If you are looking for a small, affectionate and low maintenance pet that is good for novice dog owners and families, you should definitely consider getting yourself a Mini Bulldog.
What is a Mini Bulldog? A Mini Bulldog, or Miniature Bulldog, is a little and cute designer dog that is the result of crossbreeding the English Bulldog with the Pug. Mini Bulldogs are adorable pooches that were developed to achieve the looks of the Bulldog in a much smaller dog, without the health problems of the Bulldog.
Being a designer breed, it is important to know what to expect before you bring the Mini Bulldog into your home. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Mini Bulldogs, including how long they live, health problems to watch out for, how to care for them, their grooming requirements, and so on. Before getting into that, however, let’s look at what Miniature Bulldogs are known as.
What Is A Miniature Bulldog Called?
When people hear about this breed, the most common reaction is usually, “is there such a thing as a Mini Bulldog?” or “Are Mini Bulldogs real?”
Miniature Bulldogs, also referred to as Mini Bulldogs, Bull Pugs, and sometimes Toy Bulldogs, are not a purebred Bulldog. So, what is a Mini Bulldog mixed with? The Mini Bulldog is a mix between the English Bulldog and a Pug.
Being a mixed breed, the Mini Bulldog is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club, though the breed is recognized by other organizations, such as the Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
What Does A Mini Bulldog Look Like?
The Mini Bulldog has the muscular, broad-shouldered body of the Bulldog, a large and round head, and short legs. Since both parent breeds are brachycephalic, the Mini Bulldog has a flat face with a wrinkly snout. Some Mini Bulldogs will also exhibit an underbite.
Some common coat colors for Mini Bulldogs are black, white, red, fawn, silver, and brindle.
How Big Will A Mini Bulldog Get?
Adult Mini Bulldogs will grow to a height of about 10 to 14 inches, which is just a few inches smaller than the official size of the standard English Bulldog. Like with other breeds, males will usually be larger than the females.
How Much Do Mini Bulldogs Weight?
The weight of a fully grown Mini Bulldog will fall anywhere between 20 and 40 lbs. Despite their small size, Mini Bulldogs are still heavy and are not ideal for carrying around.
How Long Do Mini Bulldogs Live?
Before getting a certain dog breed, it is important to know its expected lifespan. So, how long do Miniature Bulldogs live?
Mini Bulldogs have a life expectancy of about 9 to 13 years.
While this breed was developed to minimize the risk of health issues of the English Bulldog, this is not to say that Mini Bulldogs are totally immune to health problems. Some of the common health issues of Mini Bulldogs include:
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
Brachycephalic airway syndrome is a respiratory condition that is common to dog breeds with a short, flattened muzzle and a wrinkly face.
The short muzzle causes obstructions in the airway, leading to breathing and overheating problems, especially when the dog overexerts themselves physically.
Skin Problems
The folds of skin around the Mini Bulldog’s face put this dog at risk of developing various skin problems, mostly due to overheating within the folds. These folds also create an environment hospitable to parasites that will likely cause various skin infections.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is common among English Bulldogs, and therefore, there is a risk that the Mini Bulldog could be affected by the same problem.
Hip dysplasia is a condition that is caused by the thighbone not fitting properly within the hip joint. Dogs with hip dysplasia will often experience some pain and discomfort during movement, which can lead to limping, and sometimes even lameness.
If you own a Mini Bulldog, you should regularly take them for health checkups so that any health issues can be diagnosed and treated before they become a real problem.
How To Take Care Of Mini Bulldogs?
Mini Bulldogs are very easy to care for, even if you’ve never owned a dog before. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when it comes to caring for your Mini Bulldog.
Dietary Requirements
Mini Bulldogs are not very active dogs, and therefore, they don’t require lots of food. Feeding your Mini Bulldog with high quality dog food twice a day should be enough.
We recommend feeding your Mini Bulldog with Pet Plate’s Barkin’ Beef, which has a high protein content that is highly nutritious for your pooch.
You should supplement your doggie’s diet with multivitamins. These provide your canine buddy with minerals and vitamins they are not getting from their food and help boost your dog’s immunity.
You should also invest in dental water additives to keep your doggie’s teeth free of plaque and tartar and to give them fresh breath.
Exercise Requirements
Unlike most other dog breeds, mini bull dogs do not require lots of exercise. We also saw that Mini Bulldogs are at a high risk of experiencing breathing and overheating problems during physically strenuous activities.
Therefore, you should not engage your Mini Bulldog in high intensity exercise. Taking your Mini Bulldog for a 30-minute walk every day should be enough. You should avoid taking them on walks when it’s hot, due to the risk of overheating problems. Ideally, you should take your pooch out for walks in the morning or evening.
Fortunately, due to their low exercise requirements, Mini Bulldogs do well in apartments and small houses.
Are Mini Bulldogs Good Pets? Temperaments Of Mini Bulldogs
Both parents of the Mini Bulldog are very loyal, playful, and affectionate, and therefore, you can expect your Mini Bulldog to have the same kind of temperament. They make good companions and are good for families.
Mini Bulldogs are also confident and highly social, and will get along well with all family members, including children.
Are Mini Bulldogs Hyper?
The English Bulldog is a lazy dog breed that prefers to spend most of their time sleeping, and therefore, it is very unlikely that your Mini Bulldog will be hyper.
Instead, most Mini Bulldogs will want to spend most of their time either curled up on your lap, or sleeping in their favorite spot.
Can Mini Bulldogs Be Left Alone All Day?
Another lovable thing with Mini Bulldogs is that they tend to form very strong bonds with their humans. Unfortunately, this makes them very needy. They always want your attention and do not take well to being left alone.
Leaving your Mini Bulldog alone all day will lead to behaviors like whining, barking, and even chewing on furniture and carpets. In extreme cases, your Mini Bulldog will develop separation anxiety.
Are Mini Bulldogs Aggressive?
Mini Bulldogs are very laid back dogs that are unlikely to show aggression towards people. They will also get along well with other pets within your home, especially if the Mini Bulldog was properly socialized from a young age. Their high level of confidence also means that they can easily tell between a safe and threatening situation.
Do Mini Bulldogs Shed? Grooming Tips For Mini Bulldogs
If you or someone in your family is allergic, you definitely want a non-shedding dog. So, are Mini Bulldogs hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, Mini Bulldogs are moderate shedders and are therefore not hypoallergenic and not suitable for people with allergies.
Brushing
Mini Bulldogs have a short and dense but smooth coat that sheds moderately, and therefore do not require lots of grooming. Brushing your Mini Bulldog about once every week will be enough to get rid of excess fur and maintain a clean and healthy coat.
For effective brushing, you should invest in a high quality brushing tool, such as the Furminator Undercoat Tool. We love this deshedding tool because of the great design that allows maximum deshedding, while minimizing the risk of injuring your doggie’s coat.
Bathing
Owing to the folds of skin on their face, Mini Bulldogs will sometimes develop an odor, and therefore, it is good to give them a bath every now and then to get rid of the smell. This can be done about once every two or three months, or whenever they start becoming smelly.
When giving your Mini Bulldog a bath, make sure to use a shampoo that is specially formulated for dogs. We recommend the Might Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner. This shampoo is pH balanced, does not contain any harsh chemicals that could be harmful to your dog’s coat, is made from natural ingredients, and helps moisturize your dog’s skin for a healthy and shiny coat.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Mini Bulldog Cost? Buying a Mini Bulldog from a breeder will cost your about $1,000 on average. You can bring the cost down by opting to adopt a Mini Bulldog puppy from a rescue center instead of buying from a breeder. If you opt to buy, always make sure you’re buying from a reputable breeder.
Can Mini Bulldogs Swim? Mini Bulldogs are not good swimmers. This can be attributed to their brachycephalic face, since the short snout increases the likelihood of getting water inside their nostrils. Therefore, you should avoid allowing your Mini Bulldog to get in water, and if you do, make sure they have a life jacket.
What Is The Smallest Breed Of Bulldog? The smallest breed of Bulldog is the French Bulldog, which is also referred to as the Frenchie. French Bulldogs have a height of about 10 to 12 inches at the withers, and weigh between 15 to 30 lbs. They are among the most popular small dog breeds in the USA.
