We love this quirky breed and are so pleased to have them on our list of breeds that we walk! Also known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog, they are a medium-sized dog with wide muscular shoulders, a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.
The Bulldog makes a great family pet, being kind, affectionate, dependable and loyal, often showing a protective nature around children. Friendly and patient, your Bulldog loves being part of the family, and will actively seek human interaction.
Bred to be courageous, they make good watchdogs, and although they generally get along well with other family pets, English bulldogs can be aggressive to unfamiliar dogs.
A Bulldog is certainly not built for speed and will be quite happy with a gentle, sedate stroll through the park or a game in the garden that isn’t too energetic!
If you have a swimming pool or a pond in your garden, make sure your Bulldog stays far away from it. Bulldogs are not built for swimming – their big head, solid body, deep, full chest and short legs make it extremely difficult for them to keep their head above water.
If you plan to train your Bulldog to walk with a harness, we suggest that you start with training at a very early age. This breed loves to pull, and that muscular chest isn’t just for show! Add to that a stubborn streak, and without proper training, you could have your work cut out for you trying to go for that sedate stroll around the park!
This tenacious breed is smart but can be a challenge to train even with easier tricks, only because a Bulldog prefers to
think for itself rather than follow commands! Attending Puppy socialisation and obedience classes can ensure that before bad habits develop, your Bulldog puppy grows up to be respectful and with good manners. We work with Friends Of The Dog Puppy School to help our owners and puppies settle in, learn some valuable tips and all have lots of fun together.
Bulldogs are generally low maintenance. Most important is to ensure that the wrinkles on your Bulldog’s face are wiped regularly to prevent skin infections, especially in warmer weather. They do feel the heat and are susceptible to heat stroke, so they need to have somewhere cool to snooze. As they get older, they can be prone to joint issues and arthritis, but with monitoring and assistance from your Vet this can be controlled.
Bulldogs have short coats that require little grooming. Their fur is not hypoallergenic, but they tend not to shed much
Your Bulldog’s life expectancy is around 8 – 10 years, and he would, quite frankly have a snooze rather than rush off to bark or dig up your garden!
Fun fact: How will I know if my Bulldog is asleep? Trust us – you will hear! Your Bulldog’s underslung lower jaw makes for some very impressive snoring and wheezing, but with so much else to love, it’s all part of their charm!!
