Bulldog (English Bulldog)

• Bathing: Most English Bulldogs shouldn’t need a bath more than once a month. If they have skin issues, talk to your vet about bathing more frequently.  
• Brushing: An English Bulldog’s short coat is usually simple to maintain with a once-weekly brushing using a slicker brush. 
• Dental care: Brush their teeth every day with a specially formulated dog toothpaste and dog toothbrush. Get a professional cleaning at your vet’s once a year.  
• Nail care: Trim your English Bulldog’s nails once a month. You’ll know it’s time when you hear them clacking as they walk across hard surfaces. 
• Skin care: English Bulldogs’ characteristic wrinkles need to be wiped down every day to avoid dirt and moisture getting trapped inside the folds and causing infections. Use a medicated and drying wipe to clean underneath all that skin, especially the wrinkles around the nose and tail.  
  • Make sure to dry all the areas you’ve wiped, as moisture can cause infection. If you notice any redness or irritation, your vet may recommend using a medicated shampoo or mousse for a few days. Don’t forget to clean between the toes, too, as their paws are prone to infection. 

The key to training an English Bulldog? Patience—and lots of positive reinforcement, of course. 

English Bulldogs are independent thinkers, so if you’re looking for a dog who will jump through hoops on command, look elsewhere. These smart cookies know what they like and don’t like—so if they take a bit longer to learn something, it’s not for lack of intelligence. It’s just because they’re not feeling it at this exact moment. The promise of a treat, a fun toy, or praise can often help them along.  

With proper motivation, your English Bulldog will probably ace all the important cues eventually. Keep going with that positive reinforcement and don’t give up.  

As with all breeds, early socialization is key for English Bulldog puppies to grow up to be well-adjusted adults, so start introducing them to new people and places as soon as you can. If your dog’s a puppy, your vet can help you decide how soon to make introductions (usually once they’re fully vaccinated). If you adopt an older English Bulldog, your vet can also offer guidance to help them to become the happiest, most confident dog.  

The best food for English Bulldogs is a high-quality formula that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). 

English Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have shortened snouts and skulls, which gives them their adorable smooshed faces. Unfortunately, though, this condition can also trigger trouble breathing and digestive issues, including vomiting and gagging.  

To complicate matters, these dogs are speedy eaters who will gulp down whatever is in front of them in seconds. So, you may want to feed your Bulldog smaller meals more often (your vet can tell you exactly how much food and how many times a day) or use a special slow feeder bowl.  

Bulldogs are prone to obesity, which will exacerbate medical issues, so make sure you’re not overfeeding them. Remember that treats count, too; treats should never make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

If you’re not into intense exercise all that much, the English Bulldog totally gets it. This breed’s flattened snout makes lots of vigorous activity a no-go.  

Even though they may not be super sporty, these silly pups still get the zoomies when the mood strikes. The rest of the time, they’re pretty low-key and enjoy walks where they can stop to smell the flowers. Two or three slow 15-minute walks a day, mixed in with a few trips to the dog park or doggy playdates a few times a week, is perfect.  

Overexertion—especially in hot or cold weather—is very dangerous for the English Bulldog. Schedule outdoor time for the cooler parts of the day and avoid extreme heat and freezing temperatures. 

Don’t forget to entertain your pup’s mind, too. Have some dog puzzles around the house and regularly initiate casual games, like tug-of-war or fetch. 

English Bulldogs don’t need fancy digs or a big backyard to be happy. When it comes to the safest, most comfortable environment for this breed, it comes down to one thing: air-conditioning.  

It’s very easy for them to overheat, so they don’t like to be in the sun or left home alone without the air on in warmer months. Bulldogs do best in temperate climates where it doesn’t get too hot or too cold.  

Other than that, they’re adaptable and social pups who would love to be in a home with lots of people—kids and other animals included—to give them attention. If you’re a single pet parent, that’s great too, as long as you have plenty of love to give this deserving pup. Offer them lots of affection, snuggles, and praise, and an English Bulldog will be your bestie forever.