How Many Puppies Do English Bulldogs Have?

If you’re trying to discover the number of puppies an English Bulldog can have, you’ve come to the right place!

Figuring out the size of a dog’s litter will help to spot early signs of potential complications such as large puppies that may be hard to birth.

Image of English Bulldog puppy

Unfortunately, the latter is a common issue for English bulldogs, resulting in the need for newborn puppies to be surgically extracted.

In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll learn:

  • How many puppies will my English Bulldog have?
  • When to breed an English Bulldog 
  • How long English Bulldogs stay in heat 

And much more!

What's In This Guide?

How many puppies do English Bulldogs have?

English bulldogs average 3 to 4 puppies in a litter. In most cases, they’ll require a C section or veterinarian assistance if their offspring are often too large for the birth canal.

While their gestation period is identical to other dogs (2 months), birth and conception are somewhat different. Because of this, a close eye should be kept on the mother throughout and after the pregnancy.

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What Should You know about English Bulldogs Having Puppies?

English bulldogs are required to have a scheduled C-section due to the complications of birthing large-headed puppies.

Vaccinations for rabies, lime, parvo, and distemper are recommended before the start of pregnancy to avoid further complicating the process.

Recommended breeding ages are one and a half years old to five years of age.

If you’re already feeding your English Bulldog a high-quality diet, you should be on the safe side.

But if you aren’t this is an excellent time to begin a high-quality diet with fatty acids containing EPA and DHA found in fish oil.

Meals should be broken down into smaller but more regular servings and moderate exercise for adequate mental and physical stimulation.

When should English Bulldogs have puppies?

English Bulldogs become fertile around 6 months and reach full sexual maturity by 12 to 15 months. There is a big debate amongst breeders about whether you can breed from the first heat cycle or whether you should wait until after.

I personally wait but recommend you consult your vet to see if your dog meets the health and dietary standards needed for safe delivery.

image of English bulldog puppy with mother

How Long Does It Take For An English Bulldog To Have Puppies?

English bulldogs average 12-week pregnancy and go into heat every 6 months. This heat cycle is divided into 4 distinctive stages and lasts eighteen to twenty-one days.

Your English Bulldog’s four reproductive cycles include stages named Proestrus, Estrus, Diestrus, and Anestrus.

Month 1

In month one, she may go through morning sickness, decreased movement, affectionate behavior, enlarged nipples, and an increase in appetite.

Month 2

In the second month, she may go through increased urination, a fifty-percent weight gain, increased appetite, and movements of puppies in her abdomen.

Month 3

Nesting behavior will be apparent in the third month including digging, panting, or restless panting behavior, a drop in body temperature, appetite loss and a trimmer waist as the pups move into her lower birthing canal.

Read Also: >> How do you correctly pick up a Bulldog puppy?

What Are The Signs That Your English Bulldog Is Having Puppies?

The most noticeable sign of pregnancy is when the mammary tissue starts to swell. Female Dogs have multiple mammary glands that run on either side of their abdomen that fill up with milk weeks before birth.

Another first sign is an increase in appetite. A mother could have 3 or 4 puppies inside of which she will have to compensate for the growth of.

It follows that the abdominal cavity is going to start getting larger, closer to the time of giving birth. This is due to eating so much and due to the bulk size of her puppies.

How does having puppies affect your English Bulldog?

During the pregnancy, you can expect to see again in weight, increased appetite, and tiredness.

After birth, your English bully will need lots of care, rest, and regular checkups to ensure a full recovery. This is why an increased period for recovery is needed in comparison to other breeds.

You may be required to help with the litter. When she is recovering the newborn puppies should be never left alone due to the risk of being crushed by the mother.

How do English Bulldogs Having Puppies Compare to other Breeds?

Most breeds will generally have around 8 puppies in a litter whilst English Bulldogs average half. This is due to their smaller body size narrow hips resulting in a smaller womb.

Naturally, this limits the womb to a smaller-sized litter that would pose potential risks to health when exceeded.

Many English Bulldogs cannot get pregnant naturally and instead use artificial insemination to selectively breed.

Puppies are then surgically removed but later may experience breathing issues, skin problems, and skeletal difficulties.

Read Also: >> What are the best clothes for a Bulldog?

Conclusion 

Because of their large flat-faced heads, English bulldogs have difficulty giving birth. because of this, a C-section is required with a healthy diet regular exercise, and a higher count of fatty acids.

Breeding is not recommended until after the first heat cycle with this breed reaching sull sexual maturity at 12 to 15 months.

Jennifer Cosculluela

Jennifer Cosculluela

Jennifer Cosculluela graduated magna cum laude in Marketing from the State University of New York’s F.I.T and was a Presidential Scholar, specializing in Shakespearean Studies. She also has an AB Psychology Degree from De La Salle University Bacolod and when not writing, loves to spend time with her daughter Margarita and bake cookies and lasagna for her loving husband Sebastian.

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Jennifer Cosculluela

Jennifer Cosculluela

Jennifer Cosculluela graduated magna cum laude in Marketing from the State University of New York’s F.I.T and was a Presidential Scholar, specializing in Shakespearean Studies. She also has an AB Psychology Degree from De La Salle University Bacolod and when not writing, loves to spend time with her daughter Margarita and bake cookies and lasagna for her loving husband Sebastian.

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