Breed guide
English Bulldog Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
The English Bulldog is a breed whose conformation makes natural reproduction unreliable and whose airway health is under public scrutiny. Breeding responsibly means selecting for breathing and structure at least as hard as for type, and planning every litter with a reproductive veterinarian.
English Bulldog at a glance
Typical litter size
3–5 puppies (average around 4)
Birth weight
10–14 oz (280–400 g)
Adult weight
40–50 lb (18–23 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Planned caesarean delivery is standard; free-whelping is rarely attempted. Artificial insemination is the usual breeding method. This is a breed where the veterinary team is part of the breeding program.
Breeding and whelping notes
Timing the caesarean from progesterone is critical: 62–63 days from ovulation is the common target.
Neonates are prone to aspiration and to overheating or chilling; keep the box in the 85–90°F range for the first week with a cooler zone and feed slowly if supplementing.
Skin fold, eye (cherry eye, entropion) and airway issues are common; disclose the parents' history.
Bulldogs cannot tolerate heat; caution families about exercise and car travel in warm weather.
Health testing before breeding
•
Tracheal hypoplasia radiograph
•
Cardiac exam
•
Patellas: OFA
•
Hips: OFA (interpret against breed norms)
•
Eyes: annual CAER exam
•
DNA: HUU (hyperuricosuria), and colour testing where relevant
•
BOAS functional grading of both parents
•
Spine radiographs for hemivertebrae in many programs
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a English Bulldog litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the English Bulldog litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do English Bulldogs have?
Typically 3–5, average around 4.
Do English Bulldogs need a C-section?
Almost always. The puppies' head size and the dam's pelvis make free-whelping risky; the caesarean is scheduled from progesterone timing.
Can English Bulldogs breed naturally?
Rarely. Artificial insemination is standard because of conformation and overheating risk.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
© 2026 BreedBloom. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy
·
Terms of Service
Contact support@breedbloom.com