olde english bulldogge history

The Olde English Bulldogge originated in England between 1600 and 1700. These were the early ancestors to many of the Bull breeds that exist today including the English Bulldog and the American Bulldog. They were bred to participate in blood sports like bull baiting. This so called sport, became quite popular in England through out the middle of the 18th Century. Bull baiting primarily consisted of staking out a bull and allowing several Bulldogges to attack it. A dog of great courage and agility was needed for bull baiting. This dog was of medium size; larger dogs were considered to be the result of mastiff crosses.
Young girl and her Olde Bulldogge
Around 1835, laws were passed in England prohibiting bull baiting and the Olde English Bulldogges main purpose of existence vanished. Within a decade the numbers of bulldogs declined drastically almost to extinction. Dog show fanciers eventually decided to reconstruct the breed, but wanted to tone down the aggressive temperament of the original Olde English Bulldogge. They crossed the remnants of the existing stock with the pug and over the years that followed they developed the modern English Bulldog. Unfortunately though, this modern dog is wrought with all kinds of genetic health problems.

The modern Olde English Bulldogge is a reconstruction of the original Olde Bulldogge of the 17th and 18th century. Various genetic crosses have been used in carefully and thoughtfully planned breeding programs to obtain this goal. The foundation of most of today's Olde English Bulldogges can be traced to English Bulldog, American Bulldog, APBT and Mastiff.

These dogs were used very selectively in various combinations to obtain the desired physical and mental traits of the original Olde English Bulldogge. The result has been a good looking Bulldogge of great athletic ability that is much healthier and physically fit without most or all of the problems that plague today's modern English Bulldogs. The goal of all Olde English Bulldogge breeders should be to produce genetically healthier Bulldogges that are free breathers, free breeders, and free whelpers.

Description:
The perfect Olde English Bulldogge should be of medium height to large size with a large head and a very stout, muscular body. The disposition should be outgoing, loyal and courageous. The temperament is to be very stable and trustworthy. Most importantly the Olde English Bulldogge is a healthy dog with out many of the problems affecting the modern English Bulldogs. Males should be free breeders and females should be free whelpers. The Olde English Bulldogge should be devoid of all breathing problems.

Height: Males: 18 - 23 inches Females: 15 - 21 inches

Weight: 50 - 90 lbs.

Colors:
Any color is acceptable.

Coat:
Short

Temperament:
Stable and trustworthy

Care and Exercise:

Health Issues:
Very healthy; should not have many of the health problems of the English Bulldog, However,
The English bulldog was used to recreate the Olde English Bulldog breed and every so often through the genes you can get an entropian eye, an eyelid that rolls under and irritates the eye, it is fixed with eye drops and if severe cases eye surgery. However healthy they may be, common sense must be used on all pets involving activities given on extreme hot days. ALL Dogs need shade and water in extreme hot weather as they can dehydrate fast if no shade or water is available.