Discover the Bulldog, a breed celebrated for its friendly, loyal, and protective nature. Recognized as a medium dog, Bulldogs have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for originally bred for bull-baiting starting in the 13th century.
In this post, we share insights from nearly 10,000 Sniffspot users, offering practical advice for new and prospective Bulldog owners. Whether you’re considering adopting or rescuing a Bulldog or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with a friendly Bulldog.
As Sniffspot user PB says, "They are very playful when they can be, but so chill when in a chill environment. They adapt well to their surroundings. Very loyal and cuddly."
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024
Bulldog Quick Characteristics
- Breed Type: Companion
- Size: Medium
- Life Expectancy: 8 - 12
- Healthy Weight Range: 40 - 50
- Height Range: 14 - 15
- Temperament: Friendly, Loyal, Protective
- Coat Type: Short
- Color: Brindle, fawn, white, and other combinations
About the Bulldog
According to nearly 10,000 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their Bulldog, we learned that these dogs are friendly and loyal. The Bulldog is also known to be very friendly and social with children and very friendly with other pets.
When living with an English Bulldog, 61% of our owners indicated that a large house with a fenced yard is ideal. Additionally, 31% of owners found that a climate-controlled environment due to breed sensitivity is also acceptable. This dog is moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer and owners say that the Bulldog learns best with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and behavior correction techniques.
In terms of exercise, 34% of Sniffspot owners say their Bulldog benefits from moderate exercise every day, including between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. The Sniffspot English Bulldog community would not recommend this dog for first-time owners due to its unique health needs.
History and Origin of Bulldog
The Bulldog, originally known as the English Bulldog, has a history that dates back to the 13th century in England. Initially bred for bull-baiting, a cruel sport involving attacking a tethered bull, these dogs were prized for their tenacity and strength. The breed’s physical characteristics, such as its muscular build and pushed-in face, were developed to aid in this dangerous sport.
When bull-baiting was banned in 1835, the Bulldog's role shifted from a fighting dog to a companion animal. Breeders focused on tempering the breed’s aggressive traits, resulting in the more gentle and affectionate Bulldog we know today. The breed became a symbol of British courage and determination and has since become a beloved family pet worldwide, known for its distinctive wrinkled face and loyal nature.
Bulldog Traits and Characteristics
- Temperament: Friendly, Loyal, Protective
- Energy Level: Moderate
- Trainability: Moderately trainable - Learns commands with consistent training and practice.
- Grooming needs: Low maintenance - Requires minimal grooming, such as occasional brushing and baths.
- Good with Kids: Very friendly and social with children
- Good with Other Pets: Very friendly with other pets
What to Expect as a Bulldog Dog Owner
As a Bulldog owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips and what to expect from current Bulldog owners.
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024
Grooming Needs
Bulldogs require low maintenance but regular grooming. This means Bulldog owners should expect minimal grooming, like occasional brushing and baths. Bulldogs have a short coat, which is ideal for protection from the elements. Their short coat is considered moderate shed.
To keep your Bulldog's coat healthy and up to breed standards, include brushing in their daily routine and clean their wrinkles regularly to prevent skin infections. Of the coat types for common breeds in the companion group, the grooming needs for Bulldogs are relatively low maintenance.
Exercise Needs
Bulldogs require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, English Bulldogs are considered a very athletic, high-energy breed.
English Bulldogs make great pets and thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of English Bulldogs report their dogs especially love tug-of-war, playing with squeaky toys, and chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee.
When medium breeds like English Bulldogs don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out with undesirable behaviors like stubbornness and reactivity. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular moderate exercise to avoid excess energy.
Diet and Nutrition
What should you feed your Bulldog to keep them healthy? As a moderate energy breed, what you feed them is important. A reported 56% of our community feed their English Bulldog commercial dry kibble.
With moderate exercise, English Bulldogs should eat 1.5 to 2 of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight around 40 - 50. However, your Bulldog's ideal weight and food depend on your pet's sex, activity level, and age.
Bulldog Health Concerns
The Bulldog breed is most prone to skin conditions (e.g., allergies, dermatitis) and joint problems (e.g., hip dysplasia, arthritis). A reported 59% of our Bulldog owners reported skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. English Bulldog's risk for these challenges increases as they age.
Similarly, 39% reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Lastly, 32% of Bulldog owners claim their dog struggles with digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite — a common English Bulldog health concern. If you're worried about any of these health issues above, talk to your English Bulldog's vet.
How Friendly Are Bulldogs?
Another important thing to consider when adopting an English Bulldog is whether or not they fit with your current family. How friendly are Bulldogs compared to other medium-sized breeds?
Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024
With moderate training, you can hone your English Bulldog's companion instinct into a friendly and loyal family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like stubbornness and reactivity. Our community Bulldog owners comment on their pet's friendliness:
- They are not good listeners. They're bossy and chew on everything. Clingy. Maintaining their health is expensive. (Christina)
- Heart problems, breathing problems, and can easily have heat stroke so these are indoor dogs. (Elizabeth D)
- She has a ton of health problems and is verrrrry expensive. (Laura)
How to Train Your Bulldog
Whether you're adopting an English Bulldog puppy or an adult Bulldog, training is a significant part of owning a medium-sized breed. Without proper training, your English Bulldog is more likely to display undesirable behaviors such as stubbornness and reactivity. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your English Bulldog.
As a companion breed, Bulldogs benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our English Bulldog community recommended based on their experience with their own dogs:
- Positive Reinforcement (85%): This includes treats, praise, rewards, and so on for positive behavior
- Consistent Routines (42%): A consistent training routine allows your pet to get comfortable with expectations
- Behavior Correction Techniques (34%): Behavior correction techniques include time outs, desensitization, counter-conditioning, and more
As dogs bred for bull-baiting, English Bulldogs are considered moderately trainable, often benefiting from a professional trainer.
Sébastien L. on Unsplash
What Do Owners Love About Bulldogs?
We asked Sniffspot English Bulldog owners what they love the most about their Bulldog pups, and here's what they had to say:
- They have the biggest personality of any breed I've ever met. They're goofy and fun and sassy, basically people in a dog's body. Bulldogs just want to be included in whatever their people are doing. Going sailing? Get a doggie life jacket. Hiking? Bring extra water. Watching a movie? Best snuggle buddies around. (HK)
- So much personality. Very entertaining, loyal, and snuggly. (Christina)
- They’re snuggly and sweet. They’re easy to bring places or travel with due to size. (Kylie)
What Are the Biggest Challenges for Bulldog Owners?
Similarly, English Bulldog owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with their Bulldogs:
- We adopted our Bulldog and don’t know her history, but she is hypervigilant, guarded, aggressive, and is anxious. (BMS)
- Compared to other breeds, this dog is not very smart. (Jessica)
- The stereotypes people have about bulldogs being lazy couch potatoes. People are so used to seeing obese, untrained, and badly bred bulldogs that they don't believe my dog is actually healthy, they assume he's underweight or can't possibly be a purebred bulldog. People tend to get bulldogs because they want a lazy dog, they overfeed it and do nothing with it and create lazy bulldogs. And the surge in exotic bulldogs perpetuates the stereotype that bulldogs all have health problems. An ethically well-bred bulldog won't have the laundry list of issues people assume bulldogs have now. (HK)
Is a Bulldog Right for a First-Time Dog Owner?
Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey
According to 53% of our Sniffspot community, Bulldogs are not a great first-time dog. This comes from their complex medical needs. Bulldog owners say it best:
- Their health restrictions can be difficult to navigate. You have to be very conscious of temperatures, foods, and potential allergens with the breed. They can also be very stubborn as well! (Kylie C)
- These dogs have a lot of health issues, including allergies, ear infections, skin issues, breathing problems, and hip issues. (Vanessa)
- Due to being a brachycephalic breed, overheating is a possibility. Heat plays a major role in when we can do things. (Amanda)
Advice for Bulldog Owners
Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy English Bulldog owners. These Bulldog breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:
Be mindful of their stubbornness!
- Be patient with training! Bulldogs can be stubborn, but ultimately they want to please their human and they are willing to do the work. (Jamie)
- Prepare for health issues down the line. (Emily)
Prepare for health issues down the line.
- Make sure to go to checkups regularly. Research your breed and get educated— and that can also go for any breed. People do not understand that bullies have many health issues not only is it a costly breed but also health issues are costly depending on your dog. (Gracie Mae)
- Be ready for the medical bills. They are so loving and cute, but they sometimes have such a hard time breathing. Finding a good food that helps with their sensitive bellies. A food that helps with their skin allergies. Tail pocket and wrinkle infections. You will be spending a lot of time cleaning them! And you need to make sure you have air conditioning. These poor guys don't do heat. (Kl)
Have a safe, temperature-controlled environment for them.
- Do your research and make sure you can support taking care of vet bills because they will happen more often than other breeds. Also make sure you can provide them with the proper living accommodations with temperature control, mental stimulation activities, and attention. Frenchies love their owners and would not do well living somewhere if their owners were not home all day. (Kylie C.)
- Be ready for the medical bills. They are so loving and cute, but they sometimes have such a hard time breathing. Finding a good food that helps with their sensitive bellies. A food that helps with their skin allergies. Tail pocket and wrinkle infections. You will be spending a lot of time cleaning them! And you need to make sure you have air conditioning. These poor guys don't do heat. (Kl)
Maintain their coat and skin folds.
- They require a lot of maintenance with their face folds and ears. Ensure that this maintenance is kept up. (Vanessa)
- Make sure you have extra money for monthly medications, ear infections, and skin allergies. These dogs cannot handle heat well at all and need to be kept inside during the summer most of the time. She can't go for long walks as she has trouble breathing. Be prepared for a velcro dog that always wants to be on your lap. Ours loves being pampered and does well with being brushed, groomed, nails trimmed, etc. Make sure you have a dog stroller so you can take your dog on longer walks. Ours is the absolute sweetest and most easygoing dog. A lot of time is spent cleaning out her wrinkles and tail pocket, etc. (Laura)
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bulldog
What is the average lifespan of a Bulldog?
The average lifespan of a Bulldog is typically between 8 - 12 years.
What is the size of a Bulldog?
An adult Bulldog weighs between 40 - 50 pounds and stands between 14 - 15 inches tall.
How much grooming does a Bulldog need?
Bulldogs require low-maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Bulldogs have a short coat, which is well-suited for protection from the elements. They are considered moderate shedders.
To maintain your Bulldog's coat, it's important to clean their wrinkles regularly to prevent skin infections. Among companion breeds, Bulldog grooming is categorized as relatively easy.
How much exercise do Bulldogs need?
Bulldogs require moderate activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, English Bulldogs are classified as a moderately athletic, somewhat high-energy breed.
English Bulldogs are excellent companions and thrive with between 1-2 hours of activity each day, including walks and active play sessions. Owners of English Bulldogs note that their dogs particularly enjoy tug-of-war, playing with squeaky toys, and chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee.
If medium breeds like English Bulldogs don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.
How friendly are Bulldogs with children?
According to our data, Bulldogs are very friendly and social with children with children.
How well do Bulldogs get along with other pets?
Our research indicates that Bulldogs are very friendly with other pets with other pets.
What should you feed your Bulldog to keep him healthy?
As a moderate energy breed, the diet of your English Bulldog is crucial. A significant 56% of our community feed their English Bulldog commercial dry kibble.
For optimal health, English Bulldogs should consume 1.5 to 2 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight around 40 - 50 pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your Bulldog's sex, activity level, and age.
What health concerns are common for Bulldogs?
The Bulldog breed is particularly prone to skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, folliculitis, and joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Our data shows that 59% of Bulldog owners reported skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. English Bulldog's risk for these health issues increases as they age.
Additionally, 39% reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. Finally, 32% of Bulldog owners indicated their dog struggles with digestive issues like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and lack of appetite, which are common English Bulldog health concerns. If you have concerns about any of these health issues, consult your English Bulldog's veterinarian.
Resources for Bulldog Owners
Whether you're a current Bulldog dog owner or you're considering adopting an English Bulldog, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for Bulldog owners.
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