Breed Spotlight: English Bulldog

Coat Type and Colors

There are many English bulldog color combinations and markings recognized by the American Kennel Club.³ You can find an English bulldog in the following fur colors:³

• Fawn
  • Fawn and brindle
  • Fawn and white
  • Fawn brindle and white
• Red
  • Red and white
  • Red brindle
  • Red brindle and white
• White
• Fallow (a pale yellow)

Markings include:³

• Ticked: Flecks or spots on white areas
• White markings or piebald: White patterns that aren’t symmetrical
• Black mask: A black or brown pattern around the eyes that looks like a mask

Several of these patterns can spin together, creating a unique furry friend.

Ears

Accordinging to the The Bulldog Club of America, a bulldog’s ears should have rose ears: folds inwards, the upper part curbing over so you can see into the ear.⁴ Make sure to keep their ears dry and clean to avoid ear infections.

Shedding and Grooming

Do English bulldogs shed? Yes, but it’s manageable with regular brushing for 10 minutes twice a week. English bulldogs tend to shed more heavily twice a year, so you may want to invest in two types of brushes: a soft one and a rubber curry brush.

Take this grooming time to clean the wrinkles around the dog’s face with a cotton ball or wash cloth soaked in a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide. Wiping down these areas should be done daily to avoid bacteria growth and skin infections, with deeper cleanings during grooming sessions. You can use cornstarch to keep these areas dry, but be sure to keep it out of their eyes. Also, be sure to trim their nails twice a month, and keep their ears and under-tail area clean with regular grooming.

Drooling Level

English bulldogs do tend to drool more than the average dog. They also tend to snore and wheeze due to their narrow noses and underbite. If this is a problem, this may not be the breed for you.

Behavior

The modern English bulldog is a peace-loving breed, who make excellent companions for children and elderly. Some tend to be very stubborn, a trait they inherited from the breed’s days of bull baiting (hence the name “bulldog”), but most are funny and entertaining to be around.

Exercise Needs

An English bulldog will need moderate amounts of exercise to keep their body and mind healthy. Make sure to take them on regular walks throughout the day or give them time to chase balls at the dog park. This breed tends to be on the heavier side, but it’s important not to let them exceed 50 pounds. Obesity can lead to major health complications that, without dog insurance, can cost pet parents thousands to treat.

Are English Bulldogs Good with Other Pets?

English bulldogs can make great companions with your other family pets. Proper socialization is critical, so take your time introducing your new dog to the rest of the gang.

Trainability

Generally, the average English bulldog is easy to train. They’re eager to please their owner but don’t expect an athlete. These dogs aren’t huge fans of running or hikes. Instead, take the time to teach them tricks and other commands to keep their mind sharp.

Some bulldogs can be extremely stubborn which requires obedience training to get them to curb bad behavior. If you find yourself with a particularly stubborn pup, consider training courses to get them to cooperate.

Are English Bulldogs Good with Kids?

English bulldogs are great family dogs who enjoy the company of children. But whether a dog is good with kids depends on the temperament of the individual pet. Are English bulldogs aggressive? No, but some may not have the patience for playing with very small kids. It’s important to check the history of the individual dog before you bring them home.

Barking Level

English bulldogs don’t bark often except to alert their family. However, they do make a series of noises like snorts, snores, and “gruffs.”

English Bulldog: A History

Bulldogs were created in 13th century England for bull baiting, a grizzly sport where bulls were tied to a stake to fight a pack of dogs.³ The result was a huge dog with big jaws who was brave and extremely tolerant of pain. After bull baiting was banned in 1835, the breed almost went extinct if it weren’t for a handful of admirers who decided to tame this beast.

Today, the modern English bulldog is attractive, sweet, and mellow. This breed is the national symbol of England, and a mascot for many sports teams and companies around the world.³