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Golden Bull (Bulldog & Golden Retriever Mix): Info and Pictures

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Golden Bulldog Retriever

Height: Varies
Weight: 40–75 pounds
Lifespan: 8–10 years
Colors: White, cream, golden, tan, brown
Suitable for: Families, companion dogs
Temperament: Calm, gentle, loving, playful

The Bulldog Retriever mix breed may also be called the Golden Bull, or Golden Bulldog. These two dogs look quite different from each other, so when they are mixed as a designer dog breed, there is a wide variety of appearances.

If you love the qualities of both the Golden Retriever and the English Bulldog, these pups might be precisely what you want in a dog. They have not gained a large following, so finding them might be difficult. However, those with the opportunity to own one believe that this mixed breed combines the best traits of both their parents.

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Bulldog & Golden Retriever Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Finding a breeder can be difficult when looking into acquiring one of these dogs. Be sure also to check out the local shelters. Although they have not become as popular as other designer dog breeds, there is still a possibility that one of these dogs needs a forever home.

The best way to budget if you are on the lookout for a Golden Bulldog is to look into the average prices for the parents and lower it. The price of each batch of puppies depends on the breeder, as well as the heritage the parents have.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Bulldog & Golden Retriever Mix

1. The Golden Bulldog is an easier dog to train than many other intelligent breeds.

The mix of these two breeds can produce quite a variety of different sizes and overall appearances since they look so different. However, they share many traits, so the pups are typically quite similar when considering their potential personalities. Even though its history is a gruesome one, the English Bulldog has grown into a lovable and sweet dog with a gentle disposition and loads of patience.

The Golden Retriever is reputably one of the gentlest dogs out there. They are loving and intelligent. They have been trained as companion dogs and guide dogs for the blind for many years because they are so reliable.

When you are looking into getting a Golden Bulldog, don’t be worried about the personality you are going to end up adopting. The pups will have gentle hearts, be big on cuddling and personal time, and have outgoing and fun-loving personalities.

2. These puppies can inherit serious health issues.

Unfortunately, the English Bulldog is known to have quite a few serious health issues that they can inherit and then pass down to their puppies. These health issues are typically why English Bulldogs are crossed with other dogs: breeders attempting to gain hybrid vigor.

English Bulldogs have been bred and maintained for many years. Although it has created long lines of pedigreed pups, it has also led to a lack of genetic diversity. The inbreeding and the typical physical traits associated with these dogs can lead to debilitating diseases and health issues.

In the case of an English Bulldog crossed with other breeds, their appearance won’t change, and their personalities only vary slightly from the Bulldog parent’s. If you are looking for a healthier version of a Bulldog, there are many hybrid crosses to consider, including the Golden Bulldog.

3. Both of the parents originated in the United Kingdom.

The Golden Retriever comes from the Highlands of Scotland. The breed originated in the 1800s. Although it isn’t one of the oldest dog breeds we know of, it is one of the best-loved. It quickly became popular around the world and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1925.

The Retrievers were bred for just that purpose: to retrieve and hunt waterfowl. Since they often spent quite a bit of time in the water, webbed feet were bred into them to make it easier for them to swim, even with all their hair.

The origin country of the English Bulldog should be easy to guess from their name. They were initially bred in England and are also called British Bulldogs. They were considered a classic type of dog and were recognized by the AKC in 1886. The Bulldog was among eight other breeds accepted that year and was only the club’s 26th recognized breed out of the 195 dog breeds that they acknowledge to date.

Their compact size and thick, muscular stature can be explained by their initial purpose, to be the perfect bull fighting dog. This sport is where the pup receives its moniker: Bulldog. They were meant to be powerful yet short enough to attack the bull from underneath.

In the 19th century, the grisly sport was outlawed in England. The popularity of the English Bulldog had spread, so the breed was maintained as a family pet and sometimes a working dog.

The parent breeds of the Golden Bull
Image Credit: Left – AndreiTobosaru, Shutterstock | Right – Shayna Douglas, Unsplash

Temperament & Intelligence of the Bulldog & Golden Retriever 🧠

Although there are not many currently recognized “norms” associated with this breed, the general characteristics that the parents share help owners figure out how the puppies are going to behave.

Both of the dog breeds are intelligent. Combining this with their general lack of stubbornness makes them an incredibly easy dog to train in most cases. Both of the parents are known for a desire to please their people. Loyalty is another shared trait. The devotion and attachment they show to their family cannot be outmatched in many other dogs, since this pup has a double dose.

Both of these dogs show up on lists of being some of the most affectionate dog breeds. They like to spend as much time as possible around people, trying to get close to you for cuddles as often as possible. Together, this makes them a loving mix.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

These dogs are one of the best for families with kids, even young kids. Both of the parental breeds have practically boundless patience. Golden Retrievers have been used as emotional support dogs and guide dogs for many years. This patience and adaptability keep them behaving well, with no aggression, even if they start to get annoyed.

With any dog breed interacting with young kids who might not understand how to behave around dogs, it is a good idea to continue to monitor their time together until they get older.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Neither of the parent breeds is known for being especially territorial or aggressive toward other animals. The best thing to do for your pup is to socialize them early on if you want their interactions with other animals to be positive.

Early socialization is best done with any new person or animal that might be coming in and out of the Bulldog Retriever Mix’s life. Make sure they get used to and know how to behave around strangers. Bring them to dog parks to understand the social aspects of the puppy community. If you have a cat, introduce them carefully.

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Things to Know When Owning a Bulldog & Golden Retriever

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Golden Bulldogs are medium-sized dogs. Their dietary needs depend on which parent they favor. Golden Retrievers have much larger appetites due to their increased size and largely increased activity levels. English Bulldogs, on the other hand, are bulky but are also known to be quite lazy. They need extra motivation to get out and exercise and have reduced appetites because of it.

Talk to your vet about the specific daily amounts that you should give your Bulldog Retriever Mix. The most important thing to consider is their age and any health problems you want their bodies to be best equipped to fight.

Exercise 🐕

As mentioned in the section before, their activity levels depend on which parent they favor more. It is good to know that even if your puppy has more of a Bulldog appearance, this does not necessarily mean that their energy levels are going to be the same.

Either way, your Bulldog Retriever Mix needs to be walked every day to maintain a healthy weight. Bulldogs are known for quickly putting on unhealthy poundage if they are allowed to keep eating without exercising.

Pay attention to your dog and their general needs. Adapt until you feel like you have found the golden spot. These dogs are also adaptable, so don’t worry too much about matching their needs, they can also help match yours.

Training 🦮

These dogs are straightforward to train for most. Because of their intelligence and their desire to please, they can be trained to do many different kinds of tricks, and they listen obediently once a concept has been reinforced.

Grooming ✂️

Depending on the type of coat your Bulldog Retriever Mix has inherited, they may have short hair, long hair, or something in between. Either way, these dogs shed quite a bit and should be brushed multiple times each week. The main difference is going to be the type of brush you use.

Often, the pups inherit the wrinkly skin from the faces of Bulldogs. If this is the case, make sure to keep them clean and dry because these areas will be prone to skin infections. Their ears are floppy and should be cleaned out at least once a week to avoid ear infections. Brush their teeth at least once a week, preferably daily, to keep up the best dental hygiene.

Health Conditions ❤️

Many of the health conditions that your pup has a possibility of inheriting come from the Bulldog parent. If they have shorter, more smushed-in faces, they are more prone to suffer from eating and digestive disorders. Breeding with another kind of dog who doesn’t have this problem, such as a Golden Retriever, is meant to alleviate common physical stresses.

From the Golden Retriever lineage, there is a greater likelihood of your pup getting diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is common in this breed, with around 60% of Golden Retrievers being diagnosed at some point in their lives. Keeping up with vet appointments helps recognize and treat any potential illness as early as possible.

If your pup has the skin and coat of an English Bulldog, be aware that they do not control their temperatures well and shouldn’t be left out in the cold or the heat. Left in hot weather, they have a high chance of suffering from heatstroke.

Minor Conditions
Serious Conditions
  • Heart disease
  • Elbow and hip dysplasia
  • Lymphoma and other cancer types
  • Chondrodysplasia

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Male vs Female

Since there are no standards of size or personality within this breed, there are not yet any recognizable differences between male and female Golden Bulldogs.

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Conclusion

Although the Golden Bulldog is one of the more rare mixed breeds to encounter among the many crosses that have come from English Bulldogs and Golden Retrievers, they are still a wonderful dog.

Combining the characteristics of two loving and patient dogs could never be a bad thing, and mixing them only helps mitigate some of their health risks due to many years of inbreeding.

If you are looking for a loyal, reliable dog for your family or as a companion dog for singles or seniors, it is well worth taking the time to find one of these friendly, outgoing Bulldog Retriever Mixes.


Featured Image Credit: Sue Newcomb, Shutterstock

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