Beyond the iconic wrinkled face and stocky build, the Bulldog breed encompasses a surprising diversity. From the classic English Bulldog to lesser-known variations like the French Bulldog and the Alapaha Blue Blood, this family of canines boasts 15 distinct types, each with unique characteristics and endearing quirks. Prepare to be charmed by their unwavering loyalty, playful personalities, and undeniable cuteness overload. This exploration of 15 different Bulldog breeds will reveal the wide spectrum of these lovable companions, showcasing their individual traits and celebrating the qualities that make them such beloved pets.
If there’s one dog breed you can pick out simply by the way it looks, it’s definitely a bulldog. They belong to the brachycephalic breeds category for their flat faces, which are absolutely adorable but can lead to health issues down the line. But that doesn’t stop millions of people from claiming the breed as one of their favorites.
This type of dog was originally bred for fighting or baiting, but today, they’re more often found in homes as a guard dog, catch dog, and companion. They’re also unique in that, in breeding, they need human help and often deliver via C-section as opposed to natural birth.
There are many different Bulldog breeds, most of which have the same distinctive features with a few variances that set them apart. They’re also at the top of the list of Brindle dog breeds. These pups are mostly medium to large dogs and are well-known for being amazing family pets, making them one of the most popular dog breeds and a good choice for any household.
Bulldog Breeds
From the couch potato to the lively companion that wants to join you on all of your hikes, let’s take a look at 15 of the different types of Bulldogs you’ll find.
1. American Bulldog
Hailing from the United States, the American Bulldog is a versatile breed that is a bit taller and lankier than most others in the category. It has a goofy personality and is totally devoted to its humans. American Bulldogs are brave.
They get along well with other animals and dote on children, which has led to them sometimes being called nanny dogs. The American Bulldog tends to be high energy and agile, meaning it will need require moderate exercise. It is often misunderstood, has been placed on most dangerous dog breeds lists, and is known as one of the dogs with strongest bite force.
The American Bulldog is taller than most of the others in the breed category, standing 20 to 28 inches tall, with a weight of 60 to 100 pounds. You can expect healthy American Bulldogs to live between 10 and 15 years.
American Bulldog Varieties
There are four types of American Bulldogs: the Johnson, Standard, Painter, and Old Southern. Technically, there could be a fifth type, which would be the Hybrid, which is a combination of any of the four American Bulldogs listed above.
The Johnson American Bulldog comes from the WWII era with a boxy skull and the classic underbite. The Standard American Bulldog sometimes referred to as the Scott, is a mixture between the Johnson and Southern and is a more active pup.
The Painter American Bulldog was bred specifically for fighting dogs and is a little smaller but stocky variety. The Old Southern American Bulldog is rumored to be the oldest of the American Bulldog breed and has begun to fizzle out.
2. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is famous for its stocky body and iconic wrinkles on its face. This pup is a docile breed who loves to be around children and their owners. The English Bulldog gets along well with other pets but can be wary or territorial when it comes to other dogs. Socialization can help the English Bulldog with this.
The English Bulldog is an active dog and will require some form of exercise to keep it from becoming destructive.
The English Bulldog is a medium-sized dog in stature. It stands between 12 and 16 inches tall and weighs 40 to 55 pounds. The English Bulldog lives an average of 8 to 10 years.
3. French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is one of the cutest types of bulldogs. It’s famous for its huge smile when it opens its mouth, which is sure to make you smile, too! French Bulldogs, known as Frenchies, have huge, pointed ears and a smooshed face that makes them instantly recognizable.
The French Bulldog is extremely affectionate and also loves to romp around — it can get very excitable. In addition to being playful, Frenchies are very sweet and eager to please. They can elicit jealousy as they are very selfish when it comes to having their human attention, but that is easily correctable.
French Bulldogs are the smallest on this list, standing about 12 inches tall and weighing between 16 and 28 pounds. They live an average of 11 to 14 years.
4. Ca de Bou
The Ca de Bou is probably one of the lesser-known bulldog breeds on this list. It hails from Spain and has been around since the 1200s. This Spanish Bulldog is very friendly despite its often intimidating look, complete with the bulldog wrinkles.
The Ca de Bou is devoted and has a lot of patience, but you will need to establish yourself as the alpha, as they can have dominance issues. The Spanish Bulldog is also a very alert dog and serve as a good watchdog.
The Ca de Bou stands between 20 to 23 inches and weighs 65 to 85 pounds. This Spanish Bulldog lives an average of 10 to 12 years.
5. Australian Bulldog
The Australian Bulldog is much like its English and Victorian counterparts. It has a shorter, stocky build but is a friendly pup overall. They love their owners and devote themselves to their people. Because they’re adaptable, they do well in just about any living environment.
Like the Ca de Bou, you’ll need to establish yourself as the dominant one on the hierarchy with the Australian Bulldog, but they are easy to train and get along with people and animals alike.
The Australian Bulldog is a medium-sized pup and has a shoulder height of 17 to 20 inches. They weigh anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds. Australian Bulldogs live 10 to 12 years.
6. Alano Español
The Alano Español is an intense-looking dog, which makes sense given the fact that it is completely devoted to its family but not very tolerant of outsiders. In the home and with their people, they are very loving dogs.
However, they are also very active dogs, having been bred as work dogs, so they will require quite a bit of exercise. Proper training for this breed is 100% necessary, but they’re smart dogs and very trainable.
The Alano Español is one of the larger dogs on this list and can have a height of 21 to 26 inches while weighing 75 to 90 pounds. They live between 11 and 14 years.
7. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog originated in the United States, in Georgia. This variety of the breed is well-known for its strength and power, as well as its territorial tendencies. They’re courageous and like to protect what’s theirs.
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog loves to be put to work. It’s important, due to their sheer size and power, that you train them from an early age for obedience.
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is one of the larger ones in this category, standing at 20 to 25 inches and typically weighing 55 to 99 pounds. The lifespan is between 12 and 13 years.
8. Victorian Bulldog
The Victorian Bulldog looks strikingly similar to the English Bulldog and is a combination of several dogs, including the English Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Bull Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. They have a very calm disposition and a vibrant personality that just draws you in.
The Victorian Bulldog has fewer of the iconic wrinkles on its face, which alleviates breathing issues. You’ll need to give Victorian Bulldogs a good amount of exercise and be aware that they suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior.
The Victorian Bulldog is taller than its English counterpart, standing at 16 to 19 inches tall and weighing 55 to 75 pounds. The Victorian Bulldog lives an average of 10 to 12 years.
9. Catahoula Bulldog
If you’re looking for a rare, one-of-a-kind pet in this breed group, look no further than the Catahoula Bulldog. As its name indicates, the pup is a mix of the American Bulldog and the Catahoula Leopard Dog.
The Catahoula Bulldog has a very colorful coat, which can include lots of spots and colors, and very vivid eyes. The Catahoula Bulldog is full of intelligence, makes a great work dog, and has seemingly endless energy. The Catahoula Bulldog makes a great guard dog and family pet.
The Catahoula Bulldog is medium to large in size and can stand to be 24 to 26 inches tall. Catahoula Bulldogs typically weigh around 75 to 100 pounds and live between 10 and 14 years.
10. Bullmastiff
If you want a beast of a dog that is going to love you and try to fit in your lap, you’ve come to the right place with the Bullmastiff. The Bullmastiff is a lover, not a fighter, though in the right situation, they can be provoked. Instead, they love children and other animals.
Because of their size, you’ll need to train the Bullmastiff so that it doesn’t pull you all over the place.
The Bullmastiff is one of the largest of the bulldog breeds and can stand as high as 24 to 27 inches. They typically weigh 100 to 130 pounds, making them powerful beasts. The average lifespan of the Bullmastiff is 8 to 10 years.
11. Red-Tiger Bulldog
©Mrshaw34, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Red Tiger Bulldog is a relatively newer breed, thus a rare type, having appeared in the last few decades. They are gentle and loyal, with very friendly dispositions toward their owners. However, they are not typically friendly with strangers, and they have a high prey drive, which could prove problematic if you have small animals in the home.
You should take care to train the Red Tiger as it can show aggression towards other animals if not properly socialized. They make great guard dogs.
The Red Tiger Bulldog stands between 22 and 26 inches tall and weighs 75 to 110 pounds. These types of bulldogs have one of the longest lifespans and can live up to 16 years.
12. Continental Bulldog
The Continental Bulldog hails from Switzerland and is often referred to simply as the Conti. It’s a relatively new dog breed, but gorgeous nonetheless with many of the typical bulldog features, including the adorable wrinkles, but has a longer nose and longer legs.
The Continental Bulldog is a gentle dog with friendly tendencies and no aggression. They’re not a shy breed, either, and serve as a great companion. They can even be therapy dogs.
The Continental Bulldog stands around 15 to 22 inches tall and weighs 48 to 66 pounds on average. Continental Bulldogs live to be 12 to 14 years old.
13. American Bully
The American Bully dog has often been confused as being an American Pit Bull Terrier or Pocket Pitbull, but the truth is it is its own breed. As a matter of fact, it’s been recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club since 2004. They have a very muscular stance; they’re short and stocky but very affectionate animals, though they are powerful.
The American Bully has a zest for life, and that is evident in its sociable behavior, which is almost never aggressive. This popular bulldog-type breed is very agile and would do well with regular exercise.
The American Bully Dog comes in a variety of sizes, including pocket, standard, extra large, extreme, and classic. However, the standard breed can be anywhere from 13 to 20 inches tall with a weight that falls between 40 to 130 pounds.
14. Olde English Bulldogge
The Olde English Bulldogge is as unique as the spelling of its name. This pup is a blend of the English Mastiff, English Bulldog, American Bulldog, and American Pit Bull Terrier. The Olde English Bulldogge is a friendly canine but tends to be very protective of their owners, which makes them great guard dogs.
Setting the stage by showing them who’s boss right off the bat. Olde English Bulldogges also have a lot of stamina and are athletic creatures. Buy your Olde English Bullodgge lots of toys in order to stave off destructive behavior that can occur when they are bored.
The Olde English Bulldogge is a medium dog that stands 16 to 20 inches tall and weighs from 50 to 80 pounds. The Olde English Bulldogge lives an average of 9 to 14 years.
15. Mammut Bulldog
The Mammut Bulldog is another combination breed that is mixed with several dogs, including the Olde English Bulldogge, Bullmastiff, American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Bandogge. These dogs are very muscular but agile at the same time.
They’re very easygoing pups with a friendly disposition, which means they fit in very well with any household, especially those with children. While the Mammut Bulldog is sociable and does welcome strangers, its protective instincts will kick in if it is threatened.
These types of bulldogs stand 17 to 21 inches tall and fall between 60 and 130 pounds. The Mammut Bulldog has a life expectancy of 9 to 11 years.
Characteristics Common to All Bulldogs
There are a number of characteristics that are common to all Bulldogs, including their build, personality, and temperament.
Build
All Bulldogs have a muscular body structure. They’re powerful dogs. They have a distinctive face and head shape, which gives them a boxy look. They tend to range from medium to large in size and have moderate energy levels.
Personality
Bulldogs are great family pets. They’re loving and friendly-natured, which means they get along with almost anyone. However, they are also protective and will present territorial instincts. Proper training and being properly socialized can help with this. Bulldog breeds are good with children as well.
Temperament
It’s easy to lump all Bulldogs into one category, but the truth is they are varied creatures and as such, will have varied temperaments. Add to that, every dog has a unique personality. You may find that some are very calm and docile, while others are rambunctious and lively. It truly depends on the dog.
FAQs
What Is the Best Bulldog Breed?
The most popular type of bulldog happens to be the French Bulldog, according to the American Kennel Club. It’s also the friendliest and has a larger-than-life personality that far exceeds its size.
Which Breeds Make a Bulldog?
The Bulldog breed is of its own category, but there are some specific varieties that might descend from others. For example, the English Bulldog is thought to be a descendant of the Pug and the Asiatic Mastiff. The French Bulldog is thought to be a mix of English Bulldogs, Terriers, and Pugs.
How Many Types of Bulldogs Are There?
It’s hard to put a number on the types of bulldogs there are because there are mixed breeds as well. Typically, you can find 10 to 15 different types of species, though there may be a few more out there.
Do Bulldogs Make Good Pets?
Yes. Bulldogs make excellent pets because of their temperaments and love for people. They’re also easily trained, which makes them popular with many dog lovers.
Conclusion
Bulldog breeds are among some of the best you can own. They’re right up there with the different types of Pitbulls and Pitbull mixes. As with any of your furry friends, it’s important to review the personality traits and lifestyle needs to make sure they can fit in with your household.
However, since those in the bulldog family are truly go-with-the-flow types, you’ll be hard-pressed to find at least one that doesn’t bowl you over and make you a bulldog breed fan for life.
From the classic British Bulldog to the rarer French Bulldog varieties like the Merle or Blue, these 15 breeds showcase the remarkable diversity within the Bulldog family. Their endearing wrinkles, muscular builds, and often comical personalities make them beloved companions. While each type possesses unique traits, the common thread remains: unwavering loyalty and an undeniable cuteness that captures hearts. Whether you’re drawn to a stocky Olde English Bulldogge or a playful American Bulldog, there’s a Bulldog breed to charm every dog lover.