| English Bulldogs: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about English Bulldog personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the English Bulldog, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says the disposition of the English Bulldog should be "equable and kind, resolute and courageous...demeanor should be pacific and dignified."
Despite his gloomy mug, the English Bulldog is one of the most amiable of all breeds.
Bulldog puppies are frisky, but adults are quiet and rather phlegmatic, spending much of the day snoring on the sofa. They do need some exercise to stay fit, preferably walks in cool weather.
Some English Bulldogs are friendly with strangers, while others are politely reserved.
Though not a barking watchdog, his blocky build and odd, rolling, shuffling gait give intruders pause. It takes a tremendous amount of serious teasing or threatening to provoke this sweet-natured breed, but once aroused, he can be a force to reckon with.
His tenacity and resolve mean that it's difficult to change his mind once he decides to do something.
Usually peaceful with other pets, some male Bulldogs may engage in a battle of wills (or jaws) with other males.
Though stubborn, the English Bulldog is surprisingly sensitive, remembers what he learns, and responds well to patient, persistent training that utilizes food motivation. Jerking this breed around accomplishes absolutely nothing."
History
The Bulldog originated in England as a bull-fighting dog, but his structure and build were completely different at that time. Unfortunately, show dog breeders have turned an essentially normal-looking dog into an unhealthy caricature of a dog.
Size
14-15 inches and 40-55 lbs |
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English Bulldogs
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is moderately-sized -- built low to the ground but very heavy
- Has a short easy-care coat that comes in many colors
- Is easygoing and dependable with most of the world
- Doesn't need much exercise and spends much of the day snoring on the sofa
- Seldom barks
An English Bulldog may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Tenacious stubbornness if he decides he really, really doesn't want to do something
- Serious food possessiveness -- Bulldogs should not be fed around small children or other pets
- Shedding
- Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, grunting, loud snoring
- Slobbering and drooling
- Gassiness (flatulence)
- A multitude of health problems, a short lifespan, and sky-high vet bills
- High cost ($1000 and up)
An English Bulldog may not be right for you.
| If I were considering an English Bulldog... |
My major concerns would be:
- Stubbornness. Despite their sweetness, English Bulldogs are not Golden Retrievers. They are not pushovers to raise and train. Most Bulldogs are extremely stubborn. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. (Food rewards help a great deal!)
| To teach your Bulldog to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Bulldog Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Occasional animal aggression. Some male Bulldogs may act aggressively toward other male dogs. Some Bulldogs do not get along with cats. Never feed an English Bulldog in the presence of other animals.
- Shedding. Bulldogs shed much more than you might think. Their short, coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.
- Bulldog sounds. Though they seldom bark, English Bulldogs are far from silent. Because of the short face, they snort, snuffle, wheeze, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others.
- Slobbering. Most people are not prepared for how much English Bulldogs slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. When they shake their heads, you will literally be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes, furniture, and walls.
- Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Bulldogs who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my Bulldog Health Page for more information.
- High cost. English Bulldog breeders charge $1000 to $1500. They explain that this is to cover their costs of artificial insemination (because most English Bulldogs can't mate without assistance) and C-sections (because the puppies' heads are too large to be born normally). But that's just the beginning of your money outlay, because typically you'll be spending a great deal of money on veterinary care for this breed.
- Serious health problems. Make no mistake about it, English Bulldogs are grossly deformed and modern breeders, especially show breeders, perpetuate the health problems with every litter they produce. It's been said that if you feel like supporting your vet with great chunks of money, get an English Bulldog. They suffer from hip problems, heart problems, and skin problems. Their compromised respiratory system makes it very risky to anesthetize them.
Many Bulldogs can't even walk normally, or run without gasping for breath. Many of them struggle to breathe in hot or humid weather. In the summer they should be kept in air-conditioning and supervised during outside activity so they don't over-exert themselves and become overheated.
| To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Bulldog Health Page. In addition, search hard for a breeder who produces Bulldogs with more natural-looking faces that can breathe, rather than the ridiculous squashed faces that win ribbons in the show ring. |
| Not all Bulldogs are alike! |
- There are energetic Bulldogs, and placid Bulldogs.
- Hard-headed Bulldogs, and sweet-natured Bulldogs.
- Serious Bulldogs, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Bulldogs, and Bulldogs who love everyone.
| If you acquire an English Bulldog puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Bulldog... |
There are plenty of adult Bulldogs who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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