English Boston Bulldog Care Guide and Breed Profile

Adored for their squishy faces, sweet personalities, and short stature, English Boston bulldog are some of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and worldwide.

Most homeowners across the globe prefer this dog breed as their companion at home. The English Bostons have predictable and dependable temperance, but are they a good breed?

Studies show that the easy-going and relaxed temperament makes these dogs excellent family pets. While they may have short energy bursts, these pets like relaxing on couches or playing with children.

These bulldogs are also loyal and courageous, which makes them protect their owners or family members. With proper care, these dogs make a great addition to your home.

Nevertheless, like other purebred dogs, the English Boston Bulldog is prone to various conditions and diseases, including shoulder luxation and dysplasia.

Thus, before you purchase your dog, it’ll be appropriate to research the dog breed. You also need to understand the appropriate health and grooming care for this lovable pet.

Read through this English Boston Bulldog Care article to learn more about this dog breed and its care requirements.

Table of Contents

History and Origin of The English Boston Bulldog

The English Boston is a cross or hybrid dog breed that results from crossing an English Bulldog and Boston Terrier.

While this new dog breed has scarce historical data, studying the parent breeds helps to understand the characteristics of this English Boston breed.

Experts advise that you understand the common characteristics of this dog breed before adopting it to your home.

So, what are the characteristics of the parent breeds? The Boston Terrier results from specific terrier types and a bull. The breeding resulted in small tough fighter dogs that individuals used in bull-baiting.

In 1865, certain coachmen started interbreeding these dog breeds. After getting the offspring, they started interbreeding with French bulldogs to provide a base for the Boston Terrier.

The experts named the dog after its birthplace before the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized it in 1893. History shows that the English Bulldog originated in the British Isles and from the Asiatic Mastiff.

The English Bulldog had a bloody past due to its purpose in bull-baiting.

What was the purpose of this dog in bull-baiting? The main role of the English Bulldog was to attack grown-up and muscular dogs in the fighting arena.

Why did the sportsmen prefer the English Boston dogs? These dogs were very courageous, ferocious, and aggressive. They would attack these bulls underneath with a total lack of fear and strong determination.

The tasteless sport earned the dog the name ‘bull.’ Importantly, this Bulldog has evolved over time.

What are the characteristics of the modern Bulldog? The dog has a different mellow temperament and behaviors from the ancestors.

Nonetheless, it still possesses some strong will, which makes it vital to have a strong owner or leader. In the current days, the dog benefits from the courage and build of the parent breeds, with a lovable and mellow character.

Physical Characteristics and Appearance

The English Boston Bulldog has a distinct look. You can easily spot the animal with the thin and small ears at the back of the head. The bulldogs also have deep skin folds running from the forehead down to the jowl.

Experts classify their anatomy as brachycephalic, as they’ve got wide-set eyes above their short muzzles. The muzzle features a black & broad nose, a strongly undershot lower jaw, and hanging upper lips.

These bulldogs also have broad shoulders and large heads. With their sturdy, short, and wide-set legs make them move slowly. Averagely, an English bulldog weighs between 40 to 50 pounds.

Remember, these dogs can become obese or overweight if you allow them to overfeed. Experts classify them as medium-sized bulldogs, as they’re between 12 and 16 inches tall.

Besides the distinct physical body makeup, the Bulldog also has a unique coat. Studies show that the unique coat comes from the mother or parent breeds.

The bulldog breed has a smooth and short coat coming in various colors, including red, fawn, white, and brindle. The common distinctive accents include black masks, piebald markings, and white markings.

English Bulldog Personality and Temperament

Most individuals and homeowners know this dog to have a relatively predictable, dependable, gentle, and sweet temperament. These dogs also tend to be very kind to children and love getting human attention.

With these characteristics, the English Boston Bulldog makes the best family dogs. You can leave the dog with your kids at home, as they’re very friendly and loving.

The puppies are usually energetic but turn mellow as they get older. English Boston Bulldogs are affectionate and don’t require much to stay in a room.

These dogs are ideal in small homes, the countryside, and apartments. With the ability to listen and obey commands, these dogs learn quickly during training.

The dogs can be a bit sensitive in nature, making them respond well to rewards and praise. With the experts breeding the dogs for bull-baiting, these bulldogs are very courageous.

With a high level of courage, these dogs make excellent watchdogs. Most bulldogs interact and get along with other pets in the homestead.

Nevertheless, with improper socialization and training, the English Boston Bulldog can be aggressive toward other dogs.

English Boston Bulldog Health

Experts classify these dogs as brachycephalic breeds, as they have short snouts and heads.

With this physical appearance and body makeup, the dog is susceptible to various health complications related to their teeth, nose, and respiratory system.

Let’s look at the common health complications and the possible preventative measures:

Hereditary Issues:

The English Boston Bulldog’s parents predisposed the dog to a wide range of hereditary health issues. With the body composition and inherited features, the Bulldog may suffer various hereditary diseases.

Below are some hereditary health complications that the parents pass to the Bulldog.

Elbow dysplasia – misalignment of the dog’s socket
Patellar luxation – dislocation of the dog’s kneecap
Congenital deafness
Heart complications, like aortic stenosis, pulmonary stenosis
Thyroid problems

Reproductive Issues:

These dogs have various reproductive issues, including the inability of the males to breed without assistance. With their conformation, it’s hard for the males to reach the female reproductive organs that are set high.

It leads to exhaustion, overheating, and frustrations in the process. Besides the breeding process, most females have issues while giving birth. Studies show that approximately 95% deliver via the caesarian section.

Post-whelping Problems:

With the puppies coming through the c-section, the puppies suffer post-whelping problems. The mother may reject the puppies after birth.

Why does the mother reject the babies? She may lack vital hormones (oxytocin) that come during natural birth to help in maternal lactation and instinct.

Thus, you must monitor the condition and ensure that you give the puppies appropriate care, like food.

Overheating:

While bulldogs are special breeds, they have an overheating tendency. Overheating is a common health complication among most English Boston Bulldogs.

These dogs tend to overheat and even suffer heat stroke when the temperature rises beyond 40.5 degrees.

What are the signs of overheating? Your dog may have orientation dysfunction, fatigue, and trouble turning its eyes as objects move around.

Experts reveal that extreme overheating results in adverse conditions like coma or unconsciousness.

Skin Issues:

Most English Boston Bulldogs suffer skin fold dermatitis. It’s an inflammatory condition that causes rubbing and trapping moisture. The disease is a common facial fold that causes itching, irritations, and scratching.

These conditions can worsen if you don’t take the appropriate care to control the issues.

Respiratory Complications:

English bulldogs have unique facial features that predispose them to brachycephalic syndrome or respiratory diseases. Respiratory infections are usually worse, as they affect the whole body and may spread to vital body organs.

The elongated soft palates, hypoplastic tracheas, and laryngeal are responsible for this condition.

What are the symptoms of respiratory issues? The complication results in retching, gagging, coughing, snoring, noisy breathing, and several fainting episodes.

What are necessary health checkups?

With the dog being prone to various complications, it’s important to take proper care of your pet. Experts advise that you consider various checkups to ensure that you have a healthy animal.

You can consult a reputable vet to understand all the necessary checkups for the process. The National Breed Club recommends the following as the necessary health checkups:

Cardiac exams
Patella Evaluation
Tracheal Hypoplasia Radiographic Evaluation

What are the preventative healthcare measures?

It’s important to take the appropriate preventative healthcare measures to keep your dog free from diseases and other health problems.

These measures will help you have a healthy animal and save you the cost of treating your pet due to frequent complications. Below are some of the common preventative healthcare issues:

You should be vigilant at all times to prevent the dog from overheating. For instance, never leave the animal in the sun without access to water and shade.
Provide ice and cool water to help cool your pet
Monitor the dog closely and carefully to identify any health issue
Ensure your breeder vaccination and deworm the puppies before you take them home.
Have certifications from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation for the eyes and Orthopedic Foundation for the elbows, knees, and hips.
Check the dog daily for skins conditions and other visible issues
Clean the pet appropriately, including the eyes, ears, etc
Feed the dog a healthy and appropriate diet
Give the pet appropriate or enough exercise while paying close attention to its behavior.

English Boston Building Training and Exercise

With almost all dog breeds, it’s appropriate to start socializing and training the puppies early.

Why is it important to start early socialization? It’s important to start early socialization to get rid of various undesirable behaviors.

In addition, early socialization helps the pet to grow into a proper and well-adjusted dog. You can achieve the above by establishing a proper and consistent routine.

What should the routine include? The consistent routine must include proper training, outdoor time, and a feeding routine.

With this routine, you can make it easier to train your dog and make it learn what you want quickly. Below is the proper exercising and training routine:

While bulldogs aren’t extra active animals, they love daily walks and outings. You can keep these animals healthy and fit with moderate exercise.

For instance, the dogs might enjoy wrestling a toy or chasing a ball around. When exercising these dogs, avoid allowing them in waters beyond the elbow depth.

Remember to instruct them on what to eat and not eat during the training. Remember that you shouldn’t take the English Bulldog out when it’s too hot.

Why is it not advisable to take the dog out during this time? The short muzzles make it hard for the dog to breathe in particular weather.

Thus, when the temperature is extreme, limit the exercise or training to the evening and early morning. You can start the training with 30 minutes to one-hour walks and increase the duration as time goes by.

Living with the Boston Bulldog:

These dogs make fine indoor pets as they’re low-enduring dogs. You don’t have to get a home with a big yard to stay with the dogs.

When staying with them, it’ll be good to remember that they thrive best or survive in temperate climates, as high temperatures result in overheating.

With the right temperature, you can reduce the possibility of diseases and the number of trips to your vet.

Before purchasing the dog, it’s good to remember that the dogs can’t adapt to an active lifestyle. It’s a perfect choice for a young family, as long as you can have time to relax at home.

With the dog being prone to breathing issues, the dog usually makes too much noise while sleeping.

English Boston Bulldog Grooming and Care

With the skin texture (smooth and short hair), it’s important to take the appropriate care and grooming.

What is the role of proper grooming and care? Proper grooming and care keep the dog healthy and grow properly. Below are effective grooming and the necessary daily care tips:

Skincare:

You should evaluate and clean the skin around your neck, tail, and face areas daily. A dry and soft cloth will be the best tool for wiping the debris and drying the wrinkles.

Experts advise that you dry the wrinkles fully after cleaning. Why is it important to fully dry the wrinkles? It helps to prevent bacteria growth on the skin.

Coat care:

Ensure that you brush the dog’s hair twice per week. When bathing the animal, it’ll be wise to pay proper attention to the folds and wrinkles on the skin. Use a clean and soft cloth to clear debris from the skin to prevent infections.

Nail Trimming:

As the dogs, the nails also tend to grow stronger and longer. While playing with the kids, the animal might harm the kids. Thus, it’ll be appropriate to treat the nails regularly to prevent complications.

Eye Care:

With the pet prone to allergies and eye complications, it’s appropriate to clean around the eyes routinely. You can use pet-safe wipes to clean and dry the skin around the eyes.

Ear Care:

Ensure that you clean the ears to prevent the dog from developing complications. Use an appropriate dog-specific ear cleaner after every bath to clean the ears.

Dental Care:

As the English Boston Bulldog ages, it tends to develop bad breath. Thus, brushing regularly will help to protect the animal from the bad smell.

It’ll be important to follow a regular brushing frequency (averagely thrice a week) and always check for irregularities like redness, gum inflammation, etc.

Nutrition:

Nutrition is an important aspect of the growth and development of your dog. Nevertheless, you must be vigilant as overfeeding your Boton Bulldog might result in being overweight.

How can you achieve the best feeding plan and schedule for your pet? You can consult with your vet to monitor the dog’s calorie intake, the right amount of food, and the right extra treats or scraps.

For instance, vets recommend that you give treats sparingly, especially during training. The treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of the caloric intake. Ensure that your dog takes clean water all the time.

With the right feeding program and amount, your dog will grow and develop healthily.

What is the best diet plan?

When a bulldog weighs between 45 to 55 pounds, it’ll be appropriate to give them an average of 1400 calories. Like other dogs, the English Boston Bulldog requires proteins as the primary dietary ingredients.

Vets recommend approximately 18% and 22% of protein for the diets of adult bulldogs and puppies, respectively.

When having dogs, it’s important to understand that they’re susceptible to joint issues. Thus, it’s vital to include more phosphorus and calcium in the daily diet. These dietary meals help to strengthen and grow the joints.

Remember to provide enough water 24/7 for the pet, as it’s vital for the growth and development of your pet.

Conclusion

The English Boston Bulldogs are one of the best family pets. Their cuteness and loyalty make them a greater addition to your family. Breeders crossed the English Bulldog and Boston Terrier to get this even temperate and lovable dog.

When adding the animal to your home, ensure that you understand the training and exercise schedule. With the animal being prone to various health issues, it is important to observe the appropriate routine care and grooming.

The proper care ranges from observing the right nutrition, skin care, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and eye care. With these practices, you’ll have a happy and healthy pet in your home.

If you’re looking for a good and lovable pet in your home, the English Boston Bully offers the best companion animal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does a Boston Bulldog Cost?

The cost of an English Boston Bulldog varies depending on various factors, like age, breeder, etc. However, the cost of purchasing a Boston Bulldog is an average of $1500, depending on the pedigree of the puppy.

Ensure that you get your pet from a reputable breeder to get the best rates. Besides the rates, reputable dealers sell vaccinated and dewormed puppies with a proper care guide.

Is an English Boston Bulldog a Good Family Dog?

Experts reveal that the English Boston Bulldog is the best choice for a family dog. The dog has a calm, lovable, and affectionate nature that suits any family.

Experts reveal that a friendly personality makes a greater addition to the family. With even temperament and loving nature, it makes the dog loyal towards family members and patient around small kids.

If you introduce these dogs to the family early, they usually get along with the other pets.

What is The Difference Between a Boston Terrier and a Boston Bulldog?

Boston bulldogs and Boston terriers are common pets and city dwellers. While they have various similarities, we’ve got some distinguishing factors. The major distinguishing factor between these dogs includes height, coat color, and weight.

Boston Terriers usually weigh between 10 to 25 pounds, while Boston Bulldogs weigh slightly more, approximately 20 to 35 pounds.

Boston Bulldogs usually grow up to an average of 17 inches. In contrast, most Boston Terriers grow to between 15 to 17 inches. These dogs tend to grow muscles faster and also have brindle, white, black, or seal coal.

Nevertheless, Boston Bulldogs usually have learner body muscles with white, red, brown, and fawn coats.

What is The Best Breed of Bulldog?

If you’re looking for the best breed of Bulldog, experts reveal that you should set your eyes on the English Bulldog.

Since the breeders brought the dogs to the American colonies, it has remained relevant and popular for various reasons. The dog has retained its lifestyle and original appearance.

However, while taking the English Bulldog, it’s good to understand that it’s prone to various health complications like brachycephaly.

What is A Boston Bully?

Boston bully is a common bulldog resulting from the breeding of an English Bulldog and Boston Terrier. This dog breed has a small to medium stout body and frame.

Breeders reveal that most Boston Bulldogs inherit the large head shape and body structure from the Bulldog descendants.

Besides the large body and head shape, the dog has a broad black nose, short muzzle, large cheeks, and wide nostrils.