English Bulldog: more than 8 litters in 10 are born by caesarean
"She'll whelp on her own, we'll see how it goes": in an English Bulldog, that sentence can cost a bitch her life. Breeding the breed is a planned medical procedure, not a natural event you let happen. Our piece on brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in the English Bulldog covers its breathing; this one covers whelping, a subject whose numbers are rarely stated plainly.
More than 80% of litters
The study by K. M. Evans and V. J. Adams, published in 2010 in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, remains the reference: a cross-sectional survey of breed club members covering 151 breeds, 13,141 bitches and 22,005 litters (study on Google Scholar). In the English Bulldog, French Bulldog and Boston Terrier, the proportion of litters born by caesarean exceeds 80%, with the English Bulldog around 86%. The ten breeds with the highest rates are, in order, the Boston Terrier, Bulldog, French Bulldog, Mastiff, Scottish Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, German Wirehaired Pointer, Clumber Spaniel, Pekingese and Dandie Dinmont Terrier. So roughly one Bulldog litter in seven is born naturally: that is the exception, not the rule.
Why the proportion is so high
Three factors stack up. First, foetal-pelvic disproportion: a wide head and shoulders against a narrow, poorly angled pelvis. Second, uterine inertia, common in breeds with small litters of large puppies. Third, anaesthetic risk, which makes an emergency procedure at night on an already exhausted bitch far more dangerous than a planned caesarean timed on ovulation. That is the whole point: a Bulldog caesarean is planned, with progesterone testing, not endured.
A fragility that does not stop at whelping
The study by D. G. O'Neill and colleagues, published in 2022 in Canine Medicine and Genetics, compares 2,662 English Bulldogs with 22,039 dogs of other breeds under primary veterinary care in the UK (study on Google Scholar). The Bulldog has 2.04 times the odds of at least one disorder diagnosed in the year, and is predisposed to 24 of the 43 disorders analysed — including skin fold dermatitis, with an odds ratio of 38.12, and prolapsed nictitating membrane gland at 26.79. That context matters for a breeding bitch: she stacks respiratory, skin and obstetric risks together.
What to take from it
For a private owner the conclusion is clear: breeding a Bulldog without specialist veterinary follow-up, without a counting ultrasound and without a caesarean date set in advance is not a saving, it is a gamble. For a buyer, it also explains puppy prices. The rest of the breed's profile is on its profile page, and daily care in our dog care and grooming section.
The insurance point, often misunderstood
Pregnancy, whelping and caesarean section are excluded from almost every French pet health policy: these are costs to set aside yourself, not to insure. The breed's chronic conditions — skin, eyes, airways — are covered, provided you sign up before they appear. Our benchmarks are on insuring an English Bulldog.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Bulldog bitch whelp naturally?
It happens, but stays a minority. The decision is made on imaging and hormone monitoring, never on a gamble.
How many caesareans can a bitch tolerate?
The question arises from the second one, and the answer depends on the state of the uterus seen at surgery. Many vets suggest spaying during the final caesarean.
Is a caesarean reimbursed by pet health insurance?
Not in the vast majority of policies, which exclude everything related to reproduction. Check the clause before signing if this concerns you.
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Dogs universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.