Breed Standard

This standard defines the Bulldog recorded in our ledger — muscular, blocky, unmistakably Bulldog — with temperament and stability central. It is the canonical source of truth for conformation, movement, and temperament expectations.

General Impression

The Bulldog is a front-end breed, defined by its massive head, arched neck, and deep, wide, low chest. At first glance, the dog must project strength, width, and power, appearing wider than tall with a blocky, muscular silhouette. This is a true Bulldog — stout, powerful, and balanced — never lean, refined, or terrier-like.

The breed gives the impression of muscular mass similar to the American Bully, with a bold, confident presence that reflects its Bulldog heritage. The neck is strongly arched, the chest is deep and wide to the elbows, and the rear is thick and defined, complementing the dominant front.

While they should possess an intimidating appearance, this is not a guard dog, not a working dog, not a police dog, and not a hunting dog. The Bulldog is not bred for those purposes. Instead, it is first and foremost a family dog — loyal, patient, and stable. This is a dog you can take to cookouts, gatherings, and public functions with confidence. Their temperament makes them excellent companions, and they may also serve as support animals, offering steady presence and emotional grounding.

The Bulldog moves with deliberate strength and purpose, covering ground with confidence and authority rather than agility or speed. Every aspect of the dog — from head to gait — should reflect its Bulldog identity: muscular, stable, and unmistakably Bulldog.

Head

General

Large, broad, and square in appearance, reflecting strength and power. Proportionate to the body, never small or refined. Expression should be confident, alert, and intelligent.

Skull

Broad between the ears with a slight furrow. Cheek muscles well developed without excessive wrinkling.

Muzzle

Short to medium in length, broad and square. Approximately one-third the length of the skull. Nostrils wide and open.

Faults: Muzzle longer than one-third of skull; weak or narrow muzzle.
Major Faults: Excessively narrow head; weak jaw.
Disqualification: Excessive nose length beyond breed proportion.

Bite

Undershot, with the lower jaw broad and strong. Teeth well aligned, not visible when the mouth is closed.

Faults: Slight wry jaw; teeth protruding or poking out when mouth is closed.
Major Faults: Pronounced wry jaw affecting alignment.
Disqualification: Extreme misalignment preventing normal function.

Eyes

Medium, round to oval, set wide apart. Slightly higher than, but ideally in line with, the nose. Dark preferred; light acceptable but less desirable.

Faults: Bulging eyes; mismatched eye colors (heterochromia).

Ears

Rose or button preferred. Set high and wide on the skull.

Faults: Low-set ears.
Disqualification: Full prick ears.

Neck and Body

Neck

A main feature of the breed, projecting extreme strength like a rhino or buffalo. Thick, muscular, and strongly arched. Viewed from above, should form a clear valley down the centerline.

Chest

Another defining feature of the breed. Must be deep, wide, and low, reaching the elbows and creating an impression of massive power and stability.

Body

Compact, powerful, and muscular. Rectangular outline, appearing wider than tall.

Topline: Level from withers to loin, slight arch over loin acceptable.
Back: Short to medium, strong and broad.
Loin: Slightly arched, strong, and muscular.
Croup: Slight slope to tail set, not excessively steep.
Height: Shorter than 18 inches at the withers.

Rear

Thick, powerful, and well defined. Muscling rounded and full, balancing the strong front.

Faults: Narrow chest; weak or upright neck; flat neck topline; weak topline; narrow or underdeveloped rear.
Major Faults: Overly lean or terrier-like body; excessively long body; chest not reaching elbows; rear lacking muscling.

Feet and Legs

Forequarters

Straight, thick, muscular, and set wide apart. Heavy bone. Elbows close to the body. Pasterns strong and nearly vertical.

Faults: Slight east–west feet; weak pasterns.
Major Faults: Severe east–west feet; collapsed pasterns; fine-boned forelegs.

Hindquarters

Thick, powerful, well muscled. Moderate angulation, strong stifles, parallel hocks.

Faults: Straight stifles; weak rear.
Major Faults: Cow hocks; unstable hindquarters.

Feet

Round, compact, and well-arched, like cat feet. Toes tight, pads thick.

Faults: Splayed toes; flat feet.
Major Faults: Severe east–west orientation; collapsed feet.

Tail

Low-set, thick at the base, tapering toward the tip. May be straight, pump-handle, or slightly kinked. Should reach at least to the hock.

Faults: Carried slightly high in motion; shorter than ideal but present.
Major Faults: Extremely short, docked, or stub-like; high tail set.
Disqualifications: Gay tail (curled over back); absence of tail (no docking unless for medical reasons).

Gait and Movement

Movement should project strength, power, and confidence. Deliberate and purposeful, never light or springy.

Front: Strong reach, straight and true, maintaining width.
Rear: Balanced drive, powerful, with follow-through.
Side View: Smooth, strong, efficient.
Faults: Weaving, weak drive, short steps.
Major Faults: Crossing over, cow hocks, paddling, exaggerated rolling.
Disqualification: Severe faults impairing function.

Temperament

The Bulldog is first and foremost a family companion. Despite its intimidating look, it must be loyal, patient, and stable. Protective instinct is natural but controlled.

Ideal

Affectionate and dependable with family.
Gentle and trustworthy with children.
Confident, calm in public.
Protective without unwarranted aggression.

Faults

Aloofness; over-excitability; excessive dog aggression.

Major Faults

Nervousness or instability.
Aggressive posturing without cause.

Disqualification

Human aggression (unprovoked).
Extreme shyness (refusal to be approached or judged).

Coat and Color

Coat

Short, fine, smooth, and close. Glossy texture.

Color

All colors and patterns acceptable, including merle.

Disqualifications

Long hair / long-coated phenotype.
Albino (pink skin, no pigmentation).
Any coat other than short, smooth, and close (fluffy, wiry).

Long Hair Disclosure and Breeding Policy

Long hair must not be intentionally introduced into the Bulldog population.
Sellers and breeders must notify buyers in writing if a dog carries the long-hair gene (e.g., FGF5 carrier or at-risk).
Breeding restriction: no two carriers are ever to be paired; carrier × carrier matings are prohibited.
Recommended practice: genetically test breeding prospects for coat-length status and record carrier/clear status on pedigrees and mating records.