Bulldog Standards

English Bulldogs   |   French Bulldogs   |   American Bulldogs

English Bulldog Standard

General Appearance - The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set  body, massive short-faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs. The general appearance and attitude should suggest great stability, vigor and strength.

Temperament - The disposition of an English bulldog should be kind, resolute and courageous (not vicious or aggressive), and demeanor should be easy going and dignified.  

Size, Proportion  --The size for mature male dogs is about 50 pounds; for mature females about 40 pounds. Proportion--The circumference of the skull in front of the ears should measure at least the height of the dog at the shoulders.

Eyes and Eyelids--The eyes should be situated low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, and their corners should be in a straight line at right angles with the stop. They should be quite in front of the head, as wide apart as possible, provided their outer corners are within the outline of the cheeks when viewed from the front.

Ears--The ears should be set high in the head, the front inner edge of each ear joining the outline of the skull at the top back corner of skull, so as to place them as wide apart, and as high, and as far from the eyes as possible.  The shape termed "rose ear" is the most desirable. The rose ear folds inward at its back lower edge, the upper front edge curving over, outward and backward, showing part of the inside.

Neck -- The neck should be short, very thick, and strong and well arched at the back.

Tail--The tail may be either straight or "screwed", and in any case must be short, hung low, with decided downward carriage, thick root and fine tip. If the tail is  straight, it should be cylindrical and of uniform taper. If "screwed," the bends or kinks should be well defined, and they may be abrupt and even knotty. The tail is not altered normally.

Shoulders--The shoulders should be muscular, very heavy, widespread and slanting outward, giving stability and great power. Forelegs--The forelegs should be short, very stout, straight and muscular, set wide apart.

Hindquarters - The hind legs should be strong and muscular and longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks should be slightly bent and well let down, so as to give length and strength from the loins to hock. The lower leg should be short, straight and strong.

French Bulldog Standard

General Appearance- Sturdy, compact , solid, small dog with short, smooth coat.  Size for a mature male dog is 25-28 lbs. and for female dogs is 20 lbs.

Characteristics- Full of courage, yet with clown-like qualities. Bat ears and short undocked tail essential features of the breed.

Temperament-  Vivacious, deeply affectionate, intelligent.

Head and Skull- Head square, large and broad but in proportion to dog’s size. Skull nearly flat between ears, domed forehead, loose skin forming symmetrical wrinkles. Muzzle broad, deep and set well back, muscles of cheeks well developed; nose and lips black.  Nose extremely short, black and wide, with open nostrils and line between well defined.
Lips thick, meeting each other in centre, completely hiding teeth

Eyes-Preferably dark and matching. Moderate size, round, neither sunken nor prominent, showing no white when looking straight forward; set wide apart and low down in skull.

Ears- “Bat Ears”, of medium size, wide at base, rounded at top are  set high, carried upright and parallel, a sufficient width of skull preventing them being too close together; skin soft and fine.

Neck-Powerful, with loose skin at throat, but not exaggerated.

Forequarters-Legs set wide apart, strong, muscular and short.

Body-Short, muscular and well rounded and strong; wide at shoulders and narrowing at loins.

Hindquarters-Legs strong, muscular and longer than forelegs thus raising loins above shoulders. Hocks well let down.

Tail-Undocked, very short, set low, thick at root, tapering quickly towards tip, either straight or kinked.

Coat-Texture fine, smooth, lustrous, short and close.

American Bulldog Standards

General Appearance- The American Bulldog is a well balanced, short-coated, muscular and athletic animal. American Bulldogs display great strength, endurance, and agility. Males are characteristically larger, heavier boned and more masculine than the females.

Temperament- American Bulldogs should be alert, outgoing and confident. Aloofness with strangers is acceptable.

Size- Standard Type:  Ideal standard males should measure between 23 to 27 inches at the withers and weigh from 75 to 115 pounds. Females should be about 21 to 25 inches and 60 to 85 pounds.

 Head- The head should be broad, flat on top squared appearance with a well defined stop. It should also be medium in length with pronounced muscular cheeks.

Muzzle- The muzzle should be broad with wide-open nostrils. The muzzle should be wider at the base and taper to the nose.  The lips should be full with black pigmentation; some pink allowed. The chin is well defined and must not overlap the upper lip nor covered it.

Eyes-  Almond-shaped to round, medium-sized.  Brown eye color is preferred. The haw should not be visible.

Ears: -The ears should be set high on the head, medium in size may be drop, semi-prick, or rose.  No cropped ears.

Neck- Slightly arched, very muscular, and of moderate length, tapering from shoulders to head.

Body- Wide chest, fairly compact, straight and well balanced.  The chest should not be narrow or excessively wide, nor should the elbows be angled out or pulled in.  The back should be broad and moderately short, showing great strength. 

Forequarters- The chest should be deep and moderately wide giving the appearance of power and athletic ability. The front should be straight and well balanced. The chest should not be narrow or excessively wide.

Hindquarters- Broad, well muscled with muscles tapering well to the leg to manifest speed and strength, but not quite as large as at the shoulders. 

Tail- Strong at the root tapering to the hocks, in a relaxed position, the tail can be carried back when excited.  A "pump handle" tail is preferred but any tail carried from upright, when the dog is excited, also relaxed between the hocks is acceptable.