Category: Owning a Bulldog

Teaching your bulldog how to perform tricks on command is important even if you aren’t planning on entering your bulldog into a dog show. Bulldogs, like any dog breed, need mental stimulation in order remain healthy. Learning a new skill or command exercises your pup’s brain while strengthening the emotional bond between dog and owner at the same time. Your bulldog naturally wants to please you and will feed off your energy. If you’re happy he barked or sat on command, he will be, too. Training can also boost fitness, agility and confidence levels.

Whether you’re planning on having your bulldog compete in a dog show or you’re simply wishing to teach your dog a few new tricks, the dog show tricks listed below provide a solid foundation of tricks for beginner, intermediate or advanced skill levels.

How Dog Show Tricks are Categorized:

First, some details on how the American Kennel Club (AKC) evaluates trick dog titles and their corresponding tricks.

Dog show tricks are categorized by levels set forth by the AKC. Those wishing to earn official dog show titles must compete in the AKC titling event known as “Trick Dog.” There are currently five titles offered—Novice Trick Dog, Intermediate Trick Dog, Advanced Trick Dog, Trick Dog Performer and Trick Dog Elite Performer. In order for your bulldog to earn an AKC trick dog title, he or she must demonstrate mastery of a total of 10 tricks. The tricks must be performed in front of an AKC CGC Evaluator, with the exception of dogs competing for the Elite Performer title. Those entries are filmed and then evaluated via video submission.

You can learn more on the AKC Trick Dog FAQ page.

Below are further details on the titles and their required tricks.

AKC “Trick Dog” Titles:

1. Novice Trick Dog

To earn a Novice Trick Dog title, your bulldog must perform 10 skills from AKC’s Novice List. You must choose ten skills from the following list of 21 tricks:

• High five
• Bark on command
• Walk on a beam (board is a few inches off the floor)
• Crawl (must crawl on belly for five feet or more)
• Fetch it (ball or similar item must be at least 10 feet away. Bulldog must bring it within two feet of the handler)
• Hold (for at least three seconds)
• Jump through a hoop or over a bar
• Kennel up (go into crave)
• Kiss
• Paws up (place two front paws on a low stool or step)
• Push-ups (sit, down, sit, down, sit, down)
• Shake hands
• Spin in circle
• Touch it (hand or target stick)
• Tunnel (must go through agility tunnel or child’s tunnel)
• Find it (find item hidden under a cup)
• Get your—(toy, leash, brush)
• Get in (gets in box)
• Sit in box on command
• Get on low platform or step (all four paws must be on the platform or step)
• Hand signals “Sit,” “Stay” or “Come” (Choose one hand signal)

2. Intermediate Trick Dog

In order to be eligible for the Intermediate Trick Dog title, your bulldog must already possess the Novice title. Additionally, your bulldog must also perform 10 intermediate tricks, which include the following:

• Balance treat on nose or head
• Carry a basket (or other object)
• Catch (toy, ball, treat, etc)
• Crawl (must crawl on belly for at least five feet. You may use food or a toy to lure dog)
• Jump through handler’s circled arms or over handler’s leg
• Weave around handler’s legs
• Paws up (on handler’s arm)
• Pull a toy on a string or rope
• Push button/key to make a sound on a toy piano or other sound toy
• Roll over
• Find it game (must find treat or scented item under one of three cups)
• Sit pretty (sit up or sit with head tilted)
• Wave goodbye/hello
• Weave through six poles (may use food or toy to lure)
• Fetch it (20 feet away and your bulldog must deliver the item to the handler’s hand)
• Game (Your bulldog successfully uses treat dispensing item—puzzle, Kong, etc.)
• Go find (Your bulldog must find an item that handler has hidden)
• Go to your place (bed, mat or crate must be 10 feet away or further)
• Hand signals for sit, down, come, stand (Bulldog must be able to recognize three of the four hand signals).
• Wobble board

3. Advanced Trick Dog

For the title of Advanced Trick Dog, your wrinkle-faced pooch must have the Intermediate title, plus demonstrate mastery of 10 of the following tricks:

• Back up (walk backwards)
• Balance treat on nose, flip to eat when handler says “OK”
• Barrel (Bulldog rolls a barrel with two paws or stands on the barrel with all four paws).
•  “Take a bow” (or curtsey)
• Circle right, circle left
• Cover eyes (Bulldog covers eyes with paws)
• Cover-up with a blanket
• Go hide (under a table, for example)
• Head down
• Hide your head (under a blanket or pillow)
• Jump into handler’s arms
• Jump over handler’s back
• Turn on light (use a pressure sensitive battery operated light)
• Open the door of a toy mailbox or refrigerator and get an object
• Play dead
• Follow commands of “sit” or “down” from a distance of 15 feet
• Find scented objects underneath cups (choose from five)
• Take a tissue out of a box and bring it to the handler
• Take a toy to a box and drop it inside
• Weave through poles without a food or toy lure

4. Trick Dog Performer

To earn this title, your bulldog must perform a routine that includes 10 tricks. At least three of the tricks must include props. The choice of which tricks to use is left up to the owner/handler, but they must be intermediate, advanced or performer-level tricks. The goal is to use the tricks to tell a “story.”

Here are several examples:

• Pretend to dig
• Lift leg and pretend to urinate on a fire hydrant
• Limp
• Nod or shake head yes or no
• Push a baby stroller
• Paint
• Pretend to dial phone
• Walk with stuffed animal on back
• Climb into suitcase and close the lid

You can find more examples and further details on the AKC Trick Dog Performer PDF.

5. Trick Dog Elite Performer

This is the highest level of the Trick Dog event. Your bulldog must perform a scripted routine that includes a “story,” 10 tricks, and at least five props. Evaluations are done via video submission.

You can find further details on the AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer PDF.

How to Teach Your Bulldog Show Tricks:

Bulldogs can be stubborn at times, so they may need extra encouragement and praise to perform tricks on command. Luckily, bulldogs amicable nature and quick wit make them good sports and fast learners.

If you’re new to dog training or a first-time bulldog parent, here are a few helpful tips to get you started.

• Train with a clicker

Train your bulldog dog to associate the sound of a clicker with a treat. Clickers work better as a reward system than treats alone because your pup will know immediately if he’s done a good job, even if it takes a moment for you to get him a treat.

Keep in mind that it may take up to a week for your dog to start associating the sound of the clicker with the treat, so it’s recommended that you practice two to three times per day.

• Be diligent about using commands

One way get your bulldog to start associating a command with a specific action is to say the command after your dog spontaneously does the action. For example, if your bulldog dog sits, say “sit” immediately after he does it.

Be patient and remain diligent. Your bulldog may need to hear a word anywhere between 10 to 100 times before he begins to understand it.

• Arrange a practice schedule

It’s important to start off slow, especially if your end goal is to have your bulldog compete in a dog show. Have your dog practice her tricks in a low-stress environment free of distractions. Say a command and wait for her to do it. When she does, click the clicker and give her a treat.

After your bulldog has mastered performing the trick in a calm and familiar environment, start practicing in higher stress environments, like parks or in the presence of strangers. Show rings can be loud, crowded and overstimulating, so it’s important that your bulldog learn to obey your commands in a wide variety of settings.

Add more distractions every week until your dog is able to focus even in the most noisy or chaotic environments. Reward your bulldog with praise and treats each time she is successful.

• Slowly wean your dog off treats

Start periodically eliciting a command without a treat. It’s vital that dogs do not get too accustomed to being treated because then they’ll only obey commands when a treat is involved.

About Cascade Bulldogs: 

Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog managed by Gail and Eddie Harris, a couple who breeds and raises bulldog puppies in Seattle, Washington. They are the proud parents of several celebrity bulldog show dogs, including Wildflower, Snow White and Declan.

Related Posts: 

• How to Train a Bulldog Puppy 
• Bulldog C-Section Planning Tips
• How to Pick a Show Quality Puppy

While bulldogs are a beloved and extremely popular breed, they’re also a frequently a misunderstood breed as well! Perhaps due to their complicated history (they were once bred as bull fighters) or the wealth of inaccurate information on the internet (many bloggers are well-intentioned but undereducated about the facts), bulldog myths are common and widespread.

In an effort to help better educate the public and would-be bulldog owners, we’ve compiled a list of common myths about our favorite wrinkly canine.

It’s true: Well-bred bulldogs are healthy!

One of the myths we hear most frequently is “bulldogs are unhealthy”. People think it’s cruel to breed bulldogs because of their shorter-than-average life-spans and because they require c-sections in order to give birth. But the truth is that you can avoid most—if not all—major bulldog health problems by purchasing a bulldog from a reputable breeder and insuring that the bulldog hails from a solid lineage.

In the video below, a veterinarian spokesperson from the American Kennel Club (AKC) disputes the idea that bulldogs are inherently unhealthy, saying: “Not all bulldogs have breathing problems. There are many healthy bulldogs.”

Why the myths?

1. Bad breeders

Because bulldogs are so in demand, some unethical and dishonest breeders have seen this as an opportunity for a “get rich quick” scheme.  They’ve resorted to breeding bulldogs that don’t come from quality genetic lines, resulting in an uptick in the number of unhealthy bulldog puppies being born and sold in the US and elsewhere in the world (for more information on how to discern between the honest breeders and the fakes, read: 9 Important Questions to Ask Your Bulldog Breeder). Because bad breeders are frequently uninformed, they’re largely responsible for adding to the misinformation and perpetuating the myths.

2. A skewed version of reality

The people who are quoted as sources in articles that focus on the bulldog health debate are  frequently veterinarian surgeons. As the AKC explains in the video above, these veterinarian surgeons opinions are often colored by their experiences and don’t paint an accurate picture of reality. For the most part, surgeons treat bulldogs who are experiencing major health problems because healthy bulldogs generally don’t require surgery. While it’s only natural that these veterinarians would develop a bias, it’s important that the public doesn’t mistake fact for opinion.

3. Bulldogs are popular! Maybe even TOO popular!

Bulldogs are the 4th most popular dog breed in the US. Because they’re in fashion at the moment, numerous bulldog websites, documentaries and magazine articles have surfaced in recent years in order to meet the demand for education by would-be bully owners.  Some of the information that is being shared is accurate, but much of it is not. Unfortunately, one of the side effects of fame is the spread of misinformation.

Want to learn more? Read our bulldog care page for more information about how to keep your bulldog healthy.

Bulldogs are a frequently misunderstood breed because, just like the pitbull, they have a reputation for being aggressive (a reputation that is entirely false, as any bulldog owner will you). The misconception is due to the fact that several centuries ago, bulldogs were used for bull baiting, and were thus bred to be ornery and abrasive. Although this is no longer the case, the “bulldog is aggressive” myth lives on in sports memorabilia and cartoons. Several companies and sports teams use the bulldog as their mascot, portraying him in their logos and advertisements as being a fierce warrior. Despite the bulldog’s “tough guy” image, however, nothing could be further from the truth. In reality, the bulldog is a very gentle and sweet dog that makes an excellent family pet. Far from aggressive, bulldogs have a mellow demeanor and a deep capacity for love and affection. In fact, bulldogs are one of the best breeds for families with small children, as bulldogs love kids. 

3 Reasons Why Bulldogs Make Great Family Pets:

1. Bulldogs Consider Themselves Members of the Family

As a loyal companion dog, the bulldog is extremely affectionate towards and protective of children. Bulldogs’ patient personality make them particularly good playmates for children. But as with any dog, parents should take care that young children and bulldogs are never left alone together unsupervised.

Due to their dutiful nature, bulldogs consider themselves as more than just a child’s companion, but as a protective and valuable asset to the family. Bulldog owners often feel the same way, reporting that their bully is a cherished member of the family.

The bulldog stands out above other dogs for many reasons, but is particularly notable for its immense tolerance and patience, especially when interacting with kids. As a calm and docile animal, bulldogs are seldom known to bark unless they have something important to say and can even serve as a decent watchdog due to their loyal nature and yearning to contribute to the household.

2. Bulldogs are Loyal and Protective

While bulldogs don’t top  the”best watchdog breed” list, the bulldog’s stocky appearance means that he or she can act as a solid deterrent for would-be home invaders. While bulldog-lovers find their bully’s faces adorable, to an unsuspecting robber casing a house, the furrowed brow of the bulldog can look mean, and this can come in handy. However, as the bulldog is fundamentally a gentle and laid back animal, they are not able to respond to threats as well as more aggressive breeds. Still, with their renowned ability to create deep bonds of love, loyalty, and kinship with their families, the devotion of the bulldog ensures that he or she would try their best to protect their family if the situation warranted it.

3. Bulldogs are Mellow and Calm

Families with infants or toddlers won’t have to worry about the bulldog being too hyper or energetic. Unlike breeds that are more high strung, bulldogs are mellow and calm enough to be able to tolerate a young child’s inquisitive nature or rough and tumble play. Pulls to the ears and tail aren’t as likely to bother them as it would a more sensitive breed.

As a bulldog is content to lay on the floor and snooze for most of the day, the bulldog is not a particularly active dog, so care should be taken to ensure they receive enough exercise (but not too much), as their “couch potato” stereotype is a fairly accurate one. (Read: Why do bulldogs sleep so much?) Bulldogs are also known to be chronic chewers, so it is equally important that they are provided with abundant chew toys in order to prevent them from chewing on children’s toys.

Why Families are Sometimes Hesitant

Even with all of the benefits of owning a bulldog, families sometimes hesitate to choose a bulldog as their family pet due to the bulldog’s relatively short lifespan. Many would-be owners find it unbearable to think that they might love and care for a pet only to lose them in a few years, and this prevents many otherwise lovable bulldogs from finding homes. While this is an understandable fear, it’s also one of the sad truths about dog ownership; one day you’ll eventually have to say goodbye to your dog no matter how long he or she lives. With good care and proper nutrition, however, bulldogs can live ten or more years.

For a loving family ready to open their hearts to a new pet, the bulldog may just be the perfect choice. Its loyal nature and gentle soul mean that the bulldog can fast become a cherished”doggy sibling” to kids of all ages.

Many looking to welcome a new dog into their home may wonder: Is a bulldog right for me? The simple answer to that is: That depends. As with any breed, bulldog ownership has its positives and negatives. Here is a list of bulldog pros and cons to help you decide.

The Pros

• A Gentle and Mellow Temperament

Bulldogs tend to be more easygoing than other breeds. Although they can have a stubborn streak, on a day-to-day basis, they are fairly laid back. This makes them great companions for relaxing at a park or cuddling on the couch.

• Great with Kids and Other Pets

Bulldogs are also loving and social, making them ideal for families and kids. What’s more, their mild temperament means they get along well with other pets.

• Low Maintenance Grooming

Bulldogs have short fine hair; no tangles to hassle with!

• Great for Families that Live in Apartments or Small Houses

They’re medium-sized— not too small, not too large.

• Bulldogs Don’t Bark Much

Although bulldogs snort and snore, they don’t bark a lot, which makes them quieter than many other breeds. Because bulldogs aren’t known for barking, they generally aren’t used as watch dogs. But they can be intimidating when they want to be, thanks to their stocky build, wide stance and their shuffling yet surprisingly fast gait.

• Bulldogs are Low Maintenance; They Don’t Need to be Entertained

While bulldog puppies are quite energetic, bulldog adults are generally mellow and reticent; spending much of their time asleep and snoring from their favorite bed or sofa.

• Bulldogs Don’t Need to be Run or Taken on Long Walks

Bulldogs don’t need a lot of exercise to stay healthy (a 20-minute walk once a day is sufficient).

The Cons

• Your Bulldog Won’t Be Able to Accompany You on Jogs or 10-Mile Hikes

Although bulldogs are great companions for laid back leisure activities (like movie nights at home), they won’t be able to accompany you on long jogs, hikes or swims. So if you’re looking for a dog who can keep up with your active lifestyle, the bulldog breed likely isn’t for you (they are, however, great for short walks!).

• Bulldogs Don’t Do Well in the Heat

Bulldogs are particularly sensitive to hot weather, so if you live somewhere hot, you’ll need to take them on walks early in the morning or late in the evening when it’s cooler.(Read: Summer Safety Tips for Bulldogs).

• You Won’t Want to Stand Down Wind

This breed of dog is more flatulent than most. However, monitoring what they eat and drink will help with this issue. Exercise helps, too.

• Bulldogs Need to be Cleaned Every Day

Their famous folds and wrinkles need to be cleaned on a daily basis.

• Training Can Sometimes be a Challenge

Their stubbornness means they are not always the easiest dogs to train.

• Bulldogs Must Deliver via C-Section

Bulldogs who become mothers generally need a cesarean section when they give birth, as the puppies are often unable to pass through the birth canal. This can make breeding a bulldog unusually costly.

• They Don’t Live as Long as Some Other Breeds

The average bulldog’s lifespan is about 8 to 10 years.

• A Bulldog Puppy Can be Expensive

Purebred bulldog puppies cost approximately $2,000-$3,000, making this breed among the more expensive ones. Their lifetime veterinarian bills tend to be high too.

If you are looking for a kind and caring best friend to keep you company at home, and if you have the time and desire to take on some of the added responsibilities of bulldog ownership (regular veterinary checkups and daily grooming routines), then a bulldog might be the perfect choice for you!

About Cascade Bulldogs

Cascade Bulldogs is a bulldog blog that provides helpful information on raising, training and showing bulldogs. The blog’s stars are two bulldog show dogs, Snow White and Wildflower, as well as Snow White’s litter of adorable puppies.