English Bulldog Training Profile
Weight: 40 to 50 pounds
Height: 14 to 15 inches
Lifespan: 8 to 10 years
English Bulldog Temperament and History
The original bulldog, this breed is instantly recognizable from their unique physical appearance; they’re strong, stocky and have wrinkled faces that appear smushed in. In fact, they’re the ancestors of the French Bulldog and the American Bulldog.
English Bulldogs have a dark history as cruel, ferocious animals; they were once used in bull-baiting, where a pack of them would fight a restrained bull.
When this practice was outlawed in the 19th century, people began redeveloping English Bulldogs for other, more dignified activities.
Since then, they’ve become a national icon of the United Kingdom. A big part of that occurred during WWII; they developed an association with Winston Churchill. Their natural stubbornness was likened to the defiance he showed toward Nazi Germany.
English Bulldogs can still show signs of ferocity and intimidation, but — in actuality — they are very sweet and gentle companions. They’re content sitting with their owners or basking in the shade outside on a pleasant day.
They are also good with children due to their high level of patience. Instead of harming children if they get too rough, they’ll simply leave the area. They also get along well with other animals.
However, they are not tolerant of hot weather; they need to be indoors with air-conditioning on hot days; even 85 degrees Fahrenheit can be too much for them in dosages of 30 minutes or more.
English Bulldog Training
This dog breed is easy-going and loves to please their owners, but they can also be very stubborn and particular about how people interact with them. In most cases, they need training early in life to combat unwanted habits, such as being defensive toward people who touch their food bowl.
They are often lifelong chewers as well, so you must keep a close eye on them to ensure they don’t chew on objects other than their toys and treats. English Bulldogs also have a tendency to guard certain pieces of furniture or other objects, which can be troublesome.
Although this breed loves playing games, such as tug-of-war, it’s important for them to learn to release the object while they’re young.
Most aggressive traits have been bred out of English Bulldogs to make them suitable companion dogs, but there are always exceptions to this rule.
Some English Bulldogs will still display dominant behaviors over other animals — or even people. Those behaviors can progress to aggression, such as nipping, if not properly handled.
