Originally bred as cattle drivers and fighting dogs, English Bulldogs are now known for their placid and docile nature. An English Bulldog’s key characteristics include a stocky build and determined expression, but despite their tough appearance, they are sweet-natured and extremely loyal.
Facts & advice
English Bulldog
An easy-going breed with a gentle nature
Vital stats
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| Size: | Medium |
| Coat: | Short and smooth |
| Exercise | 30 minutes a day |
| Life span: | 7+ years |
| Flat-faced: | Yes, consider this breed's additional health needs before buying |
| Breed group: | Utility |
| Temperament: | Loyal, friendly, easy-going |
English Bulldog temperament & personality
English Bulldogs are sociable and wonderfully laid-back characters; the breed is prized for its personality rather than their intelligence.
- Known to be a wilful breed, English Bulldog owners often say their dog will pause before responding to commands, weighing up what’s in it for them!
- Stubbornness aside, English Bulldogs are sociable, friendly and gentle and make excellent companions and family pets.
- These laidback dogs are more than happy to relax on the sofa and adapt well to apartment living and smaller spaces; just make sure to give these couch potatoes enough exercise to avoid weight gain.
English Bulldog training & exercise
Whilst daily exercise is important, you should try to avoid getting your English Bulldog overexcited or overheated.
Training tips
- English Bulldogs are not a breed known for their intelligence and it’s likely that your dog will only pick up basic obedience commands, rather than lots of tricks.
- Training your English Bulldog will take patience – the breed is known for its stubborn streak and you may need to ask a few times before your Bulldog responds.
- English Bulldogs’ preferred training sessions are fun, but kept short, with plenty of positive reinforcement.
Exercise
- English Bulldogs are low-maintenance when it comes to exercise and only need around 30 minutes a day. Split walks into two 15-minute sessions to prevent overexertion.
- Unlike some dogs, English Bulldogs aren’t natural swimmers so keep them away from water.
Keeping them happy
- As a brachycephalic breed, English Bulldogs’ short muzzles make them less suited to hot weather. It’s best to limit their time spent outdoors during the warmer months. Make sure they have access to plenty of water as well as shady spots to escape the heat.
- Laidback and easily pleased, English Bulldogs prefer a calm and relaxed lifestyle and are quite happy to spend the day napping. Just make sure your dog gets enough exercise to prevent unhealthy weight gain.
Game ideas
- English Bulldogs are very strong and a game of tug-of-war (with a dog-safe rope toy) will be right up your pet’s street and doesn’t require too much running around.
Common English Bulldog health conditions
As a dog owner you will want what’s best for your pet’s health so they can live a long, happy life. Like all breeds, English Bulldogs are prone to certain health conditions. To help you be more aware and prepared for these potential ailments if they should arise, we have put together information on the health issues that we see the most in English Bulldogs.
Your English Bulldog’s facial wrinkles will require daily cleaning to ensure moisture doesn’t linger and cause an infection on the skin. Other skin disorders include atopic dermatitis, which is a form of skin allergy. Signs to look out for include your dog biting or scratching themselves, as well as redness, soreness or a rash. In some cases, it can result in hair loss in the affected area. Speak to your vet to find out the cause and related treatment.
English Bulldogs can suffer from problems relating to the eye itself or the structures around it. Such issues are often hereditary and made worse by their loose-fitting skin. Entropion is a disorder where the eyelid scrolls inwards towards the sensitive cornea, causing irritation and sometimes needing surgery. Another common health issue is cherry eye, which sees the soft red tissue of the tear gland poke out of the eye socket. English Bulldogs can also suffer from keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), requiring eye drops or ointment, while any small eye injury risks turning into a painful ulcer. As eyes are so delicate and important, you should speak to your vet if you have any concerns.
English Bulldogs have flat faces making them prone to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Many will develop breathing problems and can require surgery. English Bulldogs are also prone to infections of the nose, throat, windpipe and lungs. If you notice your dog is breathing noisily or seems less active than usual, talk to your vet as soon as possible.
There are various ligaments found inside the knee joint which work together to hold it stable. In English Bulldogs like other dogs these ligaments can break under stress, or wear over time causing lameness and pain for your dog. English Bulldogs that are overweight are more at risk of this as the extra weight causes more stress on the ligaments. Treatment usually is surgery to help stabilise the knee joint. However, like all dogs English Bulldogs can also develop arthritis from this condition, and long-term treatment is often required to keep them active.
While all dogs can be susceptible to various common ear diseases English Bulldogs are particularly prone to ear disorders and infections because of their flat ears close to their head, as well as other issues. These can affect the external ear flap (such as haematoma), the middle/inner ear (vestibular disease, for example) or the ear canal (otitis). Treatment can vary depending on how early you catch any problems but could be drops or drugs. Make sure you check your English Bulldogs ears while grooming to look for any signs of an issue such as redness or excess wax.
English Bulldog grooming
With a short, smooth coat, English Bulldogs don’t require as much brushing as long-haired breeds but they are considered heavy shedders.
- To help control shedding, it’s a good idea to brush your English Bulldog once a week to shift excess hair.
- English Bulldogs’ commonly have excessive skin folds around their nose which will require daily attention to ensure they are clean, dry and free from infections.
- Some English Bulldogs’ tails sit very close to their bodies in a special groove called a tail pocket, and will need regular wiping to stay clean.
- Use grooming time to check your dog for skin irritation, parasites, lumps and bumps and signs of ear infections, such as black or brown wax or a strange smell.
English Bulldog nutrition
Their signature laziness combined with a love of food means that obesity is a common English Bulldog health problem, so it’s important to find the right diet for your pet.
- Their naturally thickset physique and loose-fitting skin can mask signs of obesity. Check in with your vet to make sure your English Bulldog is a healthy weight.
- Whilst it’s important that your English Bulldog doesn’t overexert themselves, exercise is also important to keep your dog a healthy weight.
- English Bulldogs can be greedy eaters so portion control is key. Feed your pet a high-quality food and always follow the portion guidelines on the packaging.
- Whilst positive reinforcement is a great training method, go easy on the snacks and treats when using food as a motivator.
- Remember, English Bulldogs are slow to mature compared to other breeds, and may not reach adulthood until between 18 to 24 months. Bear this in mind when moving from puppy food to adult food and consult your vet if you’re not sure.
English Bulldog frequently asked questions
Originally bred as cattle drivers and fighting dogs, it’s easy to see why English Bulldogs have become a symbol of tenacity and fighting spirit. However, nowadays these dogs are big softies! English Bulldogs are loved by dog owners for their placid, docile and easy-going nature. These gentle, welcoming dogs tend to get along with other people and pets and love nothing more than cuddles on the couch!
As with other brachycephalic, or short-snouted, breeds, English Bulldogs are not cut out to be swimmers and don’t instinctively take to the water like some other dogs. It’s best to avoid letting your dog in or near deep water. However, some English Bulldogs do love the water, and will enjoy a paddle or spray with the hose, especially in the hotter summer months.
Whilst English Bulldogs aren’t considered very high shedders, they do still shed throughout the year. What’s more, English Bulldogs have a tendency to drool, which can also cause problems for allergy sufferers. It’s important to remember that no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, but some breeds are better for those with allergies than others.
Whilst they are sweet and docile, English Bulldogs can also be stubborn and slow to learn. This means training an English Bulldog can be trickier than some other breeds, and your pet will probably only master the very basics. Their obstinacy means positive reinforcement techniques will work best for your English Bulldog in short, fun training sessions. Ensure to introduce and maintain good basic manners as the breed can be controlling for some owners.
If you’re thinking about getting an English Bulldog, it’s important to consider that the breed is more likely to suffer from health conditions related to being flat faced. While, the gentle English Bulldog makes for an excellent and lovable family pet, their needs might not be right for every lifestyle.
This friendly breed will usually get on well with other animals, and their patience and slower way of life mean they’re great with children, even very young ones. As with all dogs, you should always supervise playtime between your English Bulldog and children to make sure everyone is safe and happy.
English Bulldogs are known for their distinctive stocky build. An average height for the breed can be anywhere between 38 and 40 cm and their ideal weight is somewhere between 20 and 25 kg.
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English Bulldog insurance considerations
English Bulldogs sometimes suffer with certain health conditions and may require treatment. Petplan dog insurance offers peace of mind that they will always be protected.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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