Bulldog puppies rate right up there with baby ducks and red-eyed tree frogs with regard to cuteness. With his little scrunched-up face and oversized paws, a bulldog puppy will grow into an adult dog with a face only a mother could love. Their weight progression depends on several factors.
Newborn Puppies
Bulldog de profil image by Olivier from Fotolia.com
Newborn bulldog puppies generally weigh between 10 and 14 ounces. Some breeders report caring for puppies significantly under this weight range, but the puppies will need to be fed more often in smaller portions than their average-weight litter mates. A more robust newborn puppy will be between 14 and18 ounces. Litter mates can vary in size.
Four to Five Weeks
Bulldog anglais image by Olivier from Fotolia.com
In about a month's time a bulldog puppy's weight will more than double from birth to 3 to 5 pounds. Larger puppies will weigh a little more, smaller puppies a little less. However, the size of the puppy at birth will not always be an indication of how much weight the puppy will put on in a month. The puppy's appetite, ability to suckle, the quality of the mother's milk and the puppy's stamina all come into play as the puppy grows. At this age and weight, the puppy is walking around.
Two to Three Months
Portrait of an english bulldog, with a sad look. image by Gabriela from Fotolia.com
At about two months the average bulldog puppy will weigh between 5 and 7 pounds. This is the period bulldog breeders refer to as the "gangly phase" because the puppies don't look at all like they will when they are adults. Their legs appear to be too long, their heads too small and their wrinkles will begin to disappear. This may have you wondering if your puppy is indeed a bulldog at all. Take heart, this awkward phase will soon disappear.
Four to Six Months
Beginning at about four months and continuing until your puppy is six months old, he will weigh between 11 and 17 pounds. Much of what the puppy weighs at this stage depends upon his diet and activity level. A bulldog puppy should be fed a high-quality, brand name puppy food. Puppy food labels include a feeding schedule to which you should adhere. If you are not feeding a commercially prepared food and are cooking for your dog or feeding a raw diet, consult the breeder or your veterinarian for feeding advice.
Six months to Adulthood
Bulldogs are considered puppies until they are about 18 months old. So your puppy should continue on a puppy food until that age. As your puppy grows into adulthood, he will put on an average of 6 pounds over the next six months, or about a pound a month if being fed a nutritious, growth-supporting diet. An adult female will ultimately weigh about 40 pounds, her male counterpart about 10 pounds more as they continue to put on muscle and "fill out" over the next two years.
References
Writer Bio
Michelle A. Rivera is the author of many books and articles. She attended the University of Missouri Animal Cruelty School and is certified with the Florida Animal Control Association. She is the executive director of her own nonprofit, Animals 101, Inc. Rivera is an animal-assisted therapist, humane educator, former shelter manager, rescue volunteer coordinator, dog trainer and veterinary technician.