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Bulldog breeders

The Royal Kennel Club places the Bulldog in its Utility group.

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Harris Bulldogs Limited

Harris Bulldogs Limited is a limited company registered at Companies House (company number 11909588), incorporated on 27 March 2019. The
Nation: England

About the Bulldog

The Royal Kennel Club places the Bulldog in its Utility group. According to the RKC, the Normans brought bull baiting to Britain in the 12th century using mastiff-type dogs, which were later replaced by shorter, heavier dogs with strong heads and jaws, the forerunners of today's Bulldog. When bull baiting was banned in 1835 the breed lost its purpose, and dogs kept as pets formed the basis for rebuilding it once showing became popular. The RKC recognised the Bulldog in 1873. Since the turn of the century, it says, breeders have worked to reduce exaggerated features, and revisions to the breed standard have focused on health and welfare. Browse other utility breeders or compare the French Bulldog.

Size and build. The RKC classes the Bulldog as a medium-sized breed. The breed standard describes a thick-set, compact and powerful dog standing fairly low to the ground, with a large head and a short, broad muzzle, and it gives a guide weight of 25 kg for dogs and 23 kg for bitches. It rules out dogs that struggle to breathe or breathe noisily, as well as pinched nostrils and a heavy roll of skin over the nose.

Coat and grooming. The coat is short, close and fine in texture, and it does shed. A weekly groom is usually enough, but check the facial folds often, as the RKC warns they can trap warmth and moisture and become infected. Standard colours are red, fawn and white, along with brindles and pieds. The RKC will not register merle Bulldogs, imports included, and colours such as black, blue and brown are recorded as non-breed-standard.

Exercise. The RKC suggests up to an hour a day, and a couple of short, unhurried walks is normally plenty. Bulldogs overheat easily, so cut activity right back in warm weather.

Temperament and suitability. The RKC describes a calm, affectionate dog that enjoys human company and becomes closely attached to its family, children included, provided play and introductions are supervised. Bulldogs can be stubborn, so brief, reward-based training sessions tend to work better than long ones. The RKC says the breed can adapt to a smaller home, including a flat, as long as it is not regularly left by itself for hours; see our guide to flat-friendly dogs. The RKC gives a lifespan of under ten years.

Bulldog health tests

The Bulldog is in Breed Watch Category 3, the top tier of the RKC's system, for breeds whose exaggerated build causes visible health problems. The Bulldog points of concern that show judges look out for include laboured or noisy breathing, eyelids turned inwards or outwards, sore or scarred skin folds, a heavy roll over the nose, pinched nostrils, a missing, screw, inverted or tight tail, excess weight, eye irritation and unsound movement. Under Breed Watch rules, a Category 3 Best of Breed winner at a general or group championship show has to pass a check by the show vet before it can compete in the group, and every Category 3 dog needs a vet check before a Champion title is confirmed.

Like other flat-faced breeds, the Bulldog is at greater risk of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), which the University of Cambridge BOAS pages explain in detail. The RKC also highlights skin fold infections, crowded teeth and eye problems. The Bulldog Breed Council's own scheme issues bronze, silver and gold certificates based on vet examinations, including heart checks, plus respiratory grading, eye results and the HUU DNA test. Results from the RKC schemes can be checked on the Health Test Results Finder, and our guide to health-tested breeding stock explains how they work.

Choosing a Bulldog breeder

A good Bulldog breeder will be able to show you each parent's Respiratory Function Grading result and eye examination certificate, and ideally HUU DNA, hip and elbow results too, all of which you can confirm on the RKC Health Test Results Finder. Ask to watch the parents move and listen to their breathing after a short walk, since the breed standard treats noisy or laboured breathing as unacceptable. The Bulldog Breed Council warns buyers not to be taken in by puppies sold as "rare" colours at inflated prices. The Breed Council also asks owners entering its health scheme to disclose operations such as soft palate or eyelid surgery, so ask the breeder the same question. Expect to meet the mother, to collect your puppy no earlier than eight weeks, and to receive registration papers, microchip details and a diet sheet. In England, anyone who breeds three or more litters in 12 months and sells any of the puppies, or runs a business breeding and advertising dogs, needs a council licence, and the licence number must appear in adverts. Our buyer safety guide explains how to avoid scams.

  • What Respiratory Function Grades did the sire and dam receive, and when were they assessed?
  • Can I see eye certificates and HUU DNA results for both parents?
  • Does either parent hold a Bulldog Breed Council health certificate, and at what level?
  • Has either parent had airway, eyelid or skin fold surgery?
  • What colour will the puppy be registered as, and is it a breed standard colour?

Bulldog questions

Are Bulldogs good with children?

The Royal Kennel Club describes the Bulldog as calm, affectionate and usually gentle, and says the breed tends to bond closely with the whole family, children included. As with any dog, introductions and play with young children should be supervised, and early socialisation helps.

How much exercise does a Bulldog need?

The RKC suggests up to an hour a day, and two brief, easy walks are usually enough. Flat-faced dogs such as the Bulldog overheat easily, so exercise should be cut back or avoided in hot weather.

What health tests should Bulldog parents have?

The RKC lists breathing assessment under the Respiratory Function Grading scheme and the BVA/KC/ISDS eye examination as good practice, and adds the HUU DNA test and BVA/KC hip and elbow screening as best practice. The Bulldog Breed Council also runs its own bronze, silver and gold health scheme.

Can a blue, black or merle Bulldog be registered with the RKC?

The RKC does not accept merle Bulldogs for registration at all, including imports, because of health concerns linked to the merle gene. Colours such as black, blue and brown can be registered but are recorded as non-breed-standard, and the Bulldog Breed Council warns buyers not to pay a premium for them as rare colours.

More for Bulldog owners and breeders

Official sources