The English bulldog has a sweet personality, it’s predictable and easy to care for. But, sometimes, it can be annoying especially when they get moody. Small English bulldogs are sweeter and they love playing a lot. It is most important that you understand the lifecycle of your pet. From the day the mother gives birth to its litter, you will be part of their growth and development. Knowing what each stage represents and holds, will help you take better care of your dogs. Nevertheless, as their owner, it is only right that you show concern for their growth and well-being.

Understanding the English bulldogs

The English bulldog also referred to as a British bulldog has a gloomy face. That shouldn’t worry you as this is not their character by nature. Considering they are still small bulldogs, they are playful and livelier compared to the older ones. How each one of them acts, is different and is dependent on the owner. A dog is what you make of it. So, when you treat it good, it will be good and when you treat it wrong, it will be aggressive. You may find that some of the English bulldogs are friendly while others are completely the opposite of that. Others, are shy and will hide when they see a stranger. They have a very stubborn mind when they are all grown up. If you want to instill good behavior in your dog, you need to start early enough. That is why this topic is so important, to ensure that you know what you are working with. Needless to say, you want to treat your dog right and take better care of it.

The growth stages

This kind of bulldog breed has specific patterns of growth. From when they are still newborns, you will note some similarities in how they are developing and growing up. Yet, some may have a slower growth rate than others. It is nothing serious, but you need to pay more attention to the slow growers so that they do not die on you. As the puppies transform into adults, so do they form their stature and adopt certain characters. Influence is good for your puppies to make sure they turn into sweet mature dogs. Here is what you can expect at different stages of English bulldog growth.

Newborns (0-4 months)

The puppies are small in size and have flat and wrinkly faces. Despite their appearance, it will take time for them to assume a certain form. For the first few days, they do not open their eyes and all they do is feed. Additionally, they cannot hear, and neither can they move about. Feeding makes them stronger, so you need to ensure the mother is feeding properly. The excitement of new puppies is interesting and watching them grow from day one is adorable. Soon, they will open their eyes and start reacting to noises. They will also adopt a way of making sounds and you can hear them squeal from time to time. In those four months, you will note a huge difference in the appearance of the puppies. And there will be progressive change. (Here’s a great “Puppy Starter Kit” I found on Amazon.)

4-8 weeks old

This is the second stage of development and by now, your puppy will be a miniature version of your older English bulldog. You can see they have developed a body build and their skin is less baggy. At this point, you can introduce them to dog food. Make sure the transition is done right before they completely stop breastfeeding. It is also the phase when their mother is weaning them and teaching them to be caring dogs. They are a little delicate at this point and easily irritable, so be patient with them. Let the litter grow together so that they can socialize better.

9-12 weeks old

These weeks are the most crucial in the growth of your puppies. They are on the verge of learning new things but at the same time, they are a bit scared. Their legs are also developing and gaining muscle strength. You may experience some problems like peeing on the floors too often. This is usually caused by anxiety as new stuff tends to make them feel timid. It is also the ideal time to leash train your dog and mold it into the kind of dog you want. You should not be too strict with it as it may react in an unexpected way. Be gentle and soft when training it and show it that you care.

3-6 months

By now, your puppy is typically a big small dog. They start putting on some weight and their body increases in size. They have also matured and they want to be independent on their own. To ensure they do not go rogue on you, be more precise with your training. Let them know who the boss is and create a schedule for them. They have also become stronger and may take playtime a little too seriously. They are usually testing who is stronger as they struggle with their dominating personalities. Provided you remain firm and a little strict, the urge for dominance will soon subside. However, it is part of their lives and they will not completely lose it.

6-18 months

This is the final growth stage and by 18 months, your puppies are now full-grown English bulldogs. It is the transitioning stage to adulthood and they may take it a bit overboard with excitement. Start taking your dogs out more often and let them interact with other dogs and people as well. It helps in building their friendly trait towards strangers. Though they are grown up, it is not the end of their development. As they get older in years, teach them new things and be loving towards them.