Bulldog vs Curly-Coated Retriever: Breeds Comparison

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

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While Bulldog is a member of the Companion Group, Curly-Coated Retriever belongs to the group of Sporting Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

Bulldog vs Curly-Coated Retriever Size Comparison

Curly-Coated Retrievers are larger, with a typical height of 23 to 27 inches and weight of 65 to 100 pounds, while the typical height of Bulldog is 12 to 15 inches and they usually weigh 40 to 50 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Bulldog, Curly-Coated Retriever, American female, and American male.

Bulldog vs Curly-Coated Retriever lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 9 to 12 years, Curly-Coated Retrievers usually live longer than Bulldogs.

Bulldogs' lifespan is 8 to 12 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Bulldog and Curly-Coated Retriever compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name	Bulldog	Curly-Coated Retriever Breed photo is not available.
Traits
Breed Group	Companion Dogs	Sporting Dogs
Height	12 to 15 inches	23 to 27 inches
Weight	40 to 50 pounds	65 to 100 pounds
Life Span	8 to 12 years	9 to 12 years

Bulldog vs Curly-Coated Retriever adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Bulldogs have a better reputation as good apartment living dogs than Curly-Coated Retrievers.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Bulldogs and Curly-Coated Retrievers tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Curly-Coated Retriever tolerates hot weather better than Bulldog.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Curly-Coated Retriever tolerates cold weather better than Bulldog.

Bulldogs' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

Bulldog vs Curly-Coated Retriever temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Bulldog and Curly-Coated Retriever. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, Curly-Coated Retriever simply tends to do better.

Both Bulldog and Curly-Coated Retriever love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Curly-Coated Retriever will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, Bulldog hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

Both Bulldog and Curly-Coated Retriever are medium shedding dogs, so not great, not terrible. Preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary for these breeds.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Bulldog and choose Curly-Coated Retriever instead.

Bulldog vs Curly-Coated Retriever trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

Curly-Coated Retrievers are usually easier to train than Bulldogs.

If you choose one of these dogs, remember three pillars of dog training - Patience, persistence, and consistency play a huge role in successfully training your dog.

Finally, if you think you aren't capable of training your dog on your own, you might also consider getting professional help.

Do Bulldog and Curly-Coated Retriever need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Bulldogs have a medium level of exercise needs, while Curly-Coated Retrievers require a high intensity of exercise.

Bulldog or Curly-Coated Retriever: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Bulldogs and Curly-Coated Retrievers.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.