Do You Know Your UK Bull Breeds? From Staffies to Bulldogs
- Advanced Animal Care
- Oct 8
- 6 min read
Core Bull Breeds in the UK
These are widely recognized bull breeds with a presence in the UK:
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English Bulldog
Status: Very popular in the UK, often seen as a national symbol. Recognized by the Kennel Club (Utility Group).
Notes: Known for its distinctive wrinkled face and compact build. Common as a companion dog but faces health concerns due to brachycephalic features.
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Status: One of the most popular bull breeds in the UK, highly regarded for its loyalty and affectionate nature. Recognized by the Kennel Club (Terrier Group).
Notes: Often called “Staffies,” they’re a favourite family pet despite historical fighting roots. Not banned but subject to scrutiny under dangerous dog laws if poorly trained.
3. Bull Terrier
Status: Recognized by the Kennel Club (Terrier Group), moderately popular.
Notes: Distinctive egg-shaped head, known for playfulness and energy. Miniature Bull Terriers are also recognized in the UK.
4.French Bulldog
Status: Extremely popular in the UK, consistently ranking among the top breeds registered with the Kennel Club (Utility Group).
Notes: Loved for its compact size and bat-like ears, but health issues (e.g., breathing problems) are a concern
5.Boxer
Status: Popular and recognized by the Kennel Club (Working Group).
Notes: Known for its athleticism and playful demeanor, often used as a family or guard dog.
6.American Bulldog
Status: Less common than UK-native breeds but present, particularly among enthusiasts. Not recognized by the Kennel Club but by other registries like the UKC.
Notes: Athletic and protective, sometimes confused with banned breeds, so owners must ensure compliance with regulations.
7.Olde English Bulldogge
Status: Rare in the UK, not recognized by the Kennel Club but gaining interest among those seeking healthier bulldog alternatives.
Notes: Bred to resemble the original, more athletic bulldogs.
8.Bullmastiff
Status:
Recognized by the Kennel Club (Working Group), moderately popular.
Notes: Large and powerful, used as a guard dog, known for its calm temperament when trained.
9.Cane Corso
Status: Growing in popularity, recognized by the Kennel Club (Working Group).
Notes: An Italian Molosser with bull breed traits, used for guarding. Requires experienced handling.
10.Presa Canario (Dogo Canario) Status: Rare in the UK, not recognized by the Kennel Club but known among enthusiasts.
Notes: Subject to strict scrutiny under the Dangerous Dogs Act due to its size and strength. Owners may need an exemption certificate.
11.American Bully
Status: Moderately present among enthusiasts (especially Standard and Micro variants), not recognized by the Kennel Club but by registries like the UKC and ABKC. Not banned overall, but XL variants are prohibited.
Notes: A modern U.S. breed from the 1980s-1990s, developed from American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and English Bulldogs. Known for its muscular build, loyalty, and compact size in non-XL types. Popular for companionship; ensure your dog doesn't meet XL criteria to avoid legal issues.
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Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Variant) Status:
Not a separate Kennel Club-recognized breed but a popular working strain of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, bred in Ireland for agility and endurance. Gaining traction in the UK among enthusiasts for sports like weight pulling and hog hunting simulations—legal and unrestricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Notes: Taller and leaner than standard Staffies (up to 20-24 inches at shoulder, 35-50 lbs), with a muscular yet agile build from 19th-century crosses of Irish Bulldogs, terriers, and influences like the Blue Paul Terrier. Known for superior gameness, intelligence, and affectionate "nanny dog" temperament—courageous yet people-oriented. Ideal for active UK families; excels in training but needs firm, positive reinforcement to channel energy. Health watch: Hip dysplasia and skin issues common—supplement with joint support like our Hench Range for Canine Comfort. Pairs perfectly with durable leather collars for their strong necks during pulls. Temperament: Full-throttle in play and work, but highly trainable with a sense of humor—perfect urban companion when socialized early.
Banned but Notable Bull Breeds
(American Pit Bull Terrier: Banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 due to its historical use in dog fighting. It cannot be legally owned in the UK without a court-issued exemption certificate, which is rare. Dogs resembling this breed are often confiscated if not properly documented.
Dogo Argentino: Also banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 due to its strength and hunting background. Ownership requires a special exemption, making it extremely rare.
American XL Bully Banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (effective February 1, 2024) as a specific type due to its large size and involvement in incidents. Requires an exemption certificate, neutering, muzzling in public, and insurance. Over 59,000 registered by December 2024, but non-compliant dogs may be seized.
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Additional Bull Breeds in the UK
These breeds are less common or debated as bull breeds but may be found in the UK:
Boston Terrier Status: Recognized by the Kennel Club (Utility Group), moderately popular.
Notes: Small and companionable, with bulldog ancestry, but not always classified as a core bull breed.
Victorian Bulldog
Status: Very rare, not recognized by the Kennel Club.
Notes: Bred to mimic healthier, historical bulldogs. Limited presence in the UK.
Continental Bulldog Status: Extremely rare, not recognized by the Kennel Club.
Notes: A Swiss breed designed as a healthier alternative to the English Bulldog, with minimal UK presence.
Ca de Bou (Majorca Mastiff) Status: Rare, not recognized by the Kennel Club.
Notes: A Spanish breed with bulldog-like traits, occasionally imported by enthusiasts.
Valle Bulldog Status: Extremely rare, not recognized by the Kennel Club.
Notes: A Canadian Bulldog-Boxer cross, virtually unseen in the UK but occasionally mentioned in niche circles.
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Breeds Not Typically Found or Banned in the UK
American Pit Bull Terrier: Banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 due to its historical use in dog fighting. It cannot be legally owned in the UK without a court-issued exemption certificate, which is rare. Dogs resembling this breed are often confiscated if not properly documented.
Dogo Argentino: Also banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 due to its strength and hunting background. Ownership requires a special exemption, making it extremely rare.
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog: Very rare in the UK, not recognized by the Kennel Club, and may face scrutiny due to resemblance to banned breeds.
Catahoula Bulldog: Virtually nonexistent in the UK, as this is a U.S.-specific crossbreed not recognized by any major UK registry.
BanDog: Not a standardized breed, and any crosses resembling banned types (e.g., Pit Bull crosses) are illegal without exemption. Rarely seen in the UK.
BanDog: Not a standardized breed, and any crosses resembling banned types (e.g., Pit Bull crosses) are illegal without exemption. Rarely seen in the UK.
UK-Specific Context
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991
This UK law bans four breeds outright: American Pit Bull Terrier,
Dogo Argentino,
Japanese Tosa,
Fila Brasileiro (the latter two are not bull breeds).
Other bull breeds, like American Bulldogs or Presa Canarios, may be scrutinized if they resemble banned types or display aggressive behaviour. Owners must ensure their dogs are properly identified, registered, and trained to avoid issues.
Kennel Club Recognition:
The UK Kennel Club recognizes English Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, French Bulldog, Boxer, Bullmastiff, and Cane Corso. Other breeds like the American Bulldog or Olde English Bulldogge may be registered with alternative registries (e.g., UKC or breed-specific clubs) but lack KC status.
Popularity: French Bulldogs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among the most popular in the UK, with French Bulldogs ranking in the top three registered breeds in recent years (per Kennel Club data). English Bulldogs and Boxers also have strong followings, while breeds like the Presa Canario or Victorian Bulldog are niche.
Health Concerns: Brachycephalic breeds like English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs face increasing scrutiny in the UK due to breathing and health issues, with campaigns to promote healthier breeding standards.
Final Thought
In the UK, the primary bull breed dogs are English Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, French Bulldog, Boxer, American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, and Presa Canario. Additional breeds like Boston Terrier, Victorian Bulldog, Continental Bulldog, Ca de Bou, and Valle Bulldog are less common or rare. The American Pit Bull Terrier and Dogo Argentino are banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, and breeds like Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog and Catahoula Bulldog are virtually nonexistent in the UK. This list covers all relevant bull breeds in the UK context
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