What if we said don’t have to choose between a Pug and an English Bulldog? Would that get you excited? Because it’s very much possible to get the best of both worlds, if you go for the Miniature Bulldog.

And before you even ask that question that you’re itching to ask, the answer is Yes. “Mini” does mean small, but not weak. Just keep on reading, and you’ll learn why. There’s no way we’ll be able to learn about the origin of the Miniature Bulldog without talking about the history of the Pug and the English Bulldog.

So, here’s another interesting fact: The English bulldog is also a crossbreed of the Mastiff and the Pug. It was one of the most loved dogs in the Middle Ages, as it was primarily used for entertainment and sports. Those who are well acquainted with the sport of bull-baiting already know what we’re talking about. Before the sport was outlawed—due to obvious reasons—the English Bulldog was used as an attack dog that would bite and cling onto the bull, until it went down. Its popularity soared through the roof because of how it always looked ferocious, courageous, and had what it takes to get the job done even if it was subjected to excruciating pain.

The sport was eventually banned in 1835. And as that chapter came to a close, so did the dog’s popularity. In fact, the few people who still owned them only did so because of what the dog was associated with.

The history of the Pug is completely different from that of the English Bulldog. While the Bulldog was being bred for sport, the Pug was only bred to serve the wealthy in China. But this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, seeing as how the dog has a knack for making their owners feel like royalty.

Breed Overview

Pugs can quickly adapt to any environment, and know how to get the attention of anybody. Breeders usually say it’s this fact alone that makes them perfect companions, and ideal lapdogs. Chinese emperors and Tibetan Buddhist monks valued them so much that they couldn’t trust any other breed to guard them.

How did they end up in England? It’s the Dutch traders who travelled to China, and took some of them to England on their way back home. Once again, the breed became very popular in England, especially among royalty and aristocracy, before finding their way to the United States after the Civil War.

We don’t know when exactly the first Pugs and the English Bulldogs were crossbred, but most breeders speculate it was between 1980 and 1990.

Miniature Bulldog Puppies

Miniature Bulldog puppies are incredibly rare and generally come from breeders. Breeding practices vary, so it is incredibly important that you ask all of the appropriate questions before dealing with any breeder. These puppies are incredibly adorable but they do come with their own set of health problems due to being brachycephalic, so it’s also important to learn about the risks and costs associated with these issues before investing in one of these pups.

Miniature Bulldog puppies generally love to cuddle and play but do not need a ton of exercise, so are considered great companion dogs for the average-paced lifestyle. They won’t be wanting to join you on big hikes, though, unless you put them in a little backpack and take them along for the ride. Either way, these dogs are sure to want to spend all their time by your side.

Temperament of the Miniature Bulldog

Accurately describing a Miniature Bulldog’s temperament is almost impossible because they aren’t purebred. Therefore, to best understand what kind of dog this is, you’ll have to spend some time with the Pug and the English Bulldog.

If we had to go with what we’ve seen so far, we would say the Miniature Bulldog is a very friendly pooch who really loves humans. In comparison to other breeds, they’re more affectionate, and quickly forge solid bonds with their owners.

Is it a companion pet? For sure it is. And this shouldn’t even be a question considering its parents are normally bred as companion pets. We’re certain that it won’t exhibit any strong prey drive, and if you have kids, they’ll definitely love it.

It’s, however, important to note that there are times when they’ll seem a tad bit aloof with other pets in the house. But this shouldn’t really be a deal breaker, as it can be fixed through socialization.

Socialization is significant, as it helps them grow to become well-rounded pups. Just don’t let them get so used to being around people and other pets. That same bond that it easily forms with people is the same reason why they’re susceptible to separation anxiety.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 

Early socialization and training are an important part of helping any dog learn to deal with different people and situations. Generally, the Miniature Bulldog is very good with children, he is gentle with the young ones.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The Miniature Bulldog is friendly to other pets, especially if socialized early. He can sometimes be wary of strange dogs but frequent socialization should help them become more comfortable in

Things To Know When You Own a Miniature Bulldog

Food & Diet Requirements

Because the Miniature Bulldog is not a large breed, you can’t feed it food formulated for just any other dog. It has to be one that’s specifically designed to meet the energy requirements of such a small breed. In case you’re not so sure which type of food is best suited for your dog, consult a vet. And the same applies should you decide at any moment to alter its diet.

Solely relying on what the manufacturer has recommended, or following instructions provided on your favorite blog to the T, is a mistake. We understand that at the end of the day you need to do what you think is best for your dog, but all dogs are different. Those guidelines are just guidelines, and no one said they ought to be treated as gospel.

Only a qualified and licensed vet can provide accurate food and dietary information that won’t compromise your dog’s health. So, make sure you check in with them anytime you find yourself in a situation where you’re riddled by uncertainties.

A Miniature Bulldog should consume about 800 calories per day. That’s roughly two kibble cups, and should be served twice—One in the morning and the other one in the evening. Also, it has to be high-quality food, and not one mixed with impurities meant to fill his or her stomach.

Exercise

You won’t feel compelled to dedicate a huge chunk of your time to different exercises. It only needs a 20-minute walk and maybe another 20 for playtime. Short exercises are one of the things that define dogs pigeonholed as brachycephalic breeds. And the Miniature Bulldog is one of them.

Brachycephalic means short-headed, and breeds that fall under this category usually have shortened snouts, as well as airways. You’ll notice that they often experience difficulties breathing if they over-exert themselves, and are likely to overheat.

This information is particularly important to those who live in hot climates. The best time to play with a Miniature Bulldog if you’re living in one of those areas is very early in the morning before the sun comes up, or late in the evening once it’s gone down.

The Miniature Bulldog is different from other breeds in that it requires mental exercises as well. They always look bored out of their wits if you don’t engage them mentally, so you should get them toys and puzzles.

Training

When it comes to training, we honestly don’t think you’ll experience any trouble in that department. Training a Miniature Bulldog is just like training a Pug or the English Bulldog. They are not that aggressive or strong-willed. However, you have to start training them at an early age, if you want to make your work a little bit easier.

And the same rings true with every other breed out there. You’ve got to train them while they’re still young because the older they get, the more difficult it becomes to train them. They’ll be forced to unlearn certain habits before learning what you want them to know. Those habits are what specialists usually refer to as problem behaviors.

There are different types of training, but the most recommended one is the one that involves positive reinforcement. This training method only focuses on rewards or encouragements, and discourages punishments.

Your Miniature Bulldog won’t have a problem learning any command that you’re trying to give it, if you just maintain a firm and consistent hand. Stay committed, and this intelligent pooch will quickly pick up the signs.

Grooming ✂️

The Miniature Bulldog is a low maintenance dog—no stripping or trimming will be necessary. But that doesn’t mean that grooming is any less important. It’s an essential element of day-to-day pet care, and a relaxing experience that strengthens any existing bond between you and your pet.

You have to comb and brush it on a regular basis. The combing will make certain that all the loose hairs are dealt with before they become a nuisance, while the brushing process ensures the coat stays shining by redistributing the natural skin oils.

Nail clipping should be done by a specialist who knows how to take care of them without subjecting the dog to any pain. And don’t forget to introduce tooth brushing at an early age, or you’ll go nuts trying to brush them once they’re older. If you adopted it as an older dog, you can use abrasive dental chews. They’ve been designed to reduce tartar build up, and hopefully, reduce the risk of dental disease.

Health & Conditions

We’ve said this before, and we’ll say it again. Regular health checks are essential, as they often give the owner and the pet the best chance of fighting any type of illness. These checks are the reason why those who schedule annual vet visits are rarely caught unawares by diseases that they never even knew existed. And trust us when we say, there’s no feeling worse than knowing you could’ve prevented something, but you didn’t.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

This is an umbrella term that refers to the Laryngeal Saccules, the Stenotic Nares, and the Elongated Soft Palate condition.

Laryngeal Saccules is a state whereby the Miniature Bulldog’s windpipe has a tissue being pulled into it, causing the airflow to be obstructed partially. If it has Stenotic Nares, it won’t have an easy time breathing through its nose, as the nostrils will keep on collapsing inward during inhalation. And then there’s the Elongated Soft Palate condition that’s caused by a palate that’s so exaggerated that it impedes the flow of air into the lungs.

These medical conditions can be life-threatening, if left unchecked. The good news is, they can all be corrected through a simple surgical procedure.

Sick Sinus Syndrome

Every heart—be it human or dog—has something called a sinus node. Some books refer to it as the sinoatrial node, or simply the SA node. But the point is, it’s this node that usually makes the heartbeat, by discharging an impulse. Kind of like a pacemaker. So, if no impulse gets discharged—or rather, if they’re discharged inconsistently for more than 8 seconds—the heart won’t contract as it’s supposed to, and eventually stop beating. Consequently, causing the dog to faint or collapse.

Fortunately for us, the heart is a strong organ. And that’s why it will try to use a different part to resuscitate itself, before going into complete arrest. If the jump is successful, the sinus node will start working again. But even so, that doesn’t mean that the Miniature Bulldog will be out of the woods. Its rhythm will still take longer pauses, hence making the dog feel tired and a little bit lethargic.

An artificial pacemaker can rectify this problem permanently, but only if you detect it in time.

Periodontal Disease

You should know the periodontal disease is not only a major health concern, but also one of the most common illnesses that veterinarians have to grapple with annually. It has to be taken seriously, as it’s proven to be irreversible, with dire consequences.

For some reason, people always assume that periodontal disease only compromises the dental health of a dog, but that’s completely true. The truth is, besides the effects seen in the supporting structure of the teeth, the Miniature Bulldog’s internal organs also do take a hit. We’re talking about the heart, liver, lungs, kidney, and every other essential system in the body.

The disease has four stages. The first one is the Gingivitis Stage, where you’ll start noticing the dog’s breath is not quite as pleasing as it used to be, and the gum margin appears to have some redness.

Stage two is the Early Periodontitis. Here, the teeth’s supporting structure will be functioning at 75 percent. If that number drops to 50 percent, we’ve gotten to stage three, which is also known as the Established Periodontitis stage. And finally, we have the Advanced Periodontitis stage that has the structure operating at less than 25 percent.

There’s a procedure known as the General Anesthesia that can cure this ailment. But it’s effectiveness will depend on the stage of the disease.

Entropion

Dogs that have their eyelids rolled inwards often suffer from this health condition. And even though they might not show it, it’s a very uncomfortable feeling. There’s always an irritation caused by the eyelashes rubbing against the cornea, and if it’s left untreated, it could lead to what specialists refer to as corneal ulceration.

The signs or symptoms include eye discharge, excessive blinking, squinting, swelling, and excessive tearing. A mild case will only need an antibiotic treatment, but if it’s progressed to corneal damage, surgery will be the only alternative.

Ectropion

The Ectropion condition is the complete opposite of the Entropion disease. Instead of the eyelids rolling inwards, they’ll droop or roll out. One thing that we found to be interesting about this particular health issue, is the fact that it’s hereditary, and can also be acquired. If your Miniature Bulldog has the gene, it will be affected at a very young age. If it doesn’t, it won’t. But it can still be acquired later on in life, should it’s corneal or nerve be damaged. Also, surgery will only be essential in severe cases. Just use an eye drop recommended by a vet, and things will slowly go back to normal.

Pulmonic Stenosis

You need to spare some time to at least learn a thing or two about this particular health issue, if you own a breed that’s brachyocephalic. It’s basically a semilunar valve congenital heart defect, where the leaflets of the said valve get fused together or thickened. And as a result, the blood flow from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery will be restricted.

But that’s not always the case, as we’ve witnessed rare instances where the gradual decrease in the size of the annulus is what causes the defect. For those who don’t know what the annulus is, it’s the semilunar valve’s supporting structure.

Pulmonic Stenosis can be mild or severe. A mild case is a situation where the obstruction of blood flow from the Miniature Bulldog’s heart to its lungs is detectable, but doesn’t come with any clinical signs such as arrhythmias, exercise intolerance, or heart failure. We also learned that the disease is only associated with this breed, meaning there has to be a gene mutation causing it, but it’s yet to be identified.

Regarding treatment, you could ask your vet if the Balloon valvuloplasty option will be effective. It’s actually the only treatment known to cure the defect, despite the fact that it’s ineffectual in severe cases.

Male vs Female

While they may not differ in major ways, you might find a male Miniature Bulldog to be more active and grow slightly bigger than a female.

3 Little-Known Facts about the Miniature Bulldog

1. The breeding process affects the way they look.

The general appearance of your Miniature Bulldog will depend on the physical traits of its parents, and the breeding process. The coat of a Miniature Bulldog is short, smooth, and close. Also, it will be a mix of two colors. It could be white and black, fawn and red, or silver and brindle. The smooth-looking black, silver, or fawn color coat will come from the Pug, while the short white, red, or brindle color coat will be contributed by the English Bulldog.

2.  This breed is often confused with the Toy Bulldog or the Miniature English Bulldog.

Those two are very different breeds. They might come from the same family, but are different nonetheless. It’s important is to remember that the miniature bulldog is a hybrid dog, since it’s the offspring of the Pug and the English Bulldog.

3. It’s not a recognized breed.

Seeing as it’s a crossbreed, there’s no reason to waste time trying to search for it in the UK Kennel or American Kennel Club register. Those two clubs don’t recognize crossbreeds. Other than the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Dog Registry of America, and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club are the other clubs that have no problem including crossbreeds in their registers.

We feel obligated to mention en passant, that the Miniature Bulldog breed is still relatively new to the world. That’s why they’re yet to find a breed-specific rescue organization.

Final Thoughts

How time flies! And just like that, we’ve gotten to the end of today’s lesson. But before signing off, we’d like you to know that there are so many incredible dogs out there that are looking for a home. And if you adopt one, you’ll literally be saving life.

Also make sure you take good care of your pet. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Featured Image Credit: Left – marketalangova, Shutterstock; Right – ltummy, Shutterstock