a foot ball but she stands up to him i do not recommend small breeds because of how rough they play

Anonymous - 7/19/2011 4:43:13 PM

I have my bulldog in the house with a bullmastiff. I had the bullmastiff first and then got the bulldog. They have had a few small fights but nothing major.The bullmastiff is the pack leader but neither one of them are really aggressive. Two couch potatos

Anonymous - 3/21/2011 7:37:13 PM

shitz tzu

Anonymous - 3/20/2011 8:03:57 PM

QUESTION: Is Georgia a good state to raise an English Bulldog?

Anonymous - 3/13/2011 8:21:38 PM

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You may want to look into Australian Bulldogs. They are like English but they have longer necks (better breathing), longer legs (better movement), longer noses (better breathing and less cleaning maintenance on the facial wrinkles), and crank and long tails (no tail infections like English and no need to wipe their fanny's after a BM) You would still want to keep them inside during the really hot part of the year but they would do much better :)

wvaustralianbulldogs - 11/17/2011 1:33:25 PM

I live in kentucky and we have hot summers here also. Bulldogs can not take heat for any length of time. Mine do fine for 5 minutes or so. Any longer then that and they are at risk of heat stroke. O'm talking in 80 degree plus heat. I would keep it in the house expcept for the time it goes outside to use the bathroom. Dont leave it out in the heat or it will die. I have seen this happen to a neighbor of mine. He bought a bulldog and left it outside for a couple hours on a really hot day. It had a heat stroke and died the next day.

Anonymous - 3/21/2011 7:35:55 PM

If you are looking for Bulldog puppies for sale from reputable Bulldog breeders or to adopt a Bulldog from a Bulldog rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Bulldog puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Bulldog puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.