The Victorian Bulldog is a variation of the popular breed the English Bulldog, yet they were bred to be a much healthier breed. This included making them both taller and with fewer health issues than the English Bulldog, yet they still have the short, round, wrinkly features that makes them a traditional Bulldog!
These pups are low maintenance and make excellent family companions due to their love for people, especially children. They’re very gentle and loving, despite their sometimes grumpy look! If you’re interested in learning more about the Victorian Bulldog and whether they might be the dog for you, read on below to find out everything you need to.
History Of The Victorian Bulldog
The Victorian Bulldog is an excellent companion dog, despite their quite muscular appearance. They only began to be bred in the 1980s, and, because of this, are not currently recognized by any major Kennel Club.
This breed is still a very rare breed that can be difficult to find, so there is no breed standard. There are two minor registries which acknowledge this breed — the American Canine Association and the Dog Registry of America.
Breed Origin
The Victorian Bulldog is a variation of the English Bulldog, so we can start by looking at their breed origin.
The English Bulldog was first used for bull and bear baiting in England as far back as the 1500s. Back then, the English Bulldog was a taller and heavier dog than it is today. Bull baiting was banned in 1835 and after this, there wasn’t much purpose for the English Bulldog. Due to their fighting nature, they couldn’t make affectionate companions.
Luckily, a few breeders wanted to save the English Bulldog and kept breeding and the first Bulldog breed club was formed in 1864. They were first brought to America in around 1880 and were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1890. Their popularity then continued to rise throughout the 20th century.
Due to the increase in demand for the English Bulldog, these pups began to be bred with health issues, such as their exaggerated features. Ken Mollett wanted to create a healthier version of this breed again, so he bred English Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, Bullmastiffs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers to create the Victorian Bulldog.
The Victorian Bulldog then became more like the original English Bulldog from the 1800s — slightly taller, slightly longer snout and shallower wrinkles. These pups are still pretty rare and have only made their way to the United States in the last decade.
Characteristics Of The Victorian Bulldog
Victorian Bulldogs are not a common dog and it may be difficult to find one. They are normally born in litter sizes of between three to six puppies. Due to their rarity, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,300 and $2,000 for a Victorian Bulldog puppy.
You should certainly check you are buying from a reputable breeder due to the fact they are so rare, as many breeders advertise their pups as Victorian Bulldogs when really they are just English Bulldog hybrids.
Due to the fact that the Victorian Bulldog is not recognized by any Kennel Club, the breed standard set forth by Ken Mollett is what is adhered to when breeding these pups.
Appearance
The Victorian Bulldog looks very similar to the English Bulldog, yet they are a little taller, have fewer wrinkles and a smaller head with a noticeably longer snout. They are still short and muscular, which is one of the main traits that characterizes the Bulldog. They are considered a medium to large breed dog.
A male Victorian Bulldog will weigh between 65 to 75 lbs and stand between 17 to 19 inches tall, while a female will weigh between 55 to 65 lbs and stand between 16 to 18 inches tall. You can expect a Victorian Bulldog to reach their adult height and weight between 1 to 2 years old.
Coat
Victorian Bulldogs have a short coat that is straight. It is also a single coat and is very dense. They do not shed greatly, but you can expect two blow outs a year where they will shed excessively. You should brush them regularly all year round to prevent shedding, although it won’t stop it completely. We will go into more detail about grooming later on.
Color
Victorian Bulldogs can come in a range of colors, although the most common colors are brindle, fawn, red and white. They are never black or a combination of colors with black.
Temperament
The Victorian Bulldog is a breed of dog that demands lots of attention! These pups love people and will want to be by your side at all times, ensuring they are getting all the affection they need. They can suffer from separation anxiety and begin to exhibit destructive behaviors if they are left alone for too long, so they are not the dog for you if you are going to be out for hours at a time.
These dogs are lively and playful and will certainly keep you on your toes. They are up for anything as long as it means they are involved and, although they are not overly active, with enjoy accompanying you out. However, they will also be just as happy curling up next to you on the couch at the end of a long day!
Victorian Bulldog’s are normally quite quiet and reserved, but they will alert you by barking if anything is wrong. They are extremely loyal to their family and will want to protect you, which can make them a great guard dog. This doesn’t mean they are aggressive though — they are very gentle with those they know and socialization is important to ensure your Bulldog stays calm.
Lifespan
The Victorian Bulldog has an average life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years.
Known Health Issues
One of the main reasons the Victorian Bulldog was bred was to eliminate health problems that the English Bulldog faces. For this reason, they are a relatively healthy breed. However, they can be prone to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. This is when the elbows and hips weaken and become arthritic and it can be the cause of quick growing.
The Victorian Bulldog is also prone to weight gain, which can then lead to hip and elbow dysplasia. Ensuring you monitor how much they eat and giving them the right amount of exercise will help to keep your Victorian Bulldog at the right weight.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
These Bulldogs are also very sensitive to temperature changes as they can overheat easily and have trouble cooling down. They are not the dog for you if you life in an area with an extreme climate.
Daily Life
Now we know all about the history and characteristics of the Victorian Bulldog, we can take a look and see what daily life with one of these dogs is like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The Victorian Bulldog needs around 1000 calories a day, which equates to between 1 and 2 cups of food per day. This should be split into two meals a day. Of course, you should always check the back of the food packet to see how much of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
Make sure you feed your Victorian Bulldog high quality dog food that is formulated for their nutritional needs. It is a good idea to go for a food that is designed for medium to large breeds. Be careful not to overfeed the Victorian Bulldog, because they are a breed that is known to gain weight easily, which can result in them developing joint problems.
What Should You Feed Your Victorian Bulldog
We recommend the Purina ONE SmartBlend dry dog food for the Victorian Bulldog. Formulated especially for large dog breeds, this recipe contains real chicken as the number one ingredient, ensuring that your dog gets all the protein they need to keep their muscles lean and strong. Also in this food there is a natural source of glucosamine that ensures your pups joints stay supple and healthy, which is very important for larger dogs.
With omega-6 fatty acids and vitamins and minerals, your Victorian Bulldog’s skin and coat remains in the best condition and the antioxidant blend supports their immune system. All the ingredients are also high digestible in this food and there are no fillers.
Exercise
The Victorian Bulldog is not a particularly active breed and, although they like to play, does not have high exercise needs. You will only need to walk these pups once or twice a day for 20 to 30 minutes, which makes them a great dog for those who live in smaller homes with a small yard and do not have a large space for them to be active.
This breed is intelligent, so they do like to play games, especially with the younger members of the household. Keeping them mentally stimulated will ensure they don’t get bored, and they will love playing frisbee, chasing a ball, or even doing brain games.
It is worth mentioned that, while the Victorian does not have a prey drive, they can sometimes be prone to chasing squirrels, so it is a good idea to keep them on a leash when you are out in public.
Family Compatibility
Victorian Bulldogs make an excellent pet for any family. These dogs are especially drawn to children — both young children and teenagers — and will make the perfect playmate. They are gentle and considerate too, so you don’t need to worry about them being too rough with smaller kids!
They are also great around other animals and family pets, both dogs and cats, although, of course, socialization should always take place. This pup is happy wherever there is a lot going on and as long as they are around people who give them attention!
Fortunately, the Victorian Bulldog does not have high maintenance needs and is therefore a great pet for first time dog owners. However, as we mentioned above, these pups do not like to be left alone. Due to their high intelligence they are easy to train, too, so the whole family can join in.
Training
The Victorian Bulldog is an intelligent dog that is easy to train. You should always start from a young age. Like all dogs, the Victorian Bulldog responds best to positive reinforcement techniques and reward based training. This includes verbal praise and treats.
You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Socializing
We have mentioned above that the Victorian Bulldog breed is a very sociable dog who loves to be around humans and loves to be the center of attention! However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t train them from a young age so they grow up to be a well rounded pup.
You should introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals when they are young, in a safe and controlled way. This means they will understand there is nothing to be afraid of.
Grooming
Fortunately, the Victorian Bulldog does not have very high grooming needs, however you will need to be brushing them at least two times a week with a soft bristled brush. This will help to loosen any hairs and keep shedding at a minimum.
Bathing should only happen once a month or when they are dirty, otherwise their skin can become irritated. You should check and clean their wrinkles regularly, because dirt and debris can build up and cause skin problems.
You should also brush your Victorian Bulldog’s teeth two to three times a week to keep dental disease and decay at bay. You can always use dental sticks if this is easier.
Victorian Bulldog FAQ’s
What is the difference between a Victorian Bulldog and an English Bulldog?
A Victorian Bulldog was created by crossing an English Bulldog with Bull Terriers, Bullmastiffs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. They are of the same family, but the main reason for breeding the Victorian Bulldog was to create a dog that was more like the original English Bulldogs from the 1800s — taller and with fewer health problems.
The main difference is that they are slightly taller, have a slightly longer snout and have shallower wrinkles. They also do have fewer health concerns, with the Victorian Bulldog’s main health issues relating to their elbows and hips.
Should I adopt a Victorian Bulldog?
A Victorian Bulldog puppy can set you back between $1,300 and $2,000 because they are very rare. Their rarity means they are also difficult to find and often breeders mislabel English Bulldog hybrids as Victorian Bulldogs. It can be hard to find a reputable breeder.
For this reason, you may want to adopt a Victorian Bulldog. You can always check your local shelter to see whether they have any of these pups who need a home. However, there are many rescue organizations for these dogs, including the Bulldog Rescue Network.
Summary
The Victorian Bulldog is a loving and friendly breed of dog that makes the perfect family dog. Great around children, these dogs love to play and thrive off human attention at all times. They do not have high grooming or exercise needs and, although you will need to dedicate a lot of time to them for playing and affection, will happily spend their time next to you on the couch. Bred to have fewer health problems than their English Bulldog cousins, this dog is easy to take care of as long as you have a lot of love. What do you think — is a Victorian Bulldog for you?