Key Takeaways
- English Bulldogs are about twice as likely as other dogs to have a diagnosed health problem in any given year, and they're at higher risk for 24 of 43 common disorders.[1]
- Most problems come from the breed's shape: the flat face, heavy skin folds, and stocky build.[1]
- The big four are skin fold infections, cherry eye, jaw misalignment, and breathing problems (brachycephalic airway syndrome).[1]
- The typical lifespan is just under 10 years, among the shortest of any breed.[2]
- Heat is dangerous. Bulldogs can't cool themselves well by panting and can overheat quickly.[3]
- Keeping a Bulldog lean, cool, and clean-skinned, and treating breathing problems early, makes the biggest difference.[3]
Go to a vet now if your Bulldog:
- Is struggling to breathe, has very noisy breathing at rest, or has blue, gray, or very dark red gums.[3]
- Collapses or faints, especially after exercise or excitement.[3]
- Is overheating: heavy panting that won't settle, thick drool, vomiting, wobbling, or confusion on a warm day. Move him somewhere cool, wet him with cool (not ice-cold) water, and go. See heat stroke in dogs.
- Is in labor and straining without producing a puppy. Most Bulldogs need a planned C-section. See dog pregnancy.
- Has a suddenly red, cloudy, or squinting eye.
How Long Do Bulldogs Live?
English Bulldogs have a median lifespan of just under 10 years, according to a study of more than half a million UK dogs. That's about 2½ years less than the typical dog, and one of the shortest of any breed.[2] Flat-faced breeds as a group lived about 11 years, compared with nearly 13 for breeds with medium-length noses.[2]
In another study, fewer than 1 in 10 Bulldogs seen by vets were over 8 years old, compared with about 1 in 4 dogs of other breeds.[1] Individual dogs vary a lot, and Bulldogs with more moderate features, good weight control, and early treatment of breathing problems can do better than average.
Common Bulldog Health Problems
| Problem | How much more likely than other dogs | Signs to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Skin fold dermatitis | About 38 times[1] | Red, moist, smelly skin in the face, tail, or body folds |
| Cherry eye | About 27 times[1] | A pink or red lump in the inner corner of the eye |
| Undershot jaw (lower jaw too long) | About 24 times[1] | Lower teeth in front of the upper teeth, crowded teeth, messy eating |
| Brachycephalic airway syndrome | About 19 times[1] | Loud snoring and snorting, tiring quickly, gagging, collapse in heat or after exercise |
| Overheating | Higher, because panting works poorly[3] | Heavy panting, drooling, weakness on warm or humid days |
| Difficult births | Among the highest C-section rates of any breed[4] | Large puppy heads and a narrow pelvis make natural birth risky |
| Other problems seen in the breed | Ear infections, inward-rolling eyelids (entropion), hip dysplasia, kneecap problems, tail fold infections around a "screw tail," and weight gain |
Bulldogs were less likely than other dogs to be diagnosed with dental disease, heart murmurs, and flea infestations.[1]
Breathing Problems (Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome)
A Bulldog's skull is shortened, but the soft tissue inside isn't. The result can be narrow nostrils, a soft palate that is too long and partly covers the windpipe, tissue pulled into the airway, and a windpipe that is narrower than normal.[3] The more of these a dog has, the harder it is to breathe.
- Mild signs: noisy breathing during exercise, snorting when excited, and snoring.[3]
- Serious signs: loud breathing at rest, tiring quickly, gagging or vomiting, and fainting or collapse after exertion. Heat and humidity make everything worse.[3]
Snoring and snorting are common in Bulldogs, but they aren't "normal." They're signs of a partly blocked airway. Weight loss helps overweight dogs, and mild cases are managed by avoiding heat, stress, and hard exercise. When the anatomy is getting in the way, surgery to widen the nostrils and shorten the soft palate is the preferred treatment, and results are better when it's done early, ideally before age 2.[3] Use a harness instead of a neck collar, which can press on the airway.[3]
Because anesthesia is riskier for flat-faced dogs, vets often run blood tests and chest X-rays first and do airway surgery during the same anesthetic as the throat exam.[3] See brachycephalic dog breeds.
Skin Fold Infections
Warm, moist skin folds on the face, around the tail, and around the vulva trap bacteria and yeast. Bulldogs are about 38 times more likely than other dogs to be diagnosed with skin fold dermatitis.[1]
- Gently clean the folds as often as your vet advises, and dry them fully afterward.
- Ask your vet which wipes or cleanser to use. Avoid alcohol and scented products.
- See your vet for redness, a bad smell, discharge, or pain. Infected folds need medicated treatment, and severe, repeated cases are sometimes treated with surgery to remove the fold.
See dog skin infections and atopy in dogs.
Eye Problems
Cherry eye is a gland of the third eyelid that pops out and shows as a pink or red lump in the inner corner of the eye. Bulldogs are about 27 times more likely to get it than other dogs.[1] It usually needs surgery to put the gland back in place. See cherry eye in dogs.
Entropion, where the eyelid rolls inward and the lashes rub the eye, causes squinting, tearing, and pain. See entropion in dogs. Any red, cloudy, or squinting eye needs a prompt vet visit.
Daily Care That Protects a Bulldog's Health
- Keep your Bulldog lean. Extra weight makes breathing, joints, and skin folds worse.[3] See overweight dogs.
- Avoid heat and humidity. Walk in the early morning or evening, keep him in air conditioning in summer, and never leave him in a car.[3]
- Keep exercise gentle and stop if breathing gets loud or labored.
- Use a harness, not a neck collar.[3]
- Clean and dry the skin folds, and check the ears and eyes every week. See ear infections.
- Ask your vet about an airway check while your Bulldog is young, before problems get worse.[3]
- Talk to your vet before any flight. Flat-faced dogs are at higher risk when stressed or hot, and many airlines restrict them.
- Plan for vet costs. Bulldogs see the vet more than most breeds. If you want pet insurance, buy it while your dog is young, before conditions are diagnosed and excluded. See dog health insurance.
Choosing a Healthier Bulldog
- Look for moderate features: open nostrils, a visible muzzle, fewer and shallower skin folds, and a tail that isn't tightly screwed down. Researchers say moving the breed toward more moderate features is the key to better health.[1]
- Listen to the parents breathe. They should be quiet at rest and recover quickly after a short walk.
- Ask for health test results for both parents, such as heart, kneecap, and airway (trachea) checks.
- Don't breed a Bulldog with serious breathing problems or one that has needed airway surgery.[3]
- Consider adopting an adult Bulldog, whose health and breathing you can already see.
This guide is about the English Bulldog. American Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are separate breeds with their own health profiles. See French Bulldog health problems.
What the Research Shows
- Twice the disease burden. A Royal Veterinary College study compared about 2,660 English Bulldogs with about 22,000 other dogs. Bulldogs were roughly twice as likely to have at least one disorder diagnosed in a year, and were predisposed to 24 of 43 disorders.[1]
- Shape-related problems dominate. The largest risks were skin fold dermatitis (38 times), cherry eye (27 times), undershot jaw (24 times), and brachycephalic airway syndrome (19 times).[1]
- Shorter lives. In a study of more than half a million UK dogs, English and French Bulldogs each had a median lifespan just under 10 years, against about 12½ for all dogs.[2]
- Birth usually needs surgery. In a survey covering 22,005 litters from 151 breeds, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers had the highest rates of cesarean section.[4]
More breed guides: Dog Breed Health Guides.
Have a question about your Bulldog's health?
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do English Bulldogs live?
The median lifespan is just under 10 years, about 2 and a half years less than the typical dog. Keeping a Bulldog lean, cool, and treated early for breathing problems gives the best chance of a longer life.[2]
What are the most common Bulldog health problems?
Skin fold infections, cherry eye, an undershot jaw, and breathing problems from the flat face are the most over-represented. Bulldogs also commonly have overheating, ear infections, eyelid problems, joint problems, and difficult births.[1][3]
Is it normal for a Bulldog to snore and snort?
It's common, but it isn't healthy. Snoring and snorting mean the airway is partly blocked. If your Bulldog is noisy at rest, tires quickly, gags, or struggles in warm weather, ask your vet about an airway exam.[3]
Can Bulldog breathing problems be fixed?
Often they can be improved. Weight loss and avoiding heat help mild cases. Surgery to widen the nostrils and shorten the soft palate is the preferred treatment when anatomy is the problem, and it works best when done early.[3]
What is cherry eye in Bulldogs?
Cherry eye is a tear gland in the third eyelid that slips out of place and shows as a pink or red lump in the inner corner of the eye. It usually needs surgery to reposition the gland.[1]
Why can't Bulldogs give birth naturally?
Bulldog puppies have large heads and shoulders, and the mother has a narrow pelvis, so natural birth is risky. Bulldogs have one of the highest cesarean rates of any breed, and most litters are delivered by planned C-section.[4]
How do I clean my Bulldog's wrinkles?
Wipe the folds gently with a cleanser or wipe your vet recommends, then dry them completely. Check them often for redness, smell, or discharge, and see your vet if you find any.
Are Bulldogs OK in hot weather?
No. Bulldogs can't cool down well by panting and can develop heat stroke quickly. Keep them in air conditioning in summer, walk them only in the cool parts of the day, and never leave them in a car.[3]
References
- O'Neill DG, et al. English Bulldogs in the UK: a VetCompass study of their disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2022.
- McMillan KM, et al. Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports. 2024.
- Barnes C, Weir M, Williams K, Yuill C. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals. Updated July 2025.
- Evans KM, Adams VJ. Proportion of litters of purebred dogs born by caesarean section. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2010;51:113-118.
This guide is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian. Dog Health Guide is owned and operated by Web Ventures of New York, Inc.
