Olde English Bulldogge
Dog Breeds
Although sometimes confused, the Olde English Bulldogge is a separate breed to the English Bulldog or British Bulldog, although the two are obviously closely related. The Olde English Bulldogge tends to be a little taller and can grow heavier than the original Bulldog, and it is free from the facial wrinkles and some other congenital defects that have been bred into its English counterpart. These changes were intentional and were introduced to the line by Pennsylvaniabased breeder David Leavitt.
Although the Olde English is free from many of the congenital health complaints that plague the original English Bulldog, it is still prone to gassiness and excessive drooling and does require a lot of socialization and positive training to get the best out of the rare breed.
Although it has grown in popularity a little in recent years, the Olde English Bulldogge remains a rare breed. The biggest obstacle to buying one of these breeds, however, remains the difficulty of finding a suitable breeder. Don’t let the scarcity of breeders cause you to choose an unsuitable breeder or a dog that you don’t really want; be prepared to look around and take your time choosing a suitable kennel so you have a better chance of a healthy and welladjusted dog. Try to choose a breeder that is kennel club registered. If a breeder is signed up to a breed group or kennel club, they agree to adhere to strict standards and guidelines, which include health screening and a limit on the litter that a dog can produce in a single year.
The rarity and cost of this breed mean that you are unlikely to find them in a shelter, but it is possible. Adopting helps protect the dog and can provide an otherwise unwanted pup with a loving, forever home, but it does come with the added challenge that you have no idea of the dog’s background or breeding.
The breed is known to be loving and affectionate and will bond with all members of the family regardless of their age and whether they are the main feeder or not. Their playfulness and energy mean that they are especially good for older children that can throw a ball around or pull a piece of rope. Some care needs to be taken with smaller children because these are muscular and strong dogs. They can cause injury even by accident, and especially when they get excited.
The Bulldogge tends to get along with other dogs in their own home, although they can be same sex aggressive with bigger dogs that they meet outside the home. Always take new introductions slowly and be sympathetic to your dogs’ needs. The breed is not a hunter so should not have much of a predatory instinct. It can, therefore, be housed with cats, if it has been socialized as a puppy and young dog. As with small children, there is a danger of the big Bulldogge causing accidental injuries to smaller dogs and animals, so do be careful in this regard.