English Bulldog
Also known as Bouledogue anglais, English Bulldog, Bulldog
- Height at the withers
- 31 to 40 cm
- Weight
- 22 to 25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 8 to 10 years
- Daily activity
- 30 minutes
- Origin
- England
- FCI group
- 2 · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
- apartment living, with regular outings
- a calm, mostly stay-at-home life
- living with a cat
Less suited to
- intense heat: be careful in summer
- people put off by drool
Overview
A compact, stocky molosser, low to the ground, with a massive, broad head, a very short muzzle and a close-lying coat. Behind its grumpy look hides a calm, affectionate dog, very attached to its family, that copes poorly with heat and exertion because of its brachycephalic (flat-faced) build.
History and origins
It descends from the dogs used in England for bull-baiting, which was banned in 1835. Fanciers then bred a calmer, stockier companion dog; the Bulldog Club, founded in 1875, wrote its first standard. An emblem of British tenacity, it is now the focus of breeding efforts to improve its breathing and health.
Health
Life expectancy is 8 to 10 years, and the breed is fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
- Skin fold dermatitis and skin allergies
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Entropion, ectropion and prolapsed third eyelid gland (“cherry eye”)
- Almost always born by C-section
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, low coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Very calm, 1 out of 5
- Apartment
- Perfect, 5 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With cats
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very low, 1 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very low, 1 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Often, 4 out of 5
- Barking
- Very quiet, 1 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Very low, 1 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Fragile, 1 out of 5
In our lists
English Bulldog FAQ
How big does the English Bulldog get?
The English Bulldog stands 31 to 40 cm at the withers and weighs 22 to 25 kg. It is a small dog.
Does the English Bulldog shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs little care.
Can the English Bulldog live in an apartment?
Yes, very well: calm indoors, it adapts perfectly to an apartment.
How much exercise does the English Bulldog need each day?
Allow about 30 minutes of activity a day: it is a very calm dog.
Is the English Bulldog good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the English Bulldog live?
Life expectancy is 8 to 10 years, and the breed is fragile. The main health problems to watch for are brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, as well as skin fold dermatitis and skin allergies.
