Before you buy · The honest version
Is a bulldog right for you?
I've had bulldogs my whole life. Here is why people love them, who they suit, and who should pick a different breed.
- Health
- Temperament
- Structure
- Functionality
Everybody comes to a bulldog for a different reason
Most people who call me fit one of these. Find yours.
You've had bulldogs your whole life
Then you already know. You're not asking whether to get one, you want the next one to be the best one you've had. Look at the line behind the puppy, not just the puppy.
Your last bulldog broke your heart
Maybe he couldn't breathe, or needed surgery after surgery, or you lost him far too young. That is usually the line, not the breed. Ask to see the parents and grandparents move and breathe before you pay anybody, me included.
You've heard bad things about bulldogs
Most of what you've heard is true of badly bred bulldogs. A healthy bulldog comes from healthy parents and grandparents. Small doesn't mean unhealthy, and big doesn't mean healthy.
You just love the look
So do I. The thickness, the wrinkles, the rolls. It's a real reason to want one. Just make sure the dog under the look can walk, run and breathe, because you'll live with that part every day.
Your kids (or your wife) want one
Good. Bulldogs are one of the best breeds there is with kids. My puppies will bite me hard when they play, but they don't bite my daughter hard. They just know.
You had a great one and want that again
That easygoing, loving temperament you remember is mostly genetics. It comes from the parents, so that's what to look at. I can show you mine.
What you get with a bulldog
These are my reasons, from living with them since I was a kid.
A best friend with a goofy streak
Most dogs are loving. Bulldogs are loving and funny at the same time. They make you laugh every day.
Low energy, in a good way
They like to play for maybe 45 minutes to an hour a day. The rest of the time they just want to be next to you.
They stay home
Let a husky out and there's a good chance he's gone. Let a bulldog out and he's right there in front of you. Most of them don't wander.
Apartment or acres
A mini or micro doesn't need much room and doesn't need much exercise, so it fits a small apartment just as well as a big property.
A dog you can take places
Small enough to come with you to the bank, Home Depot or the grocery store, and ride on the seat or the floorboard.
Easy to handle
You can walk a mini or micro without getting dragged, and pick one up without hurting your back. That matters for kids and for older owners.
Everybody wants to meet him
Nobody crosses the street to avoid a mini bulldog. Your friends will want to come over and play with him.
Cheaper to feed
Tired of spending a fortune on dog food? A mini or micro eats a lot less than a big dog.
Great with kids
Gentle, patient and a good size to be around little ones. Even if you don't have kids, you want a dog that is safe around them.
Sound like your kind of dog? See who's ready now, or grab the free Buyer's Checklist.
What a bulldog is not
I tell people this before they buy, because I want every dog to go to the right home. It's like buying a car: every one has pros and cons, and you pick the one where the pros win for you.
Not a guard dog. A bulldog will let you know somebody is outside, but he isn't going to run off an intruder. If you need protection, that's a different breed.
Not a running partner. If you want a dog to go jogging for miles with you, don't get a bulldog.
Not a dog you can ignore. They can be stubborn if nobody spends time with them. Give them attention and a little training and they're easy.
Not all bred right. A bulldog from a bad line can mean a lifetime of vet bills. That's the real risk with this breed, and it's why who you buy from matters more than anything.
“If the pros outweigh the cons, that's the dog you should get.”
Not sure yet? Call me. I'll tell you honestly whether a bulldog fits your life, even if that means you don't buy one.
Don't get a bulldog if…
I would rather lose a sale than send a puppy to a home that isn't ready. Be honest with yourself about these.
Nobody is home most of the day
A puppy needs feeding, cleaning and company, especially for the first twelve weeks. Broken nights included. If the house is empty ten hours a day, wait.
You don't have five minutes a day
Wrinkles, the tail pocket and the ears need a quick wipe every day. Skip it and small things turn into vet visits.
Not everyone at home wants one
If one person is against it, that person ends up living with a dog they didn't want. Get everybody on board first.
You won't give him shade and AC
A well-bred bulldog handles hot weather fine. Mine live in Florida all year. He just needs shade, water, air conditioning on the hottest days, and no hard running at noon.
You want him to live outside
A bulldog is a house dog. He wants to be on the couch next to you, not in a pen in the yard.
You're shopping on price alone
The cheapest bulldog usually costs the most by the time you're done at the vet. If price is the only thing that matters, I'm probably not your breeder.
None of those sound like you? Then you're ready. See the puppies available now →
Common questions
Are English bulldogs good in apartments?
Yes. A mini or micro English bulldog doesn't need much space or much exercise, so an apartment works well.
Are English bulldogs good with kids?
Yes. A well-bred bulldog is gentle and patient with kids. Temperament comes mostly from the parents, so meet them if you can.
How much exercise does a bulldog need?
Not much. Around 45 minutes to an hour of play a day is plenty. They are not running dogs.
Are bulldogs good guard dogs?
No. A bulldog may alert you to someone outside, but he is a family dog, not a protection dog.
Are English bulldogs unhealthy?
A badly bred one can be. A bulldog is healthy because its parents and grandparents were healthy, so the breeder and the line matter more than anything else.
Think a bulldog might be for you?
Tell me about your home and what you're hoping for. I read every application myself, and I'll tell you straight whether a mini or a micro fits.
Free: 6 Problems to Avoid
The six bulldog problems I see most, and how to avoid every one. Free.
Rather talk? Call or text (305) 393-2225, day or night.
