The Bulldog loves people and the attention people give him. As a rule, he is a good, quiet companion. They are not good watch dogs although their looks alone tend to deter any potential intruder.

A Bulldog does best in a loving environment, free from fear and neglect. They are happiest when there are people around. Left alone, a Bulldog (like any other breed) can be destructive. A dog crate is a good investment. Not cruel, a crate provides security for your Bulldog both when you are at or not at home -- as long as it is not used for a long period of time. A crate serves well for house training too. A Bulldog should never be chained. Not only is it dangerous for your Bulldog's well being, but makes him a target for "dognappers".

The Bulldog is a docile even-tempered animal. But he must be taught proper behavior. He isn't born knowing manners. However, today Bulldogs are successfully competing in Obedience competition as well as Agility and Tracking. He is not a robot that you wind up & turn on. He is an intelligent competent animal with his own mind. Sometimes he will do exactly what you ask him to and sometimes he won't, simply because he doesn't want to. I repeat he is not a robot!

The bulldog was bred for bull baiting and their facial shape reflects this. The short muzzle and undershot jaw were necessary to enable a vicelike grip. The nose is placed far back on the face to allow the dog to breathe while holding a bull by the fleshy nose. Even though they are no longer bred for bull baiting, their facial features still reflect their past profession.

The bulldog is a medium-sized dog with a stocky built and broad chest. The legs are short and bowlegged and the tail is often curled. Their face and head usually is very wrinkled with many facial folds. The hair coat is short and can be Red, Fawn, Brindle, White or a combination.

The bulldog stands 12 to 16 inches at the shoulder. The breed standard allows for males to weigh 50 to 60 lbs, and females to weigh 40 to 50 lbs.

The bulldog is a stubborn dog but is devoted and quite docile. They can do well in apartments with the occasional stroll in the park. Bulldogs are not fond of excessive exercise and do not have boundless energy. They prefer to spend their days lounging around the house.

The bulldog loves to be in company of family and is generally good with children. The breed will alert their family to the presence of strangers by barking and growling but tend not to attack. Their imposing figure is generally enough to ward off evildoers.

The bulldog doesn't do very well in obedience training. They are quite stubborn and tend not to follow instructions quickly. Some feel this trait indicates that the bulldog is dimwitted but most bulldog owners feel this simply reflects the bulldogs need to think about things before they act.

The average lifespan for the English bulldog is 8 to 10 years