The FCI standard becomes unusually personal here: it describes the Bulldog as a delightfully ugly dog with a prizefighter’s expression hiding a loving nature. Regarded as Britain’s national dog, the breed has changed greatly in build over time, which is where its greatest problems now lie.
| FCI | Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain Dogs), Section 2.1 Molossoid, Mastiff type, Standard No. 149, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Great Britain |
| Size (height at the withers) | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Weight | males 25 kg, females 23 kg |
| Life expectancy | median 9.8 years in a UK analysis of 584,734 dogs (McMillan et al. 2024) |
| Coat | fine, short, close-fitting and smooth |
| Colours in the standard | solid red, fawn or white, also with black mask; red or fawn with white; brindle, also with white; pied on white ground; other colours not permitted |
Origins
According to the FCI standard, the Bulldog was first classified as such in the 1630s. Originally used for bull-baiting and fighting in dog pits, after 1835 it developed into the shorter-faced, stockier form known today. It entered the show ring in 1860, and temperament changed substantially in subsequent years.
Temperament
The standard describes watchfulness, courage, loyalty and reliability, with a fierce appearance but affectionate nature. In daily life, Bulldogs are usually easy-going and closely attached to their people. Pressure achieves little; patience and rewards achieve much.
Exercise and activity
Short, calm walks rather than long outings, only during cool hours in warm weather. Crucially, the current standard explicitly deems breathing distress and excessive breathing noise unacceptable, requiring dogs without a tendency towards obesity. Loud breathing is therefore a warning sign rather than a breed feature.
Grooming
The short coat is quickly maintained. Facial and tail folds need regular attention: keep clean and dry, and have redness checked early.
Health
The largest breed study comes from the Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass programme: 2,662 English Bulldogs compared with 22,039 other dogs attending UK practices. Bulldogs had increased risk for 24 of 43 common conditions, including skin fold dermatitis at 38.1 times the odds, prolapsed third-eyelid gland (cherry eye) at 26.8 times and brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) at 19.2 times (O’Neill et al. 2022). The authors urgently call for more moderate conformation. If choosing a Bulldog, look for open nostrils and quiet breathing, and ask for the parents’ respiratory function tests.
Who is a Bulldog right for?
Calm people wanting a relaxed, affectionate companion, spending much time at home and realistically budgeting for veterinary costs.
Who should look elsewhere?
Athletic people, hot attic flats without cooling and anyone finding snoring breathing cute.
Assess whether a Bulldog suits your routine through the breed quiz or our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German). With a puppy, the free Puppy Starter Pack helps. Find more FCI-based breed profiles in the Dog Breed Encyclopedia.
Further reading
- French Bulldog: the everyday cost of struggling to breathe
- Pug: what a nose bred away means in everyday life
- Is my dog overweight? Assessing body condition and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 149 Bulldog (fci.be, English version dated 06.10.2026); O'Neill DG et al., English Bulldogs in the UK: a VetCompass study of their disorder predispositions and protections, Canine Medicine and Genetics 2022; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024.
Links to our books are affiliate links. Buying through them supports us at no extra cost to you.
