Everything you need to know about the English Bulldog Pitbull mix

Last Updated on April 26, 2023

Who doesn’t love the playful Bulldog and the courageous Pitbull? Now imagine these two incredible breeds combined!

Also known as Olde Pit Bulldogge or Bullypit, this crossbreed is loyal, eager to please, sweet, and brave.

Want to know more about the English Bulldog Pitbull mix?

This article gives you all you need to know about this mixed breed dog, so let’s jump in!

Where did the English Bulldog Pitbull mix originate? 

The English Bulldog Pitbull mix is a combination of an English Bulldog and an American Staffordshire Terrier AKA Pitbull.

Fun fact: Pitbulls are actually descendants of the Bulldog?

Sometimes called Olde Anglican Bulldogges, this hybrid likely originated sometime in the 1970s when breeders decided to combine them to get the best of two breeds.

As with many crossbreed dogs, it isn’t exactly clear when the two were first bred or who first bred them, but it appears that they first popped up in the United States.

The name Bulldog comes from the dog’s original purpose of baiting bulls, while the name Pitbull comes from the practice of putting the dogs in pits to do battle.

Today, they’re sometimes used in dogfighting, though the practice is illegal across the United States.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t recognize the English Bulldog Pitbull mix because it’s not a purebred and has no breed standards.

Still, it’s recognized by other associations such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Backwoods Bulldog Club, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and the Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA).

Meet the English Bulldog

Bulldogs, sometimes called the Old English Bulldog, were said to be first bred during the 13th century in England where they were bred for bull-baiting and other so-called bloodsports.

The English Bulldog is an incredibly popular breed in the US, ranking number 5 on the AKC list of 197 dog breeds. They get about 15 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 40 and 50 pounds. 

They’re friendly pups with a bulky, muscular, squat body and broadhead. They are known for being docile, sweet, and loyal, but courageous when they need to be.

There is also a miniature version of this iconic dog, though it isn’t recognized as an official breed by the AKC. If you want to know more about this dog, check out our article on the Miniature English Bulldog.

Get to Know the American Pitbull Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier, or American pitbull, also sometimes called the AmStaff, was first bred in the UK in the 18th century, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The pitbull dog generally weighs between 40-70 pounds and grows between 17 and 19 inches tall at the shoulder. Females are generally smaller than males.

These muscular, stocky dogs have a broad jaw and square head. They are smart, confident, loyal, and courageous. 

What Does an English Bulldog Pitbull Mix Look like?

Since there is no breed standard for the English Bulldog Pitbull, they can vary in appearance. 

They have a broad, large head with a large jaw, just like their parent breeds. They might have a short snout or a longer one like the pitbull. Most of the time, they have that characteristic pitbull “smile.” 

They have small ears that are semi-pricked, and their eyes can range from dark brown to light amber. 

They have a thick neck, muscular chest, and are often a bit more squat than a purebred pitbull. 

The legs are generally long and slightly hocked like a bulldog, and well-muscled.

Size: How big does Bulldog Pitbull mix get?

Again, there is no standard on how bit they’ll get, but generally, you’ll see them weighing around 45 pounds and getting about 16 inches tall at the shoulder. 

Females are smaller than males. You may see some that get much larger, weighing up to 70 pounds. These dogs reach their full size around 12-14 months old. 

The bulldog isn’t a high energy dog, but the pitbull can sometimes be. That means that you’ll likely end up with a dog that is somewhere in between. They can be great for apartments, so long as you give them regular exercise. 

They also do well in a home with a large yard where they can romp and play. So long as you make the effort to get them some physical exercise and a chance to stretch their legs, they can live just about anywhere. 

Wondering About the English Bulldog Pitbull mix coat?

English Bulldog Pit Bull mixes have a straight, short, smooth, and stiff coat. They shed year-round, though they may blow their coat more often twice a year.

They come in any coat colors that you’ll see on a pitbull or bulldog, including solid or a mix of brown, fawn, white fawn, cream, chocolate, gray, black, white, tan, golden, blue, or yellow. 

They can be solid or brindle, or they may have white markings. 

Are English Bulldog Pitbull mixes good family dogs?

Unfortunately, both bulldogs and pitbulls have a reputation for being ferocious or even vicious dogs. But that’s not true. Both breeds can be incredibly sweet, loyal, and eager to be a part of the family. 

They make wonderful family dogs. They are careful and protective of children and they are eager to please, making them easy to train. 

Of course, like all dogs, they need to be taught to be polite and respectful with kids, and kids need to be trained to be the same with their dog buddy. Once they both learn to behave around each other, they’ll be the best of friends.

Despite their fearsome reputation, they are friendly dogs who are kind and welcoming with strangers.

A dog that is mean, snappy, or violent with strangers needs immediate training because this is not how these breeds typically behave. 

They are, however, confident and brave, which can come across as aggressive or tough. Don’t let that fool you. They are affectionate, loving, and happy-go-lucky dogs. 

Although they are strong, as long as they are trained not to pull on the leash or jump up, they make excellent pets for senior citizens. 

They’re also good with pets like cats and other dogs with the right socialization and training.

Because of their fighting background, some dogs might be aggressive towards other dogs, but this is something that you can train them not to be aggressive. 

They might also be aggressive towards small animals like rodents and rabbits, which they can see as prey. 

The bottom line, though, is that they should never be dangerous animals. These are sweet, friendly dogs given the proper training and socialization.

They are the perfect family pet if bred, raised, and trained the right way.

Keep in mind that many places ban pitbulls and pitbull mixes, so if you rent your home, ask your landlord before bringing one home.

While they love being with their humans, English bulldog pitbull mixes are usually fine being left behind for short periods and aren’t prone to separation anxiety. They also aren’t usually big barkers. 

They don’t make great watchdogs for that reason. However, their imposing size and appearance alone can make them a good guard dog.

While they aren’t known as the smartest breed like the poodle or the border collie, these dogs are fairly intelligent.

They are also easy to train because they’re so eager to make you happy. You should be able to potty train them with no trouble at all. 

Just look at this adorable bullypit learning some tricks. 

Even though they’re easy to train, that doesn’t mean you can just let them do their thing. You need to socialize them well and practice positive reinforcement. 

How to take care of your English Bulldog Pitbull mix

English bulldog pitbull mixes aren’t what you’d call high maintenance. They don’t need a ton of grooming since they have a short coat.

They can also handle a range of temperatures and environments, so you don’t need to stress about keeping them comfortable too much. 

While a dog with a shorter nose is often more susceptible to overheating, if your particular dog has a longer nose, they will be able to handle hot weather better.

They don’t need to be dressed up in a sweater during the winter but don’t leave them outside during the cold weather.

Exercising Your English Bulldog Pitbull mix

Depending on whether they take after their pitbull or bulldog parent, these mixes can be medium high energy to medium-low energy. That means they’ll need some exercise each day, but it can vary slightly. 

Regardless, you want to give them anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes of exercise per day depending on their natural activity level. That can mean tossing a ball, going for a jog, a nice long walk, or even a swim. 

Pitbulls mixes aren’t usually huge lovers of swimming, but some take to the water right away. Others don’t want to get near the water if they don’t have to. 

You should also give your dog plenty of mental stimulation. That means playing games with them, like hide and seek, or giving them puzzle feeders to keep them entertained. 

You should also train them to do tricks, which helps increase the bond between the two of you in addition to giving them mental stimulation.

Grooming: Do English Bulldog Pitbull mixes shed?

English Bulldog Pitbull Mixes aren’t considered hypoallergenic because they shed year-round. They can sometimes shed heavier twice a year, but they will be dropping hair winter, spring, summer, and fall. 

They have short coats, so while they don’t take a ton of brushing, you’ll want to go over them with a brush made specifically to remove loose hair. That way, you won’t find hair all over your home. 

Give them a light brushing once a week. At the same time, trim their nails, check their ears, and give them a look to make sure that they seem healthy.

Once or twice a week, brush their teeth and wipe out their ears with a clean cloth.

You should bathe an adult dog every six weeks or so, unless they get particularly messy. Puppies should be bathed on a similar schedule.

Pitbull mixes have a natural scent to them, so don’t try to wash them every week to get rid of that smell. It’s just how they smell. 

If you need pitbull or bulldog accessories for your dog, you can find brushes, doggy toothbrushes, and nail clippers at Amazon. They also carry breed-specific sweaters, coats, and beds.

Feeding Your English Bulldog Pitbull Mix

Since these dogs have moderate to high energy, they need a good amount of dog food.

A high energy dog will need more food, while a lower energy dog needs less. They’ll need anywhere from 1,000 to 1,700 calories of high-quality food per day. 

Break up their meals into two a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.

The best dog food will give your pup plenty of energy, will keep their skin and coat looking healthy, and they’ll enjoy eating it. 

What health problems do English Bulldog Pitbull mix dogs have?

Unfortunately, English Bulldog Pitbulls suffer from a range of health issues. Properly cared for, these dogs can have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. 

Here are a few health concerns that you should watch out for. 

First, these dogs can suffer from overheating, particularly if your dog has a short muzzle. Dogs with a longer muzzle are less prone to overheating. 

Like many large breeds with deep chests, this mixed breed is prone to bloat, which is when their stomach twists. This is a life-threatening condition and you need to get to a vet immediately.

They can also suffer from respiratory issues. What causes respiratory issues in English Bulldog Pitbull Mixes?

This condition is known as Brachycephalic Syndrome. This is when a short-nosed dog may have difficulty breathing. 

You also need to watch out for skin issues like eczema, severe allergies, mange, and skin infections. 

Similar to many other large dogs, pitties and bulldogs suffer from hip dysplasia. They may also have degenerative spine disease.

Additionally, they may have thyroid Issues such as hypothyroidism. 

Heart Disease is another common issue, which can include congenital heart defects.

They may also suffer from dental problems, screw tail, eye problems like a cherry eye, arthritis, idiopathic head tremors, or cancer. 

To make sure your dog lives the healthiest, happiest, and longest life they can, be sure to give them regular health screenings with a trusted veterinarian.

You may also want to run some tests as a preventative measure to check for problems like heart issues and hip issues.

While there isn’t much information on what English Bulldog Pitbull mixes die from most often, pitbulls usually succumb to heart issues, and bulldogs most often die from cancer.

A mix of these dogs can be expected to suffer from a similar issue.

How much does an English Bulldog Pitbull mix puppy cost?

Expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 or more for one of these dogs. The purchase price isn’t the only cost associated with owning one of these dogs. 

Don’t forget that you’ll need to feed them high-quality food and make regular vet visits. You’ll also need regular vaccinations. 

Make absolutely certain that you find a good breeder before purchasing a dog, especially one of the bully breeds.

A good breeder will socialize the puppies from a young age, which is essential in creating a friendly, well-balanced adult dog. 

Avoid pet stores are puppy mills. Any breeder who won’t let you see the parents or where they are breeding and keeping the pups should be avoided.

Any breeder who won’t give you the health records of the parents and who won’t guarantee their dogs should also be avoided. 

Any reputable breeder will agree to take the dog back for any reason if you can’t keep it. That’s because they are invested in making sure that every dog they breed has a happy, healthy life.

English Bulldog Pitbull Mix Breeders

Because they aren’t a very common breed, there aren’t many breeders out there breeding these dogs.

However, you can sometimes find breeders who specialize in pitbull or bulldog mixes. For instance, Lancaster puppies breed bulldog mixes.

Rescuing a English Bulldog Pitbull Mix 

There aren’t any English Bulldog Pitbull Mix rescues out there, but there are plenty of pitbull rescues and bulldog rescues. Born Again Pitbull Rescue helps people find their new family members across the United States.

Bulldog Rescue Network does the same for bulldogs.

You should also check with your local animal shelter.

Curious about other English Bulldog and Pitbull Mixes? 

Not sure if this particular hybrid is right for you? There are lots of pitbull-type mixes that include one or the other out there.

Some mixes include other bully breeds like mastiffs or American bully dogs. Others involve surprising combinations like chihuahuas or French bulldogs.

• Other English Bulldog Mixes
  • English Bulldog and Beagle Mix
  • English Bulldog and English Mastiff Mix
• Other Pitbull Mixes
  • Pitbull and American Bulldog Mix
  • Pitbull and Golden Retriever Mix
  • Pitbull and German Shepherd Mix
  • Pitbull and Boxer Mix
  • Pitbull and Chihuahua Mix

Who should get an English Bulldog Pitbull mix?

These sound like pretty great dogs, right? They are! They can be the perfect family pet and love being a part of the action. So what are the pros and cons of owning a bullypit?

They aren’t ideal for the first-time dog owner. That’s because they are physically strong and can be aggressive towards other dogs without the right training. 

But given a strong owner who knows how to handle a bold dog, they can make a wonderful companion. It’s hard to beat that sweet, affectionate, loyal, playful personality.