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The American Bulldog and the English Bulldog are extra totally different than comparable. Although they share the identical heritage, they took totally different paths, each geographically and of their canine careers, so there are numerous variations between them. Are you seeking to welcome considered one of these improbable Fidos into your loved ones? Or are you merely seeking to broaden your data of the various kinds of Bulldogs? Either method, I discover all the pieces that you must know in regards to the American Bulldog vs English Bulldog.
Breed Comparison
American Bulldog
English Bulldog
- Height20-25 inches
- Height14-15 inches
- Weight60-100 kilos
- Weight40-50 kilos
- Coat ColorWhite with fawn, brindle, purple & fallow markings
- Coat ColorWhite with black, brindle, tan, brown & purple markings
- TemperamentLoyal, self-confident, energetic
- TemperamentFriendly, brave, calm
- Lifespan10-12 years
- Lifespan8-10 years
- Puppy Price$1,500+
- Puppy Price$1,500+
American Bulldog vs English Bulldog: 6 Key Differences
- The English Bulldog is significantly smaller than the American Bulldog.
- English Bulldogs have a flatter face and are extra susceptible to brachycephalic syndrome.
- American Bulldogs are susceptible to fewer well being points and have an extended lifespan.
- English Bulldogs are a lot calmer and wish much less train.
- American Bulldogs are extra protecting and wish a number of bodily and psychological stimulation.
- English Bulldogs have many pores and skin folds, making them larger upkeep in terms of grooming.
Breed History
To perceive these pups, it’s important to look at their origins. Although they share the identical ancestors, they took a special evolutionary path, which is why there are numerous extra variations than similarities.
English Bulldog

It is believed that the English Bulldog, generally often known as the British Bulldog or just Bulldog, was created within the thirteenth century for bullbaiting. Bullbaiting was the place a staked bull fought a pack of enormous and ferocious canines within the identify of sport. Thankfully, blood sports activities had been outlawed in 1835. Bulldog fanciers took the as soon as brutish and bloodthirsty canines and reworked them right into a family-friendly companion. The American Kennel Club (AKC) acknowledged the trendy Bulldog simply over half a century later.
The Bulldog is a nationwide image of England and one of the vital iconic canine breeds on the earth. This is because of their distinctive and putting resemblance to the jowly and tenacious Winston Churchill, the English prime minister throughout WWII. According to the AKC, the Bulldog is statistically one of the vital common breeds in America.
American Bulldog

The American Bulldog’s journey started when settlers arrived in America with their Bulldogs within the 1700s. The Bulldogs that arrived in America had been extra much like bullbaiting Bulldogs than the modern-day British Bulldogs we all know and love in the present day. The settlers used their canines as farm utility canines, which had been worthwhile instruments in defending the farm from intruders and catching feral pigs.
The American Bulldog practically grew to become extinct in the course of the World Wars. Thankfully, two breed followers from the southeastern states, John Johnson and Alan Scott, prevented this beloved pup from turning into an extinct canine breed. Despite being a comparatively common ranch hand, this breed was solely entered into the AKC’s basis inventory service program in 2019.
Appearance
Although the English vs American Bulldogs have some refined similarities, they’re totally different in look. For starters, their peak and weight are extremely totally different, which generally is a deciding issue for a lot of. The Bulldog measures between 14 and 15 inches tall, making them brief. The American Bulldog measures between 20 and 25 inches tall. The Bulldog weighs 40 to 50 kilos, in comparison with the American Bulldog’s hefty 60 to 100 kilos of weight. The American is nearly double the canine! But don’t let the Bulldog’s smaller body idiot you; they’re sturdy and stocky.
Looking at their face, you possibly can inform they’re each Bully breeds due to their huge eyes, sq. heads, and muscular body. The English Bulldog has a flatter face than their American cousin, who has a extra conventional sq. Bully face with an extended muzzle. However, the totally different American Bulldog strains have barely differing profiles, with the Johnson line having a flatter face than the Scott line. The English Bulldog’s wrinkles are extra pronounced on their face, which extends throughout their whole body. The American’s bigger body fills out these pores and skin folds, making them look way more athletic.
Look at this brief video of an American Bulldog vs Bulldog enjoying. It exhibits their dimension distinction, though American Bulldogs will be a lot larger than this.
Temperament
It isn’t simply their appearances which can be remarkably totally different; their temperaments are, too. Usually, their persona variations make them extra suited to at least one kind of household than one other. The British Bulldog is a laidback (some say lazy) pup that’s easygoing and calm. They’d fortunately snooze the afternoon away on their favourite mattress or sofa. Whereas the American Bulldog is wired otherwise. They virtually all the time need to be mentally or bodily energetic to be completely happy. This makes the American Bulldog solely appropriate for energetic households with the time and power to entertain them.
Owing to their breed objective, the American Bulldog is way more territorial than the English Bulldog, who’s way more accepting of strangers. The American Bulldog is a protecting canine breed and is suspicious of anybody outdoors the household unit. They watch their property, chasing away cats, squirrels, and generally supply folks. The English Bulldog couldn’t care much less about guests (or intruders) so long as they don’t intrude with their sleep and mealtimes.
However, these Bulldogs share the identical loyalty and love for his or her households. If you’re in search of a brave and devoted doggo, you possibly can’t go flawed with both of those breeds. English and American Bulldogs thrive in human firm and kind sturdy bonds with their family members. They each make nice household companions when positioned with the best one.
Coat & Colors
The English and American Bulldogs’ coats are brief and glossy, and neither are heavy shedders. The distinction of their coats lies of their wrinkles. English Bulldogs are smothered in pores and skin rolls, which require particular grooming consideration. Some American Bulldogs have extra folds than others. But general, American Bulldogs have low-maintenance coats, in contrast to English Bulldogs.
The major coat shade for each Bulldogs is white, though many produce other colours combined in. These embrace black, brown, tan, brindle, piebald, fawn, and purple. Neither the English nor American Bulldog ought to have any merle coloration.
Exercise

Again, train is the place their variations shine. The common Bulldog isn’t constructed for velocity and is pleased with a relaxed stroll by way of the neighborhood. Sure, all canines want stimulation. But the English Bulldog is likely one of the lowest-energy canine breeds on the market. The American Bulldog is the other; they want strenuous train and fixed stimulation to be content material and are extremely agile. So a lot in order that they’ll leap vertically over three toes due to their athletic body.
Investing in high-quality, sturdy canine toys for each breeds is crucial. Bulldogs are excitable and shortly destroy their toys, so be ready to put money into new canine toys repeatedly. Dog toys assist stimulate canines’ minds if you aren’t round or capable of work together with them. They scale back undesirable behaviors corresponding to chewing and barking and hold them completely happy.
BarkBox presents the Super Chewer canine subscription field for canines who want more durable toys. It’s a handy option to hold your canine mentally stimulated.
Training
Training any Bulldog just isn’t for the fainthearted or first-time canine proprietor. They are each extremely headstrong and require skilled canine homeowners to get the perfect out of them. The English Bulldog is extra cussed than the American Bulldog, and it may be tough to encourage them. The American Bulldog is tremendous protecting, which will be tough to coach. However, the American Bulldog is extra of a people-pleaser than their English counterpart, which provides homeowners a bonus.
Both breeds want early socialization to develop into well mannered adults who do nicely in a household setting. Like any canine, unsocialized or unruly Bulldogs can show difficult to combine right into a household. It’s important to analysis constructive reinforcement coaching for each Bulldogs.
We have researched and reviewed the greatest on-line canine coaching programs, that are worthwhile instruments for cussed canines like these two breeds.
Health
American vs British Bulldog well being is a key consideration for these making an attempt to select between one breed or one other. Unfortunately, the well being of English Bulldogs is significantly decrease than that of different breeds, together with the American Bulldog. The life expectancy of an English Bulldog is 8 to 10 years, and the American Bulldog’s is 10 to 12 years. It’s essential to know that each canine is totally different, however all canine homeowners ought to know the principle well being considerations linked to their canine’s breed.
The English Bulldog is a brachycephalic canine breed. Their flat face and slim higher airway typically trigger respiratory difficulties and a bent to overheat, particularly throughout train and heat climate. They are additionally susceptible to patella luxation and cardiac issues. Keeping an English Bulldog at a wholesome weight is crucial for his or her general well-being and for not exasperating their frequent well being points.
Like most massive canine breeds, the American Bulldog is susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. Ichthyosis is a heritable and incurable pores and skin situation affecting American Bulldogs. It ranges from minor to extreme, and in grave instances, it may possibly scale back their high quality of life a lot that it warrants euthanasia. Deafness in American Bulldogs is extra frequent than it’s in English Bulldogs. Although deaf canines nonetheless make glorious pets, you could adapt to their extra wants.
Consider Pet Insurance For Your American & English Bulldog
It’s important to contemplate pet insurance coverage for all canines. Pet insurance coverage may help cowl the price of care in an emergency and assist you to concentrate on their well being as an alternative of your monetary duty. Our pet insurance coverage specialists additionally cowl the greatest pet insurance coverage for English Bulldogs to assist pup dad and mom get the best plan for his or her breed.
Nutrition

Both English and American Bulldogs want a high-quality weight loss program to fulfill their dietary wants. As American Bulldogs are a big breed, I like to recommend feeding them a weight loss program designed for giant breeds. Feeding them a massive breed pet meals is especially essential throughout puppyhood because it helps wholesome joint growth. As smaller canines, English Bulldogs naturally want much less meals than American Bulldogs, so feeding them is less expensive.
It’s essential to maintain each Bulldogs at a wholesome weight and never overfeed them. This is particularly essential for the English Bulldog, who’s already susceptible to respiratory issues, coronary heart considerations, and joint circumstances. Being overweight dramatically will increase the prospect of and exacerbates these points. Consider low-calorie treats for each of those breeds, in addition to fiber-rich vegetables, to maintain them feeling fuller for longer.
Grooming
The English and American Bulldogs have brief, glossy, low-shedding coats which can be comparatively straightforward to take care of. The greatest kind of brush for each Bulldogs is a slicker brush. I like to recommend the Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush with mild bristles because it doesn’t irritate their pores and skin.
The English Bulldog’s pores and skin is trickier to take care of due to their pores and skin rolls. Skin rolls harbor sweat and micro organism, resulting in extreme odor and pores and skin infections. Dr. Rebecca MacMillan, BVetMed MRCVS, a companion animal veterinarian and surgeon within the U.Okay., states, “I see English Bulldogs repeatedly in my clinic, and so they typically come to see me due to their recurrent pores and skin issues. Many of those canines have underlying pores and skin allergic reactions but in addition different points like excessive facial folds. Some American Bulldogs can undergo from these points, too. I like to recommend repeatedly utilizing Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Medicated Wipes to assist handle potential issues.
Consider An At-Home Dog Allergy Test
Consider giving your pup an at-home canine allergy take a look at should you suspect allergic reactions. These kits take a look at for meals intolerances, sensitivities, and environmental elements. They are easy; all it’s a must to do is ship in a saliva or hair pattern, and also you obtain the outcomes inside a number of weeks. You can then share these outcomes along with your vet to find out doable causes and create a administration plan.
Puppy Prices
My analysis exhibits that each breeds command the identical worth for puppies. Bulldog pet costs range and are influenced by numerous elements, together with bloodline, breeder fame, location, demand, season, and extra. On common, you possibly can count on to pay $1,500 and up for a purebred Bulldog pet from a good breeder. The AKC web site is an efficient place to begin in your seek for a well-bred English Bulldog pet or American Bulldog pet. There, you could find an inventory of licensed, respected breeders all through the U.S.
It’s essential to conduct your individual analysis and work with a breeder that feels best for you. Ask to see the related well being certificates, meet the puppies in particular person, and get to know the breeder. Knowing the techniques irresponsible breeders use and find out how to discover a accountable breeder is crucial when searching for a Bulldog pet. If you already personal your Bulldog and are inquisitive about their breed make-up, you possibly can conduct a take a look at at house with considered one of these canine DNA kits.
Other Bully Breeds To Consider
If you like Bully breeds like me, there are others to contemplate in addition to American vs English Bulldogs. The candy American Pitbull Terrier is likely one of the hottest breeds in America, and for good cause. American Bullies are one other good-looking breed to consider. Bull Terriers are my favourite breed, and should you’re searching for a comical canine, you possibly can’t do significantly better than considered one of these pups. But they’re all unimaginable in their very own method; you simply have to search out the best Fido match for your loved ones and life-style.
Do you’ve a Bulldog? Do you’ve any ideas on including to the American vs English Bulldog dialogue? We love to listen to from our readers, so tell us within the feedback under.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Emma is a canine mother to 2 rescue canines, Bonkers, a candy Bull Terrier combine, and Chips, a diva Dachshund. Before becoming a member of the Canine Journal crew, she was an expert full-time canine walker and sitter. Emma loves Bully breeds and has met and cared for a lot of English Bulldogs. She is enthusiastic about sharing her data and analysis together with her readers to assist them care for his or her pets. Emma works with a loyal crew to make sure Canine Journal stays a reliable and present on-line canine useful resource.