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13 Types of Bulldogs That Will Make the Best Family Pets

You may be familiar with English and American, but this breed has much more to offer.

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Any dog lover can agree that when it comes to deciding on which cuddly cutie you want to take home as your own, the options can be a bit overwhelming. But, if you happen to be in the market for a friendly and calm pup that won’t overdo it with barking, look no further than the fiercely courageous and outrageously popular bulldog (seriously, what other dog do you know that is everyone's mascot?)

There are so many different types of bulldogs — American, French, Victorian, the list goes on! — and each one is just as lovable and cute as the next. You could choose to invest your time and love into one of the larger breeds (see: Bullmastiff), which is likely to serve as the ultimate guard dog. Or maybe you’ll go for a small furry friend, like the Miniature American Bulldog, which would be a great cuddle buddy and ideal for apartment living.

Before adopting, you may also want to take into consideration the doggo’s overall health, personality and intelligence to help you land on the bulldog breed that is just right for you. Some of the smartest breeds are easy to train and pick up tricks easily, while others may take a little more patience before they’re fetching a dog toy on the very first command.

Regardless of the type of bulldog you pick, know that overall, they are sociable, friendly and gentle pups that make great family pets.

Get to know the different bulldogs a little more:

1

American bulldog

american bulldog pup lying in sunny room looking at camera
KJG Photography, Kim Guisti

These loyal and self-confident cuties have traditionally been known as work dogs. After coming to America in the 1800s, they aided farmers and ranchers as guard dogs and catch dogs. Today you can expect these athletic and agile mid-sized dogs to get along well with children and other dogs. They are also easily trainable. Most American bulldogs weigh 75-100 pounds and have a 10-12 year life expectancy, according to the American Kennel Club.

2

English Bulldog

a white adult english bulldog smiling at the sunshine
lucianojoaquim

Dependable and predictable is their middle name. Don’t let their stature fool you, they are great with kids and love to cuddle. They shed moderately and weigh around 50-54 pounds, according to Hill’s Pet.

3

Ca de Bou

majorcan bulldog
Getty Images

Also called the Majorca bulldog, a Ca de Bou is also known as a great guard dog. They are super affectionate towards children, and can grow between 77 and 83 pounds.

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4

Australian Bulldog

british bull dog
tracielouise//Getty Images

This breed is essentially an English bulldog that is bred in Australian conditions. It keeps the same loyalty as the English breed, but can be a bit taller and suffer from less breathing issues.

5

Olde English Bulldogge

portrait of olde english bulldogge standing on the couch
Westend61

These pups are eager to please and will adjust to their surroundings. When properly socialized and trained, they can also learn to channel their energy into work. But beware, the lovable cuties do tend to slobber.

6

Victorian Bulldog

18 week old victorian bulldog
DigitalEchos

While wrinkles in their faces may suggest a grumpy attitude, these pups couldn’t be sweeter. The Victorian bulldog has many of the same calm, friendly and playful characteristics as the English bulldog, but can live 2-4 years longer.

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7

Catahoula Bulldog

piebald short haired catahoula bulldog puppy sitting
u_t_a

This pup is super energetic and fiercely protective of its family. It also is known to get along well with children. Experts say that proper training and multiple walks a day are essential to committing to the care of a Catahoula bulldog.

8

Bullmastiff

the boerboel dog from south africa with a black mask and a short coat
Nenov

This cross of a bulldog and mastiff is a large breed dog, known to be a good companion and work dog. Though their size may be intimidating, they are actually gentle giants that are great with children and highly trainable, according to the AKC. Bullmastiffs typically weigh between 110 and 130 pounds.

9

Red-Tiger Bulldog

red tiger coat american bulldog puppy
infinityyy

This pup got its name from the subtle tiger stripes in its reddish coat. It's known to be a loyal dog that gets along great with other pups as well as children. They can weigh up to 110 pounds, and grow to about 26 inches in height.

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10

Spanish Bulldog

spanish bulldog
Getty Images

Also known as Alano Español, the Spanish bulldog originated in Spain and was traditionally used in bull fights. Their ability to sense danger and weariness of strangers makes them adaptable guard dogs when they have the right training.

11

Continental Bulldog

continental bulldog in front of white background
cynoclub

This cross between an English bulldog and Leavitt bulldog was first spurred in Switzerland. They are great for apartment living and are super affectionate. They typically weigh between 45 and 66 pounds.

12

American Bully

big american bully dog
alberto clemares expósito

A breed with influences from the American pit bull terrier, American bulldog, English bulldog and Olde English bulldogge, the American Bully is a muscular and active dog. Because of its gentle and loving nature, it is usually touted as a wonderful family pet, according to UKC.

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13

Miniature American Bulldog

english bulldog with cristmas hat
Chiara Benelli

When you cross an English Bulldog and a pug, you get the cutest combination of both worlds: the Miniature American Bulldog. These adorable pups are extremely loyal and love their families. They are also the perfect small breed, weighing just about 20 to 45 pounds and standing between 12 and 16 inches tall.

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