Bulldog VS Pitbull- Which Breed is the Most Fitting for You?

What’s the difference between a pitbull and a bulldog? With their strong bodies and adorable ears, both Bulldogs and Pitbull’s will melt the heart of any animal lover. What’s not to love? Yet many dog owners have a preference, as with most breeds. So, are you a bulldog or a pitbull person? We’re going to tell you what you need to know about these beautiful dogs, so you can pick the one that is most fitting for your personality and lifestyle. So, before we get into all the juicy details, let’s take a moment for us to give you a snapshot of the roots of these breeds.

England is where both the bulldog breed and the pitbull were developed. They were fierce dogs at the time being used in an activity called bull baiting. In addition, at a time when there were no competitive sports, tv programs, films, or video games, it was a common spectator sport. The furious bull would toss the dog with its horns high in the air. On the other extreme, the dog would try, with the force of its crippling bite, to grab onto the bull, generally at its snout, to pin it to the ground. Fortunately, bull baiting was banned in England in 1835, and many assumed that the bulldog would vanish because he no longer had a purpose. The bulldog wasn’t a loving friend at the moment, since the more vicious dogs were trained to bait bulls. They lived to battle bears, bullls, and everything else that came their way. It was their purpose.

Despite this, several people appreciated the endurance, power and persistence of the bulldog and wanted to breed them to have a sweet and friendly nature. And now, the bulldog has been re-engineered into the sweet and affectionate dog we see today. Dogfighting took the place of bulldating among pitbulls, which explains why the trait of dog violence was bred into the genetic line. Immigrants from the British Isles came to the United States just before the civil war, and along with them came their pitbulls.  It was during this time that the American Pitbull terrier was called the pitbull terrier breed. They became more purposeful and accountable for herding, cattle and sheep, and defending livestock and families from criminals and wild animals, while these dogs had been originally trained for fighting. This breed was admired by the USA for its traits of being friendly, courageous, hard-working, and became known as the All-American dog.  So enough of the history. Let’s move on to the real reason, you’re watching this video to learn about the similarities and differences between these two breeds.

Appearance

Bulldogs and pitbulls can look ferocious, but in fact, with a caring temperament, this dog is super cute.

Bulldogs are rarely mistaken for other breeds of dogs. They are a medium-sized dog with a low slung frame which is thick-set. Their short, muzzled head, accompanied by thick wrinkles on its forehead, is huge and square. They have broad necks and shoulders and strong, thick arms. The bulldog’s upper lip is flabby, and he has an underbite, which means his lower teeth protrude more than his upper teeth.

The jaws of the bulldog are massive and strong. They’ve got dark round eyes. They have tiny, thin ears that are folded back, and they have a short, small tail. They walk in more of a waddle than a stroll, like a penguin, since their stubborn legs are set at each corner of their body.

Pitbulls’ heads are wide and round. Their eyes are round, set well apart, and sit low on the skull. Golden brown, blue brown, hazel and dark brown differ in eye color. The tight skin of the powerful muscular neck is average in length.

Both bulldog and pitbulls are popular choices for those looking for medium-sized dogs, but how do they compare in size? When looking at size, remember that males typically tend to be larger than females and height is measured at the tallest point on the body, the shoulder blades, not the head. Both male and female bulldogs are around 12 to 15 inches at the shoulder. Male bulldogs weigh about 50 pounds and females around 40 pounds. They have a life span of 8 to 12 years.

Pitbulls are larger than bulldogs in height and stand at 18 to 19 inches for males and 17 to 18 inches for females at the shoulder. Their weight varies from 30 to 85 pounds. Pitbulls can outlive bulldogs, as their average lifespan is 12 to 16 years. 

What about coat color?

Pitbull coats are sleek and shiny, and they are firm to the touch. It comes in a range of colors, including brown, fawn, white, black, chocolate, red, blue, and multicolored, and can appear straight, curly, or wavy at times. Like a pitbull, the bulldog’s coat should be short, straight, fine textured, shiny, and smooth. Their skin is soft and saggy, especially on their heads, chests, and shoulders. Bulldogs are available in a number of colors, including red and all other brindles, solid white, solid red, fawn, light yellow or pale red, and piebald, which applies to dogs with large patches of two or more colors. Black isn’t a common color for bulldogs

Temperament

Both the bulldog and the pitbull are described as sociable and sweet dogs. Bulldogs are lovers, not fighters. This dog enjoys going for a short walk and then taking a nap on the couch. Bulldogs adapt well to apartment life and make excellent companions for first-time pet owners. They are affectionate toward all family members and are low-maintenance puppies. Bulldogs can be stubborn and lazy at times, and they may not be enthusiastic about going for a walk, but you must ensure that they get enough exercise to avoid weight gain, as these dogs are content to spend the majority of their time on the couch. The bulldog is outgoing and friendly, and he gets along well with everyone. He may be a slow learner, but once he grasps a concept, he is committed to it. Bulldogs aren’t known for barking. Intruders are usually scared off by their appearance alone. Bulldogs are voracious eaters who, if given the opportunity, will binge eat. If you don’t keep track of their food intake, they can quickly gain weight and become obese. Bulldogs snort, sneeze, and wheeze. They’re also known for having a lot of flatulence.

Pitbulls make excellent companions when raised with proper training and socialization. They are gentle and loving with people and, contrary to popular belief, make poor guard dogs because they are so eager to greet the person at the door. American  Pitbull terriers are devoted and loyal to their families, and will defend them to the death if necessary. Pitbulls keep their puppyish demeanor well into adulthood, making them a pleasure to live with. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without one once you’ve met and gotten to know this breed. Pitbulls are not a suitable match for people who can just allow them a few minutes of their day. You should budget for an hour a day to stroll, play with, or otherwise exercise this dog breed. Pitbulls are strong for their size and can be stubborn if left to their own devices, despite their love for people.

This breed is frequently misunderstood, and it has built a reputation for being harmful in recent years, but nothing could be further from the facts. As a pitbull owner, you must be mindful that people who are misinformed about your wonderful dog can respond with anger and hostility. This is not a breed for all, particularly those who are unwilling or unable to dedicate time to training to have reliable, solid instruction.

Which one is easier to train?

When it comes to training, bulldogs receive three out of five ratings, while pitbulls receive four. The bulldog is unlikely to be obedient at first, but he never forgets what he learns.

He learns better when he is involved in enjoyable training sessions that require repetition and positive reinforcement in the form of food and praise. Bulldogs, considering their cuteness, have a tenacious streak. This can make training, especially potty training, challenging. All it takes is a bit more patience, as well as a lot of consistency and incentives. When it comes to pitbulls, they’re highly intelligent and can easily pick up commands and tricks. They are full of energy and want to be a part of all that is going on around them. Pitbulls can excel provided they are well educated and socialized at a young age. They are ideally matched to owners who can give consistent gentle leadership and firm, appropriate training.

 Grooming and Shedding

Some may believe bulldogs to be high-maintenance pets. Wash the bulldog’s sleek short haired coat with a firm bristle brush once a week and clean its face with a wet cloth every day. Make sure to scrub the wrinkles from the inside out. A bulldog is a standard shutter.

If you can wash them more than once a week, you’ll be able to reduce the amount of hair that ends up on your clothing and furniture. Nail treatment and oral hygiene are two other grooming standards. Start brushing them as a puppy to get them used to it. Pitbulls have a coat that is easy to keep clean with the occasional bath and need no grooming. The coat’s shine can be maintained by cleaning it with a stiff brush and wiping it down with a towel. Make grooming a pleasurable experience for them, with plenty of praise and treats, and they won’t be fearful of their annual veterinary tests.

If you’re looking for a non-sneezing companion, the bulldog should not be your first option. Bulldogs don’t shed heavily all at once, but they do shed regularly, so you’ll never have a break from cleaning up these allergy triggers on a daily basis. Bulldogs shed short, pointy hairs that can get caught in a variety of objects. You should be concerned about more than just shedding. Drooling is a common trait in bulldogs. They can also snort allergens and eject them through their nose. Bulldogs should be avoided if you prefer a hypoallergenic puppy. Pitbulls are not hypoallergenic, but they are a better choice for those allergic to dogs than bulldogs because they only shed twice a year.

But, just as for bulldogs, allergies aren’t solely caused by dog fur. Dander and saliva are the two biggest irritants of pitbull breeds, and they are enough to make you uncomfortable. If you have allergies, you should stay away from these two breeds.

Health issues

Because of their short noses, bulldogs are prone to a variety of respiratory problems. Bulldogs can have pinched nostrils, which make breathing difficult and may necessitate surgery to correct. Bulldogs are sensitive to heat and humidity, so keep an eye out for signs of overheating.

They are unquestionably indoor dogs and should not be left outside all of the time. Pitbulls, unlike bulldogs, do not have as many visible health issues. The biggest thing to prevent is leaving it outdoors in the cold for too long. They have a rough time dealing with the cold. These dogs are better kept indoors, regardless of the temperature. They form close bonds with their families and struggle if they are left alone for long periods of time.

Fun Facts

Pitbulls have been on the cover of Life magazine three times, the most of any dog. Pitbulls do not have unique locking jaws, contrary to common belief. They’re just extremely strong. Bulldogs are one of the most common university sports team mascots.

More than 80% of bulldogs are born by cesarean section. Because of their wide heads, most pups are unlikely to be born naturally.