How Long Do English Bulldogs Live? Bulldogs Average Lifespan

How long do English bulldogs live?

If you are raising an English bulldog, then you might be wondering how long they can live. 

In this blog post, we will talk about English bulldogs and their average lifespan. English bulldogs are among the most sensitive breeds, with distinctive physical structures and genetics that make them susceptible to certain conditions (and sadly, shorter lifespan).

So how to extend your English bulldog life expectancy and keep it living for as long as possible?
Let’s find out.

How Long Do English Bulldogs Live? Average English Bulldog Life Expectancy

English bulldogs can live for about 8 – 10 years. 

This is an average bulldog life expectancy which means that half the English bulldogs around today will survive longer than this and half won’t. Meaning, some can live as little as 6 or 7 years while others may make it to 11 or even 12!

The most common reasons for the shorter English bulldog lifespan are:

  • Cardiac arrest
  • Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Heat strokes
  • Cerebrovascular disease
  • Respiratory diseases

Now let’s take a look at the factors that directly affect the English bulldog lifespan.

Factors That Can Affect English Bulldog Lifespan

English bulldogs are generally healthy dogs. However, their health can be affected by several factors that vary from bulldog to bulldog, and some of them even depend on the owner’s lifestyle choices.

Their lifespan depends on multiple different factors, including:

  • Genetics – How healthy a bulldog is when it’s born and what diseases and conditions can affect its life expectancy? Having info about its history and breed can help you here.
  • Diet – How much your English bulldog eats every day, and what kind of food will have an impact on how long they live? Providing proper nutrition is always important!
  • Balanced lifestyle with regular exercise – How active is your English bulldog? What activities do you choose to engage in with your canine companion? How often do you take them for a walk, how much time do they spend around people/children/other dogs, etc… 
  • Environment – How clean is your house? Or how polluted is the atmosphere where your dog spends most of his days? The environment plays a vital role in all aspects of life, including overall health and wellness. 
  • Sessions at a vet clinic – How often do you bring your English bulldog to a vet clinic? How much does the veterinarian know about its health condition, diet pattern, and routine activities? How often do you get preventive vaccines for your English bulldog? These questions all play a significant role in your English bulldog’s life expectancy and your vet can be of great help to increase it.

All of these factors can impact not only their physical health but also their mental well-being as English bulldogs are very sensitive breeds who need affection and attention on a daily basis.

English Bulldog Lifespan And Health Problems

English bulldogs are one of the most sensitive breeds in terms of health, and their lifespan can be shortened due to several diseases that may occur throughout their lives.

english bulldog on the grass

They might suffer from heart disease, hip dysplasia, skin allergies, obesity, dental problems, and many infections which require proper medical treatment. If not treated on time, these conditions can affect English bulldog life expectancy.

Here are the most common health problems you should pay attention to.

Heart Diseases

Heart disease is a big problem among bulldogs, and it’s one of the major causes that determine how long an English bulldog lives. 

Their body structure makes their heart work harder than in most dogs, increasing their risk of suffering from cardiac or coronary diseases. How many times your pet will experience these health problems depends on several different factors such as genetics, diet, exercise routine, etc…

But you should know that if health problems are caught early, they can be managed with proper medication so your bulldog can live longer.

The best way to keep their heart healthy for as long as possible and prevent heart disease is by providing them proper nutrition (no processed foods), daily walks, or playing some fun games at home.

Bladder And Kidney Stones

Another health problem that often occurs in English bulldogs is bladder or kidney stones which can cause infections, difficulty urinating, pain, and even lead to the development of other serious conditions.

How well your pet deals with these problems depends on their lifestyle choices, including diet and exercise routine as well as how much they drink from a water bowl or run around for hours outside. 

With consistent vet visits and regular urine testing, you will be able to prevent them from developing into more severe health issues… But if your dog already suffers from any of these – it’s important to make sure you provide proper medical treatment and a specific diet according to schedule. Otherwise, its life expectancy could decrease significantly.

Obesity

Obesity is another health problem that affects English bulldogs, and it can be triggered mostly by lack of physical activity or poor diet choices.

How well your pet deals with this condition depends on their lifestyle habits, including daily walks around the neighborhood (if possible) as well as how much they eat for each meal/snack time.

If you notice some significant changes in weight levels which cannot be explained by other things like medicines – make sure to bring them to a vet first thing the next morning. Obesity could trigger other diseases like heart disease, back pain, and kidney stones, which significantly shorten their life expectancy.

Breathing Disorders

Short and flat snouts in English bulldogs are what make them one of the most sensitive breeds when it comes to breathing disorders. How well they can breathe depends on their health condition, age/weight ratio, presence or absence of allergies, etc… 

These problems, if left untreated, could also decrease how long bulldogs live, so pet parents need to be extra careful with dog’s breathing disorders.

You should contact your vet if you notice your bulldog is exhibiting breathing troubles (loud breathing, wheezing, blacking out, etc). Sometimes when the case is more severe, a medical procedure will be required.

Joint Problems

Another health issue that commonly affects English bulldogs is joint problems which can be triggered by different factors, including their age, weight, and lifestyle choices. How well your dog deals with this condition depends on its severity and how consistent you are with keeping track of these changes in its body over time.

If they already suffer from any kind of joint-related issues (hip or elbow dysplasia) – make sure to provide them with proper medical treatment. Otherwise, it may lead to more serious complications like chronic fatigue syndrome and arthritis (in older dogs).

So keep an eye out for future developments closely while making sure they get some extra rest after each walk or playtime outside.

Dental Issues

Dental issues are yet another health problem that commonly affects English bulldogs. How well they deal with these problems depends on their lifestyle choices (including regular brushing routine) and dietary habits.

But if left untreated (and tartar builds up), it could also decrease how long English bulldogs live. Even though dental issues might not be life-threatening, some of them can lead to serious infections to the gums and teeth, which can be extremely painful. 

So make sure to brush your puppy’s teeth every other day (around 3 times a week) to avoid dental-related risks.

5 Tips On How To Increase Your English Bulldog Life Expectancy

english bulldog puppy

If you own an English bulldog and you honestly care about their health (and how long can they live), make sure to always follow these tips on how to increase your English bulldog’s life expectancy:

Maintain A Healthy Weight

To avoid obesity and maintain a healthy weight, firstly, you should provide your bulldog with proper nutrition (omega fatty acids and antioxidants)

Next, take them for regular walks around the block or play some fun games at home like fetching balls before mealtime every single day. 

Exercise Your Bulldog Regularly

English bulldogs also want to go out for a walk, regardless of how lazy they may act. The good thing is that these puppies require only a small amount of exercise, and only 10-15 minutes of walking can be enough. 

Since these bulldogs can have breathing difficulties, make sure to avoid rigorous workouts that can leave them breathless.

Prevent Heat Strokes

Since English bulldogs can’t cool down quickly, make sure to limit their access to hot places like the sun or asphalt.

They can’t handle heat very well, so to prevent heat strokes, you should keep them in a cool environment especially during summer.

Spay And Neuter Your Bulldog

If you don’t plan to breed your English bulldog, it’s important to consider spaying/neutering them at some point. This will help your pet remain active and healthy longer than if they were allowed to breed throughout their lives.

The most important benefit of this procedure is preventing the risk of cancer to your bulldog.

Visit The Vet Regularly

It goes without saying that you should visit the vet regularly if you own a bulldog.

Regardless of how healthy your English bulldog may seem, make sure to bring them for regular vet visits and checkups at least once or twice a year. 

Sometimes you may need even more frequent exams depending on your bulldog’s weight, age, and condition.

People Also Ask

What Do English Bulldogs Usually Die From?

English bulldogs usually die from different types of cancer, heart diseases, heatstroke, obesity, or respiratory diseases.

How Old Was The Oldest English Bulldog?

The oldest recorded English bulldog who lived was the Roc Ann dog with its 13 years.

How Do You Know When A Bulldog Is Dying?

Some signs to look out for when you’re concerned that your English bulldog is dying are lethargy, aggression, fatigue, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Last Thoughts

The English bulldog is a breed that has distinctive physical structures and genetics, making them susceptible to certain conditions.

Sadly, their lifespan can be shorter than most other breeds because of this sensitivity.

But don’t worry! If you follow our tips and recommendations in this article, you will be able to significantly extend your pup’s life expectancy. These are the things we recommend doing every day in order to keep your dog healthy and happy – with the highest possible lifespan! 

Do you own an English bulldog? What are you doing to extend its life expectancy?

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Lovelia Horn

I’m a certified crazy dog mom, a physical therapist (for hoomans), writer, animal rescuer, and foster home provider. Together with my hubby Ryan, I’ve fostered and helped look for forever homes for over a hundred shelter dogs in the Southern Illinois area. I mostly work with Puppy Rescue 911, Inc., a certified animal rescue organization based out of Chester, IL (home of Popeye!)

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