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Mountain Bulldog (English Bulldog & Bernese Mountain Dog Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

english bulldog bernese mountain dog

Height: 20-25 inches
Weight: 80-120 pounds
Lifespan: 9-12 years
Colors: Brown, red, black, fawn, white, brindle
Suitable for: Companionship, families, watchdog
Temperament: Intelligent, energetic

The Mountain Bulldog is a hybrid cross between the English Bulldog and the Bernese Mountain Dog. They are a large breed hybrid and registered in primarily American canine clubs. Not much is known about the dog’s history, but the assumption is that they were first bred in America.

These dogs are large and muscular and can look quite intimidating. Their overall appearance depends on which parent they favor. They are friendly, playful pups that make them excellently behaved dogs on most occasions. They typically have dense coats and need to be carefully looked after in hot weather.

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Mountain Bulldog Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

There are a wide variety of factors that can impact the availability of the Mountain Bulldog. Both the English Bulldog and the Bernese Mountain dog can be quite expensive as purebred. If they have a quality pedigree, they are substantially more costly.

Breeders with better reputations typically charge higher. This is because they will screen puppies for common diseases. Both parental dogs are known to suffer from quite a few health problems, particularly the English Bulldog. Make sure to check out their health records before adopting a puppy. Any reputable breeder shouldn’t have a problem sharing this information with a potential buyer.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mountain Bulldog

1. The Mountain Bulldog has a hard work ethic bred into them by both parents.

The English Bulldog and the Bernese Mountain dog both have histories of work, from being pitted against another dog in a snarling fight, to pulling carts in a peaceful village setting in the Swiss Alps.

The English Bulldog, sometimes named the British Bulldog, is registered with the AKC. They were bred over 300 years ago to work as a fighting dog and in the bull-baiting sport. These dogs were bred to have short legs and muscular bodies. That way, they could run underneath the bull to attack it.

Bull baiting has since been made illegal, and the dogs retired from the gruesome scene. Afterward, they grew in popularity as a pet and spread to America in the 1800s.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is an ancient breed that only looked slightly different at their beginning than they do today. Used by the farmers up in the Swiss Alps, they are strong enough to pull carts and were bred to be a prime cattle herding dog.

As the years progressed, there were fewer farms to work on, yet they retained their herding capacity. Because of their sheer size and high level of trainability, they are often used as guard dogs and watchdogs nowadays.


2. These pups have a wide range of potential appearances.

The English Bulldog and the Bernese Mountain dog couldn’t be more different in appearance.

The English Bulldog has short legs and a stocky body. They are close to the ground and look burly and intimidating. Their face has a box shape to it, and their ears are floppy, as are their jowls. They drool quite a bit and don’t have much endurance. Their coat is typically a mix of white and tan and is made of short hair that grows close to their bodies.

To contrast that, Bernese Mountain Dogs have a much taller appearance and a double coat of fur. They are primarily black with brown accents on their face, legs, and chest. They have a white blaze on their forehead. It extends to their muzzle and down the center of their chest.

They have large floppy ears and a healthy, agile body. These dogs are bred to run for hours, herd, or pull carts in high elevation. They are also somewhat prone to drooling.

The Mountain Bulldog’s appearance is bound to favor one parent over the other. They might have a short coat with similar coloring of the English Bulldog but have taller legs and a longer body. If they favor the Bernese, they’ll have longer coats of black, white, and sometimes brown. They’ll have square-ish faces and thicker bodies.

These dogs can also be somewhere in the middle, but they tend to lean toward one parent’s appearance over the other.


3. The Mountain Bulldog has a compassionate side.

Mountain Bulldogs have a soft heart. This affectionate side is thanks to both of their parents. Even though the English Bulldog was used as a fighting dog in their early days, they have since developed a reputation of being a big softy. They can be protective, but overall, the dogs belonging to this breed wouldn’t hurt a fly.

The Bernese Mountain dog is much the same. They are termed a gentle giant because of their kind soul. Both dogs are patient and affectionate. It makes them work wonderfully in almost any setting. Increased adaptability to different types of family scenarios means they are an excellent choice for virtually any dog owner.

Parent Breeds of the Mountain Bulldog
Photo Credit: Jumpstory

Temperament & Intelligence of the Mountain Bulldog 🧠

Compassionate is the first description that comes to most owners’ minds. These dogs are caretakers and loyal to their family but hold judgment in the case of new people or animals. They have a heart of gold, even if it has been hidden behind an intimidating mask of muscle.

Both of the parental breeds are brilliant dogs. They want to please their owners and make them happy. The combination makes them highly trainable. They pick up new commands and emotional nuances quickly.

Neither breed has a feisty personality, although they do have a big one. The Mountain Bulldog is docile and happy, patient around kids and other animals.

They are not immediately friendly to strangers. They retain a wariness that makes them an excellent guard dog. They would not naturally attack someone unless they were trained to do so, though.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

These dogs are lovely, fitting into almost any family. They are a large breed and might not always remember their size, especially around small children. They love their family members and go out of their way to protect them.

These dogs are gentle and patient. It means that even if children are a little rough with them, they won’t tend to lash out. That said, make sure to watch over their interactions, especially at the beginning, to protect both dogs and children.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Mountain Bulldog does tend to get along well with other pets. They should be socialized as early as possible to have a higher guarantee of agreeability with other dogs and cats. They are quite docile, so unless they are trained to be aggressive, their natural personality doesn’t tend to be.

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Things to Know When Owning a Mountain Bulldog

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Mountain Bulldog is a large breed hybrid. Even still, they don’t require that much food unless their activity level is quite high.

Feed them around 2.5 cups each day. Oversee their weight and diet, though, because their English Bulldog genes can quickly mean they gain unhealthy weight. They are sometimes prone to laziness, which doesn’t help burn the calories.

Exercise 🐕

These pups need only a moderate amount of activity each day. They should get out for approximately 60 minutes of continuous exercise. If you like to walk or run with your pet, shoot for around 9 miles each week.

Training 🦮

The Mountain Bulldog is easy to train, especially when comparing them to similar sized breeds, such as the Husky. They are lovable and kind, always wanting to please. This combination means that they are quick to try their hardest.

Since they are also quite intelligent, they pick up new commands quickly. Since these pups have a gentle spirit, they need positive affirmation. Encouragement goes a long way because they want to make you happy.

Grooming ✂️

The Mountain Bulldog sheds and drools quite a bit as well. Even though they don’t eat as much as other large breeds or need as much activity, they are still considered a high maintenance dog. They need to be brushed multiple times a week if the goal is to limit their shedding.

These pups should only be bathed when necessary, to limit the damage to their skin. If they develop a strong odor, use dry shampoo or a pet spray.

Dental hygiene should be a priority with the Mountain Bulldog. Brush their teeth at least once a week, but preferably daily. Frequent brushing helps ensure that they won’t develop plaque buildup.

Along with other dogs, they need their nails trimmed bi-weekly to monthly. Since they have large droopy ears, clean them out at least once a week to avoid ear infections.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Ask to see the parents’ health certificate and reports before investing in one of these lovable dogs. It will help you determine a more accurate picture of the likely diseases that your pup might suffer from later in life.

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Idiopathic epilepsy
Serious Conditions
  • Pulmonic stenosis
  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia

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Male vs. Female

There are not any recognizable differences between males and females in this breed.

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Final Thoughts

The Mountain Bulldog is a king among dogs. They embody the traits that many people seek out in a canine best friend. These include loyalty, love, strength, and compassion. It is hard to believe that one dog can sum all of these up so well.

The Mountain Bulldog is a large breed dog, but they only need a moderate amount of activity each day compared to others. They are a strong dog, built with a thickset stature.

Keep in mind that they have a wide variety of different coat patterns and colors. Check out what the puppies look like and the bill of health for the parents to get an idea of what type of puppy you might adopt.

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