English Bulldog Breed Guide & English Bulldog Insurance

Table of Contents

Introduction to English Bulldogs

The English bulldog is a Non-Sporting Group dog that is calm, friendly, and muscular. It has become a symbol of courage and tenacity while also being a well-known loyal companion for town or country life. This is a medium-sized breed of dog that is wide, compact and has short legs. These dogs have a sweet disposition and make wonderful family dogs since they are predictable and gentle with children. With a big head, facial wrinkles, and a stocky build, English bulldogs are instantly recognizable and loved all around the world.

If you are curious to learn more about English bulldogs and how to take the best care of them, you’re in the right place with our English bulldog breed guide!

Size of English Bulldogs

When fully grown, a male English bulldog should weigh about 50 pounds, and a female English bulldog should weigh about 40 pounds. Both males and females will stand approximately 14 to 15 inches tall as adults. English bulldogs are considered fully grown when they reach one year of age; however, some dogs will continue growing a bit more until they are closer to a year and a half old.

Here’s how big you can expect your English bulldog to get during the first year of life:

Weight Chart	3 months	6 months	9 months	12 months
Male and Female English Bulldogs – Average Weight	12-18 pounds	26-37 pounds	35-47 pounds	40-50 pounds

Characteristics of English Bulldogs

English bulldogs may look a bit intimidating based on appearance alone, but there’s more to these dogs than meets the eye. They have a reputation for being determined and bull-headed, but this also just means that they don’t give up easily and make good watchdogs. Bulldogs love human affection and are very happy spending lazy days on the couch or sitting at your feet.

Interestingly, English bulldogs exhibit alpha canine behaviors and do not see themselves as followers. Therefore, they need a kind but strong human leader to keep the household balance in check. Other unique characteristics of English bulldogs are that they tend to drool and snore, are messy eaters, and may exhibit guarding behaviors with toys and food.

As you get to know an English bulldog’s personality, here’s what you can expect based on his or her breed characteristics:

Breed Characteristic	Level (High, Medium, Low)
Affectionate with People	High
Good with Kids	High
Good with Pets	High
Need for Exercise	Low
Energy Level	Low
Intelligence Level	Medium
Able to Be Trained	Medium
Amount of Barking	Low
Amount of Shedding	Medium

english bulldog with two puppies outside

History of English Bulldogs

The history of the English bulldog dates back to around the 13^th century in England, during the reign of King John. At that time, the dogs were used in the sport of bullbaiting, which involved making a pack of dogs and a bullfight while spectators bet on who would win. These early ancestors of the English bulldog breed were bred to have huge jaws and be very brave, even when up against formidable adversaries.

Fortunately, blood sports with animals were banned in England in 1835. Yet the sport moved underground as an illicit activity, and other bull-type terrier breeds emerged for fighting purposes. With time, the English bulldog became seen as a companion rather than a fighter, especially as breeders focused on making these dogs mellower and sweeter.

The American Kennel Club began recognizing the English bulldog as an official breed in 1886, and the dog has been named a national symbol of England. Many sports teams in America use the bulldog as their mascot, and numerous companies use bulldogs on their logos to show a sense of courage and strength.

English Bulldog Standard Information

The breed standard for the English bulldog serves as an ideal by which these dogs are judged at shows and competitions. For example, the general appearance of an English bulldog includes having a medium size, smooth coat, massive head, wide shoulders, and sturdy limbs. The disposition of an English bulldog should be kind, courageous, resolute, dignified, and pacific.

Here is an overview of the breed standard information for English bulldogs:

Head:

Eyes situated low down in skull
Ears set high in the head
Very large head
Well-rounded cheeks
Large, broad, and black nose
Very short muzzle
Large and strong teeth
Massive and broad jaws

Neck, Topline, Body:

Short, very thick, deep, and strong neck
Slight fall in the back
Very capacious brisket and body
Tail either straight or screwed

Forequarters:

Muscular and very stout forelegs
Elbows low and loose from the body
Feet moderate in size
Toes compact and well split up

Hindquarters:

Hind legs strong and slightly longer than forelegs
Hocks slightly bent and well let down
Hind feet pointed well outward

Coat:

Coat should be straight, short, flat, close, fine, smooth, and glossy
Skin should be soft and loose
Face and head covered with heavy wrinkles

Color:

Uniform color that is pure and brilliant
Red, white, fawn, fallow, or any combination of these
Patterns are brindle, piebald, ticking, black masks, and black tipping

Gait:

Loose-jointed, shuffling, and sidewise motion
Characteristic “roll” motion
Action is unrestrained, free, and vigorous

Caring for English Bulldogs

Even though English bulldogs are medium-sized dogs, they do well in apartments and do not need a large yard to run around in. They are low-endurance dogs that only require moderate exercise to be healthy.

These dogs often have trouble breathing and can overheat quickly when the weather is hot. They are noisy breathers in general and often wheeze and snore even when they are resting. These are all important things to know before introducing an English bulldog into your current living situation.

Here are some general tips for taking the best care of an English bulldog:

Best Living Environments:

Do fine in apartments and don’t need a large yard
Should not be outside unsupervised in hot or cold weather
Prefer a relaxed lifestyle that is not too active
Air conditioning during the summer

Type of Exercise:

Go on moderately-paced walks every day
No strenuous exercise
No swimming because their large heads make them sink in water

Mental Enrichment:

Plenty of relaxing time with family members
Exploring sights and smells around the neighborhood
Offer durable chew toys
Food puzzles

Training Strategies:

Not the most trainable dogs but lessons can be learned
Make training sessions fun with rewards and praise
Train dogs to not be overprotective of food and toys
Positive reinforcement not punishment
Reward with small treats and a kind voice

Grooming Tips:

Brush coat once per week with a firm bristle brush
Wipe face daily with a clean, damp cloth
Make sure wrinkles are dry after washing the face
Brush teeth daily
Trim nails once or twice per month

Beautiful English bulldog outdoor,selective focus and blank space

Common Health Problems of English Bulldogs

You can expect the average English bulldog to live for about eight to 10 years. Help your English bulldog live a full and happy life by keeping up with regular vet checkups and signing your dog up for a pet insurance plan with Healthy Paws.

These are some of the most common health issues that arise with English bulldogs:

Brachycephalic syndrome
Heatstroke
Cherry eye, dry eye
Entropion (eyelashes turn inward)
Idiopathic head tremor syndrome (involuntary head shaking)
Skin problems
Bladder stones
Gastric dilatation and volvulus
Dental problems
Patellar luxation
Hip dysplasia

Diet and Nutrition for English Bulldogs

English bulldogs love to eat and are often messy eaters. Pet parents will need to carefully watch their dogs’ intake of food and treats to prevent overeating and obesity, which can lead to many different medical issues. An obese English bulldog is more prone to joint pain and heart conditions, for example. Make sure you feed meals rather than leaving food out throughout the day.

Feed the amount of dog food needed to keep your pet slim. You should be able to see your English bulldog’s waist and feel (but not see) the ribs without having to press too hard. Divide the total amount of food for the day into at least two meals for adults and three to five meals for puppies.

Limit the number of treats you give to help keep your dog’s weight under control. Although treats can be useful during training sessions, limit high-calorie treats and only use treats sparingly when working with an English bulldog.

Most adult English bulldogs will thrive when eating a high-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced adult dog food. Puppies should eat puppy food until they are around 12 months old. If you feed your English bulldog homemade dog food, make sure you are working from a recipe that is designed by a veterinary nutritionist and that is appropriate for your dog’s age and health status. Recommended foods for English bulldogs include Canidae Life Stages Dog Food, Earthborn Holistic Great Plains Feast Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, and Artemis Fresh Mix Adult Dog Food.

Good nutrition is very important for English bulldogs to live long and happy lives. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about your dog’s diet or health.

Where to Adopt or Purchase English Bulldogs

The Bulldog Club of America is the national breed club for this dog and a resource for finding a responsible breeder or entering your dog into a competition. However, there are many canine rescue groups that focus on bulldog rescues, such as the Bulldog Rescue Network, Austin Bulldog Rescue, So Cal Bulldog Rescue, and Georgia English Bulldog Rescue. To familiarize yourself with this breed and how one of these dogs might fit into your life, you might consider fostering an English bulldog before adopting or purchasing one or volunteering at a bulldog-specific rescue organization.

Related Breeds

If you love the idea of having an English bulldog as a companion but aren’t totally convinced that this is the right breed for you, it may be beneficial to learn about other similar and related dog breeds, such as these:

Pet Insurance for English Bulldogs

Since English bulldogs are prone to many health conditions due to their genetics and breeding, many pet parents choose to get pet insurance for their pups so that they are prepared for anything and everything. Pet insurance through Healthy Paws offers flexible premium and deductible options, has no costly add-ons, and lets you use any licensed veterinarian you choose.

If your English bulldog suffers from an injury or gets sick, simply submit your vet bill to us on our website or app, and we’ll get your claim processed quickly so you can focus on getting your pup to feel well again. Get your English bulldog pet insurance quote from Healthy Paws today!