Are English Bulldogs Smart?

Certain breeds of dogs have a reputation for being smarter than others. So, in case you’re an owner of these gremlins, you’re probably wondering ”Are English Bulldogs Smart?”. When it comes to intelligence, there are three factors involved. The ability to learn, or to be trained, is the first aspect of a dog’s intelligence. Second is the instinctive intelligence that a specific dog breed has, for example, their ability to hunt or herd. Third, is the dog’s level of obedience or willingness to follow commands.

Originally bred for bull-baiting, English bulldogs were known as an aggressive breed. Today, this aggressiveness has largely been bred out of them. English bulldogs make ideal family pets.

How Smart is an English Bulldog?

English bulldogs are unfairly given a reputation as dumb dogs. While they certainly can learn, they may choose not to. When it comes to obedience, an English bulldog won’t follow commands if it doesn’t want to.

Independence is a key feature of this breed. They are very strong-willed and will refuse to obey if they don’t see the benefit. Giving treats or other rewards can increase their obedience.

English bulldogs may take longer than other breeds to learn commands. This will not pose a problem so long as you have patience with your dog and commit to regular training.

Are English Bulldogs Easy to Train?

The American Kennel Club (AKC) ranks dogs on their trainability level. On a scale of 1-5, bulldogs are given a score of 4. Bulldogs are eager to please and devoted to their owner, which makes them easier to train.

English bulldogs are considered one of the most stubborn dog breeds. They have a tendency to obey commands only when it is convenient for them. However, they are highly food-motivated and will usually follow instructions when you reward them with a treat.

As with any dog breed, you should start training your dog early so they develop good habits that will last a lifetime. It is much harder to train an adult dog than a puppy.

Bulldogs love to chew and not just as puppies. Be sure to provide your dog with suitable toys and ensure they know the difference between a chew toy and your shoe.

By six months, your English bulldog should be able to follow basic commands like Sit and Stay. With persistent instruction, they can also be potty trained by this age.

The key to training English bulldogs is to use plenty of praise and rewards. While treats are one option, rewards can also be pets and playtime. Avoid any punitive forms of training.

Tips For Training An English Bulldog:

1. Start Early: Begin training your Bulldog as a puppy to establish good habits. Your bulldog puppy needs to lear the limits from an early age. That’s the only way you can teach your dog become an obedient and well-socialized pet.
2. Use Positive Reinforcement: Treats, toys, and praise work wonders for motivating Bulldogs. If you ask us to tell you which one will be their favorite, we always give an advantage to treats. There’s no way that your bulldog will refuse to do something when you show him/her a treat.
3. Avoid Punishment: Negative training methods can harm the bond between you and your pet. Yelling and punishment will not only make your dog feel afraid. It will also lead to adverse behavior and stubbornness. Therefore, you should better not mess up with your little gremlin.
4. Keep Sessions Short: Bulldogs have a limited attention span, so short, fun sessions are more effective. Just like kids, they can’t stand performing lessons for more than 15 mins.

Emotional Intelligence and English Bulldogs

English bulldogs are highly intelligent when it comes to this area. They display empathy and compassion for people. This breed can easily pick up on people’s emotions and provide comfort when needed.

Another aspect of emotional intelligence is their attachment to their owner. English bulldogs are very loyal and will jump at the chance to protect their owner and family. They are gentle and loving, making them a great choice for families with children. 

What Tricks Can an English Bulldog Learn?

English Bulldogs may not be the smartest dogs but they can learn a ton of tricks and commands with the right approach. Training them is fun and a great way to bond with them and see their personality shine. If you ever wondered, “Are English Bulldogs smart?”, well their ability to learn tricks answers that with a big yes.

Basic Commands

Basic obedience commands are the foundation of a well behaved dog. Bulldogs can learn these commands with patience and consistency:

• Sit: A basic of obedience training, “sit” is usually the first command Bulldogs learn. Use treats to guide them into position, reward as soon as their butt touches the ground.
• Stay: Teaching “stay” helps with impulse control. Start with short times and gradually increase as your Bulldog gets the concept.
• Heel: Bulldogs are strong and can pull on the leash during walks. Training them to heel makes walks safer and more enjoyable for both of you.
• Come: This command needs repetition and high value rewards. Practice in a safe enclosed area before moving to more distracting environments.

If you’re wondering, “Are English Bulldogs smart enough to learn these commands?” well yes with patience and consistency they can.

After they have mastered the basics like Sit, Stay, and Heel, you can begin teaching them more complex things.

Intermediate Tricks

Once your Bulldog has got the basics down, you can move on to more fun tricks that show off their smarts:

• Roll Over: Break this trick down into smaller steps. Start with a “down” command, then guide them into a roll with a treat.
• Shake a Paw: This is a crowd pleaser. Hold out your hand and reward them for lifting their paw to meet yours.
• Speak: Teaching “speak” is a great way to control their barking. Use a trigger (like knocking on a door) to get them to bark and reward them when they do.

Advanced Skills

With practice, Bulldogs can learn more advanced and cool tricks that show off their cleverness and cuteness:

• Retrieving: Bulldogs can learn to retrieve specific items like slippers, toys or newspapers. Start by teaching them the name of each item, then associate the word with the action of retrieving.
• Play Dead: “Playing dead” is a fun trick that requires your Bulldog to follow verbal cues and physical cues. Use a treat to lure them into lying down, then roll them onto their side while saying the command.
• Skateboarding: Bulldogs have gone viral for skateboarding. You may have seen videos of English bulldogs skateboarding. While this isn’t something every pet will be up for, you can definitely give it a try with your dog! Start by introducing the skateboard and having them learn to stand on it. Once they’ve mastered that, they can get rolling!

Chaining Commands for Complex Routines

Bulldogs can also chain multiple commands together to do routines. For example you can teach your dog to:

1. Get their leash.
2. Sit while you put it on.
3. Walk calmly to the door and wait before going out.

This shows they can do sequences which adds to the evidence that English Bulldogs are smart and can learn.

Tips

• Be Consistent: Bulldogs love routines. Practice new tricks daily.
• Use High Reward: Bulldogs are food driven so using their favorite treats will make training more effective.
• Make it Fun: Play and be enthusiastic. Training should be a game not a task.
• Be Patient: Bulldogs may take longer to learn than others but their persistence and loyalty is worth it.

English Bulldogs vs Other Breeds: Comparing their intelligence

To understand Bulldog intelligence better, let’s compare to other breeds:

English Bulldogs vs Border Collies

• Trainability: Border Collies learn fast and love structure, so they’re top of the class in obedience. Bulldogs need persistence and patience because of their independent nature.
• Emotional Intelligence: Bulldogs outscore Border Collies in emotional awareness, they form strong bonds with their owners and are comforters when needed.

English Bulldogs vs Labrador Retrievers

• Obedience: Labs are super obedient and want to please, so they’re one of the easiest to train. Bulldogs are trainable but require more effort and consistency.
• Personality: Bulldogs are more laid back, Labs are energetic and enthusiastic.

Afghan Hounds vs English Bulldogs

• Stubbornness: Both breeds are independent. Afghan Hounds are aloof, Bulldogs are affectionate and form strong bonds with their owners.
• Learning Speed: Afghan Hounds may learn commands slower, Bulldogs can learn tricks faster with the right motivation.

Are English Bulldogs Smart? Summary

English bulldogs are maybe not the smartest dog breed around. However, they definitely display many aspects of being intelligent. Their ability to learn and their emotional intelligence are two of their strengths. 

A dog’s level of intelligence will vary within the breed. Not every English bulldog will display the same characteristics or respond to training in the same way. Two English bulldogs may be very different in terms of their intelligence and obedience.