BREEDING PROGRAM OLDE STYLE BULLDOGGES
Developing History and Purpose
A long forgotten breed has found its way back into the interest of dog breeders and dog fanciers, the Olde Style Bulldogge. Mainly due to breed laws and the poor health of the English Bulldog there is a big gap for those who wish to own a companion dog of medium size, with short hair, a friendly temperament, a good health, a nice big head with good expression and a moderate general fitness.
David Leavitt created the Olde English Bulldogge in 1971 in the United States. He used a cattle breeding program and 4 different breeds were involved. The result was a big bulldoggy type dog with a huge genetic drift. Crossing 4 different breeds in a rotating system did not lead to a healthier version of the English Bulldog, it was a new breed, nevertheless it was a beginning and the offsprings had the advantage of being able to freely breed and give normal birth, they had long tails and longer legs. But, they are too big dogs, about the size of of a Boxer and more and they vary a lot in type.
| The new system of Bull-baiting, as practiced from 1686 onwards favored an active dog of moderately low stature and size. With his nose will laid back and a protruding under jaw. The great Bulldog of 90 lbs in weight which had been in Vogue when bull-baiting was the sport of kings, was no longer wanted. Whilst the common folk who now gad the sport in hand could not afford to keep such Hugh animals. Much can happen to change a breed of a dog in fifty years and by inbreeding and breeding with a fixed purpose in view, between the years of 1686 and 1735, a dog of definite type and of an average weight of 50 to 60 lbs, was produced. The dog of 1735, was smaller in skull than the Bulldog of today 1933, longer in face, higher in shoulder, not so wide in front, lighter in bone and body, and less exaggerated in every way. The Bulldog that was gradually evolved in the years 1686/1735, though finally more than 40% lighter than his ancestors and was not only the bravest dog but actually the bravest creature on earth, not even excepting the old English Game Cock. This was an indisputable fact, which was proven time and time again. |
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A number of Bulldogs were matched against George Wombwell's lions in Warwickshire in 1825.
The dog which was produced in the years 1686/1735, was the dog for the bull, and it was during those years and not before then, that the Bulldog was taught and trained to pen the bull by the nose and never to attack him in any other place. As early as 1710 this method of attack became an inherited tendency and even today, though bull-bating was abolished 98 years ago, or around 1835... |
Besides stable guardian temperament, the breed has few of the breathing, whelping or breeding problems seen in the modern bulldog, and no aggressive tenancies towards other dogs or people. These dogs are fun loving and often clownish couch potatoes that still like an athletic workout. They are always at their owners feet, vying for a corner of the couch or begging to join you in bed.
A great all around family Pet, that provides protection to the family and residence through its appearance. A dog with a calm enough nature and intelligence to be a certified therapy dog, and have enough strength and endurance to act as a working dog.
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