Bulldog
Trait scores are tendency indicators from 0-100. Example: 42% alone tolerance roughly maps to around 4 hours alone.
Bulldogs are low-key companions who form intense bonds with their families, preferring short walks and long naps to vigorous activity. Their stubborn streak and respiratory anatomy mean they need patient training and climate-controlled environments, but their gentle, comical personality makes them beloved urban apartment dogs.
Verified source: American Kennel Club profile (2026-02-10)
Quick Facts
AKC VerifiedGroup
Non-sporting
Life Expectancy
8-10 years
Height
14-15 in
Weight
40-50 lb
Alone-Time Tolerance
About 4 hours
Exercise
30 min/day
AKC popularity rank: #9
Non-sporting context: Non-Sporting is a mixed utility group with very diverse personalities and needs.
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (verified 2026-02-10)
Finding Your Bulldog
🏠Consider Adoption First
Many wonderful Bulldogs are waiting in shelters and breed-specific rescues. Adoption saves lives and gives deserving dogs a second chance.
Adoption Resources
Search for Bulldogs in shelters and rescues near you.
Responsible Breeder Checklist
- Provides health clearances for both parents
- Allows you to visit the breeding facility
- Offers a written health guarantee / contract
- Provides references from previous buyers
- Asks you screening questions about your home
- Breeds only one or two breeds
Whether you adopt or buy from a breeder, always prioritize the dog's health and well-being. Avoid puppy mills and pet stores that source from irresponsible breeders. For Bulldogs, ensure health testing for common breed-specific conditions.
Life Stage Simulator
Who This Breed Fits
Watch Out For
A Day in the Life
A purposeful walk and short training game helps them settle for the day.
Most do best with another activity block before winding down near their people.
Longer outings and enrichment games noticeably improve behavior and sleep quality.
People often underestimate how quickly behavior slips when routines are inconsistent.
Exercise & Activity
Plan on around 30 minutes of daily activity split between walks and mental games. Consistency matters more than occasional long outings.
Low
High
Mental Enrichment Ideas
Health
Long-term outcomes improve with weight control, regular preventive care, and condition-specific monitoring for known breed risks.
Known Health Concerns
Compromised upper airway anatomy can cause breathing strain and heat intolerance.
Moist skin folds can become inflamed or infected without regular cleaning.
Prominent or exposed eyes are more vulnerable to injury and chronic irritation.
Size, exercise demand, and care complexity determine boarding availability and price.
Behavior Reality Check
Good news! This breed typically has manageable behavior traits with proper training and socialization. Of course, individual dogs vary, but Bulldogs generally don't present severe behavioral challenges.
Temperament & Traits
All traits rated on a 0-100 scale representing tendency scores.
Lifestyle & Activity
Low
High
~6h alone capacity
High
Social & Compatibility
High
High
High
High
High
Training & Behavior
High
High
High
Moderate
Maintenance & Care
High
Moderate
High
High
Environment & Adaptability
High
Low
High
Moderate
High
Grooming & Coat
High
Moderate
High
High
Coat care needs depend on coat type, but weekly brushing and routine nail, ear, and dental care are baseline requirements. Professional grooming frequency rises sharply for curly, silky, and wire coats.
Shedding varies by coat type; double-coated breeds and many mixes shed heavily during seasonal coat changes.
Common Barking Triggers
Lifestyle Planner
PROInteractive Cost Calculator
Adjust the options below to see how your choices affect ownership costs.
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Annual Cost Summary
Estimates based on breed size, grooming needs, and health risk. Actual costs vary by location, individual dog health, and lifestyle choices. Emergency vet visits and unexpected health issues not included.
10-Year Cost Calculator
PRONeighborhood Compatibility
Breed History
Origin
The Bulldog originated in United States.
Original Purpose
Bulldog lines were developed for companion. That working role still shows up today in temperament, stamina, and day-to-day needs.
Breed Group: Non-sporting. Non-Sporting is a mixed utility group with very diverse personalities and needs.
In modern homes, this history matters because it predicts what helps the dog thrive: enough movement, clear structure, and outlets that match their original instincts.
Fun Facts
Bulldogs were literally bred for bull-baiting, where they'd clamp onto a bull's nose and hang on for dear life—a 'sport' that left them scarred and exhausted for gambling bets.
Their pushed-in faces aren't aesthetic—they're a genetic mutation that makes reproduction so difficult that nearly 80% of Bulldogs require artificial insemination to breed.
Bulldogs can suffer 'cherry eye,' where a gland in the third eyelid prolapsed and looks like a cherry, but Victorian breeders thought it made them look tougher.
The breed almost went extinct in 1875 when bull-baiting was outlawed in England; only a handful of breeders kept them alive by rebranding them as 'gentleman's companions.'
Bulldogs' wrinkles aren't just for looks—they trap moisture, bacteria, and yeast, requiring obsessive cleaning to prevent infections.
Famous Bulldog Dogs
Uga
Long-running live mascot line for the University of Georgia.
Practical Next Steps
First-Month Supplies Checklist
Breeder Red Flags
Preparation Timeline
Week Before
Purchase all supplies, puppy-proof your home, choose a veterinarian, and set up training schedule.
Day 1
Gentle introduction to home, establish crate/bed location, first bathroom break routine, quiet time to adjust.
Week 1
Vet checkup, start basic training, establish feeding routine, begin socialization carefully.
Month 1
Continue consistent training - patience is key with this breed. Regular vet visits for vaccinations, establish grooming routine.
Training Priorities for Bulldogs
- • Gradual alone-time training (high separation anxiety risk)
Recommended Products
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Use our breed matcher to see how Bulldog compares to other breeds based on your lifestyle.
Try the Breed MatcherData Transparency
Quick facts for Bulldog are cross-checked against publicly available American Kennel Club breed pages.
AKC source: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bulldog/ (verified 2026-02-10)
AKC sync coverage: 188/188 non-mix breeds as of February 10, 2026.
Last updated: February 10, 2026
Sources: American Kennel Club (AKC) breed profiles, Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) breed standards, United Kennel Club (UKC) breed standards, Merck Veterinary Manual (canine health references), Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) screening guidance, AKC: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bulldog/