English Bulldog

Mellow is the word the ratings keep pointing at. A famously easy-going, wrinkle-faced companion, and an enduring mascot of England, the English Bulldog scores low on nearly everything that makes a dog demanding to live with.

The temperament sheet

Energy is rated low: short, steady outings suit this breed better than long marches. Time alone carries a moderate rating, so reasonable absences are workable, though company is clearly preferred. With children the rating is excellent, and for first-time owners the answer is yes. Space is flat-ok; the references rate this medium dog as genuinely suited to apartment life.

The practical side

• Size: medium. Substantial in build, modest in footprint.
• Grooming: low. The coat itself is little work.
• Shedding: moderate. Expect a steady, manageable amount of hair.
• Barking: quiet. Neighbours will rarely have cause to complain.

Before you decide

Every rating on this page is an average across a breed, nothing more. Individual dogs outrank their breed sheet, and sitting down with the actual dog outranks everything else we can print.