The Olde English Bulldogge is a breed that's steeped in history and tradition. They're a recreation of the original English Bulldog, which was a favorite of Queen Victoria.
Their physical characteristics are quite distinctive, with a sturdy build and a flat, wrinkled face. They typically weigh between 40-55 pounds and stand between 10-14 inches tall at the shoulder.
Their temperament is one of the breed's most appealing features - they're known for being calm, gentle, and affectionate.
Physical Characteristics
The Olde English Bulldogge is a muscular, medium-sized dog with a sturdy build. They have a wide, deep chest and a muscular brisket.
Their neck is medium length, wide, and slightly arched, forming a double dewlap. It's slightly smaller than the head at their junction.
Their hind legs are well muscled and have the appearance of being slightly longer than the forelegs. Viewed from the rear, the hind legs should be straight, parallel, and set apart.
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Body
The body of an Olde English Bulldogge is sturdy and powerful, with a slightly rectangular shape when viewed from the side. This unique physique is due to the dog's muscular brisket and well-sprung ribs.
A distinct tuck between the ribs and hindquarters is a desirable feature, indicating a well-proportioned body. This tuck is a key characteristic of the breed.
The chest is wide and deep, providing ample space for the dog's lungs and heart. This is essential for the breed's athletic ability and endurance.
A narrow rib cage is considered a fault, indicating a potential issue with the dog's overall health and well-being. This is something to look out for when evaluating a potential companion.
The topline of the body rises over the loin, creating a slight roach-like appearance. This is a natural feature of the breed and should not be cause for concern.
The Neck
The neck is a distinctive feature of this animal, and it's worth noting that it's medium length, wide, and slightly arched.
Its width is particularly noticeable at the point of the shoulders, where it widens out slightly.
The neck is slightly smaller than the head at their junction, which creates a noticeable transition.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters of this breed are quite impressive, with well-muscled hind legs that appear slightly longer than the forelegs.
Viewed from the rear, the hind legs should be straight, parallel and set apart, with moderate angulation.
In fact, any deviation from this ideal can be considered a fault, with cow-hocked or bow-hocked hind legs being particularly undesirable.
Tail
A full tail is preferred, and it's often referred to as a crank or pump handle tail. Straight tails are also acceptable.
The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline, and it tapers to a point. A docked tail is acceptable, but not preferred.
The tail is carried low and extends approximately to the hock when the dog is relaxed. It's carried level with the back when the dog is moving. When the dog is excited, the tail may be carried in a raised, upright position, but never curled over the back.
Faults include tail curling 360 degrees or being carried up over the back.
Color
When it comes to color, you have a few options to consider. The breed accepts brindle and solid colors, with or without white.
Brindle is a unique pattern of black or tan hairs with a lighter or darker background color. You can find shades of red brindle, fawn brindle, brown brindle, and grey brindle, either solid or pied.
Accepted solid colors include white, fawn, red, and black, with or without white. White, in particular, is a popular choice.
Disqualifications for color include albinism, blue, and black with rust/mahogany/tan trim.
Health and Care
The Olde English Bulldogge is a relatively healthy breed, assuming you get your puppy from a reputable breeder. They're less prone to breathing, dental, hip, and joint issues compared to some other bulldog breeds.
Many Olde English Bulldogge breeders have successfully outcrossed them with other breeds to introduce new genetics and reduce the risk of inherited disorders. This is especially important in breeds that have been inbred for a long time.
With proper care, nutrition, and regular grooming, you can help prevent common ailments like allergies, dental disease, and obesity in your Olde English Bulldogge.
Health and Conditions
Olde English Bulldogges are a typically healthy breed, assuming you're purchasing your puppy from a reputable Leavitt breeder. Your Bulldogge should have no breathing, dental, hip, or joint issues.
Many Swiss dog breeders have outcrossed Bulldogs with the Olde English Bulldogge to create the Continental Bulldog, bringing the Bulldog into compliance with animal rights.
The Olde English Bulldogge may be a healthier breed than many modern bulldog breeds, thanks to its genetic diversity.
A 2016 study published in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology examined genetic diversity among 102 registered Bulldogs, suggesting the Olde English Bulldogge as an outcross candidate to introduce new genetics.
All dogs, regardless of breed, can still develop allergies, dental disease, obesity, tick and flea-borne illnesses, and more.
Grooming
Grooming is an essential part of caring for your Olde English Bulldogge.
Their wrinkled skin requires regular cleanings, especially if they have a lot of wrinkles, which should be done weekly in addition to ear cleanings and nail trims.
Their medium-short coats are relatively low maintenance, but a monthly bath with a pet-safe shampoo is a good idea, especially if they get dirty.
It's also a good idea to clean those wrinkles regularly to keep your Olde English Bulldogge healthy and happy.
For your interest: English Bulldog Wrinkles
Temperament and Behavior
The Olde English Bulldogge is a wonderfully affectionate and submissive breed that loves their family. They love to play, are high-spirited, and never shy away from snuggles or work.
An overly shy Olde English Bulldogge is considered a breeding fault but is likely from poor socialization in puppyhood. Breeders take great care to ensure your puppy is well-socialized.
Olde English Bulldogges are highly affectionate and playful with the whole family, making them excellent family pets. They can adapt to any environment as long as they have their owners to keep them company.
Temperament and Behavior
The Olde English Bulldogge is a unique breed with a rich history. They were originally bred by David Leavitt to maintain the original breeding aims and distinguish his line from other breeders.
These dogs are known for their gentle nature, but it's essential to find a reputable breeder to ensure you get a 100% genetically pure puppy. You can find a list of breeders through the Leavitt Bulldog Association.
Take a look at this: Leavitt Bulldog
Olde English Bulldogges are not typically found in shelters, so you'll need to work with a breeder to find a puppy. If your puppy doesn't come with registration papers, it's likely not a purebred.
Breeders through the Leavitt Bulldog Association put their puppies through extensive medical screening to ensure they're healthy and well-bred. This is a top-notch way to guarantee you're getting a beautiful and healthy puppy.
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Bulldogge Temperament & Intelligence
The Olde English Bulldogge is a wonderfully affectionate and submissive breed that loves their family. They love to play, are high-spirited, and never shy away from snuggles or work.
An overly shy Olde English Bulldogge is considered a breeding fault but is likely from poor socialization in puppyhood. This highlights the importance of proper socialization from an early age.
Olde English Bulldogges are highly intelligent and can adapt to any environment as long as they have their owners to keep them company. They can be trained to overcome occasional same-sex aggression with other dogs.
In fact, Olde English Bulldogges make excellent family pets and love to socialize with children and other pets, including small ones. However, they do require proper socialization and training to ensure they interact well with others.
Information
Temperament and behavior are closely linked, with certain personalities being more prone to specific behaviors.
Some individuals have a naturally more anxious temperament, which can lead to behaviors such as excessive grooming or pacing.
Research has shown that certain breeds, like the German Shepherd, are more prone to anxiety-based behaviors due to their high energy levels and strong herding instincts.
A calm and even temperament is essential for a well-behaved dog, as it helps them to better cope with stress and new situations.
Dogs with a calm temperament tend to be less reactive to their environment, which can lead to fewer behavioral issues.
In contrast, a high-strung temperament can lead to behaviors such as barking, whining, and destructive chewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What two breeds make an Olde English Bulldog?
The Olde English Bulldogge is a cross between the American Bulldog and the English Bulldog. This unique blend creates a breed with improved health and characteristics.
What is the difference between English Bulldog and Olde English Bulldog?
Olde English Bulldogges are taller and heavier than English Bulldogs, with fewer skin folds and health issues due to better proportioning
Sources
- "Olde English Bulldogges" (google.com)
- Leavitt Bulldog Association (leavittbulldogassociation.com)
- https://leavittbulldogassociation.com/standard (leavittbulldogassociation.com)
- Breed Standards : Olde English Bulldogge (ukcdogs.com)
- Olde English Bulldogge Dog Breed Information and Pictures (dogbreedinfo.com)
- Olde English Bulldogge Dog Breed Temperament, Health ... (petguide.com)
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