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Bulldogs may look ferocious, but these lovable fur babies are anything but! The dogs are gentle and great for families with kids. Did you know Bulldogs date back to 5th century England? The breed is old and was once used for bullbaiting and bearbaiting. However, those days are long gone. Today, Bulldogs are prized as loving family companions.
What is a Bulldog?
Bulldogs are descended from Mastiffs and pit bulls (not today’s Pitbulls—these were the dogs used in bearbaiting hundreds of years ago). They were once working dogs bred to herd cattle and protect their people and homes.
You may think that Bulldogs are constantly frowning; however, that’s just how they look. They’re not frowning on the inside and tend to be happy dogs! The dogs also usually have a face that looks a little smooshed in, with short muzzles. Because of these facial features, the dogs are prone to brachycephalic syndrome. Their faces also have hanging jowls, a strong jaw, and an underbite. Their bottom teeth sometimes stick out a bit.
Bulldogs generally have barrel-shaped, are low to the ground, and are very muscular. The dogs have round eyes and small ears that sometimes fold back. They usually have a short tail, too.
OK, with this basic information about Bulldogs behind us, let’s get on to our list of types of Bulldog breeds!
1. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is the classic bulldog. They have a barrel-shaped body that sits lower to the ground. The dogs also have large, strong jaws and a worried look on their face! The dogs were originally used as bearbaiting and bullbaiting dogs; however, today, English Bulldogs are prized as loving family companions.
English Bulldogs usually weigh between 40-50 lbs and stand between 12 to 15 inches tall. They have a life expectancy between 8 to 12 years. This medium-sized dog comes in a range of colors, including brindle, red, white, fawn, and fallow. They may also have black masks, with brown or black eyes.
The English Bulldog is very friendly and sometimes a bit silly when it comes to temperament. They’re very friendly with kids and families, too. They can be extremely sweet as long as they’ve been properly trained and socialized. They may be somewhat wary and protective against strangers, too.
This is a dog that prefers staying indoors, though they do enjoy getting out, too. They’re also adaptable to apartments and city living. These dogs don’t have a ton of energy and are usually happy with 10 to 15 minutes of activity each day. Otherwise, they also enjoy naps!
An English Bulldog’s coat is short and fine, so they only need to be brushed about once a week. However, they do shed, so you may want to brush them more often (especially during shedding season). These dogs have facial folds that must be kept clean and dry to avoid skin allergies and infections.
2. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog (also called the Frenchie) was bred from the English Bulldog. They originally came from England and were bred to be the toy version of the English Bulldog. The dogs were very popular with lacemakers in Nottingham. When they moved to France, these immigrants took the dogs with them!
In France, the French Bulldog became extremely popular. They later spread to the rest of Europe and eventually to the US.
French Bulldogs stand between 11 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 16 to 28 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 11 to 14 years.
These dogs are famous for their bat-ears and beautiful faces! The French Bulldog is more on the glamorous side than other bulldogs. And they do make wonderful companions. While they’re small, they are heavy! The dogs have a body that’s powerful and sturdy. Thankfully they also have a laid-back personalities. And they love to play, though they also love to become couch potatoes!
Frenchies are highly intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They prefer training sessions to be more like a game and very fun. It’s good to keep in mind that the dogs can be independent, making them a tad stubborn.
This is a bulldog breed that needs to be with their humans. They are not outdoor dogs and need lots of love and attention. While they are friendly and loving, they can also sometimes be possessive of their people. The dogs may also be territorial. The dogs also make great watchdogs! For these reasons, the Frenchie needs to have training and socialization from a young age.
Frenchies make wonderful small, sturdy Bulldog family companions!
3. American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is another type of Bulldog that is stocky and muscular. However, that doesn’t stop them from being surprisingly agile and able to run! The American Bulldog is a descendant of the Old English Bulldogs, who were brought from Europe to the US by immigrants. Over time, the breed was bred with other working dogs and became the American Bulldog we know and love today!
The dogs were originally used to help on the farm and ranch. They herded cattle, protected the farm and their family, and more. American Bulldogs are highly intelligent, agile, and extremely loyal to their humans as working dogs.
American Bulldogs are working dogs that stand between 20 to 28 inches tall and weigh between 60 to 120 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 16 years. These are not small dogs!
While they’re still working dogs, the American Bulldog is also a family-oriented dog who is very loyal and loving. These dogs have a lot of energy, and so require a home that’s larger or at least has a large, fenced backyard. They can do well with living in the city; however, they do need daily walks. And if you’re a jogger or runner, an American Bulldog can also make a great running companion.
Because American Bulldogs are so people-oriented, they don’t do well left alone for long periods. They may develop separation anxiety, which may lead the dogs to become destructive. Remember, these are dogs with strong jaws. You’ll come home to more than just chewed-up shoes!
American Bulldogs are best for experienced pet parents who understand how to handle these dogs. Even so, the dogs love nothing better than to snuggle up with their humans at the end of the day. They make loving, loyal companions!
4. Catahoula Bulldog
The Catahoula Bulldog is a mixed breed go, which is a cross between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and the American Bulldog. Experts believe the dogs were first bred about 100 years ago, meaning they’re a relatively new Bulldog breed. The dogs have been very popular in the Southern US because of their ability to hunt and catch bears & hogs. They’re also prized for herding cattle.
Catahoula Bulldogs stand between 24 to 26 inches and weigh between 75 to 100 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. The dogs are said to be extremely loyal and filled to overflowing with energy! So, if you get one of these dogs, know he will need plenty of daily exercise. They need at least two long walks a day (at a minimum) and may also have energy for even more activities, such as swimming or running.
These dogs are not recommended for apartment dwellers. And they can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. They tend to become destructive and restless. With all that energy, you can imagine what a dog like this can do!
The dogs come in a range of colors and can be all white or all dark. They may also come in shades of gray and brown. They have short, dense coasts that are said to look shiny. All they need is a once-a-week brushing to control shedding. However, these dogs don’t shed that much.
5. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is another type of Bulldog! These are fearless family protectors who are sometimes called the “silent watchdog.” Even so, they are really sweet hearts with their families. Bullmastiffs are another relatively modern dog breed, first developed in the mid-19th century. They were developed by English gamekeepers who needed large, brave, and quiet dogs. The gamekeepers also needed a dog that could track down poachers and hang onto them until help arrived.
The Bullmastiff, as the name implies, is a cross between the Mastiff and a Bulldog. Mastiffs are very large dogs that are not aggressive, while the Bulldog was brave and determined but lacked the size needed by gamekeepers.
Bullmastiffs are large dogs, standing between 24 to 27 inches and weighing between 100 to 130 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 8 to 10 years.
A Bullmastiff is very intimidating with their large, powerful build. This, alone, makes them a wonderful deterrent to robbers and intruders. These dogs will defend their homes and families, yet they are also loving companions.
The dogs have short hair that is easy to care for. And they don’t shed too much. However, these dogs do drool a lot. If you don’t like finding drool all over the house, then this may not be the dog for you. However, these dogs are very easygoing.
Bullmastiffs only need about two short walks a day, as they don’t have a ton of energy. They’ve very comfortable living in a house or an apartment, as long as they get out a couple of times each day.
These dogs tend to be independent thinkers, meaning they can be stubborn. Training requires a pet parent who knows how to handle this breed. The dogs need to be trained with a firm hand, fairness, and consistency from a young age. If not trained and socialized, these dogs may believe they’re the head of the house, not you!
6. Bando Bull
The Bando Bull is another type of bulldog! They are a new bulldog type that was first created in 2014. The Bando Bull comes from a breeder in Natchez, Mississippi. The breed is a mix of The American Pitbull Terrier and the Old English Bulldog.
These dogs stand between 14 to 18 inches and weigh between 45-90 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 8 to 14 years.
The dogs are described as happy, outgoing, brave, stable, and confident. They are cheerful, alert, social, and loyal, too. Bando Bull dogs are also very protective of their family and home. Yet, they are very gentle toward their families. They make very good family dogs.
Bando Bulls are eager to please and easy to train. However, they’re not the best dogs for first-time pet parents. They require a pet parent who is firm and calm, who understands how to handle this breed. The dogs can be stubborn and take over unless they recognize you are the one in charge!
These dogs do OK in an apartment if they have plenty of exercise. They must have at least one long walk a day to release energy! However, the dogs are easy to take care of. Bando Bulls have short hair that’s easy to groom. They require brushing about once a week!
7. Mammut Bulldog
The Mammut Bulldog was first bred in the 1800s. They are a mix of the American Bulldog, Bandogge, English Bulldog, Old English Bulldog, and Bullmastiff. You’d think these were huge dogs; however, they stand between 17 to 21 inches and weigh between 40 to 60 lbs. They have a life expectancy between o to 11 years.
The Mammut Bulldog is a working dog; however, they are also great family companions. They are loyal, brave, and fearless dogs. They’re also confident and intelligent. The dogs also have a high prey drive. Being athletic, they excel at many dog sports, such as agility and more. They also make great watchdogs!
This dog breed is good with kids; however, they must be trained and socialized from a young age. In addition, these powerful dogs need pet parents who are firm, consistent, and determined. Otherwise, the Mammut Bulldog will take over and be the dominant one in the house!
Summing It Up
So, there you have it! We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article about the different types of Bulldog!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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