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English Bulldog & Pitbull Mix: Info, Pictures, Facts, Traits

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By Nicole Cosgrove

English Bulldog & Pitbull Mix

When you cross an English Bulldog with a Pitbull, you’re sure to get a dog who has a tough attitude yet is gentle enough to be around children. Both breeds have had a rough history involved with fighting, which thankfully has come to an end.

Pitbulls were originally bred for bull-baiting in the early 1800s, which evolved into pitting dogs against rats. Even though they were originally bred to fight, they slowly turned into a working dog known to be brave and hardworking.

The Bulldog has suffered the same fate, as they were also created for the sport of bull-baiting. Once that was outlawed, bulldog lovers transformed the breed from a fighter to a companion dog. They found that this breed is lovable and especially fond of children.

English Bulldog and Pitbull Mix Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

When crossing the two breeds, you won’t know if the puppies will have more traits of the English Bulldog or the Pitbull. In any case, you want to find puppies that are bred from purebred parents; otherwise, there will be other traits involved that may not be desirable. Each puppy is unique, but they will receive dominant traits from each parent.

3 Little-Known Facts About the English Bulldog & Pitbull Mix

1. They still have a bad reputation.

This comes from their past and the fact that the English Pitbull can be extra protective of their human family. Proper training and socialization are key to having a cheerful and loving dog. They may still be reserved with strangers and other dogs, but they don’t have to be aggressive.

2. They are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement.

This mix is devoted and wants to please you, so if you are a good trainer who offers rewards instead of punishment, they will form a bond with their family and learn how to behave in a positive way.

3. They have a strong tendency to chew.

Both breeds like to chew, so it’s natural that this mix is also a chewer. Provide them with durable toys, and teach them what is acceptable to chew on.

The parent breeds of the English Bulldog & Pitbull Mix
Image Credit: Left – danielsfotowelt, Pixabay | Right – Caroline Ziemkiewicz, Unsplash

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Physical Traits of the English Bulldog and Pitbull Mix

Size

This mixed breed can range in size since you have two different breeds. While, they are both heavy dogs with broad shoulders and muscular legs, a Pitbull can weigh up to 65 pounds, while a Bulldog weighs between 40 and 50 pounds. Thus, this mix will be on the heavier side for a medium-sized dog.

Bulldogs are shorter in stature and will be 14 to 15 inches tall, and Pitbulls range from 17 to 21 inches in height. So, it’s safe to say this mix will be muscular and stout. Your dog could look more like a Pitbull, with a large head and wide jaw, or more like a Bulldog, with a wrinkled, flat face.

Fur/Coat

Since the English Bulldog and Pitbull come in a range of colors and a variety of markings, your guess is as good as any as to what color a mix will be. There’s a possibility of browns and reds, with or without white or silver markings.

You will most likely encounter a coat of fine hair that tends to shed. the English Pitbull’s fur does best with a twice-weekly brushing and a monthly bath. You don’t want to bathe them too often, since this will remove the healthy oils that their skin needs to stay healthy.

Life Expectancy

Since they are a medium-sized dog, they do have a longer life expectancy compared to a large dog. Pitbulls have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years, and a Bulldog’s lifespan is 8 to 10 years. Hopefully, your mix will live a healthy life up to at least 12 years or more.

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Temperament and Personality Traits of the English Bulldog and Pitbull Mix 🧠

Even though some people find these two breeds to be intimidating, this mix’s temperament is actually friendly and sweet-natured, especially toward the ones they love. As mentioned, they can be wary of new faces and strange dogs, but once trust is gained, you have a lifelong friend. Teaching them at a young age how to socialize and behave in public is important for them to understand that they don’t need to be aggressive toward others. They will still have a natural tendency to be protective of their tribe, but most dogs have this trait.

English Pitbulls are confident and brave, which can be negative or positive in certain situations. But you will be hard-pressed to find another mix that is more affectionate and loving. If you have kids, they will be like a sibling, as these dogs love to play for hours on end.

This mix is fairly easy to train since they are smart and eager to please. Just remember that they respond better to positive reinforcement rather than negative. If you are unsure of the best way to train your English Bulldog and Pitbull mix, consult a certified trainer who has dealt with this mix before to help you and your dog succeed.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The energy level of these dogs is moderate to high, depending on if they lean toward the Bulldog or the Pitbull side. Generally speaking, Bulldogs have a low to moderate energy level, while Pitbulls are high-energy dogs, so you could have a dog who is in-between or just low or high.

You will want to provide well-rounded nutrition, no matter the level of their activity. It’s best to match how much you feed your dog to their activity level. If you have a high-energy dog, they will need more food throughout the day. High-quality dog food that provides all the needed nutrients is the best to feed your English Bulldog Pitbull mix. Speak with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is receiving the proper nutrition to live a healthy life.

Exercise 🐕

Bulldogs are more mellow and willing to chill than the Pitbull, so you never know what your mix will prefer. Moderate exercise is best to keep your dog trim and fit, but if your dog shows signs of boredom, such as chewing or adopting other bad behaviors, you may need to up your exercise game.

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Taking time to train your dog and play will make for a happier and healthier pet. They want to be part of the family and will thrive when involved with activities that include everyone.

Grooming ✂️

If your dog has many wrinkles, you will need to regularly check in between the wrinkles to make sure the skin is clean and dry because moisture can become trapped in these spaces and cause irritation, which can lead to infection. Use a soft brush on their coat a couple of times per week to keep the fur healthy.

Check your dog’s ears weekly, and wipe them out with a cotton ball damp with an ear cleaner to prevent infections. Monthly baths are ideal and shouldn’t be more often than that to prevent drying of the skin or other coat concerns from the loss of natural oils. Regular grooming appointments will help ensure that you can keep your dog looking their best.

Health and Conditions ❤️

While it is impossible to predict what health conditions will affect your English Pitbull, you can still get an idea of common health concerns for each breed and know what to look for. Getting regular vet check-ups is an important part of keeping your dog healthy and ensuring that they have a long life.

Minor Conditions
  • Overheating
  • Skin Issues
Serious Conditions
  • Respiratory issues
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Congenital heart defects

These health conditions listed are not all the problems that can occur, so it’s best to have your veterinarian involved in the care of your English Pitbull.

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Conclusion on the English Bulldog and Pitbull Mix

This guide was developed to give you general information about this popular mixed-breed dog. There are many people who have this mix and love their dogs and wouldn’t trade them for anything. There are also organizations that recognize this mix and offer plenty of resources to help you with training and caring for your dog.

The first step on your journey to owning an English Bulldog and Pitbull mix is to find a reputable breeder and learn all you can about the parents since this will give you the best idea as to what your puppy may inherit. Learning all you can about what to expect and how to care for your English Bulldog and Pitbull mix will help you provide the best environment for your dog so they can develop a loving and devoted bond with you and others.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: Left – American Pitbull (Maya K Photography); Right – English Bulldog (DanaTentis, Pixabay)

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