Olde English Bulldog

Olde English Bulldogge for Sale: Reasserting a Mascot’s Prowess and Vitality

As concerns about the English Bulldog’s critical health problems and small gene pool grow amidst its explosive popularity, fanciers eye alternatives such as the Olde English Bulldogge. The Olde Bulldog may provide a means to introduce fresh blood to an all-time favorite, thus saving it, while also giving enthusiasts a healthier alternative to the British Bulldog. Olde English Bulldog puppies for sale are even-tempered, courageous dogs with a build that appeals to those who love the undershot jaw, broad chest, and menacing expression. Plus, this bulldog brings enough athleticism to keep up with semi-active families.

Olde English Bulldogge for Sale Overview

The Old English Bulldog for sale is an ongoing project as of 2020 and beyond. Founders sought to recreate the Bulldog of 16th through 18th century England that was powerful yet athletic. Such dogs existed into the early 1800s and were vastly different from the bowlegged, squat, flat-faced English Bulldog that is such a popular pet of the 2000s. Fanciers continue to strive for the healthier and more mobile resurrection of an old line.

History of Bulldogs

Bulldogs originated from Molossers in the 1100s, one of them possibly being the Alaunt. The Alaunt itself came from early Mastiff types of Asia and central Europe and passed on its wide chest, powerful limbs, loose skin, massive head, and somewhat shortened muzzle to the Bulldog. The Alaunt was likely a hunting dog while the Bulldog learned to be a catch animal for pigs, cattle, and horses. Later, the Bulldog would specialize in handling cattle, holding bulls by the nose until a farmer arrived. Unfortunately, this skill turned into a bloodsport, and dogs were selected for shorter legs and a more powerful undershot jaw. They were still far more athletic than the pet English Bulldogs to come. In 1835, laws banning cruelty to animals were finally being enforced against bull- and bear-baiting. Bulldogs were no longer useful in their present form and underwent several transformations, eventually becoming extinct through outbreeding.

• England – Pit Bull types, pet Bulldog, Toy Bulldog, French Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier
• America – American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier
• Germany – Boxer

Resurrected

David Leavitt of Pennsylvania founded the Olde English Bulldog in 1971 based on a mix of a half English Bulldog and the other half split evenly between the American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, and another Bully breed of variable ancestry. Leavitt aimed for a particular type and temperament. He wanted a friendlier dog than the bull-baiters which reached their prime in the 1700s. The Olde English Bulldog Club was formed in 2001, and full recognition of the breed by the UKC took place in 2014. Olde English Bulldogs bred true after several generations, although some groups still experiment with different outcrosses to develop specific qualities they prefer. Dogs that adhere to the original design of the Olde English Bulldog are also referred to as Leavitt Bulldogs.

Temperament

An Olde English Bulldog has an outgoing working dog temperament. He is neither shy nor aggressive, showing friendliness to everyone. He is alert, self-assured, and affectionate with his family. The breed is strong, loyal, and stable. These bulldogs get along with children and other dogs. Although powerful, they are not as rambunctious as some other breeds. It is still not advisable to leave them or any dog alone with small kids. Early training is key to tolerating other household pets, but their prey drive may forbid them from ever being trustworthy around small animals.

Conformation Highlights

The Olde English Bulldog for sale is a medium-sized balanced dog with a broad chest and wide-based stance in the front. Your first impression should be of a sturdy, heavily muscled yet agile dog.

• Head – large but proportional; the head should have a circumference that equals the dog’s shoulder height with prominent cheekbones and powerful well-developed jaws; undershot lower jaw
• Ears – rose preferred but can also be tulip (called bat ears on a Frenchie; upright and large with rounded tips) or button; wide-spaced
• Muzzle – somewhat short and deep; length a third of the overall length of the head
• Eyes – medium-sized, almond-shaped, brown, wide-spaced, and dark-rimmed
• Neck is wide with medium length
• Shoulders broad and powerful causing the strong forelegs to be wide set
• Back – wide and well-muscled
• Body – muscular and slightly longer than dog is tall
• Croup arched to the tail
• Loin medium in length and slightly higher than shoulders
• Hind legs – muscular and slightly longer than forelegs; set closer together than front limbs
• Tail – pump handle or crank preferred (long and carried just below the topline with a slight undulation upward at the midpoint); can also be straight down to the hocks; tapers from a wide base to a point

Size

When Old English Bulldog puppies for sale are ready to go to their new homes, they weigh between eight and sixteen pounds before the age of twelve weeks. As adults, males will weigh a little more than a large Pit Bull Terrier at 60 to 80 pounds while females are from 50 to 70 pounds. Olde Bulldogs are about 16 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders.

Colors

According to the UKC, an Olde English Bulldog for sale can be solid red, black, white, or fawn. Dogs can have moderate white markings or be piebald. Solid white dogs are not albino. The other acceptable color is brindle which comes in shades of grey, fawn, or red. A blue Olde English Bulldog cannot place in conformation shows. Another disqualification is a black dog with tan or mahogany points. The International Olde English Bulldogge Association is much more permissive.

• Black & tan
• Tricolor – Black, lilac, or chocolate with tan and white
• Chocolate (red) – red nose
• Blue or blue & white – diluted black
• Sable – banded hairs from light base to dark tips
• Trindle – tricolor dog with brindle
• Seal
• Merle – blue or chocolate

Are Olde English Bulldogs Healthier?

Olde English Bulldog puppies for sale can live nine to fourteen years and appear significantly healthier than some of the other Bulldogs.

Olde English Bulldogge for Sale – What to Expect about Care

An Olde English Bulldogge has low maintenance requirements.

Grooming

• Brush once per week – short harsh outer coat with soft, thin underfur
• Brush teeth at least twice weekly – introduce toothbrush to young pups
• Clip nails every 4 to 8 weeks
• Bathe every 6 to 8 weeks; bathe weekly when allergies are present
• Wipe folds daily – they do not have as many wrinkles as English Bulldog
• Check ears every few days and clean every 2 weeks

Exercise

Your Olde English Bulldog should generally be happy with 35 to 45 minutes of exercise a day. While they are active dogs, Olde Bulldogs do not have much stamina for marathon running or jogging. They do better with short and intense bursts of activity. Puppies need your primary focus to be on socialization and basic training. Adults require continuous training to help provide a steady source of mental stimulation. Olde English Bulldogs do not fare well in either excessively hot or cold climates. Temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity nearing 20% or more are particularly concerning because they can set any bulldog up for heatstroke. Avoid any outdoor activity for your dog in such conditions.

Feeding

English Bulldogges are only moderately active and prone to packing on unhealthy weight. It is crucial that you watch calories closely on any bulldog. The Olde English Bulldog requires 1080 to 1495 calories per day which you should split into at least two meals a day. Growing puppies may require as much as two and a half times what an adult will eat. Working dogs require as much food as pups and sometimes more. Like any breed, make sure your Bulldogge gets most calories from high-quality fats and meat proteins. Discuss carbohydrates with your veterinarian. While your dog’s muscles need plenty of protein, she may also require starches or grains to keep weight on. You should assess your dog’s weight weekly to determine whether you need to adjust food amounts. Make sure you can feel your dog’s ribs without digging and that you can see a waist.

Training

Expect an Olde English Bulldogge to require the same training expertise as the other bulldogs. Your dog will likely rank below average in working intelligence with a wide stubborn streak. You will need to be persistent and repetitious. Although bulldogs seem dull and insensitive, they are emotionally intelligent, and harsh training methods create angst and distress. Socialization of young puppies is crucial to prevent aggression in adults. The Olde English Bulldogge is not intended to be a vicious or a shy dog.

Olde English Bulldog vs English Bulldog

The first difference between an Olde English Bulldog and an English Bulldog is the latter is a purebred, and the latter is a hybrid. Some even consider the Olde Bulldog a designer dog although it typically belongs to bulldog registries. English Bulldogs are shorter, only about 12 to 16 inches tall. They are also smaller, weighing 40 to 50 pounds although obesity is a huge problem with them. English Bulldogs have much shorter snouts, a shorter body, and a corkscrew or nub tail. They are more susceptible to breathing difficulties, respiratory structural issues, heatstroke, elbow dysplasia, and heart disease. They also do not have erect or button ears. Olde English Bulldogges and English Bulldogs have similar color patterns, but fewer are acceptable in the former depending on the registry.

• Pied – white occupies 30% or more of the coat
• Solid colors – blue, black, red, chocolate, sable, cream, lilac
• Ticked
• Brindle – dark stripes on light background