Having a litter of puppies is a wonderful thing…a bone tiring, up for days on end, loud and often smelly…but wonderful thing. It is amazing watching a litter grow and fulfilling to watch those well-rounded puppies head off to their own homes where they can make people happy. However, a puppy’s life starts at birth and many people wonder, can bulldogs give natural birth?

So let’s answer this question, can bulldogs give birth naturally? No, most bulldog breeds cannot give natural birth. In general, bulldog puppies are often too large for the birth canal. This requires the aid of a trained veterinarian to perform a c-section in most cases. However, some bulldog breeds do not require c-sections and can have a natural birth.

And that is where it gets complicated. Breeding bulldogs is not always the same from start to finish. While we can expect some things when our bulldogs are expecting, bulldog breeds often present a few challenges such as natural breeding, whether they can whelp naturally and even if they are pregnant, which can be surprisingly difficult to determine. In addition, there are many different bulldog breeds and it is good to know whether they can deliver their puppies naturally.

Can Bulldogs get Pregnant Naturally?

While the answer is yes, bulldogs can get pregnant naturally, it is important to note that they do not get pregnant easily when using natural methods. First, with many bulldog breeds, the chest, shoulders and head are much larger than their hips. What this means is that the dog is usually heavier in the front than they are in the back.

When a male bulldog mounts a female, his front weight pushes down the backend of the female bulldog. This makes it very difficult for them to obtain a tie. To prevent this from happening, breeders need to assist the male by holding the females hips and helping him onto the female.

It is for this reason that many breeders choose to do artificial insemination (AI) and often, 80 to 90% of bulldogs are bred using artificial insemination. Read more about artificial insemination HERE.

Is My Bulldog Pregnant?

Now that we’ve looked at the weeks of pregnancy for your bulldog, it is probably good to understand the signs that your dog is pregnant. Unfortunately, signs are few and far between for pregnant bulldogs and all dogs in general.

In fact, most signs and symptoms do not occur until your bulldog is over 40 days pregnant. If you haven’t visited your vet to diagnose pregnancy, then you will need to wait for over half the pregnancy before you can see the signs.

However, when you start to see signs, you’ll be able to determine, quickly, if your female is pregnant or not. Signs that you will see are:

Decrease in Energy/Activity: Pregnant dogs tend to have less energy than those who aren’t. If you find that your dog is napping more than usual, especially around week 3, there is a good chance she is pregnant.

Pregnant dogs tend to have less energy than those who aren’t. If you find that your dog is napping more than usual, especially around week 3, there is a good chance she is pregnant. Morning Sickness: I already mentioned this, but dogs can have mild sickness. This means she has decreased appetite around day 21 and may vomit.

I already mentioned this, but dogs can have mild sickness. This means she has decreased appetite around day 21 and may vomit. Increase in Appetite: This can be difficult to determine but as the weeks progress, you should find that your pregnant dog eats more and more.

This can be difficult to determine but as the weeks progress, you should find that your pregnant dog eats more and more. Nipple Changes: Every dog is different when it comes to nipple changes. Some have a lot very early in the pregnancy and others have none until close to delivery. However, with that said, you can usually spot differences in nipples by about week 3 or 4. They will become slightly darker and will start to look rounded in shape. Finally, you may see hair loss around the nipples as her body prepares for nursing.

Every dog is different when it comes to nipple changes. Some have a lot very early in the pregnancy and others have none until close to delivery. However, with that said, you can usually spot differences in nipples by about week 3 or 4. They will become slightly darker and will start to look rounded in shape. Finally, you may see hair loss around the nipples as her body prepares for nursing. Swollen Vulva: It will not be as swollen as it was while she was in heat, but your dog’s vulva shouldn’t go back to its usual size.

It will not be as swollen as it was while she was in heat, but your dog’s vulva shouldn’t go back to its usual size. Changes in Temperament: Another symptom that varies from dog to dog, changes in temperament are a good sign. Often, bulldogs can become clingier or they may start to go off on their own. Any abnormal behavior for your dog could be a sign that she is pregnant.

As you can see, there aren’t many symptoms for you to see. Your dog will gain weight if she is pregnant but most of the weight gain is seen closer to the end of the pregnancy when you’ll be positive she’s pregnant.

How Long are Bulldogs Pregnant

When it comes to how long a bulldog is pregnant, all dogs follow the same pregnancy schedule, regardless of breeds, and will usually deliver their puppies on day 63 from ovulation. This can vary from each individual bulldog and, sometimes, from each individual pregnancy

Unfortunately, unless you are testing for ovulation, it can be difficult to determine when they are. For this reason, breeders follow a guideline of 59 to 70 days from the date of the first breeding. Your bulldog should deliver any time in those 11 days, but frequently, they will deliver on day 63.

If you are planning a c-section for your bulldog, you will usually know the date of ovulation and the vet will simply do the c-section on day 63 or when the bulldog shows signs that labor is imminent.

So, What is a Bulldog Pregnancy Like?

Now that we know the magic number of 63, it’s important to look at the bulldog pregnancy and what you will see. The best way to do this is to look at the weeks of pregnancy. With dogs, week 1 of pregnancy starts on the day of ovulation or the day of the first breeding. Bulldogs are pregnant for roughly 9 weeks before they deliver and a lot is happening during those weeks, which we will go over.

Week One:

During this week, you aren’t going to be seeing very much. Your bulldog female, or bitch, will be bred this week and you may notice that she is a bit tired, usually due to breeding. There is no way to know if she is pregnant…and fertilization is just occurring depending on when ovulation is.

Life should return to normal during this week. Regular activities should continue, and your dog will eat the normal amount of food. Your dog, more than likely, will still be in heat for another week or so but you can continue with her regular schedule.

Week Two:

Another week where nothing is really happening. The fertilized eggs are still travelling to the uterine horn in the dog and you won’t notice any temperament changes.

In fact, she may be her usual self and may even return to how she was prior to her heat. The heat should be close to ending, if it has not. One outward sign that you may see, that indicates a dog is pregnant, is that the vulva stays slightly swollen if the dog is pregnant. However, this can be hard to notice, especially in maiden bitches.

Week Three:

This is an exciting week…well…on the inside at any rate. During this time, the embryos are finally attaching to the lining in the uterus. Your dog may have a few days of morning sickness where she doesn’t want to eat. She may even throw up a few times, however, that doesn’t happen with most dogs.

Another thing you may see during week three is that your dog’s appetite has increased slightly. At 3 weeks, you can increase the food slightly, but don’t overfeed. Too much weight gain can cause complications.

Did you know? At 21 days, when the embryos implant, there is an old wives’ tale that says the gums will turn white for a day or two. Some breeders swear by this sign, but others have found that it doesn’t work or indicate pregnancy. But it is still a fun way to determine if your dog is pregnant sooner than other means.

Week Four:

At week four, your female may have her appetite back if she suffered from morning sickness. If she didn’t, you may notice a slight increase. With signs, which we will go over in the next section, there isn’t much to see. By now, a veterinarian may be able to feel puppies when he palpates your bulldog’s stomach.

In addition, during this week, you can get a blood test to see if there is relaxin in the blood, which will indicate if your dog is pregnant or not. However, it is not necessary.

For care, a slight increase in food is all that is needed. Your female bulldog can continue her usual activities and exercise at this stage of pregnancy.

Week Five:

Between day 30 and day 35, after the first breeding, you can arrange to have an ultrasound done by your veterinarian. At this time, your vet should be able to determine if your dog is pregnant through the ultrasound.

With your pregnant bulldog, you should start to see some weight gain. In addition, she may become very hungry and will look for more food on a daily basis. At this time, increase her calories but be careful not to overfeed. In addition, allow for regular exercise but avoid anything strenuous.

Week Six:

Depending on the size of the litter, you may notice that week six is when your bulldog begins to reduce how much she is eating. To help offset this, break up her meals into much smaller meals. It is not uncommon for pregnant bulldogs to eat three to five small meals per day.

Mood wise, she may be sleeping more, and you may find that she is very uncomfortable. Focus on making her comfortable during this time and listen to her about how much exercise she’d like.

Week Seven:

During week seven, you will notice the same things that you noticed in week six. Your female will be uncomfortable, and she may start looking for a quiet place to sleep. She may also become clingier than she usually is.

When week seven arrives, you are getting closer to the end. You should be able to feel puppies moving and your pregnant bulldog may start losing her hair around her nipples. Now is the time to start setting up a space for her to raise her puppies.

Week Eight:

If you are planning to do an x-ray, now is the week to do it. During this time, the skeletons of the puppies have calcified enough to be picked up on an x-ray. This is a great way to find out how many puppies your bulldog is having and will help you plan for the delivery or c-section.

Your pregnant bulldog may start producing milk this week, however, not all dogs produce milk at this stage. Some can start producing shortly after the puppies are born. Now is the time to keep a close eye on your female. Avoid intense exercise and keep her leashed when she is outside, so she doesn’t jump or injure herself.

Week Nine:

This is the week when your pregnant bulldog is due. She can go any time and you want to watch for nesting behavior. In addition, her temperature should spike before dropping down by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even if you are planning a c-section, it is good to watch temperatures in case your pregnant bulldog goes into labor before the scheduled surgery.

Bulldog Pregnancy Cycle Week One Female bulldog is bred. Week Two Fertilized eggs travel to the uterine horn. Week Three Embryos attach to the lining in the uterus, eating habits change slightly. Possibly morning sickness for a few days but overall a slight increase in appetite. Week Four Bulldogs appetite should increase slightly. Week Five Perform an ultrasound with a veterinarian to determine pregnancy. Weight gain begins to be visible. Increase calorie intake based off vets recommendations Week Six Bulldog may be sleeping more and become more uncomfortable. Week Seven Female bulldog continues to rest more and display discomfort. Puppies movements can be seen and felt. Week Eight Have an x-ray to verify how many puppies and discuss delivery with the veterinarian. Week Nine Pregnancy due date. Observe changes in temperature and labor signs. Have a veterinarian perform the delivery.

Can Bulldogs Give Birth Naturally?

As you may have noticed above, some bulldog lines and breeds can do very well with natural delivery and birth. However, it is very important for the breeder to be aware of signs that your dog is in distress. One of the most common signs is when the bulldog is pushing for longer than an hour. This often indicates that a puppy is stuck and needs medical intervention.

However, when we look at statistics, up to 95% of bulldogs require c-sections to properly deliver their puppies. Again, this has to do with morphology. The female bulldog has narrow hips, which gives her that bulldog shape.

Unfortunately, her puppies are usually quite large and have large heads and shoulders. This makes whelping the puppies naturally very difficult and can result in an emergency c-section. Rather than risking the puppies or the dam, most bulldog breeders opt for planned c-sections.

Bulldog Breeds and C-Sections…Are they all the Same?

Now that we’ve looked at the bulldog breeding and pregnancy, one of the big questions is whether a bulldog can deliver the puppies, also known as whelping, naturally or if they need to have medical assistance such as a c-section.

The answer to that question is dependent upon the bulldog breed and also on the individual dogs. While the majority of French Bulldogs require c-sections there are many lines that can whelp naturally with no complications. In addition, American Bulldogs are usually free whelpers —delivering natural – however, occasionally, an American Bulldog may need a c-section or other medical intervention.

With that being said, let’s look at eight popular bulldog breeds and whether they can free whelp.

English Bulldog: I have heard of a few English Bulldog lines that can whelp without any difficulty; however, the majority of English Bulldogs will require a c-section to deliver the puppies.

I have heard of a few English Bulldog lines that can whelp without any difficulty; however, the majority of English Bulldogs will require a c-section to deliver the puppies. French Bulldog: Like the English Bulldog, many French Bulldogs require c-sections to deliver the puppies. Again, there are some lines that free-whelp but if you are interested in breeding them.

Like the English Bulldog, many French Bulldogs require c-sections to deliver the puppies. Again, there are some lines that free-whelp but if you are interested in breeding them. American Bulldog: Popular around the world, the American Bulldog, like the French and English, often need c-sections to deliver their puppies. However, more American Bulldog lines are known for whelping naturally without medical assistance. Still, if you plan to breed American Bulldogs, plan for a c-section.

Popular around the world, the American Bulldog, like the French and English, often need c-sections to deliver their puppies. However, more American Bulldog lines are known for whelping naturally without medical assistance. Still, if you plan to breed American Bulldogs, plan for a c-section. Aussie Bulldog: While it is not recognized by many registries, the Aussie Bulldog is gaining some popularity. However, it still has many delivery complications do to its build and usually requires a c-section.

While it is not recognized by many registries, the Aussie Bulldog is gaining some popularity. However, it still has many delivery complications do to its build and usually requires a c-section. Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs: Not as commonly known, the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is recognized by the AABA and the American Rare Breed Association. The breed is known for being free whelpers despite their bulldog build and shape.

Not as commonly known, the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is recognized by the AABA and the American Rare Breed Association. The breed is known for being free whelpers despite their bulldog build and shape. Olde English Bulldogges: Taller and not having as extreme of a head and chest size, the Olde English Bulldogge can often deliver small litters naturally. X-rays are important with this breed as large puppies or large litters will often need delivery by planned c-section.

Taller and not having as extreme of a head and chest size, the Olde English Bulldogge can often deliver small litters naturally. X-rays are important with this breed as large puppies or large litters will often need delivery by planned c-section. Victorian Bulldog: A cross breed that was developed in an effort to improve the health of the English Bulldog, Victorian bulldogs have a very similar look to the English. However, they are known to be free whelpers and often breed naturally with no problems.

A cross breed that was developed in an effort to improve the health of the English Bulldog, Victorian bulldogs have a very similar look to the English. However, they are known to be free whelpers and often breed naturally with no problems. Dorset Old Tyme Bulldog: Another effort to change the overall health of the English Bulldog without affecting type, the Dorset Old Tyme Bulldog is similar to the Victorian. It is known for being a free whelper, however, some lines still require c-sections.

Why are bulldogs called a man-made breed?

While the confirmations of all modern dogs are created by man, bulldogs have the distinction of being called a man-made breed. The reason for this is because bulldogs need a lot of human intervention when it comes to breeding. Many bulldog breeds, especially the English Bulldog, require semen to be collected and artificially inserted into the female.

In addition, they require medical intervention for the puppies to be born due to the complications that can arise if a bulldog gives birth naturally. Because of all the human intervention that is needed from insemination to birth, it is believed that many bulldog breeds would disappear, or change greatly, because they cannot reproduce easily on their own…hence, the man-made title.

Why are bulldogs so expensive?

Depending on the bulldog breed you are selecting, owners can expect to pay between $1,500 to $5,000 for a bulldog puppy. The reason why they are so expensive is because there is a lot of expense to breed them. Ignoring the health testing and various titles that breeders get before breeding, there are high vet bills due to artificial insemination, x-rays and ultrasounds and finally the c-section. The cost of the bulldog reflects the costs incurred by the breeders.

To know what is needed when you breed or purchase a new bulldog puppy read this post: What Do I Need for a Bulldog Puppy?

Are there rare bulldog colors?

No. The answer is that there are not rare colors in bulldogs. There are undesirable colors when it comes to the breed standard, which varies between breeds, however, those colors are not rare, and we have begun to see more and more of them. Buyers should beware when seeing a puppy with a “rare” color and shouldn’t pay extra for these off-coat colors. In addition, do your homework. Some “rare” colors are actually linked to genetic illnesses and you could be opening up your puppy to a life time of health problems if you choose a “rare” color.

Is breeding a bulldog expensive?

Breeding bulldogs can be quite expensive. Even without factoring in health testing and other care of your bulldog, you can expect to spend several thousand on the breeding alone. Artificial inseminations can range from $60 to $1000 depending on the type of AI and the area you live. Ultrasounds range from $60 to $500, x-rays from $80 to $200. Finally, c-sections can range from $500 to $2000+. This does not include the cost of the stud service or the care of the pregnant mom or the puppies. Before you choose to breed, be ready to incur the costs that come with it.

Should I health test my bulldog before breeding?

Yes. Bulldog breeds are known for having many health problems. In fact, much effort has gone into producing healthier bulldogs including adding new breeds into the bulldog breed, removing colors from the breed standard and choosing only the best breeding stock. If you are planning to breed, health testing is an excellent way to minimize the risk, as much as possible, of your dogs passing on genetic illnesses to their offspring.

For more information on what health tests your bulldog breed should have, visit the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and check your breed for recommended health tests.