17 Types of Bulldogs: Guide
You can’t mistake a Bulldog for any other breed. With their wrinkly skin, stumpy legs, large heads, and undershot jaw, Bulldogs have become a staple breed in America. In fact, the Bulldog ranks the 5th most popular breed in the AKC (2021).
Types of Bulldogs: Quick Facts
- Olde English Bulldogge
- English Bulldog
- French Bulldog
- American Bulldog
- Australian Bulldog
- Brazilian Bulldog(Campeiro Bulldog)
- Mallorquin Bulldog(Ca de Bou)
- Alano Español (Spanish Bulldog)
- Continental Bulldog
- Victorian Bulldog
- Catahoula Bulldog
- Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
- Valley Bulldog
- Mammut Bulldog
- Serrano Bulldog
- Bullenbeisser (German Bulldog)
- Bullmastiff
Popular Bulldog Types
Olde English Bulldogge
Todays Olde English Bulldogge matches the looks of the bull baiting dog of the early 1800s. They are, first and foremost, excellent companions, while also possessing the drive, temperament and agility to perform in numerous working venues as well as being service dogs. The revival of a healthy dog with the longevity to live well into its teens is a primary goal.
The Olde English Bulldogge was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 2014. OLDE ENGLISH BULLDOGGE.PDF
English Bulldog
The ideal English Bulldog is a medium size, short coated dog with a thick body that is wide and heavy in the shoulders and lighter in the hindquarters. Summer afternoons are best spent in an air-conditioned room as a Bulldog’s short snout can cause labored breathing in hot and humid weather.
| Breed | English Bulldog |
| Temperament | Friendly, Courageous, Calm |
| Height | 14-15 inches |
| Weight | 50 pounds (male), 40 pounds (female) |
| Life Expectancy | 8-10 years |
| AKC Breed Popularity | Ranks 5 of 197 |
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog resembles a Bulldog in miniature, except for the large, erect “bat ears” that are the breed’s trademark feature. The head is large and square, with heavy wrinkles rolled above the extremely short nose. The body beneath the smooth, brilliant coat is compact and muscular.
| Breed | French Bulldog |
| Temperament | Adaptable, Playful, Smart |
| AKC Breed Popularity | Ranks 4 of 197 |
| Height | 11-13 inches |
| Weight | under 28 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 10-14 years |
American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a descendant of the English Bulldog. It is believed that the bulldog was in America as early as the 17th century. They came to the United States in the 1800s, with immigrants who brought their working bulldogs with them. Small farmers and ranchers used this all-around working dog for many tasks including farm guardians, stock dogs, and catch dogs. The breed largely survived, particularly in the southern states, due to its ability to bring down and catch feral pigs.
| Breed | American Bulldog |
| Temperament | Loyal, Self-Confident |
| Height | 22-25 inches (males); 20-23 inches (females) |
| Weight | 75-100 pounds (males); 60-80 pounds (females) |
| Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
Australian Bulldog
The name Australian Bulldog was given by Noel and Tina Green, the founders of the two breeding programs through which this breed was developed. The two breeding programs, N&T Green (Jag Lines) and Pip Nobes, were started separately and then merged in an effort to breed a more functional bulldog (specifically, one better adapted to the Australian environment). The Australian Bulldog is a great family pet, pure and simple.
| Breed | Australian Bulldog |
| Height | 17-20 inches |
| Weight | 50-78 lb |
| Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, outgoing, confident, loyal |
Brazilian Bulldog ( Campeiro Bulldog )
The Brazilian Bulldog, also known as Countryside Bulldog, Pampas Bulldog, and Buldogue Campeiro in Portuguese, is a rural bulldog from southern Brazil.
Although not recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) or the American Kennel Club (AKC), this Brazilian dog has official Brazilian recognition by the Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia (CBKC). CAMPEIRO BULLDOG.PDF
| Breed | Brazilian Bulldog |
| Weight | Female: 68–82 lbs (31–37 kg), Male: 79–93 lbs (36–42 kg) |
| Height | Female: 19–21 in (48–54 cm), Male: 20–22 in (50–56 cm) |
| Coat | Short and smooth |
| Color | Fawn, brown, and brindle with white markings |
| Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
Ca de Bou(Mallorquin Bulldog)
The Ca de Bou, also known as the Perro de Presa Mallorquin or the Majorcan Bulldog, is a breed of bulldog type dogs from Majorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands.
| Breed | Ca de Bou |
| Weight | 78 - 80 lbs. |
| Height | 22" - 23" |
| Life Expectancy | 10 - 12 years |
| Health Problems | Excellent health record. No known hereditary conditions. |
| Also Known As | Pero de Presa Mallorquin, Ca de Bou, Majorcan Bulldog |
Alano Español (Spanish Bulldog)
The origins of the Alano Español are unknown. One hypothesis is that it derives from dogs brought to Spain in the Migration Period in the fifth century by the Alani, a nomadic pastoralist people from Central Europe.
| Breed | Spanish Bulldog |
| Weight | 75–88 pounds (34–40 kg) |
| Height | Female: 22–24 inches (56–61 cm), Male: 23–25 inches (58–64 cm) |
| Life Expectancy | 11-14 yrs |
| Coat | Short and thick |
| Colour | Any kind of brindle; leonardo (fawn); black and brindle; sable wolf , blue |
Continental Bulldog
The Continental Bulldog, or Conti for short, is a newer dog breed created in Switzerland, and is officially recognized in Switzerland and Germany since 2005.CONTINENTAL BULLDOG.PDF
| Breed | Continental Bulldog |
| Weight | Female: 48.50–59.50 lb (22.00–26.99 kg), Male: 55–66 lb (25–30 kg) |
| Height | Female: 15.75-17.32 in (40–44 cm), Male: 16.54-21.26 in (42–46 cm) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 to 14 years |
| Coat | short, shiny, smooth |
| Colour | fawn or brindle, with or without black mask, with or without white wolf , blue |
Victorian Bulldog
The Victorian Bulldog is a medium to large dog breed in the UK. It has a life span of 12 to 14 years and was bred to bring back a line of Bulldogs from older times but ones that were healthier and with less of the issues many Bulldogs have today. This is not the same dog as the Olde Victorian Bulldog that was bred by Carlos Woods though the names are similar. The Victorian Bulldog is also called the Mollett Victorian Bulldog and its focus is to be a companion dog.
| Breed | Victorian Bulldog |
| Weight | 55 to 75 pounds |
| Height | 16 to 19 inches |
| Life Expectancy | 12 to 14 years |
| Coat | short, smooth |
| Colour | white or pied, fawn or fallow, brindles, red |
Catahoula Bulldog
The Catahoula Bulldog is a mixed breed dog–a cross between the Catahoula Leopard Dog and American Bulldog dog breeds. Agile, energetic, and loyal, these pups inherited some of the best qualities from both of their parents.
| Breed | Catahoula Bulldog |
| Weight | 75 to 100 pounds |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches |
| Life Expectancy | 10 to 14 years |
| Dog Breed Group | Mixed Breed Dogs |
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
The Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog is one of several breeds said to resemble the early Bulldogs of England. He is a “catch dog,” whose job it is to catch, hold and drive unruly cattle and hogs, but these days he is primarily a family companion and protector.
| Breed | Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog |
| Weight | 50–90 lb (23–41 kg) |
| Height | 20–25 in (51–64 cm) |
| Coat | short |
| Color | white patched with black, blue, buff or brown |
| Life Expectancy | 11-13 years |
| Dog Breed Group | Mixed Breed Dogs |
Valley Bulldog
Valley Bulldogs also go by the name Bull Boxer. The Valley Bulldog is a mixed breed dog–a cross between the Boxer and English Bulldog breeds. Medium in size, active, and loyal, these pups inherited some of the best qualities from both of their parents.
| Breed | Valley Bulldog |
| Weight | 50 to 125 pounds |
| Height | 12 to 25 inches |
| Life Expectancy | 8 to 12 years |
| Dog Breed Group | Mixed Breed Dogs |
Mammut Bulldog
The Mammut Bulldog is a recreation of the original longhaired working bulldog of the 1800's. The Mammoth Bulldog, also known as Mammut, is a medium-sized dog comprised of American Bulldog, Bandogge, English Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, and Bullmastiff.
| Breed | Mammut Bulldog |
| Weight | 40 - 60 pounds (18 - 27 kg) |
| Height | 17 - 21 inches (45 - 55 cm) |
| Life Expectancy | 9 – 11 years |
| Dog Breed Group | Mixed Breed Dogs |
Serrano Bulldog
The Serrano Bulldog (Portuguese: Buldogue serrano) is a Brazilian dog breed recognized by the Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia (CBKC).
Historians believe that the Serrano was developed from dogs brought to the south of Brazil in the 1800s by immigrants. Because most of the immigrants at the time came from Europe, they brought along their Bulldogs, which were popular at the time.
We don’t know for certain which breeds were used in the exact development of the Serrano, but it’s suspected that they were developed with the Bullenbeisser and the Old English Bulldog. In fact, some believe the Alano Espanol had a role in it too.
Bullenbeisser (German Bulldog)
The Bullenbeisser, also known as the German Bulldog, is an extinct breed of dog known for its strength and agility. The Bullenbeisser ("Bull-biter") became extinct by crossbreeding rather than by a decadence of the breed, as happened with the Old English Bulldog, for instance.
Bullmastiff
After the first impression made by the Bullmastiff’s size, it is the large, broad head that conveys the breed’s essence: the dark eyes, high-set V-shaped ears, and broad, deep muzzle all combine to present the intelligence, alertness, and confidence that make the Bullmastiff a world-class protector and family companion. Coats come in fawn, red, or brindle.
| Breed | Bullmastiff |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Loyal, Brave |
| Weight | 110-130 pounds (male), 100-120 pounds (female) |
| Height | 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female) |
| Life Expectancy | 7-9 years |
| AKC Breed Popularity | Ranks 51 of 197 |
Final Thoughts
Did we miss a type of Bulldog that deserves to be on this list? Also, let us know in the comments section, which is your favorite Bulldog breed?
Don’t forget to leave your questions below the comments at the end of the article. If you found this article useful and interesting, please don’t forget to share it with your friends and family.
If you have got some great ideas on 'how to raise a bul' to share or any questions on this topic to ask. We have a bulldog online community for you to join. You may join the bulldog addict club group we create on Facebook via the following link: Bulldogs Owners USA
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