There are MANY Bull Dog Breeds, and many types of bulldogs – when I started researching and putting this page together, I was really surprised to learn just how many different types of Bull Dog Breeds there actually are!
I knew of the usual ones such as the English Bulldog and the French Bulldog, but had forgotten that Pit Bull Terriers are actually a bulldog breed as well. Modern Bulldogs are great companion dogs, and make excellent guard dogs.
Bull Dog Breeds – History of Bulldogs
Bull Dogs were bred for bull baiting – a horrendous “sport” which was popular from the thirteenth to eighteenth century in England. Almost every town or village had a bull ring in which a bull would be tethered by a length of rope to a stake in the ground.
The aim of the “game” was for the bulldog to approach the bull (The bulldogs were bred to be low to the ground and fearless), and clamp his jaws around the bull’s nose, as this was the most sensitive part of the animal, causing the bull to freeze.
The bull was eventually rendered immobile which allowed it to be killed by a butcher without the risk of injury to the human doing the killing.
A great many bulldogs died in the bull ring – from being tossed in the air by the bull’s horns, from being shaken to death (some dogs held on so tightly that they flew off but their teeth remained on the bull’s nose) and from being trampled to death by a frantic bull.
There was no particular breeding program originally, so the dogs varied a lot in their ability at bull-baiting, as well as size and shape. As time passed, they were bred for certain characteristics such as short legs, aggressiveness and bravery.
Modern day Bulldog breeds retain a lot of the old appearance without the aggression, and most are now soft, happy companion dogs!
Bull Dog Breeds – Gone but not forgotten:
A number of Bull Dog breeds have now died out and become extinct such as the Old English Bulldog.
However, it has a successor in the form of the Olde English Bulldogge which has been bred to look very similar. It is a re-creation only though, as the original Old English Bulldog’s genes are completely gone.
Because of the breeding between the bulldog breeds, there are are some genetic health issues. Bulldog breeds usually have a short muzzle and a protruding lower jaw. The short nose gives the appearance of a flat face, which may cause breathing problems in some dogs.
Here is our list of Bull dog Breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. They are now amongst the most popular dog breeds.
If the dog’s name below is in a green color, then you can click on it to learn about that particular breed.
Bull Dog Breeds
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog has a fantastic temperament and gets on extremely well with children, although they can be a little aloof at times. They are a loyal breed who also make brilliant guard and companion dogs.
They respond well to being part of a pack (i.e. with you and your family) and it should be made clear to your Alapaha from the beginning where his rank is within this pack (clue: it’s at the bottom, underneath the rest of your family!) This is becoming a very popular breed .
Alano Español (Spanish Bulldog)
We do not yet have a page on the Alano Español.
American Bulldog
Fiercely loyal, intelligent, and stable, these dogs make excellent family pets. They are loving but very dominant, so they need an owner that is confident and willing to assume the role of the dominant person.
They love children, especially when they are raised around them, but their size and strength may too much for small children. Good owners will teach their dog to be gentle from day one to prevent any children to be accidentally knocked over, even if all the dog wanted to do was shower them with slobbery kisses.
American Pitbull Terrier
Both the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) and the American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) descended from a group of old style Bulldogs and old style terriers that were present in the 1800s both in the UK and in the United States.
American Pit Bull Terriers were acknowledged by the United Kennel Club in 1898 as their very first breed. At that point in the history of the U.S., dog fighting was considered a sport and in the dog world, to receive their “championship” they had to win three fights.
American Staffordshire Terrier
It is true that the American Staffordshire Terrier has suffered and gained a bad reputation. However, while they are strong, powerful, and courageous, they are not vicious. Rather, the well-bred, trained American Staffie Terrier is a docile, affectionate family guy who will be protective his family.
These dogs do well with kids. They are protective but playful, and very tolerant of young children. They are, however, very exuberant and love to jump. They can jump quite high, and when you add in all that weight, you have a potential for some accidents to happen especially with young children. Supervision is strongly advised.
Antabellum Bulldog
We do not yet have a page on the Antabellum Bulldog.
Australian Bulldog
We do not yet have a page on the Australian Bulldog.
Bantam Bulldog
We do not yet have a page on the Bantam Bulldog.
Boxer
The Boxer dog is a high energy, athletic affectionate, fun loving clown who loves to lark around and make you laugh – no matter how old he gets!
Boxer dogs are great family pets as they get on with children. However, they can be a little too boisterous around very small children so they are not advised for family with very young offspring. Also for this reason they are not advised for the elderly.
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a very alert, friendly, overall happy go lucky type of dog. They are very family oriented and do great with children and other pets.
The Boston Terrier resulted from a combination of the English Bulldog and the now extinct White English Terrier. Surprisingly, these dogs were originally bred as fighting dogs, which is a little hard to imagine considering what we know about them today.
Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff is also called the “Gamekeepers Night Dog’. The breed is gentle, quiet and devoted to those he loves, but if threatened, he turns fearless. At upwards of 130 pounds or more, this powerful dog is confident, stubborn yet calm and gentle.
The Bullmastiff is about 60% Mastiff, the rest of his genes comes from the English Bulldog, but not the Bulldog we recognize today. Rather the 19th century bulldog, which was a vastly different looking dog than today’s version.
Bully Kutta
We do not yet have a page on the Bully Kutta.
Miniature Bull Terrier
We do not yet have a page on the Miniature Bull Terrier.
Bull Terrier
Can the sweet bull terrier be equally mischievous and stubborn? You bet it can, but in such a comical, playful way that it ‘s hard to stay mad at them for very long.
Bullys have all the attributes to make an excellent guard dog: Dominant nature, self-confidence, strength, and size. Most Bull Terriers love everyone, and will let you know this by enjoying attention and cuddles.
Ca de Bou
We do not yet have a page on the Ca de Bou.
Catahoula Bulldog
The Catahoula Bulldog is a cross between an American Bulldog and a Catahoula Leopard Dog. The Catahoula Bulldog usually has the best features of both breeds, but it’s important to remember that this is a hybrid, not recognized by any kennel club, and the appearance and temperament can be variable from dog to dog.
English Bulldog
Despite his rather grumpy and slightly fierce appearance, he is one of the gentlest dog breeds in the world. He loves children and will form a strong bond with them. In fact, the Bulldog loves his family so deeply that he is dependent on them for his own happiness. Unfortunately they tend to have hip dysplasia problems.
There’s no chance of the English Bulldog running away from home either – this chap loves his family too much! And he loves his comforts too – for him there’s nothing better than snoring his head off while dozing on the sofa.
French Bulldog
These dogs are known for their insatiable desire to hang around people. They are little bundles of fun and great additions to any family they join.
The French Bulldog isn’t a very vocal dog. They bark infrequently, so they’re good apartment dogs and can manage in places of high population density. This makes them ideal dogs for people sensitive to high volumes as well.
Leavitt Bulldog
Developed by David Leavitt, this is a branch of the Old English Bulldogge breed. There is a breed club, the Leavitt Bulldog Assocoation.
Gull Terr (Pakistani Bull Terrier)
The pure Gull Terr is recognizable by his completely erect ears and his almost totally white body. They very closely resemble the way the old 19th century Bull Terrier looked. The best pure breeds come from the Punjab and Kohat areas of Pakistan.
This is an excellent guard dog. He is loyal to his owners and will fight to the death to protect his family and property. If he thinks something isn’t right then this loyal dog will bark to draw your attention to it.
Gull Dong
The Pakistani Gull Dong is the result of a Gull Terr crossed with a Bully Kutta. Strong, aggressive, and very protective. Not for first time dog owners!
Olde English Bulldogge
Olde English Bulldogges are actually re-creations of the original English Bulldog. The bulldog has transformed over years of breeding for specific traits that it now looks very different from its earlier form. The modern Bulldog has NO genes from the original breed.
Breeders wanted to create a healthier, more agile dog that resembles some of the first members of the breed. There are many different Old English Bulldog breeds, each being created by breeding the English Bulldog to another breed such as the:
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- The American Bulldog
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- Bullmastiff.
These breeds go by different names and to my knowledge as of this writing, all of them are still in the development phase and have not been recognized by any major kennel club organization.
Dorset Old Tyme Bulldog, Old Time Bulldog, Victorian Bulldog, Old Victorian Bulldog, Medieval Bulldogges.
Scott American Bulldog
The Scott American Bulldog is one of the 2 varieties of the American Bulldog. It’s also known as the “Standard American Bulldog” and considered the more athletic, but smaller version, of the two types. Because of their similar looks, the Scott American Bulldog is often mistaken for a Pitbull Terrier.
Spanish Bulldog (Alano Español)
The Spanish Bulldog or Alano Espanol is a large-sized molosser type of breed, formerly used in bull fighting. Originating from Spain, these big dogs have a large head, short muzzle, wide, black nose, high-set ears, partially wrinkled face and a thick, low-set tail. Their black-masked face give this fighting dogs are severe appearance.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Origins: England
Size: Medium
Grooming: Easy
Training: Time Consuming
Recognition: FCI: Group 3, AKC: Terrier, ANKC: Terrier, CKC: Terrier, KC: Terrier, NZKC: Terrier, UKC: Terrier
Valley Bulldog
An affectionate dog, this rare breed was made by crossing a Boxer with an English Bulldog. Breeders wanted the athleticism and stable, excellent temperament of the Boxer and the unfaltering courage and spirit of the English Bull Dog.
This breed is thought to have originated from the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada where they are still very popular and a common sight.
They are mentioned in records in the mid 1990s although it is possible that they have been around a little longer than that.
The Bulldog Club of America was set up in 1890 to provide guidlines for breeders and bulldog owners.
We hope you enjoyed our page on Bull Dog Breeds. If you think we have missed a breed, please tell us, by using the Contact Me link. Thank you!
