TL;DR
The typical English Bulldog lifespan is about 7 to 10 years. In a 2024 UK study of 584,734 dogs, Bulldogs had a median lifespan of 9.8 years, against 12.0 years for mixed breeds, and a UK study of 1,621 Bulldogs found a median of only 7.2 years, with females outliving males (7.9 versus 6.7 years). Bulldogs had 2.04 times the odds of having at least one disorder in a year compared with other dogs, led by skin fold infections (38 times the odds), cherry eye (27 times) and breathing problems (BOAS, 19 times). They also had much lower odds of some problems, including gum disease and fatty lumps. A Bulldog is a senior from about 7.4 years.
How long do Bulldogs live?
| Measure | English Bulldog | Mixed breed |
|---|---|---|
| Median lifespan, 2024 UK study (4,743 deaths) | 9.8 years | 12.0 years |
| Median lifespan, UK Bulldog study | 7.2 years | |
| Females / males, UK Bulldog study | 7.9 / 6.7 years | |
| Life expectancy at birth, UK life tables | 7.39 years | 11.82 years |
| Senior from about (last 25% of lifespan) | 7.4 years | 9 years |
Bulldog age in human years
| Dog's age | Life stage | Roughly like a person aged |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years | Mature adult | 32 |
| 5 years | Mature adult | 40 |
| 6 years | Mature adult | 48 |
| 7 years | Mature adult | 56 |
| 8 years | Senior | 64 |
| 9 years | Senior | 73 |
| 10 years | Senior, past the median | 81 |
| 11 years | Senior, past the median | 89 |
| 12 years | Senior, past the median | 97 |
| 13 years | Senior, past the median | 105 |
This uses the share of the breed's typical lifespan a dog has lived, compared with US human life expectancy of 79 years. For puppies and young dogs, the DNA-based method in the calculator below is more accurate. Try any age:
Dog age calculator
Enter your dog's age and breed. Choose "Mixed breed" if you are not sure.
Human age (DNA method)
64
From age-related DNA changes in Labradors compared with people (Wang 2020). Least reliable for puppies under a few months.
Same point in a human life
53
Your dog has lived about 67% of the typical 12.0-year lifespan for this group. The same share of a 79.0-year US life expectancy is age 53.
Life stage
Mature adult
AAHA: from maturity until the last 25% of expected lifespan, about 9.0 years for this group.
Mixed breed (crossbreed): median lifespan 12.0 years (95% CI 12.0 to 12.1), senior from about 9.0 years.
Lifespans: UK study of 584,734 dogs (McMillan 2024). Life stages: AAHA. Every dog ages differently; health, weight and lifestyle all matter.
English Bulldog health problems
In a 2022 UK study comparing 2,662 English Bulldogs with 22,039 other dogs, Bulldogs had higher odds of 24 of 43 common disorders:
| Disorder | Odds compared with other dogs |
|---|---|
| Skin fold dermatitis | 38.12 times |
| Prolapsed third eyelid gland (cherry eye) | 26.79 times |
| Protruding lower jaw | 24.32 times |
| Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome | 19.20 times |
| Interdigital cysts | 12.96 times |
They had lower odds of a few problems: retained baby teeth (0.02 times), fatty lumps (0.06 times) and gum disease (0.23 times).
In an earlier UK study of 1,621 Bulldogs, the most common problems were ear infections (12.7%), skin infections (pyoderma, 8.8%) and overweight or obesity (8.7%). By group, skin problems affected 28.6% of Bulldogs in a year and eye problems 18.0%.
What this means day to day
- Skin folds around the face, tail and body need cleaning and drying regularly to prevent infection.
- Eyes should be checked daily for redness, discharge or a red swelling in the corner (cherry eye).
- Breathing is the biggest risk in heat and exercise. Loud snoring and struggling on walks are signs of BOAS worth discussing with your vet.
- Feet: interdigital cysts cause painful lumps between the toes.
What our founder learned from seven pugs
Pugs share the same flat-faced build, and our founder Morty has raised seven of them.
- Snoring is normal life. Almost every night, nearly 100% of the time. Morty got so used to it that the sound became a comfort.
- Heat is the real danger. On one daytime walk a pug stopped, panting hard, close to heatstroke. Rest in the shade and a drink of water brought it round. Since then: short summer walks in the cool of the day, and never running together.
- Cold matters too. In winter Morty's pugs wore coats, and each change of season brought a run of colds.
If a flat-faced dog is still panting hard after resting in the shade, or wobbles, vomits or collapses, treat it as heatstroke and go to a vet straight away.
How to help a Bulldog live longer
- Keep it lean. Weight makes breathing, heat tolerance and joints worse. See senior dog food for weight loss.
- Protect it from heat and never leave it in a car.
- Clean and dry skin folds several times a week. See senior dog grooming.
- Use a harness rather than a collar.
- Ask about BOAS surgery if your Bulldog snores loudly or struggles to breathe.
- Support aging joints. In a 2006 trial, 67% of dogs with joint disease improved on green-lipped mussel extract by day 56, against 41% on placebo. Our green-lipped mussel powder is a single-ingredient topper.
- Twice-yearly vet checks from about 7.4 years.
FAQ
How long do English Bulldogs live?
Most live about 7 to 10 years. A 2024 UK study found a median of 9.8 years, and a UK Bulldog study found 7.2 years.
Do female Bulldogs live longer than males?
In the UK Bulldog study, females lived a median of 7.9 years and males 6.7 years.
Is 7 old for a Bulldog?
Yes. A Bulldog is a senior from about 7.4 years, and in the UK Bulldog study half had died by 7.2 years. Against the 2024 median of 9.8 years, a 7-year-old Bulldog has lived about 71% of its expected lifespan, roughly like a person aged 56.
What health problems do Bulldogs have?
Skin fold infections, cherry eye, a protruding lower jaw, breathing problems (BOAS), interdigital cysts, ear infections and obesity are the most common. Bulldogs had 2.04 times the odds of at least one disorder in a year compared with other dogs.
Why do Bulldogs have short lives?
Their extreme body shape, with a flat face, heavy skin folds and compact build, drives many of their health problems, especially breathing difficulties.
References
- McMillan KM, et al. Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports. 2024. PMID: 38302530
- O'Neill DG, et al. English Bulldogs in the UK: a VetCompass study of their disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2022. PMID: 35701824
- O'Neill DG, et al. Disorders of Bulldogs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013. PLOS ONE. 2019. PMID: 31188857
- Teng KT, et al. Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom. Scientific Reports. 2022. PMID: 35484374
- Pollard B, et al. Clinical efficacy and tolerance of an extract of green-lipped mussel in dogs presumptively diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 2006. PMID: 16751841
For individual health questions, your veterinarian remains the best partner.
