The Miniature Bulldog is the result of breeding an English Bulldog (not to be mistaken with the Victorian Bulldog) and a Pug together. Loyal and affectionate, this small breed is the perfect companion for many, especially those who don’t have the space for a bigger Bulldog breed. With their low maintenance needs and fun-loving nature they’re also the perfect pet for first time dog owners.
With both parent breeds very popular dogs, it is no surprise that the Miniature Bulldog is also rising in popularity. If you’re interested in learning more about this adorable little dog and whether they might be the pup for you, keep reading below.
History Of The Miniature Bulldog
The hybrid Miniature Bulldog should not be confused with the Miniature English Bulldog or the Toy Bulldog, which are just smaller versions of the purebred English Bulldog. The Miniature Bulldog is a crossbreed with two different parents and is therefore considered a hybrid dog.
As a crossbreed, they are not registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the UK Kennel Club. However, they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club and Dog Registry of America. Because these pups haven’t been around very long, there is no official breed club for them.
Breed Origin
To understand where the Miniature Bulldog comes from, we can take a look at the origins of it’s parent breeds — the English Bulldog and the Pug.
The English Bulldog was first used for bull and bear baiting in England as far back as the 1500s. Back then, the English Bulldog was a taller and heavier dog than it is today. Bull baiting was banned in 1835 and after this, there wasn’t much purpose for the English Bulldog. Due to their fighting nature, they couldn’t make affectionate companions.
Luckily, a few breeders wanted to save the English Bulldog and kept breeding and the first Bulldog breed club was formed in 1864. They were first brought to America in around 1880 and were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1890. Their popularity then continued to rise throughout the 20th century.
One of the oldest dog breeds in history, the Pug dog could be dated as far back as 700 BC. It is thought they were originally worshiped in Egypt and bred as companion dogs for Tibetan Buddhists. Then, around two thousand years ago, the Pug came to China where it is believed they originated from. Many Emperors believe that these dogs brought good luck and began to worship them.
In the 1500s, Dutch traders brought the Pug from China to England and Holland and these pups became a popular dog among aristocracy and royalty. This included William III, Queen Victoria, Josephine Bonaparte and Marie Antoinette. After the Civil War they made their first appearance in the United States.
Being such a new breed, the Miniature Bulldog has a very limited history and we cannot be sure when the first litter was bred. However, it is thought that these dogs began to be bred between 1980 and 1990.
Characteristics Of The Miniature Bulldog
Finding a Miniature Bulldog puppy can be difficult, due to the fact they are a new breed and fairly rare. You can expect to pay around $1000 for a Mini Bulldog puppy, and so you should always ensure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Miniature Bulldogs are normally born in litter sizes of between 5 and 7 puppies. They normally reach adulthood by the time they are 18 to 36 months of age, although it can depend which parent breed they take after more.
It can be difficult to know exactly what characteristics a Miniature Bulldog will inherit from each parent breed, especially as they are such a new dog with no breed standard. They may take after their Pug parent more, or their English Bulldog parent more.
Appearance
These dogs have a muscular body, broad shoulders and a round head. They are often thought of as stubby dogs because of their short legs and round body. They also have small ears and wrinkles, which gives them an adorable look! This breed can also sometimes have an underbite, where the teeth protrude out in front of the upper teeth.
This breed is a brachycephalic breed with a brachycephalic skull. This means they have a flat face look with a squished nose. This can cause health problems, which we will go into more detail about later on.
The Miniature Bulldog can stand between 12 to 16 inches tall, and can weigh between 20 to 45 lbs. They are considered a small breed, unless they weigh over 40 lbs and are considered medium sized.
Coat
The Miniature Bulldog’s coat is short and smooth. It is also quite dense. They shed moderately, so are not the dog for those with allergies, but do not shed huge amount and therefore do not require too much grooming! We will discuss their grooming needs further on.
Color
The Miniature Bulldog is normally a mix of two color combinations. The most common colors are white, black, silver, brindle, fawn and red.
Temperament
It can be difficult to know the exact temperament of the Miniature Bulldog because they are not a purebred dog. They will like inherit different temperaments from their parent breeds. However, more often than not, the Mini Bulldog is a friendly and loving pup who loves humans. They are known to form strong bonds with their owners and are extremely affectionate.
As both parent breeds are bred as companion pets, it is no surprise that the Miniature Bulldog also makes an excellent companion. They do not have a strong prey drive and get on very well with children. They can be a little aloof with other animals, but socialization can help. They can also be stubborn when it comes to training, but with patience they can learn!
Bulldogs are often thought of as aggressive breeds, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. When raised in the right environment, these dogs are very loving and friendly. Due to the fact they love their humans so much, they can sometimes suffer with separation anxiety, but this should never be shown through aggression. Providing they are socialized properly, these dogs will grow up to be well-rounded pups who can get on with everyone.
Lifespan
The Miniature Bulldog has an average life expectancy of between 9 to 13 years.
Known Health Issues
The Miniature Bulldog is, like all dogs, prone to some health issues. Many of these health concerns are passed down to them from their parent breeds.
– Hip Dysplasia — this is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia.
– Brachycephalic airway syndrome — this is a condition that is normally seen in dogs who have a short and flattened head and face. It can lead to breathing issues and loss of breath if they are overexerted.
– Skin Issues — due to the excess skin on their body, it can be difficult for the Miniature Bulldog to regulate their own body temperature. This skin can also be very sensitive and can become irritable, so you must watch out for itching.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Bulldog mix, it is time to take a look at what living with one of these dogs on a day to day basis is really like. Fortunately, they do not have high care needs, which makes them perfect for new dog owners. Below, we will cover their food and diet, their grooming requirements and their exercise needs.
Food And Diet
The Miniature Bulldog requires around 800 calories of food a day, which equates to around two cups of kibble. This should be split into two meals a day. Of course, you should always check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your Miniature Bulldog based on their weight.
Always feed your dog high-quality food that meets all their nutritional requirements. If possible, you should purchase a food that is tailored to their specific needs, especially taking into consideration their size. Take a look at the food we recommend for this breed.
Exercise
The Miniature Bulldog does not have excessively high exercise needs, and only need around 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day. This can be split up into walks and playtime. They will especially love it if the whole family get involved!
Due to the fact they are a brachycephalic breed, they can be prone to overheating as they find it difficult to breathe properly when they over-exert themselves. Therefore, if you live in a hot climate, try walking your Miniature Bulldog after the sun has gone down.
The Mini Bulldog requires mental exercise too, and should be kept mentally stimulated when they are not running around. You can give them toys and puzzles to play with to keep them entertained.
Family Compatibility
The Miniature Bulldog makes an excellent family pet. These pups love their humans, adults and children included, and don’t really like to be apart from them! Thanks to their small size they make great playmates for children too and are very gentle with kids of all ages. These dogs can be a little wary of other animals and so if you have other dogs or pets in the home, socialization is recommended.
Miniature Bulldog’s do not have high care needs and this is one of the reasons they are recommended for first time dog owners. Also, due to the fact the Miniature Bulldog is a small breed, they do not require a lot of space to live. They’re also great for those who live in apartments without a yard, because they do not have high exercise needs. As long as you dedicate a bit of time for taking them for a walk in the park and then engage in playtime with them, they will be a happy pup!
Training
The Miniature Bulldog can be a little stubborn at times and therefore training can often be tricky at first. It will require a lot of patience and perseverance from you, but stick with it because they will eventually learn!
These dogs respond best to reward based training and positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. You should never get angry or annoyed with your Miniature Bulldog because this will make them not want to learn.
Training your dog can be a great way to bond with them. It also helps to keep the mentally stimulated so they don’t get bored. You should start training them from a young age so they learn to be obedient and well-mannered.
Socializing
We have mentioned above that Miniature Bulldog’s love humans and have no problem forming bonds with adults and children. However, they can be aloof around other animals and, if not taken care of, can be shown through aggression. This is why socialization from a young age is so important.
You should introduce your Miniature Bulldog to different sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled way to ensure they learn there is nothing to be afraid of. This will help them to develop into a well-rounded and good mannered pup!
Grooming
Thanks to their short coat that doesn’t shed very much, the Miniature Bulldog does not require much grooming. You should brush them once a week with a rubber mitt to remove any excess hair and keep their coat healthy and clean.
They do not need to be clipped as their fur will stay short. You can bathe your Bulldog as and when it is needed. You may find that their wrinkled skin causes them to be a bit smelly from time to time.
A groomer or veterinarian can help you trim their nails and you should regularly brush their teeth the prevent dental decay and disease. You can also use dental sticks if this is easier.
Miniature Bulldog FAQ’s
How much does a Miniature Bulldog cost?
A Miniature Bulldog will set you back around $1000. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can give you health clearances for both parent breeds.
Unfortunately, because the Miniature Bulldog is a relatively new breed, finding a breeder can be difficult. However, a search online may turn up some breeders or those enthusiastic about the breed!
If buying from a breeder is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. You never know, there may be a Miniature Bulldog there who is looking for their forever home!
Are Miniature Bulldog’s good with children?
Miniature Bulldog’s are excellent with children and make wonderful family pets! Because they are not an overly active breed, they don’t get too rough during playtime and are known for being gentle with children of all ages. Their size means they have less of a chance of hurting children while playing and they love to show their family members affection.
Summary
A crossbreed of two very popular breeds of dogs, the Miniature Bulldog is a wonderful pup to bring into your home. Excellent for families, these dogs form a bond with their owners immediately and love children, making wonderful playmates and companions. With low maintenance needs, the Mini Bulldog is a great dog for first time owners and their low exercise requirements means you don’t need to put aside hours for walking everyday.
That being said, make sure you can dedicate time for playing and training and be prepared for some separation anxiety when you leave the house — these dogs will love you and not want to let you go! Do you think a Miniature Bulldog could be the pup for you?