Everyone knows the Bulldog and the Chihuahua. Fewer people are aware of their unbelievable adorable cross-breed, the Bullhuahua. There are three varieties of Bullhuahua: English, French and American. The nationality of each variety depends on the nationality of the Bulldog it originates from.
These pups are less common but are increasing in popularity across the country. The Bullhuahua combines the perkiness and cuteness of the Chihuahua and the friendly intelligence of the Bulldog.
This unusual cross-breed has, in many ways, created the ideal pet. Although a somewhat unorthodox mix, this pooch has a killer personality and the adorable looks to go with it.
If you want to know more about the Bullhuahua dog breed and understand how the English, American and French breeds differ, this is the perfect post for you! We’ll be exploring how each of these breed varieties differ and defining what it is that makes this unusual cross breed an ideal pet in today’s society.
Bullhuahua Dog Breed History
The Bullhuahua dog breed is one of the most unusual looking designer dog breeds. The Bulldog-Chihuahua hybrid mixes the short and stumpy bulldog with the miniature and lean Chihuahua. Despite this unorthodox mixing, the Bullhuahua dog breed is rapidly increasing in popularity, and numerous dog kennels across the country recognize these adorable dogs.
Although they may not have had the easiest history, today, we’re lucky enough to have several breeds of Bulldog still in existence. The Bullhuahua breed is bred using all the varieties of the Bulldog. I’m sure you’re familiar with the French Bulldog, American Bulldog, and English Bulldog. These lovable pups are among the most popular dog breeds in the world.
In this blog post, we’re going to be exploring the Bullhuahua origins and how different bulldog breeds influence the appearance, temperament and character of this breed.
American Vs English Vs French Bullhuahua
The Bulldog is one of the oldest dog breeds still in existence. Originally bred for bull-baiting, a now illegal sport, the Bulldog has an interesting and often saddening history.
After bull-baiting became illegal in England, the Bulldog no longer had a purpose and faced extinction. Luckily, lovers of this uber-friendly breed managed to save the humble Bulldog and bring them back from the edge of extinction. Although incredible news, this didn’t eliminate later issues for the breed, which is famous for its recurrent breathing issues.
This is where the Bullhuahua breed comes in. Originally, the Bullhuahua was bred as an attempt to try and lessen the Bulldogs breathing problems. The pure-bred Bulldog is susceptible to numerous health issues, and cross-breeding can help lessen these concerns.
You’re probably wondering, did this work? Well, yes and no. The Bullhuahua is less susceptible to the health concerns common in the Bulldog, however, it is still at risk of inheriting these health issues. As a Bullhuahua owner, you must make yourself aware of these potential risks— we’ll be exploring this further in the post.
First, let’s break down the different varieties of Bullhuahua and where these originate from.
American Bullhuahua
The American Bullhuahua crosses the Chihuahua and the American bulldog. This breed is recognized by the DRA (Dog Registry of America) and is becoming increasingly popular as a pet in American homes.
The American Bulldog descends from the British Bulldog. It’s believed that the American bulldog first emerged when the British travelled to America with their working dogs. Since then, the American Bulldog has become a symbol of American strength and power.
The Chihuahua and American Bulldog are significantly different in size. As a result of this size difference, most of the Bullhuahua dogs we see are the result of multi-generation breeding.
An unusual looking animal, the American Bullhuahua has a round head with big round eyes and erect ears. Generally, this American Bullhuahua is muscular but can be either more stocky or leaner.
Remember, as is the case with all cross-breeds, a pup can look more like either one of its parents.
English Bullhuahua
As you’ve probably guessed, the English Bullhuahua originates from a Chihuahua and English Bulldog cross.
The English Bulldog is slightly smaller than the American and is best known for its squished facial features. This popular bulldog bred has a pushed-in face, an underbite and a wrinkly face and body. The English Bulldog remains one of the most popular dog breeds. They’re the perfect loving companion and watchful guard dog. These breeds are immediately identifiable and have been beloved by millions.
Unfortunately, the English Bulldog is susceptible to an array of health concerns. These pups suffer from severe breathing problems, skin conditions, eye problems and chronic pain. While the English Bullhuahua is less susceptible to these issues, it’s crucial that as a Bullhuahua owner, you’re aware of your pets ancestral history.
As is to be expected, the appearance and temperament of the English Bullhuahua will vary based on what it inherits from its parents. Generally, the English-derived Bullhuahua is stockier and stronger looking. This variation tends to have a strong jaw and a low yet long muscular body.
French Bullhuahua
Last but not least is the French Bullhuahua. The French Bullhuahua mixes the uber-cute French Bulldog with the equally adorable Chihuahua. Sometimes labelled the ‘Mexican Frenchie’, these pups have the signature pointy ears of both their parents and are usually smaller than their English or British counterparts.
This Bullhuahua variation is known for being more vocal than the English or American. Their inherent yappy nature means many apartment-livers are adopting these small-sized dogs to keep guard. The French Bullhuahua is perfect for guarding smaller homes. They’re small in size but with loud voices. Your French Bullhuahua will have no problems calling you if they’re concerned.
Bullhuahua Dog Breed Physical Appearance
As mentioned previously, the appearance of your cross-breed pooch will vary depending on its lineage. Some pups will look more like the pocket-sized Chihuahua, while others might be wrinkly and muscular like the strong standing Bulldog. One of the most wonderful things about the Bullhuahua breed is that no two dogs look the same. Every Bullhuahua is distinctive and special in its own way!
Of course, the English, American and French Bullhuahua all have contrasting distinguishing features, but for the most part, these pooches don’t look all too different. You’ll definitely be able to spot a Bullhuahua in your local dog park if you know what you’re looking for.
Bullhuahua Dog Breed Coat and Grooming
The Bullhuahua comes in almost every color you can imagine! Due to their parent’s diverse color palette, you can find Bullhuahuas in brown, gold, black, blue, brindle, brown, merle, cream, tan. These colors may be solid, or might be mixed together to create a beautifully unique patterned coat.
Bullhuahua’s coats are generally short and smooth, requiring little maintenance. However, if your Bullhuahua’s physical appearance is most similar to the Chihuahua, their coat could be longer, requiring more attention.
Brush your short-haired Bullhuahua daily with a short bristled brush. Remember to brush their teeth and trim their claws frequently. Bathing should be kept to a minimum.
If your Bullhuahua happens to have longer fur, you might want to consider trips to the groomers. A longer-furred pooch requires more physical upkeep. You can learn how to care for your furry friend yourself or take them to the dog groomers.
Bullhuahua Dog Breed Health and Life Expectancy
The Bullhuahua has a decent life expectancy, ranging from ten to fifteen years. English Bulldogs generally live for eight to ten years, and the French and American Bulldog averages around ten to fourteen years. The Bullhuahua’s life expectancy is just slightly above its Bulldog parents and just below its Chihuahua parent who can live from anywhere between ten and twenty years!
As mentioned previously, it’s widely believed that cross-bred dogs have better health than purebred breeds. This might be the case, but it doesn’t mean you can neglect your dog’s health. Owning a pet is a lot of responsibility. One of the key elements of this responsibility is understanding the potential health risks your dog could face during its lifetime.
Originating from one of the breeds infamous for its health issues (the Bulldog, particularly the English Bulldog) means your dog is unfortunately at risk of inheriting some of these problems. The most common issues related to the Bullhuahua’s health are concerning eyes, respiratory system, and orthopaedics. Cardiac, brain function, glucose levels, and reproductive abilities are also minor concerns.
Unfortunately, your beloved furry friend may encounter these issues during their lifetime:
- Hypoglycemia
- Patellar Luxation
- Hydrocephalus
- Stenotic Nares
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Shoulder Luxation
- Skin Allergies
- Ectropion
- Urethral Prolapse
- Vaginal Hyperplasia
- Pulmonic Stenosis
- Hip Dysplasia
- Distichiasis
- Hydrocephalus
- Stenotic Nares
- Patella Luxation
- Overbite
- Cherry Eye
- Keratoconjunctivitis
Of course, your beloved pup isn’t destined to get these illnesses, and they could live a long and healthy life with no major health concerns. But, as an owner of a cross-breed dog, whether they’re British, French, or American variations, it’s crucial to be aware of health risks!
Bullhuahua Dog Breed Temperament
The Bullhuahua’s personality is unlike any other. Friendly and hardworking from the Bulldog and excited yet stubborn like the Chihuahua, owning a Bullhuahua is unlike owning any other breed. There are dominant characteristics that show up in the French, English and American Bullhuahua. These personality traits include:
- Protective
- Friendly
- Stubborn
- Excitable
- Needy
- Sassy
- Playful
- Intelligent
- Sensitive
- Smart
- Compassionate
The French Bullhuahua has one key difference compared to the American and English; the French Bullhuahua is infamous for its vocal cords. The Bullhuahua is yappier and more talkative than its English and American counterparts.
Separation anxiety occurs in all varieties of the breed. Every Bullhuahua demands a lot of attention and training from a young age. Training from a young age helps keep their less desirable characteristics at bay.
Bullhuahua Dog Breed Exercise and Training
While the Bullhuahua is ideal for apartment living, this does not mean exercise and training can be neglected. Training and keeping your dog active is just as vital with the Bullhuahua as it is in any other breed.
The Bullhuahua is a highly intelligent breed of dog. Their stubbornness can, at times, make it difficult to act on this intelligence. Early obedience training is crucial to avoid difficulties with training later in life.
Train your pup as early as possible, and ensure they’re exposed and socializing with an array of people and other animals. This breed is extremely protective of its owner. Their protective nature is both a blessing and a curse. While it means they have unbounded loyalty towards you, it can also mean they’re averse to other people/animals. Overcome this personality trait by socializing them at a young age.
Naturally, the Bullhuahua isn’t great with other animals. Training and socializing can help improve this, but it’s important to be aware that being best friends with another dog or a kitten in the home doesn’t tend to be a part of their nature.
Thirty minutes of exercise a day is enough for this low-maintenance breed. They have medium energy levels, and therefore a trip to the park or a long walk every day is enough activity. Thirty minutes might not seem like much, however, this is hugely valuable to your pets day. Don’t skip out on providing your dog with the exercise it needs.
Your Bullhuahua can become bored easily. This boredom may manifest in further stubbornness and anguish. Provide your pup with engaging toys and games to avoid this boredom manifesting in their behaviors.
Bullhuahua Dog Breed Nutrition
The Bullhuahua breed doesn’t require masses of food on account of them being relatively small dog breeds. 1-2 cups of dry kibble a day is enough for your Bullhuahua. Do not overfeed your pet. The Bullhuahua can be prone to weight gain and problems with obesity.
Rewarding your pooch with a yummy snack when they behave well is standard in dog training. Owning a pup prone to obesity means you need to be more cautious about how much more food they’re consuming during this period.
Bullhuahua Dog Breed Summary
There are minor differences in the appearance and attitudes of the English, American and French Bullhuahua dog breed. For the most part, these dogs are almost identical, and we bet you’d struggle to tell them apart on a trip to the local dog part.
There are small differences that might impact your Bullhuahua breed preference. For example, if you want a loud and proud guard dog, the French Bullhuahua is best suited. Alternatively, if you want a breed that’s stockier rather than lean, you might opt for the English over the American Bullhuahua. These differences are minor but are essential to consider when investing in a Bullhuahua.
No matter the nationality of your pup, this breed is undeniably loyal, loving, and full of life. Owning a Bullhuahua is significantly easier than some larger dogs (i.e. the purebred English Bulldog).
This ease isn’t to say you can reject your dog-owner responsibilities. There’s a lot to learn about this unique breed, and as a breed owner, you have a duty to understand health risks, training needs, and exercise demands.
This post has provided all the essential information you need to understand this wonderful breed and have a long and loving relationship with a Bullhuahua of any nationality.
Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.