If you’re comparing the Australian Bulldog vs. English Bulldog, then you’re in the right place. The Australian Bulldog and the English Bulldog are both breeds of domestic dogs that are closely related. Both breeds are known for their stocky, muscular builds and short, wrinkled faces. However, there are some significant differences between the two breeds, both in terms of their physical appearance and their temperament.
Both Australian Bulldogs and English Bulldogs sport a flat-nosed appearance as well as a muscular body. The Australian Bulldog is generally considered to be a healthier and more active breed than the English Bulldog. Whereas the English bulldog is known for its relaxed and placid temperament and is often kept as a companion animal.
Keep reading to learn more about the differences between the Australian Bulldog and the English Bulldog.
Before scrolling down this dog breed comparison guide between the Australian Bulldog vs English Bulldog, check out: King Shepherd vs. German Shepherd and Australian Labradoodle vs. Aussiedoodle.
Australian Bulldog Background
The Australian Bulldog is from Australia. However, the American Kennel Club has not yet accepted them as a legitimate breed.
The British Bulldog, often known as the English Bulldog, is a distant cousin of Aussie Bulldogs. Although they have similar physical characteristics, the Aussie Bulldog and its cousin breed differ slightly.
The Australian Bulldog is a new breed in the world of dogs, unlike the English Bulldog. Despite being a common breed, the development of this breed just began in the 1990s.
Pip Nobes, an Australian breeder from Queensland, produced the very first Australian Bulldog to be documented. By breeding an English Bulldog with an Australian Pig Hunting Dog, also known as a Bull Arab, Nobes created the first Aussie Bulldog. The latter is a mix of several bulldog breeds.
English Bulldog Background
The English Bulldog originated in England. English Bulldogs, in contrast to Australian Bulldogs, have a violent history as a result of the cruel practice of bullbaiting. They were created from combat mastiff bloodlines with the intention of competing against bulls.
English Bulldogs have low stature, powerful physique, and large heads as a result of such a background. They regrettably developed a number of health issues as a result of the breeding process, a few of which are also present in the Australian Bulldog breed.
English Bulldogs had a troubled background, but today they are well-behaved, tamed dogs. They were able to shed their violent reputation via responsible breeding and responsible dog owners.
English Bulldogs are currently the fifth most widely known dog breed according to the American Kennel Club. This is among other breeds such as the French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Golden Retriever breeds.
Comparison: Australian vs. English Bulldogs
In this section, we’ll compare the different physical characteristics of Australian and English bulldogs.
Weight and Size
The difference in size between an Aussie Bulldog vs. English Bulldog is one of the most significant differences. Australian Bulldogs are larger than their English relatives. A typical English Bulldog weighs only 40 to 50 pounds; however, an Australian Bulldog may weigh up to 55 lbs.
In addition, Aussie Bulldogs are taller, with a number of them growing as tall as 17 inches. In contrast, the maximum height of an English Bulldog is only 15 inches. The Australian pig hunting genes in Aussie Bulldogs are mostly responsible for their larger height.
Australian Bulldog’s eyes are another feature that distinguishes them from their English counterparts. Aussie Bulldogs have eyes that appear more attentive, which is another characteristic inherited from their pig hunting lines.
Lifespan
Australian bulldogs are reported to live longer than English bulldogs in terms of longevity. They have a lifetime extension of up to 15 years, which is a little more than the 12 years of English Bulldogs.
However, a variety of circumstances have a massive effect on both dogs’ lifespans. English bulldogs occasionally outlive Australian bulldogs. Diet, way of life, medical treatment, and breeding are important factors in deciding how long your dog will live.
Temperament and Behavior
The temperaments of English and Australian bulldogs are quite similar. Both dogs are kind and social animals that make wonderful family companions.
Aussie Bulldogs are meant to be companion dogs and have even temperaments like their English relatives. But you should be aware that this breed also has a strong need for care. They become restless and worried when left alone for too long.
Additionally, the Australian Bulldog shares the same stubborn character as its English Bulldog cousin. If you don’t give in to their demands, they’ll try to challenge your tolerance and start complaining.
Australian Bulldogs are better suited for homes with constant companionship because of their temperament. Just like their English Bulldog ancestors, Aussie Bulldogs require an alpha to guard them at all times.
Despite having a dependent nature, Aussie Bulldogs may develop a guarding side, particularly around kids. Australian Bulldogs may be trained to be obedient, well-behaved dogs. The hunting dog ancestry of Australian Bulldogs also contributes to their greater prey drive. With the right training, they may become reliable watchdogs and will bark to ward off outsiders.
Both of these breeds have a propensity to bark and will become loud if left alone for an extended period of time. Lack of training will also significantly worsen howling and vocalization.
General Wellbeing
Australian Bulldogs are mostly flat-nosed dogs, despite the fact that they are mated with some other breeds. This indicates that they continue to have a significant portion of the health issues that English Bulldogs are prone to.
Not all Aussie or English Bulldogs will inevitably experience these medical issues. Generally, these predispositions can be decreased by healthy breeding and routine veterinary examinations.
Some of them are as follows:
Cherry Eye
Both Australian and English Bulldogs are susceptible to cherry eye because of the structure of their faces. This problem develops when the third eyelid protrudes. If not fixed, this will hurt and put you at risk of getting a number of diseases.
Brachycephalic Syndrome
Brachycephalic condition is more common in Australian and English Bulldogs. The dog develops this ailment when its airways are blocked. If not treated quickly away, it will cause serious respiratory problems and possibly death. Summertime poses a greater risk since Bulldog breeds have trouble controlling their body temperatures.
Dry Eye
Dry eyes, sometimes referred to as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, are a prevalent issue in all Bulldog breeds. English and Australian breeds are not exempt from this issue.
Dysplasia
English and Australian Bulldogs are both susceptible to dysplasia. This might happen to their hips and elbows. Generally inherited, this issue can be addressed, based on how severe the deformity is.
Reverse Sneezing
Breeds with a flat nose frequently reverse sneeze. Fluids trickle down the Bulldogs’ soft palate, causing this to occur. English and Australian Bulldogs will reverse sneeze or hack as a result of this. Generally, as long as it doesn’t happen too frequently, this condition is manageable.
Energy level
Both Australian and English bulldogs have calm temperaments. Although they like playing with their owners, they don’t have a lot of energy. Both of these breeds are similar to gym bunnies generally. They enjoy a quick workout, but they also dislike skipping sleep.
Short walks and indoor play sessions are sufficient for keeping English and Australian Bulldogs happy. They are a good option for kids because of their bursts of energy. Furthermore, it is not advised to overexert these breeds physically. They are prone to overheating due to their flat faces and constrained airways.
Adaptability
When considering English Bulldogs vs. Australian Bulldogs in terms of adaptability, they both live well in apartments because of their laid-back personalities. Although these dogs don’t require a big yard to be content, it remains important to keep them active to combat obesity.
However, keep in mind that English and Australian Bulldogs are susceptible to high temperatures. The brachycephalic condition might be triggered by extreme heat, therefore you should keep them inside throughout the summer.
Grooming Needs
Although the Australian and English Bulldogs both have short hair, this does not always make them the easiest to maintain. Overall, the grooming demands of these breeds range from moderate to somewhat high.
This is because dust and microbial growth may thrive in the creases of a Bulldog’s skin. It can become a serious skin infection if not adequately cared for. Bulldogs are susceptible to ear infections in addition to having skin folds. This is a result of their floppy ears, which may collect a lot of dirt.
Intelligence
Both the Australian Bulldog and the English Bulldog are considered to be of average intellect. They aren’t as intelligent as Golden Retrievers, but they also aren’t stupid dogs either.
Although these Bulldogs are intelligent, their stubborn nature frequently makes training difficult. If you want your Bulldog to pick up a few new skills, you’ll need to be gentle, consistent, and patient with them.
Because Australian and English Bulldogs enjoy taking naps, use food to keep them motivated throughout training. Just be careful with the portion sizes as these two canines are at a significant risk of becoming obese.
Cost of Australian Bulldog vs. English Bulldog
Australian Bulldogs are typically more costly than English Bulldogs because there aren’t as many breeders for them. A quick study will show that an Australian Bulldog puppy can cost up to US$3,000. Some breeders would raise the cost to US$4,000.
This is more expensive than the $2,000 to $2,500 range for English Bulldogs as a whole. Although there are pricey English Bulldog puppies available, it’s not too hard to find a reputable breeder that won’t charge you a hefty sum.
Suitability
Aussie and English Bulldogs are suitable breeds that will perform well with novice dog owners. They are excellent for families who require a companion dog. Keep in mind that both of these breeds need a lot of care. These breeds might not be the best option if your family spends a lot of time away from home.
English and Australian Bulldogs require owners who can train them, just like any other breed of dog. Additionally, since these breeds have a large number of health issues, they are most suitable for households that can afford routine veterinary treatment.
Answering the following questions will help you decide between these two breeds:
What kind of space do you currently have? Australian Bulldogs take up significantly more floor space in your home than their English counterparts.
Do you want a watchdog? Australian Bulldogs make the superior watchdog of the two breeds. Nevertheless, don’t count on them to be security dogs because they won’t likely charge an intruder. They are easily duped by a tempting reward.
What is your spending limit? Australian Bulldogs are more pricey at the beginning. However, both of these breeds have moderate-to-moderately high recurring expenses.
FAQs
An Australian Bulldog is mixed with an English Bulldog and a Bull Arab, also known as an Australian Pig Hunting Dog. This cross brought more diversity to the original English Bulldog breed who were not accustomed to the Australian heat. As a result, Australian Bulldogs were taller, more athletic, and had fewer health issues. The Australian Bulldog remains slightly larger than English Bulldogs, but still closely resembles their English Bulldog breeding.
Generally, the lifespan of an Australian Bulldog is 10-12 years. However, with good nutrition and a good lifestyle, they can live for up to 15 years.
Most Bulldogs follow the typical pattern of shedding more in the Spring. However, Bulldogs have a wide-ranging coat when it comes to shedding, rating from low, to medium, and even high amounts of shedding. It is rare for Bulldogs to have high amounts of regular shedding, but some do. No matter the amount of shedding, it’s important to groom them often because their skin is sensitive to bacteria in their environment.
Conclusion For “Australian Bulldog vs. English Bulldog”
When researching the Australian Bulldog vs. English Bulldog, you’ll find that Overall, they are both friendly and affectionate breeds. The Australian Bulldog may be better suited for an active lifestyle due to its greater athleticism and energy level.
It’s important to research and understand the specific needs and characteristics of any breed before deciding to bring a dog into your home. With Australian and English Bulldogs, it’s important to focus on good nutrition and breed-specific exercise for the longevity of the dog.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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