Old English Bulldog: description of the breed

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Bulldogs have long been famous around the world as strong, fearless dogs. Everyone knows that England is the birthplace of this breed, but modern English bulldogs have become pampered and good-natured companion dogs, little resembling those strong and muscular animals that were bred for dog fighting. It was the Old English Bulldog that was famous all over the world for its fearlessness and independence. Since the middle of the 19th century, these dogs have almost disappeared.

But purebred lovers have revived them, and now you can find Old English Bulldogs, almost indistinguishable from those fighting dogs of medieval England.

History of Bulldogs

In England, bull-baiting was common, when dogs pounced on him and gnawed him half to death.

So they had to have not onlystrength, but also dexterity and fearlessness. And later dog fights became popular. In these cruel entertainments, dogs of the Old English Bulldog breed were used. Vicious, strong and aggressive, they were no longer fit for any job. Therefore, when in the middle of the 19th century all animal fights were banned, these dogs gradually disappeared. But they were used to breed new breeds. And bulldogs spread all over the world. The breeds began to be called differently: bullmastiff, pit bull, English or American bulldog - depending on which dogs they were crossed with. But all of them almost did not look like a real Old English Bulldog. Such dogs have not been seen anywhere for almost a hundred years.

How the modern Old English Bulldog came to be

In the 60s of the twentieth century, American veterinarian David Levitt decided to revive this breed. But it was important for him to avoid the shortcomings that the Old English Bulldog had before. Therefore, the selection work was long, the selection was carried out carefully. Levitt crossed dogs that originated from this breed: English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff and Pit Bull. Using various combinations, he achieved that a dog appeared, as strong and energetic as before, but devoid of aggression and malice. Now this breed is very small, found only in America and is not officially recognized.

What an Old English Bulldog looks like

The photo of these dogs makes it possible to understand how they differ from modern bulldogs. Thoroughbredsdogs of this breed should be of medium size, they are strong and muscular. Their height at the withers does not exceed 50 centimeters, usually even less. The physique is compact and powerful, the dog is proportionately built. The head has folds, like all bulldogs, but there are not so many of them, and the skin is thick. If you compare the appearance of the modern Old English Bulldog with engravings depicting scenes of hunting or bull-baiting, you can see that the dog turned out exactly like in the past.

Breed Standard

1. Sizes.

Despite the fact that this dog is not tall, it weighs a lot - some males weigh up to 50 kilograms. This is due to her strong, muscular physique.

2. Head.

Large, almost square, muzzle is shortened, and the transition from forehead to nose is sharp. There are few folds, and they are concentrated mainly on the forehead. The skin is thick and the lips are saggy. The top of the skull is flat.

3. Eyes.

Round, wide set, dark.

4. Ears.

Small and very thin to the touch. They are very high and wide set and fancifully bent, so that even their inner part is visible.

5. Case.

The physique of this bulldog is very powerful and strong. The neck is thick, the chest is wide, and the front legs are therefore spaced apart. There are no wrinkles on the body, the skin fits well. This dog has a high butt.

6. Wool.

Very short, soft and thick. The dog can be of any color, but the color must be uniform. Only a black head mask is allowed.

7. Tail.

A bulldog is already born with a short tail. It is set low and has characteristic kinks.

Animal personality

Levitt managed to breed a dog that looks very similar to the ancient bulldog, but is very different in character. She turned out to be good-natured, smart and obedient. This is a very sensitive dog, it is strongly attached to the owner. The modern Old English Bulldog has no aggression at all, he gets along well with other pets, gets along well with children and is very affectionate. If the owner is threatened by some kind of danger, an obedient and affectionate dog turns into a formidable beast. But in general, the modern Old English Bulldog was bred to be a companion, a reliable protector and a devoted friend.

Problems of education

But the modern bulldog has retained some traits of its ancestor. Therefore, she needs discipline and serious education. Bulldogs are used to dominance, and if the dog is not shown who is the owner from puppyhood, there may be big problems with it in the future. When educating, do not use force or rudeness. After all, the Old English Bulldog is considered the most stubborn and intelligent dog with self-esteem.

Puppies are very fond of chewing and nibbling, you don’t need to scold them for this, you just need to provide them with a sufficient number of toys. The bulldog also needs long walks and energetic outdoor games. With the rightupbringing, you can get a devoted and faithful friend, always ready to bravely defend the owner from ill-wishers. But it will not work out of the Old English Bulldog to make an affectionate pet. This is a dog for strong, active people.

Old English Bulldog Care

The coat of this dog is not easy to care for, because it is very soft and short. You need to clean it with a special brush. In addition, bulldogs are very cold and can catch a cold, they also need to be protected from the heat. For jaw he alth, you need to give your dog a lot of chewing, so buy him more special toys. The nutrition of pets must also be carefully monitored, because they are prone to poisoning. The Old English Bulldog needs to be walked for a long time, play outdoor games with him a lot and give him different tasks so that he does not get bored.

How Old English Bulldogs are used

Breeds that were bred specifically for fighting disappeared by the end of the 19th century, because these dogs were always used for such fun. But the bulldogs of the twentieth century were bred for a different purpose: to benefit people. And they can easily cope with this task. In addition to being a great companion, friend and protector of children, home guard and bodyguard, this dog is perfect as a partner for sports - running or cycling, as well as for use in special sports for dogs (agility, springpol, etc.)..). The nature of bulldogs allows them to be involved in police work when searching and catchingcriminals. After all, they are fearless, strong and used to always bring the work they have started to the end. And because of their high intelligence and the ability to make decisions on their own, they are successfully used in canistherapy - the treatment of certain diseases through communication between patients and dogs.

How to get a dog of this breed

Modern Old English Bulldogs are a very rare breed. In Europe, they are not recognized, therefore they are found mainly in America. But lovers of purebred breeds can still buy a puppy. First you need to make sure that a bulldog is right for you. The price of this particular breed in our country is quite high - it reaches 70 thousand. But to find a puppy, you will have to try, because kennels in Russia mainly offer ordinary English bulldogs. Most often, purebred puppies are brought from abroad.