Bulldogs have perfected the art of looking permanently disappointed by existence while somehow remaining one of the most beloved dog breeds on the planet. They move slowly, breathe loudly, and approach any physical activity with the energy of someone who has already assessed the situation and concluded it's probably not worth it. They are also extraordinarily affectionate, surprisingly gentle, and profoundly attached to their people. The Bulldog is a dog of great internal life and limited aerobic ambition.
3 Things Nobody Tells You About Bulldogs
- The snoring is structural, not a phase. Bulldogs snore. Loudly. Always. It's caused by their anatomy — the same features that give them their characteristic face also restrict airflow through the nose and throat. This does not improve with age. Consider this when choosing your bedroom arrangement.
- They flatulate impressively. Bulldogs swallow a lot of air when eating due to their facial structure, and they pass that air back out with remarkable frequency and, at times, remarkable force. Feeding from a slow feeder bowl helps. Somewhat.
- They're surprisingly stubborn. Bulldogs were bred to be tenacious — holding on to a bull regardless of what the bull thought about it. That same tenacity applies to their opinion of commands they disagree with. Short, positive, reward-based training sessions work far better than repetition or force.
Health Things to Actually Watch For
- BOAS: Like French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome. Surgery to widen the nostrils and shorten the soft palate can significantly improve breathing and quality of life.
- Skin fold infections: Deep facial wrinkles, the nose rope, and the tail pocket must be cleaned and dried regularly. Infection here causes significant pain and persistent odour.
- Cherry eye: The prolapsed third eyelid gland appears as a red mass in the corner of the eye. It looks alarming. It requires surgical correction to prevent long-term eye problems.
- Hip dysplasia: Bulldogs have one of the highest rates of hip dysplasia of any breed. Maintain healthy weight and discuss pain management options with your vet as your dog ages.
Your Bulldog Care Cheat Sheet
- Clean all skin folds every 1–2 days — face, nose rope, tail pocket, any visible creases.
- Never exercise a Bulldog in hot or humid conditions. They cannot thermoregulate efficiently and can develop heatstroke within minutes.
- Feed slow feeder bowls to reduce air ingestion and bloating.
- Pet insurance from day one — BOAS, cherry eye, hip, and skin issues are all likely and all add up.
- Keep them lean — extra weight puts enormous strain on an already-compromised respiratory system.
Track your Bulldog's full health calendar on the Woofio Bulldog care page.