The English Bulldog is a chunky lovable breed. They are affectionate, fun, and enjoy being part of a family. Monitoring their growth, especially during puppyhood, is crucial as your new companion grows. This includes their weight and the milestones that come with growing up.
Every dog is unique. Some may be bigger than the breed standard, while others may be smaller. Measuring them allows us to see if our dogs are on track. Some grow bigger faster, whereas others take longer. Keeping note of milestones gives us points of comparison to see just how well our dogs are developing.
Our comprehensive guide gives you a look into your English Bulldog’s growth throughout his early years. We’ve also provided a growth chart to serve as a handy resource to refer to during your dog’s life. Finally, we answer the most frequently asked questions about your dog.
What To Expect
Let’s take a look at what to expect during their growth period. It is important to note that although growth charts are helpful, all dogs are different, and their growth stages may differ. All this information will help you prepare for changes as your puppy grows. This is also an excellent time to learn the different developmental changes in your dog’s life during his most vital developmental stage — puppyhood.
Reminders
This article explores the growth patterns of a typical English Bulldog. However, puppy results may vary. They may have growth spurts or plateaus that slow down or speed up overall growth. This is normal and is no cause for concern. English Bulldogs typically reach their full height at around twelve months. However, their weight continues to increase until they are 24 months old. This growth also depends on nutrition and overall health, so be sure not to overfeed or underfeed your dog. You must also keep them away from injury. Ultimately, your puppy might be slightly smaller or larger than the averages we provide. If you find yourself alarmed by this, it’s always a good idea to contact your veterinarian.
Puppy Growth Timeline
Here is a timeline of your English Bulldog’s growth, along with your puppy’s different developmental milestones and needs.
English Bulldog Puppy
Here’s what to expect from your English Bulldog for the first year.
Birth To 2 Weeks
Sometime around the two-week mark, your puppy’s eyes start to open, and they begin hearing sounds. Your puppy is not very interactive at this time because they are both blind (due to sealed eyelids) and deaf. They rely on their mother to give them the care and milk they need. Allow your puppy to drink as much milk as needed. If you are also caring for their mother, be sure she is eating and resting enough to provide the puppies with good care.
1 Month
At the one-month mark, your dog has developed much of his senses. It’s adorable to see them be more social around their littermates. This is especially important for their early development, as this is their first chance to socialize. One month old is also when they begin to wean off their mother’s milk. You can start feeding them soft, wet dog food. It’s important not to shock them with too much food at once.
- Males weigh an average of 4-7 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 3-6 pounds.
2 Months
When your puppy reaches two months old, they may be separated from their mother, as they should now be fully weaned off milk. You can begin teaching them basic commands and start with obedience training. You can also start giving them three meals a day, changing portion sizes according to their size and weight.
English Bulldogs adapt very well to training, for the most part, so starting early would be great! Their sessions should be short and focused. It’s essential to train them now because they are the most receptive when they are very young. This sets a foundation for a well-behaved dog later down the line. Here is the weight you can expect from your English Bulldog at two months old.
- Males weigh an average of 9-12 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 7-10 pounds.
3 Months
You should continue your puppy’s training and socialization. You could start leash training to get them used to the feel of the harness and leash. It is also the right time to get them used to being groomed. Consistency and patience are key here. They are very playful and particularly mouthy. Do your best to curb bad behavior and encourage acceptable behavior.
- Males weigh an average of 13-18 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 12-15 pounds.
4 Months
Your puppy starts being a lot more playful by the time they reach four months old. At this point, they will have happily settled in with you at home. You should continue their obedience training and socialization using positive reinforcement as much as possible. Bulldogs respond well to positive reinforcement training. They also love to eat, so treats work well, but be careful of feeding them too many treats because they can gain weight. If you’re less experienced in training a dog like an English Bulldog, you may want to enroll in training classes. You can also let your dog join puppy kindergarten classes to teach them to behave appropriately around other dogs. They will get along with family and familiar pets but can be aggressive with unknown animals. Getting them used to being around different kinds of animals will help tremendously with this behavior. This makes for a confident, friendly, and well-rounded puppy.
- Males weigh an average of 18-24 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 18-22 pounds.
5 Months
You may be astonished at how large your English Bulldog has gotten at around five months. This is the stage where they learn, grow, and play more. We encourage you to continue with positive reinforcement. This can make a huge difference in how your dog will grow and behave as an adult. Bulldogs grow to be very affectionate and loving, but puppies will be puppies. They will play and bite and play some more. Continue getting them used to being around people, locations, and everyday noises.
- Males weigh an average of 30-33 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 22-25 pounds.
6 Months
Your English Bulldog is getting taller and heavier at around the six-month mark. They would have reached about 75% of their adult weight and height. They may want to walk a little more, but it is important not to overexert them so as not to injure them. More seriously, it can result in hip dysplasia. They may try to push boundaries but continue with your established routine. They need to learn discipline and structure. They can be stubborn, so sticking to training will help with their obedience.
- Males weigh an average of 33-37 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 26-30 pounds.
7 Months
You probably have established a routine and strong rapport with your dog at seven months old. Continue training and socializing them. Reward exemplary behavior. After all, they are trying their best to please you– it’s in their nature. They enjoy making their families happy.
You can start taking your dog on longer walks at this time but not too long. They don’t enjoy too much exercise. They prefer couches and staying indoors, but they do need to exercise. You could even split the walks into two smaller sessions. They are sensitive to heat and cold weather, so they should not go out in those conditions. You can give your dog two meals per day now and ensure they get enough food for their age, size, and activity level.
- Males weigh an average of 38-42 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 30-33 pounds.
8 Months
When your dog gets to be around eight months old, you should have a great friendship and bond established with them. The problem here is that they may start to get anxious when you aren’t around. This is called separation anxiety and takes a toll on your mental health. It can also take a toll on your belongings because destructive behavior usually surfaces when dogs feel this way. Bulldogs love being with their family and having someone home. It’s best to have somebody with them as much as possible, so they don’t get lonely. They can become depressed if the anxiety is not controlled. Besides this, your pup is on his way to adulthood, close to being his final weight.
- Males weigh an average of 42-45 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 33-36 pounds.
9 Months
You can expect your dog to start behaving a little more maturely at around nine months old. This may not be true for all puppies. Nonetheless, they will be much calmer. Bulldogs are people pleasers at heart, so they will be more willing to obey. Toys are an effective way to provide mental and physical stimulation. Bulldogs love chew toys. They will need different kinds to keep them engaged. Chew toys are a great way to curb destructive behavior at home.
- Males weigh an average of 43-47 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 35-37 pounds.
10 Months
You will see less apparent physical growth at around ten months since your pup is getting close to being fully grown. He will still fill out and put on weight at a much slower pace than when he was a baby. They start listening to your commands more eagerly than before at around ten months old, provided you have been consistent about their training. Now that their body is getting stronger, you can take them out for a longer walk. Try not to over-exert them as their bones are still developing, and be careful with them in extreme temperatures.
- Males weigh an average of 45-48 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 35-38 pounds.
11 Months
Homelife should be very comfortable for your doggy now that they are almost one year old. Bulldogs are more than happy to be part of a family. You can now try to give them twenty to 40 minutes of walk time each day, split into two sessions to make it easier to manage. Try not to run with them on a leash but walk to not disrupt bone formation.
- Males weigh an average of 46-49 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 37-40 pounds.
1 Year
It’s time to wish your doggy a happy birthday. He has most likely filled out by this time. You can check in with your veterinarian to see if your dog has grown healthily. Before they reach two years old, they may continue gaining weight. However, they should be right on track as long as they have eaten properly, gotten enough rest, and were not severely ill or injured.
Your rapport and bond are most likely solid with your doggy. He should be more behaved as well.
- Males weigh an average of 51-55 pounds.
- Females weigh an average of 40-44 pounds.
What Happens Next?
You can use the standard weights and heights listed as markers, but you can always compare notes with your veterinarian to see how well your dog has grown. There should be no issue with their growth as long as they weren’t overfed or underfed and kept healthy throughout puppyhood.
Full Grown English Bulldog
Your dog has done a lot of growing during his puppyhood. Male and female dogs have similar weights throughout puppyhood but differ slightly in adulthood. A full-grown male weighs around 51-55 pounds, while females weigh about 40-44 pounds. Males are taller, standing around 14-16 inches, while females average 12-14 inches.
Weight Growth Chart
Age | Male Weight (lbs.) | Female Weight (lbs.) |
1 month | 4-7 | 3-6 |
2 months | 9-12 | 7-10 |
3 months | 13-18 | 12-15 |
4 months | 18-24 | 18-22 |
5 months | 30-33 | 22-25 |
6 months | 33-37 | 26-30 |
7 months | 38-42 | 30-33 |
8 months | 42-45 | 33-36 |
9 months | 43-47 | 35-37 |
10 months | 45-48 | 35-38 |
11 months | 46-49 | 37-40 |
1 year | 51-55 | 40-44 |
2 years | 51-55 | 40-44 |
Factors To Consider
Many different factors affect your English Bulldog’s growth. Understanding each one can help you better understand the development process.
Genetics
Although size is often determined through genetics, it is still not guaranteed. Some dogs can be larger or smaller than their genetic lines. Looking at the parents can usually give you a sense of how large your dog can grow though this is only an estimation. The parents are just a small part of a giant genetic puzzle. They may have genes that result in smaller, average or larger offspring. There is no real way to tell until your dog has reached full maturity.
Nutrition
Nutrition will play a significant role in helping your pup thrive. The amount of food your English Bulldog consumes will depend on his size, age, and energy levels. This does not mean that overfeeding your dog will make him grow bigger. It’s important not to overfeed your dog as this paves the way toward obesity and may even create other orthopedic ailments. Bulldogs are easily prone to gaining weight, so their food intake should be controlled.
The most important consideration for his nutrition is to feed him a high-quality kibble that provides him with a well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet should include high-quality meats, fiber, carbohydrates, healthy omega fats, vitamins, and minerals. There is specialized English Bulldog food that can provide specific nutrients for the breed.
Growth Spurts And Plateaus
Growth spurts and plateaus can happen at any given time during your dog’s growth. These spurts occur randomly and can speed up or slow down the growing process. If you are worried about changes in your puppy’s growth, it’s always best to ask a veterinarian to see if your pup is developing healthily.
Neutering And Spaying
Most dogs should be spayed or neutered around 4 to 6 months. Bulldogs tend to mature a little slower, so you should probably wait until your dog is about six months old.
Vets recommend spaying your female Bulldog before her first heat cycle, occurring between six to seven months of age. Spaying a female bulldog at about six months will allow her to tolerate the anesthesia better.
Male bulldogs should be neutered between the ages of seven to ten months, according to veterinarians, since they reach sexually mature between five to six months. Male Bulldogs who are neutered before they reach puberty can grow larger than those neutered after puberty. Neutered dogs have less testosterone which is needed to seal the growth plate.
Since each Bulldog is different, be sure to ask your veterinarian when the best time will be to spay or neuter your dog.
Physical Health
Puppies who were ill for an extended time may have stunted growth. Poor health does not allow the body to reach its highest potential, so you should always check with your veterinarian to ensure that your puppy is as healthy as possible. Injury can also be a factor in the growth of an English Bulldog. Please do not allow them to overexert themselves as they are growing. Always give your dog plenty of space to play, so they don’t accidentally bump into anything and hurt themselves. And sadly, this breed has the greatest incidence of hip dysplasia (85% of them in the most recent research) of any breed.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will my English Bulldog stop growing?
Their physical growth stops between twelve and eighteen months. This breed often reaches its adult height around twelve months but continues to gain weight until eighteen or two years of age.
How fast can I expect my English Bulldog to grow?
Your English Bulldog grows at a pretty steady pace. They may have a growth sprint between four and nine months, but each doggie is different.
Will my puppy experience growing pains?
Studies show that puppies do not experience growing pains, but certain orthopedic conditions may give them pain. If you notice limping, swelling, strange movement, and a hesitance to join normally engaging activities, there may be something wrong. It’s worth going to a veterinarian to check what is ailing your puppy. It’s also worth noting that your dog can get injured if allowed to play too rough or exercise too much. Pitbulls are strong and athletic, so they could play rough and hurt themselves.
What are some common health conditions for growing English Bulldogs?
One common condition your dog may be predisposed to as they grow up is hip dysplasia. This is a disease where your dog’s thigh bone does not fit properly into his hip socket. This can cause a lot of pain and often leads to degenerative arthritis later on. You can spot hip dysplasia in your dog if you notice limping, strange posture, or unusual walking.
You should bring your dog to the vet when they are two years old to check if they have developed hip dysplasia. Fortunately, good breeders screen for hip dysplasia and should not allow any dogs who have it to breed. If you have received your dog from a responsible breeder, they are likely safe from hip dysplasia.
What do I do if my English Bulldog isn’t the correct weight?
If you find your English Bulldog is not growing healthy, check with your veterinarian. Numbers don’t always indicate if your dog is a healthy weight. To test if your dog is overweight or underweight, check his ribs. The ribs should not be visible as this is a clear indicator that your dog is dangerously underweight. Malnourished dogs need immediate veterinary assistance since they may need to be dewormed in case of internal parasites. If you cannot feel your pup’s ribs, he may be overweight. Ultimately, you should consult your veterinarian for treatment plans for your overweight or underweight doggie.
Final Thoughts
English Bulldogs are sweet, fun-loving dogs that enjoy pleasing their families. It is vital to have information on your English Bulldog’s development and growth to ensure he will grow up healthy and happy. Remember to bring your puppy for routine checkups. This way, you can closely monitor if your dog is growing to his full potential.