It isn’t hard to fall in love with bulldogs of all kinds. They have looks to swoon and sloppy kisses to give. While you’re probably familiar with the more common breeds of bulldogs, you may be surprised to know just how many there are.
The 13 Types of Bulldog Breeds
1. English Bulldog
When you hear the term “bulldog”, this may be the image you think of first. Their famous wrinkly face and stocky body have left an impression on dog lovers everywhere. These beefy canines are short but stable, weighing an average of 50-54 pounds.
While they may be slightly intimidating-looking because of their structure, they are quite docile and affectionate. Most are laid back and lackadaisical, making them patient and loving toward children. They serve as great companions who are highly sociable and gregarious.
They get along great with other pets when properly socialized. However, they may show territorial aggression toward unfamiliar dogs. Because of their watchdog nature, they will also alert you if they sense a potential threat.
The lifespan of this breed ranges between 8-10 years. As a result of generations of poor breeding, they suffer multiple health issues like cancer, heart failure, allergies, skinfold infections, and breathing obstructions.
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2. Olde English Bulldogge
Many think the English and Olde English Bulldogge are the same. It’s not true. This is a combination of an English Mastiff, American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and the Pit Bull Terrier. When full-grown, these brutes weigh between 60-130 pounds.
While they are friendly, they are on guard, defensive, and protective of their owners. They are alpha-minded, so it is important to show them you are boss from an early age to set the hierarchy of the household.
Unlike their sluggish cousins, they are equipped with stamina, strength, and athletic abilities. They will require moderate exercise. Because they are more active, toys can ease boredom and deflect destructiveness.
The lifespan of this breed ranges between 9-14 years. Contrary to other bull breeds, health issues remain low risk. The most commonly noted problem is hip dysplasia.
3. French Bulldog
These little guys have an adorably distinct look, making them instantly recognizable to most. They are one of the tiniest bull breeds with oversized pointed ears and a smooshed snout. These dogs are compact, weighing only 20-28 pounds as adults.
These stout little cuties are excellent companion animals. They aren’t the best guard dog choice due to their enthusiastic, friendly personalities. They exhibit traits like playfulness, curiosity, and an eagerness to please.
While they may not require extensive exercise, they do love to romp. They are very excitable, mouthy, and humorous. While sweet, they may be a little selfish with attention, which can cause jealous inclinations toward other pets.
The lifespan of this breed ranges from 10-14 years. They are susceptible to health issues like allergies, breathing problems, and ear infections.
- French Bulldog vs Pug – Read about their main differences here!
4. American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a taller, lankier addition to the bull breeds. While they carry facial similarities, such as the shorter nose and face wrinkles, they have thinner and longer frames. An adult American Bulldog weighs an average of 60-120 pounds.
They are known to be big, goofy lapdogs who live to love you. American Bulldogs are also incredibly brave and ready to defend. They are very doting toward children and tend to get along well with other animals. They are cautious of newcomers but generally stranger-friendly.
Muscular and athletically built, they are agile and high-energy. They will need appropriate exercise to accommodate their dynamic personalities. If they do not have a proper outlet, they may develop destructive tendencies.
The lifespan of this breed ranges from 10-14 years. They can suffer from health conditions like cherry eye, hip dysplasia, ACL tears, and thyroid issues.
5. Alano Español
With one look at their intense eyes, you know the Alano Español means business. It is highly intelligent, physically capable, and easily trainable. They are a well-statured dog weighing between 55-88 pounds.
While very lovable, loyal, and nurturing towards their masters and children, they rarely share the sentiment for outsiders. They have a dominant disposition, so they must have adequate and assertive training.
They were initially purposed as work dogs and should get plenty of physical activity. Because of their hardiness and adaptability to weather, many thrive as outdoor pets.
The lifespan of this breed ranges from 11-14 years. They are incredibly resistant to illness or disorders. While they can suffer from many generalized problems any dog could have, they are very healthful.
6. Victorian Bulldog
Because of breeding issues of the English Bulldog, this breed has set out to eliminate these complications for good. They maintain a closely similar look, making them nearly indistinguishable to their English cousins. Full-grown, they weigh between 50-75 pounds.
They are a combination of an English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, and a Staffordshire Terrier. This dog has the same happy-go-lucky personality, calm disposition, and squishy rolls of the English Bulldog. They are also just as vastly affectionate and emotionally intuitive.
The lifespan of this breed is 12-14 years. Because of the selective breeding, problems for them are much rarer. The only remaining concern is skin-related conditions, such as allergies and infections.
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7. Catahoula Bulldog
Being the hybrid of the American Bulldog and Catahoula Leopard, this dog got the best of both worlds. They are known for their coat of many colors, intensively vivid eyes, and pleasant attitudes.
The mixture produces a beautiful companion dog. They are incredibly loyal, situationally protective, and brilliant. Not only do they make fantastic family pets, but they also serve as efficient work and guard dogs.
The lifespan of this breed is 13-15 years. They are prone to blindness, deafness, and hip dysplasia.
8. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
This beautiful, burly breed is hardy and adaptable. They are typically very good-natured but may be a challenge for inexperienced dog owners. They are quite large, weighing 55-99 pounds.
It is best to socialize them from adolescence. These animals are very loving and serviceable to owners. However, because they are so muscular, they can be hard to manage. Training them to be obedient and well-mannered is a necessity.
This breed serves as an excellent watchdog. They tend to be very selective of new people and don’t always take well to other dogs.
The lifespan of this breed is 12-13 years. They have the classic ailments of many bull breeds, including hip dysplasia, eye issues, deafness, and skin problems.
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9. Ca de Bou
Ca de Bou is a Spanish name that translates to “bulldog”. This thick, sturdy powerhouse is known for its massive, blocky head. They are in the medium-size range and weigh up to 84 pounds.
They are incredibly devoted to their families and fondly patient with children. However, because of their enormous size and keen intelligence, establishing a hierarchy in the relationship is essential. They need to respect owners and know you are the alpha.
They have a very high defensiveness alert. If trained to channel this instinct properly, they are excellent watchdogs.
The lifespan of this breed is 10-12 years. While this dog’s health is generally in good standing, they can suffer from hip dysplasia or bloat.
10. Red-Tiger Bulldog
This thickly proportioned specimen is a relatively new breed, only coming to existence in the past twenty years. They are a stocky build with ears cropped inward, making them look somewhat intimidating. Full-grown, they weigh between 70-110 pounds.
They are lovely family pets, as they are gentle and loyal. They have an aversion toward strangers and will be suspicious of new people. They also have a very high prey drive, making them potentially dangerous to smaller animals.
Their lifespan of this breed is 12-16 years. While they thrive, puppies must get adequate nutrition. They are susceptible to down pasterns, which is a deformity in the lower portion of the leg.
11. Mammut Bulldog
These beautiful creatures are the combined product of only bulldog bloodlines. Because of their longer snouts, they have less breathing trouble. They are also leaner and more agile than some bull breeds. These dogs are medium-sized, weighing up to 60 pounds as adults.
They are kind and loving towards all people in their tight-knit families. Strangers and other animals can be a different story. They can be reserved, shy, or even aggressive towards outsiders.
Due to their athleticism and breeding, they can be activity-intense in a variety of temperatures. They may be stubborn and hard to handle if not raised with discipline.
The lifespan of this breed is 9-11 years. While not notably unhealthy, they can struggle from breathing and skin issues.
12. Bullmastiff
These lovely, large dogs came from the now-extinct Old English Bulldog and Mastiff. They quite a popular bull breed and are known for their loveable personalities. They are hefty, weighing up to 130 pounds.
They make incredible additions to families with children and other pets. Bullmastiffs are warm-hearted, devoted, and shielding. They are not inherently aggressive without proper provocation, but they do make excellent watchdogs.
Because of their large size, they will need proper care to develop appropriate manners. They are the kind of dog that doesn’t equate how big they are, making them bulldozer-like. That is manageable with proper rearing.
Sadly, the lifespan of the Bullmastiff is only 7-9 years, which is not uncommon for a dog of this size. They have risks for hip dysplasia, thyroid complications, skin ailments, and bloat.
13. Australian Bulldog
This handsome breed is much like the English and Victorian Bulldog. Not only are their looks on par, but they also share similar personality traits. These husky canines are short in stature and weigh an average of 50-78 pounds.
They are highly adaptable to many environments, making them suitable for both small and spacious living. While they may have issues with dominance, they tend to get along quite well with humans and creatures alike. They are exceedingly intelligent, charmingly spirited, and fiercely loyal.
The lifespan of this breed is 10-12 years. Because of their breeding, they have a reduced number of ailments. However, they are prone to heat-related issues and skin infections.
What a Wonderful Variety
While the breeds we’ve discussed share many parallel qualities, Bulldogs are unique in their own right. Each has an exceptional array of personality, purpose, and appeal. Bull breeds will continue to develop, adding even more quality to existing bloodlines.
They are everything on the spectrum from large to small, stoical to silly, and lazy to ambitious. You are sure to find one that stands out above the rest. One thing is for sure—there is no shortage of diversity here.
Featured Image Credit: CC0 Public Domain, Pxhere
