English Bulldogs are known as chunky, stubborn, and affectionate dogs who tend to prefer chilling out with their families to going out and romping around. While their chunkiness and idleness are part of what makes them so adorable, their weight is very important when it comes to their health and well-being.
How much should an English Bulldog weigh? Age vs. weight:
| 1 month | 5 to 7 pounds |
| 2 to 3 months | 7 to 10 pounds |
| 4 to 6 months | 11 to 17 pounds |
| 6 months to adulthood (females) | 17 pounds to a full-grown weight of 48 to 50 pounds |
| 6 months to adulthood (males) | 17 pounds to a full-grown weight of 52 to 55 pounds |
While you may not have to take very many walks with your English Bulldog, we’re going to take you on a walk through everything you need to know about how much English Bulldogs should weigh at different ages, why English Bulldog weight is so important, and how to manage an English Bulldog’s weight.
How Much Should an English Bulldog Weigh? Age vs. Weight
You’ve read by now that English Bulldogs, like any other dog breed, take on different weights as they go through different stages of life. Older bulldogs need different care than younger ones do, which we’ve explained in this post.
English Bulldogs are bulky and stocky, eventually weighing up to 50 pounds or more as they get into adulthood. However, they aren’t always that way – English Bulldogs don’t take on very large weights when they’re younger.
The weight of English Bulldogs is important, because a healthy weight indicates a healthy English Bulldog. Weight can also indicate if an English Bulldog needs a different diet or food regimen, exercise, and other health and life aspects.
Knowing what an English Bulldog should weigh at different ages can help you assess your English Bulldog’s health and make changes if necessary.
That said, let’s look at how much an English Bulldog should weigh at different ages.
1 Month
At 1-month old, English Bulldog puppies are still very young and small. They should be anywhere from 5 to 7 pounds at the end of the first month. Females tend to weigh less than males.
A puppy’s size and weight at birth won’t always be a direct indication of how much weight the puppy will put on as it approaches 1 month of age. Factors like the puppy’s appetite, suckling ability, stamina, and the quality of the mother’s milk all play a part in growth and weight gain.
So, a very small newborn English Bulldog puppy could still make it up to the higher end of that 5 to 7-pound weight estimate at 1 month, depending on those factors.
2 to 3 Months
When an English Bulldog reaches 2 to 3 months of age, he or she will weigh anywhere from 7 to 10 pounds.
At this age and stage of life, English Bulldogs are entering what many breeders call their “gangly phase.” This is because the young bulldogs take on a lanky appearance, much unlike what they’ll look like when they’re adults.
Their legs look a little too long and tall, their heads are still small and a little skinny, and their wrinkles disappear a bit. However, the “gangly phase” doesn’t last long, and by 4 to 6 months, it begins to disappear.
4 to 6 Months
At 4 to 6 months of age, English Bulldogs start to enter a big growth-spurt phase. The “gangly phase” begins to falter away, and the puppy begins looking more like a “normal” adult English Bulldog as he or she gains more weight.
At 4 to 6 months, an English Bulldog should weigh 11 to 17 pounds. Again, females tend to weigh less than males, so if a female English Bulldog is on the lower end of this scale, that’s not a cause for concern. They may use their growth spurts and added weight to play a little more roughly and even wander away a bit – so make sure to keep a close eye on them at this age!
English Bulldogs will begin to gain more independence and maturity at this age as they grow.
6 Months to Adulthood
Starting at 6 months, female and male English Bulldogs begin to have distinguishably different weights. Females take on and stay at weights that are a little less than that of males.
Both female and male English Bulldogs are considered puppies until they’re around 18 months (1.5 years) old. However, they still begin to grow into their adult, full-size weights starting at 6 months of age.
As English Bulldog puppies enter adulthood, both females and males will put on an average of about 6 pounds over the next 6 months. That equates to about one whole pound a month (and sometimes slightly more)!
Female English Bulldogs
As female English Bulldogs reach 6 months of age, they should be about 17 pounds. As previously mentioned, over the next 6 months, they will gain about 6 more pounds.
Female English Bulldogs will “fill out” over the next two years of their lives, eventually coming to their fully grown weight of 48 to 50 pounds.
Male English Bulldogs
Male English Bulldogs should also be about 17 pounds as they reach 6 months of age.
Just like with female English Bulldogs, male English Bulldogs will gain about 6 pounds over the course of the next 6 months, and maybe even a bit more than that as they tend to weigh more than females.
As male English Bulldogs do their “filling out” over the next two years, they reach their adult, fully-grown weight of 52 to 55 pounds.
Why English Bulldog Weight is So Important
We’ve mentioned several times that the weight of English Bulldogs is important. While weight is important for any dog’s health, this is especially so for English Bulldogs. There are a few different reasons for this.
English Bulldogs are Prone to Being Overweight
According to the American Kennel Club’s article “Dog Obesity: Why It’s Important To Manage Your Dog’s Weight,” 53% of dogs in the United States are overweight.
Unfortunately, as the American Kennel Club outlines, English Bulldogs are one of the breeds that are especially prone to becoming overweight. While English Bulldogs are generally pretty hefty and stocky, and some added pounds can make them even cuter, becoming overweight poses several serious issues.
Being Overweight Leads to Health Issues
Much like humans and other dog breeds, when an English Bulldog becomes overweight, it can lead to quite a few health issues.
However, being overweight is especially detrimental to English Bulldogs. English Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have a short, broad skull that makes it harder to breathe.
Additionally, as outlined in Bulldog Guide’s article “Fat Bulldog: How to Deal With Bulldog Obesity,” English Bulldogs also have excess fat deposits in their chests and airways.
These excess fat deposits can further restrict breathing – and you can probably see that if there were even more weight added on to those already excess fat deposits, how troublesome it could be for the English Bulldog’s breathing and general health.
The American Kennel Club and Bulldog Guide outline some of the additional health problems overweight English Bulldogs can face:
- Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years)
- Heart and Respiratory disease
- Exercise intolerance
- Increased risk of heat stroke
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Orthopedic problems like hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament injuries
- Osteoarthritis, especially in the hips
- High blood pressure
- Skin problems
- Some forms of cancer
As you can see, knowing the healthy weight for an English Bulldog at different stages is crucial – it can help prevent the English Bulldog from becoming overweight and potentially facing a myriad of related health issues.
Managing English Bulldog Weights: Keeping Them at Healthy Weights
Since the weight of English Bulldogs is so important to their health and well-being, it’s very important to know how to observe and manage the weights of English Bulldogs.
For example, how can you tell if an English Bulldog is overweight? Does the English Bulldog’s diet need to be changed? Does he or she require more exercise? Let’s find out.
How to Tell if an English Bulldog is Overweight
It can undoubtedly be tough to tell if an English Bulldog is overweight. After all, they’re generally pretty stocky and may have a roundish or squarish shape. That’s very true – however, there are some distinct ways you can tell if an English Bulldog is overweight.
Weigh the English Bulldog
There’s a simple, sure-fire way to tell if an English Bulldog is overweight: put him or her on the scale.
To correctly weigh an English Bulldog, you should first pick him or her up. Step on the scale yourself and weigh yourself while holding the dog.
Subtract your weight from the total on the scale, and voila – you have the English Bulldog’s approximate weight.
The English Bulldog’s Body Has No Defined Shape
If an English Bulldog’s body has no defined shape, that’s a pretty clear indication that he or she is overweight. Dogs, even English Bulldogs, should have waists that are slightly slimmer and smaller than their hips.
If an English Bulldog doesn’t have a waist that’s smaller than his or her hips, or doesn’t have any defined shape at all, he or she is probably overweight.
Additionally, the American Kennel Club notes that you should be able to feel a dog’s ribs when you push in on its sides. If an English Bulldog’s ribs can’t be felt when gently pressing on his or her sides, there’s likely an issue with being overweight.
Breathing is More Labored Than Usual
Due to brachycephaly, English Bulldogs tend to always have breathing that sounds labored or difficult.
However, if an English Bulldog has breathing that’s even more labored than usual, or if an English Bulldog breathes hard at simple tasks like getting up or walking short distances, that’s a good indication of being overweight.
The English Bulldog Can’t Scratch His or Her Own Body
Dogs should typically always be able to scratch and itch themselves with their legs, even chunky English Bulldogs.
However, if an English Bulldog is unable to itch his or her ears with a back leg, it could be a sign of being overweight. English Bulldogs that are overweight tend to have additional fat deposits that make it unable to reach certain areas to scratch.
Managing an English Bulldog’s Weight with Food and Diet
Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to begin to manage an English Bulldog’s weight if he or she becomes overweight. One of the best ways to begin managing an English Bulldog’s weight is through food and diet.
Find a Low-Calorie, High-Quality Food
First, you should look for a low-calorie but high-quality food for an English Bulldog experiencing issues with weight.
A veterinarian may need to lend some expertise and give recommendations in this process, and that’s great! Veterinarians know what food is going to be healthiest and best for the English Bulldog.
Measure Food That’s Given
Next, it’s important to measure and keep track of the amount of food that’s given to the English Bulldog.
Many owners adopt the practice of a “food journal,” where they make a note of what and how much they fed their English Bulldog, as well as what and how much the dog consumed.
Additionally, it helps to use a traditional measuring cup in the process of dishing out food, so you know just how much was put in the food bowl.
Establish a Feeding Schedule
Establishing a feeding schedule can also help manage an English Bulldog’s weight. If food is left out all day long, or is given at intermittent and random times, issues with diet and weight can arise.
The American Kennel Club recommends offering and putting down food at a few set times per day, for an allotted amount of time. For example, food could be given at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, for a period of 15 minutes. Then, it’s recommended to pick up the bowl, even if there’s food left inside.
Keep Treat Type and Frequency in Mind
Treats are a big part of any dog’s diet, and snack choice and offering play a large role in managing English Bulldog’s weights through diet.
It’s important to limit in-between meal snacks, like treat rewards, biscuits, or even scraps of human food you or someone else might offer to the English Bulldog.
If you do want to continue to give your English Bulldog in-between meal treats, try to limit how often it’s done and try to choose low-calorie treats.
For example, the Fruitables Skinny Minis Bison Soft & Chewy Dog Treats are low-calorie and made with superfoods – great for English Bulldogs that need a healthier treat for weight issues.
Consult a Veterinarian
When in doubt, always consult a veterinarian. Veterinarians will have specific recommendations and insights about managing an English Bulldog’s weight through diet. Veterinarians may even be able to educate you on an exact regimen for your English Bulldog, so you don’t have to do any guesswork!
Managing an English Bulldog’s Weight Through Exercise
Dogs need exercise – that’s just a fact. English Bulldogs tend to be more lackadaisical than other dogs and can prefer just hanging out or participating in low-exercise activities rather than exercising a lot.
However, if an English Bulldog is overweight, or his or her weight needs to be managed, a great way to do so is through exercise (even if he or she is more on the lazy side).
The American Kennel Club recommends activities like swimming, walking, and playing fetch.
Why?
- Swimming is a low-impact activity and has the added benefits of helping dogs build muscles and burn calories without putting stress on the joints.
- Walking is also a low-impact activity, and its big added benefit is that not only will your English Bulldog get exercise – you will too!
- Playing fetch is recommended because the short, quick sprints it entails can help raise fitness levels and get exercise done quickly.
It’s important to remember that because English Bulldogs are brachycephalic, they’re especially prone to heatstroke.
When exercising an English Bulldog, you should make sure there’s plenty of freshwater available and shade to go in if it’s warm or hot outside. Also, make sure to allow the English Bulldog to take breaks as needed. That way, there’s less chance of heatstroke.
Final Thoughts
English Bulldogs are lovable, stubborn, hefty dogs, but they take on different weights as they go through life and enter different ages.
When fully grown, female English Bulldogs will weigh about 48 to 50 pounds, and male English Bulldogs will weigh about 52 to 55 pounds.
Remember that English Bulldogs are a dog breed that’s particularly prone to becoming overweight. That’s one of the reasons why English Bulldog weight is so important, as becoming overweight can lead to a myriad of health issues and complications.
An English Bulldog’s weight can be managed through diet and exercise, but it’s always important to consult a veterinarian if you have questions or concerns.
Remember – an English Bulldog with a healthy weight is a happy English Bulldog!
Learn More
If you want to learn more about English Bulldogs or other types of Bulldogs, then consider checking out this Bulldog Handbook on Amazon.