Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Smooth coat, short.
A Bulldog suits
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 2 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect a fairly quiet dog. Grooming at 3 of 5 means weekly brushing.
Popularity
The Bulldog was the number 10 most popular breed in the US in 2025, by AKC registrations. In 2020 it ranked 5.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Bulldog vs Sussex Spaniel · Bulldog vs Spinone Italiano · Bulldog vs Clumber Spaniel
Frequently asked questions
Are Bulldogs good with kids?
The AKC rates the Bulldog 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Bulldogs shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 3 out of 5.
Are Bulldogs easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Bulldog have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Bulldog page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.