Old English Bulldog

The Old English Bulldog (or the Olde English Bulldogge) was developed in the late 20th century as a recreation of the Old English Bulldog of the 16th-19th centuries. The original Old English Bulldog was developed specially for bull baiting, which explains its exaggerated appearance: short muzzle, undershot bite, large head, massive body, short legs, and short coat. A present-day Bulldog has gone too far from the original breed standard after bull baiting was banned and the breed lost its original function. To recreate the appearance of the ancient breed, David Leavitt, the first breeder, crossbred the English Bulldog with the American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, and American Pit Bull Terrier.

The current breed standard for the Old English Bulldog was developed in 2007 by the Leavitt Bulldog Association and the Olde English Bulldogge Kennel Club. The standard for this breed is not very strict; it emphasizes the working abilities, personality, and health of the new breed, but not its appearance. The new standard was prepared for the UKC (the United Kennel Club) that plans official recognition of the breed within its Canine Developmental Health and Performance Registry.

The Old English Bulldog should stand between 16 and 20 inches at the withers and weigh from 50 to 80 pounds. The ideal dog of this breed is muscular, stocky, compact, and well balanced, without excessive heaviness – a typical appearance of a dog capable of baiting a bull. The coat of the Old English Bulldog is short, glossy, and lying close to the body. A variety of coat colors is accepted in this breed: black, gray, brindle, fawn, red, and white. Solid and brindle dogs may have white spots. The only eye color in the Old English Bulldog is brown; the nose color should be black.

The personality of the Old English Bulldog is inherited from the present-day English Bulldog, but not from a bull-baiter of the 19th century. Though very strong, protective, courageous, and alert, these dogs are very gentle and affectionate with their families. They make good guards, companions for sport, and playmates for children. Intelligent, confident, and self-assured, the Old English Bulldog needs a strong hand in housebreaking and training.