English Bulldog Breed Information, Facts, And Pictures
As the fifth-most popular purebred dog breed, English bulldogs are the top college mascot of the University of Georgia.
The Bulldog was originally used to drive cattle to market and to compete in a bloody sport called bullbaiting. Today, they’re gentle companions who love kids.
Even though these are purebred dogs, you may find them in the care of shelters or rescue groups. Remember to adopt! Don’t shop if you want to bring a dog home.
A brief walk and a nap on the sofa is just this dog breed‘s speed. Bulldogs can adapt well to apartment life and even make great companions for novice pet parents. They’re affectionate with all members of the family and are fairly low-maintenance pups. Just make sure to keep them out of extreme weather, and also give them enough exercise, as weight gain is a risk with these dogs who are happy to spend most of the day on the couch.
The English Bulldog is full of love and cuddles for the entire family, but don’t expect much more out of them. Though this dog breed was originally bred to participate in a spectator sport called “bull-baiting,” they have a much tamer role now – the family favorite. They seem quite aggressive from their physical appearance, but they’d be happy to simply lay around and fall in love with their family. Even just 15 minutes is enough physical activity to require a break. Though they are rather close to the American bulldog, identification of the English dog breed lies in two main differences – agility and size.
The English bulldog is simply a working-dog-turned-lapdog at its finest.
3 Pros and Cons of Owning an English Bulldog!
| Pros! | Cons! |
|---|---|
| Loving and loyal: Despite their appearance, one of the most interesting facts about English bulldogs is how loving they are. They are perfect for a family. | Many health issues: Even with a reputable breeder, this bulldog is prone to many health concerns, including cherry eye and entropion. |
| Calm: These dogs normally don’t become aggressive. In fact, they have been known to simply walk away if the energy in a room becomes too much for them to handle. | Requires complicated grooming: Most dogs only need to be brushed and bathed on a regular schedule. The English bulldog, however, must have his wrinkles cleaned and dried daily to prevent irritation. |
| Quiet: If you want a dog that won’t wake the neighborhood with its barking, the English bulldog is an ideal choice. | Can be territorial: You need to start training this dog breed as soon as possible to prevent aggression towards humans and animals. |
Size and Weight
The identification between the English bulldog and the American bulldog is easy when you consider their size. English bulldogs range between 12-16 inches tall for both males and females. However, their weight is slightly different. Males tend to weigh more at 53-55 lbs. when they are full grown. Females, on the other hand, are 49-51 lbs.
An English bulldog puppy is nearly 75% of their adult height by the time they are just six months old.
| Height (male): | 12-16 inches tall |
| Height (female): | 12-16 inches tall |
| Weight (male): | 53-55 pounds, fully grown |
| Weight (female): | 49-51 pounds, fully grown |
Common Health Issues
For the most part, breeders focus on creating the healthiest puppies possible, though adopting from a rescue will not have the same outcome. Due to their history of genetic diseases, the English bulldog can be hard to take care of without the right medical care. For instance, mothers with the Demodex mite can pass it down to their puppies, causing demodectic mange.
When adopting from a breeder, check for health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the Canine Eye Registry Foundation. These clearances aren’t provided to any dog under two years old because some of the issues they face will take that long to arise.
The eyes of an English bulldog have many possible complications. Cherry eye – or a protrusion in the corner of the eye – is the most common, but the gland that causes it can be removed. If the dog’s tear production is inhibited, they may also suffer from dry eyes. Entropion, which causes the eyelashes to turn towards and rub against the eye, is also common, requiring surgery to fix.
With their short head, long soft palate, and narrow nostrils, brachycephalic syndrome is rather common, due to the potential for obstructing the airway. Their build also puts them at risk for hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
Overall, the health problems faced by the English bulldog include:
- Demodectic mange
- Cherry eye
- Dry eyes
- Entropion
- Brachycephalic syndrome
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
Temperament and Behavior
The temperament of the English bulldog is rather gentle, despite their intimidating physical features. With their affectionate nature, families are a great place for these pets, especially considering how they use their physical appearance to their advantage to protect their family. They are persistent, and they aggressively defend their family from intruders.
This dog breed thrives on attention from their humans, and they have a quite dominating personality. Their demand can lead the dog to assert dominance over their family, which is a behavior that needs to be trained out. The only way to prevent this issue is with early training that their owner is the dominant one in the house. Identification of alpha (i.e., you!) needs to happen as soon as the dog is brought home. Without this assurance, dogs will start to guard furniture, toys, and food as their own, becoming aggressive with anyone that comes near it.
One of the most well-known facts about these bulldogs is the way that they snore. The messy tendencies with their meals are a notable trait, and they tend to drool and slobber a lot. They tend to become lazier as they get older, so this messiness may worsen.
How to Take Care of English Bulldog
There are many considerations that you need to take to keep your English bulldog healthy. Their activity level, breeding, and age all play a role in the type of care you provide any rescue pet, even while he is still a puppy.
Food and Diet
The English bulldog is a girthy animal, requiring a diet that offers between 1.5 and two cups of high-quality dog food a day. To manage their intake, separate this total amount into two smaller meals. Still, this amount is simply a guideline – their metabolism, size, age, and amount of activity will play a role in the diet they require. Dogs that use more energy will need more food than lazier pups. Since this dog breed is at risk of obesity, don’t leave food out for them to graze on through the day.
Puppies have about the same routine in their diet, though you should seek out a dog food meant for puppies.
We have compiled a list of dog food suitable for your English Bulldog and invite you to have a look, here. The food that the A-Z-Animals review team recommends as the top food for your English Bulldog, is Royal Canin Bulldog Adult Dog Food. This was specifically formulated for the breed. It is easy to digest, reduce gas and the kibble is specially shaped so the dog will be able to pick it up easily.
Leave a Reply