Do English Bulldogs Get Along with Other Dogs, Cats and Pets?

If you have a pet like a dog or a cat, you have to consider them when adding a new dog to the family. You could choose the best-looking English Bulldog to bring home, but it won’t matter if they won’t get along with your other pets. Consider where you live and the pets you already have before you add a new one to the group.

Do English Bulldogs get along with other dogs, cats, and pets? In general, English Bulldogs are friendly and kind to other animals. However, some of them can be aggressive toward cats and other dogs of the same sex. Some English Bulldogs can be especially protective of their food, too, which can pose problems at mealtimes.

While English Bulldogs may not always get along with other pets, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider one. If you train an English Bulldog as a puppy, you can teach them to behave and not act out against other pets. However, some of them might be more difficult to train.

English Bulldog Temperament

Like with some other dogs, the biggest risk you have when you bring home an English Bulldog is that it won’t get along with your current pets. While these dogs can be very kind and peaceful, they don’t all have the same temperament. Just like us humans, you can’t always tell what a puppy will be like once they reach adulthood.

Unfortunately, that means you can’t choose a specific puppy because they’re guaranteed to be perfect for you. Some English Bulldogs are more aggressive than average, and that won’t go over well in some homes. Overall, though, these dogs are courageous and kind, and they’re typically calm.

If you have other pets, you should consider how a new dog will affect them. While English Bulldogs can be good with dogs and other pets, they don’t respond as well around cats. That doesn’t mean cat owners can’t get an English Bulldog, but you will have to give your cat and the new dog some space.

The good news is that you can work with your new English Bulldog so that they can fit in better. You can also do your research before settling on a specific dog, which can help you decide on the best dog for you. If you want to know more about English Bulldogs, click here.

Incorporate Regular Training

If you already have your heart set on a specific English Bulldog from a specific shelter or breeder, you aren’t out of luck. These dogs are relatively easy to train, which means you can teach them how to react and interact with other animals. You need to make training a regular part of their routine.

When you first bring your dog home, you will have to acclimate them to your home and your pets. You can do that by keeping your new dog on a leash and introducing them to pets slowly, if possible.
Once your new dog settles in, make training part of their daily activities. You don’t have to train them for hours, but make sure they learn a little each day.
Training could be as small as getting them to ignore your cat or as big as taking them on a walk with your other dog.
When it comes time to feed your English Bulldog, do it away from your other pets. These dogs can be very possessive of your food and separating them can help everyone.
Whenever you see your new dog playing with or being friendly to your other pets, praise them. Dogs love praise, and you can further show them that they’re doing what you want.

Of course, you may also have to train your English Bulldog like any other dog. They’ll need to know how to tell you they need to do their business or go outside. However, adding a bit of special training can help them become part of the family.

Choose a Good Breeder

If you want to get your English Bulldog through a breeder, make sure you choose the right one. Some breeders are more ethical than others, and some have more experience. While you can’t breed for a calm demeanor, you can ask a breeder about their past litters.

Ask your breeder about the temperament of the parents. If both parents are aggressive, that will increase your dog’s chances of being that way. On the other hand, if both parents are calmer, the puppy probably will be, too.

You can also look for a breeder who raises their puppies with other animals. A dog with early exposure to other animals will probably be a better fit for a family with those pets. If a dog doesn’t have any socialization with cats or other dogs, they might be more aggressive to them.

Don’t be afraid to consider a few different dog breeders. While there are many good ones, there are also that aren’t reputable. If your breeder can’t show you the bloodline of the dog, find a breeder that can. The better your breeder, the higher your chances are of getting a dog that’s a good fit for you and your other pets.

Choose the Right Puppy

Once you decide on a breeder, you still have to decide on the right puppy. Unfortunately, you can’t always tell if a puppy will grow up to be calm as an adult. You will have to wait and see, but you can still explore your options.

If you have a male dog, see if you can get a female English Bulldog. Some male English Bulldogs can be aggressive toward other male dogs, which can cause problems.
On the flip side, if you have a female dog, you don’t have to choose a male English Bulldog. You can look at puppies of both sexes.
Make sure the puppy has been raised with its mother for at least a couple of months. That way, they will have had a chance to bond with the mother.
If your breeder keeps the puppies for a little longer, you may be able to see a bit of their personality. With time, they will still change and mature, but you might be able to see a few more signs of their adult personality.

When it comes to choosing a dog, you may know that sometimes your dog chooses you. However, if you have a choice of the dog you get, considering certain factors can help. It may not guarantee you select the perfect dog, but it won’t hurt.

Consider an Adult Dog

If you want to have a better idea of how your English Bulldog will be as an adult, consider adult dogs. Your local shelter has many adult dogs up for adoption, and you can see what those dogs are like without question of how they’ll mature. Adopting a dog can also be a great way to save their life since not many people want adult dogs.

You don’t have to adopt the oldest English Bulldog, but you don’t have to go for a puppy either. In some cases, adopting an adult dog might be better than a puppy. You may not have to train an adult dog as much, at least when it comes to house training.

An adult dog also might be cheaper than a puppy. Since puppies are in high demand, you can save money on the upfront cost by choosing an adult. Also, getting a dog from the shelter typically means you won’t have to pay for vaccinations and other immediate medical expenses.

Final Thoughts

English Bulldogs are gorgeous, and they can make good pets. However, you have to be careful if you already have other animals. As long as you choose a good dog and are willing to train them, you can bring one home to almost any household.