Breed library

Bulldog

Bulldog photograph.
English Bulldog -Dog-220489-1280.jpg - https://pixabay.com/pt/users/kaz-19203/. CC0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Bulldog_-Dog-220489-1280.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en. License: CC0.

Breed overview

The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is a stocky, muscular dog of medium size, with a large head, thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders and a relatively flat face with a protruding lower jaw. Selective breeding for appearance has led to the Bulldog's increased susceptibility to various health problems including brachycephaly, hip dysplasia and heat sensitivity. The dogs are illegal to breed in the Netherlands because of concerns about their quality of life. The modern Bulldog was bred as a companion dog from the Old English Bulldog, a now-extinct breed used for bull-baiting until the sport was outlawed under the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835. The Bulldog Club (in England) was formed in 1878, and the Bulldog Club of America was formed in 1890. While often used as a symbol of ferocity and courage, the modern Bulldog is generally a friendly, amiable dog. It is commonly kept as a pet; in 2013 it was the twelfth-most-frequently registered breed worldwide.

Breed facts

  • The first reference to the word "Bulldog" is dated 1631 or 1632 in a letter by a man named Preswick Eaton where he writes: "procuer mee two good Bulldogs, and let them be sent by ye first shipp".
  • In 1666, English scientist Christopher Merret applied: "Canis pugnax, a Butchers Bull or Bear Dog", as an entry in his Pinax Rerum Naturalium Britannicarum.
  • The designation "bull" was applied because of the dog's use in the sport of bull-baiting.
  • The dog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground would be the victor.
  • Over the centuries, dogs used for bull-baiting developed the stocky bodies and massive heads and jaws that typify the breed, as well as a ferocious and savage temperament.

Size and appearance

Bulldogs have characteristically wide heads and shoulders along with a pronounced mandibular prognathism. There are generally thick folds of skin on the brow; round, black, wide-set eyes; a short muzzle with characteristic folds called a rope or nose roll above the nose; hanging skin under the neck; drooping lips and pointed teeth, and an underbite with an upturned jaw. The coat is short, flat, and sleek with colours of red, fawn, white, brindle, and piebald. Bulldogs have short tails that can either hang down straight or be tucked in a coiled "corkscrew" into a tail pocket. Dogs weigh approximately 25 kg, bitches about 23 kg. Standard weights in the United States are lower, approximately 50 lb for dogs and 40 lb for bitches.

  • Body mass reference: 23 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 23 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 25 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 25 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Coat length: short
  • Weight category: medium
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

These attributes should be countenanced by the expression and behaviour". Bulldogs are known for getting along well with children, other dogs, and other pets.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.18 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.66 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.10 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.87 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.97 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.04 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.84 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.88 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.15 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.52 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.46 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.55 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.66 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.41 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Bulldog.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: short

Health and lifespan

A 2022 study in the UK of veterinary data found a life expectancy of 7.39 years, the second lowest of all breeds in the study. A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 9.8 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

In 1666, English scientist Christopher Merret applied: "Canis pugnax, a Butchers Bull or Bear Dog", as an entry in his Pinax Rerum Naturalium Britannicarum. The designation "bull" was applied because of the dog's use in the sport of bull-baiting. Bulldogs as pets were continually promoted by dog dealer Bill George.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Bulldog - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Bulldog, revision 1375685928. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bulldog&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:English Bulldog -Dog-220489-1280.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0. English Bulldog -Dog-220489-1280.jpg - https://pixabay.com/pt/users/kaz-19203/. CC0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:English_Bulldog_-Dog-220489-1280.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.