Bulldog
Quick Facts:
- AKC recognized in 1886
- Lifespan: 8 - 10 years
- Size: Medium
- Energy: Medium
- Recommended Dog Crate Size for Bulldogs: 36" dog crate*
Return to the main Dog Crate Sizes Breed Chart.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Bulldog, also known as the English or British Bulldog, is a medium-sized breed that has a distinctive wrinkled face and pushed in nose. As of 2014, it is the fourth most popular breed in the United States.
The Bulldog is known as courageous, friendly and calm. It got its name from being used in the 'sport' of bull baiting. This blood sport involved tethering a bull to an iron stake with approximately a 30-foot lead radius.
It was the job of the Bulldog to immobilize the bull by the nose and eventually pinning it. Thankfully,
such barbaric practices are no longer required of today's Bulldog. Although owners and breeders still defend against the unfair perception that bulldogs are aggressive and vicious animals.
Generally, Bulldogs get along well with children, other pets and dogs. It goes well with their patient nature.
Breed
The American Kennel Club formally recognized the Bulldog breed in 1886. Bulldogs are medium-sized and medium energy companions. The Bulldog is known as expressive, yet dignified.
Appearance
The Bulldog has a smooth coat with a low-centered body, wide shoulders and a sturdy frame. Generally, it will have thick folds of skin, wide-set eyes, a flat nose, drooping lips and are known to come in up to 10 colors with 4 distinct markings (Black mask, brindle markings, piebald, and white markings).
Nutrition
It is recommended to provide feed formulated to medium-sized breeds. It is highly recommended to discuss your dog’s feed with your veterinarian and/or breeder in order to determine the size and frequency of meals in order to ensure a healthy, long life. It is also important to ensure that clean, fresh water is always available.
Grooming
Bulldogs benefit from regular cleaning of their face and ears. This can be conveniently done with pet wipes at the ready. In order to avoid overgrowth, splitting or cracking, regular trimming or grinding is recommended.
Exercise
Bulldogs enjoy walks and require regular moderate exercise to stay healthy. This paired with a careful diet ensures that bulldogs have the best chance of living a full and happy life.
Due to their short snout and difficulty breathing extreme humidity and heat should be spent in front of an air-conditioner rather than vigorously exercising.
Pet Crate Size
Pet Crates Direct recommends 36" dog crates for most adult Bulldogs.
Return to the main Dog Crate Sizes Breed Chart.
* Links for crate sizes will bring you to the most appropriate Amazon page.
More Information
Dimensions
English Bulldogs weigh between forty to fifty pounds. Male English Bulldogs are heavier and will generally weigh an average of forty pounds whereas females will weigh about forty pounds.
Bulldogs used for show purposes are likely to be as much as ten pounds heavier. The shoulder height of Bulldogs lies between twelve to fifteen inches and they are generally short animals.
Persona
This dog makes for a great watchdog because of its courageous nature. They do not bark and their appearance is enough to scare away any intruders.
Sweet and lovable, Bulldogs have a dignified personality as opposed to a lively one and they are known to be stubborn at times. They get along easily with others and you can enhance this trait by exposing your English bulldog to different types of dogs and people.
Though they are slow learners and take some time to train, once they have learned something it will stick and you will seldom find yourself teaching them something that you did a while ago.
Their temperament will be influenced by a number of factors such as their heredity, socialization, and training. Thus, it is best for you to get a puppy which has been well bred.
You can carry on the good work by giving it proper training and enrolling it in a puppy kindergarten. You can evaluate the temperament of your puppy by visiting its parents and siblings and you can choose a puppy with the temperaments that you prefer.
Choosing a puppy in the middle ground, that is one that does not bully others or shy away, will help you shape your puppy into a well-rounded dog.
Their inactive nature makes them suitable for various types of homes such as apartments as well as houses with yards.
Health
It is not always easy to tell what conditions that your bulldog might suffer from until it has reached two years.
To be safe, get your dog from a reputable breeder to lessen the chances of getting a dog that is at a greater risk of contracting diseases such as entropion, cherry eye, hip dysplasia, and tail problems.
Regular check-ups will go a long way in preventing most of the diseases that your dog is prone to.
English Bulldog Protection
It is imperative that you follow the right guidelines in the care of your dog to ensure that it lives a long, happy healthy life.
Activity
To prevent your Bulldog from gaining too much weight which can be problematic to its bone structure, ensure that it gets about fifteen minutes of exercise a day.
Due to their inactive nature, they get tired easily and after those fifteen minutes, they will be ready to take a nap. Do not engage them in too much exercise though. A stroll up and down the street will serve your dog just fine.
Weather
Bulldogs have faces that are pushed in and as such, they do not do well in extreme temperatures. When they are exposed to high temperatures, they breathe very heavily as they are not able to dissipate heat efficiently. This makes them prone to suffering from heatstroke.
If it is hot, ensure that your bulldog is in an environment with adequate air conditioning because if it spends as little as half an hour in high temperatures of about eighty-five degrees, it can die. Ensure that they have a lot of water by them in such hot temperatures to help them stay hydrated.
Training
Bulldogs are quite slow learners and for you to train them effectively, make the training sessions fun and fill them with positive reinforcement in the form of treats and a lot of praise. Once your Bulldog learns a command, it will remember it for a very long time.
Safety
Bulldogs are not natural swimmers as their heads are very heavy and tend to drag them down into the water which can lead to drowning. If you have a pool or a pond in your yard, keep an eye on your dog to prevent it from falling in.
Feeding
The amount and type of food that you give your bulldog will depend on its size, metabolism, age, build and its activity levels. Consult a professional trainer or a vet to help you in coming up with the right diet for your dog.
Leaving food out at all times encourages your Bulldog to eat massive amounts of food and due to their inactive nature; this can easily lead to obesity. To prevent this, limit eating times to twice a day.
Hygiene
Getting your dog accustomed to hygiene practices while it is still young prevents the occurrence of many diseases. Brush your dog’s fur at least once a week to prevent it from shedding on your clothes and furniture.
Wipe your dog’s face at least once a day with a damp cloth. You can use baby wipes to wipe the insides of wrinkles and ensure that the insides are completely dry to avoid the risk of bacterial and fungal infections.
Introduce your Bulldog to nail clipping at an early age as this will make the experience much more pleasant for the two of you. Brushing your bulldog’s teeth is important in the prevention of the growth of plaque and if possible, you can do this daily. Give your dog a weekly exam as you bathe it so that you can look out for warning signs of diseases.
Crating English Bulldogs
The size of the crate you choose will depend on the size of your dog. The recommended crate size has dimensions of either 36” length x 24” width x 27” height or 36” length x 23” width x 25” height. If it is still young, get a crate with a dividing panel to allow for expansion.
Given their social nature, English Bulldogs get along with most people and children and you can trust them to play nice with kids. Instead of getting angry when tormented, they prefer to walk away.
Seeing how amazing these dogs are, they definitely deserve a crate that is befitting of their lovable nature. Get a crate that allows them to have adequate space to sleep in as they really love to take naps.
