Olde English Bulldogge History, Preservation & Breed Standard

There are many “alternative Bulldog” breeds and breeding programs being developed today. For someone just beginning to research the various strains and types of Olde English Bulldogges, the subject can quickly become confusing. While individual bloodlines and breeding programs may differ in appearance, the underlying goal of the Olde English Bulldogge has traditionally been to recreate a more functional, athletic Bulldog while moving away from the extreme structural characteristics that can compromise the health and quality of life of the modern English Bulldog.

 

At Falling Pine Bulldogges, we believe that understanding where the Olde English Bulldogge came from and what the breed was intended to accomplish is an important part of understanding the dogs we breed today. Our goal is not simply to produce a Bulldog that looks impressive.

We want to preserve the character, structure, athleticism and function that make an Olde English Bulldogge a Bulldogge.

 

Olde English Bulldogge History

The ancestors of the Olde English Bulldogge originated in England between the 1600s and 1700s. These early Bulldogs also contributed to the development of several other bull breeds that exist today, including the English Bulldog and American Bulldog.

The original Bulldogs were developed as working dogs and were historically used in blood sports such as bull-baiting. Bull-baiting became particularly popular in England during the 18th century.

These dogs required considerable courage, strength and agility. Historical descriptions portray the working Bulldog as a medium-sized, powerful and athletic dog. Larger dogs were sometimes considered to have Mastiff influence. In 1835, bull-baiting was outlawed in England. With the disappearance of its original working purpose, the Bulldog underwent significant changes. 

Over the following decades, breeders increasingly developed Bulldogs as companion and show dogs. Breeding priorities changed, and the appearance of the Bulldog gradually became more specialized. Eventually, the modern English Bulldog emerged as a very different dog from the athletic working Bulldog of earlier centuries.

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Recreating the Olde English Bulldogge

The modern Olde English Bulldogge was developed as a reconstruction of the earlier, more functional Bulldog type. Different breeding programs have used different combinations of breeds and bloodlines in this process. The foundation of many modern Olde English Bulldogge lines can be traced to combinations of English Bulldogs, American Bulldogs, American Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs and Mastiffs.

These dogs were selectively used to bring together desirable Bulldog characteristics while attempting to restore athleticism, functional structure and overall health. The goal was to produce a Bulldogge that could retain the powerful head, muscular body, courage and recognizable Bulldog character while being capable of functioning as a normal, active dog.

The result is the modern Olde English Bulldogge.

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There is naturally some variation between individual bloodlines and breeding programs. Not every Olde English Bulldogge will look exactly alike, and responsible breeders may have somewhat different interpretations of type. However, the fundamental concept remains the same: A Bulldog should be functional as well as beautiful.

 

Function Over Exaggeration

One of the most important concepts behind the Olde English Bulldogge is function.

The breed should be capable of breathing freely, moving properly, exercising comfortably and living an active life. The IOEBA breed standard describes the ideal Olde English Bulldogge as athletic, healthy, stable in temperament and capable of outdoor activity except in extreme heat or cold. It also emphasizes natural reproductive ability, describing males as free breeders and females as free whelpers. Of course, no breed or breeding program can guarantee that every individual dog will experience perfect health or reproduce without complication.

Instead, these characteristics represent the direction responsible breeding should strive toward.

Health, temperament, structure, movement and breed type should all be considered together.

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The Bulldog of the Past

Historical descriptions of Bulldogs provide an interesting look at the dogs that existed before the modern breed became heavily specialized. 

Descriptions emphasized characteristics such as:

A large, powerful head, A broad and deep muzzle, A strong underjaw, Wide nostrils, A muscular neck, A broad and deep chest, Strong bone, A short back, Well-developed hindquarters, A short, close coat, courage and determination! Historical Bulldogs were not completely uniform. There was variation in size, color, ear carriage, tail structure and overall conformation.

 

Historical writings should also be understood within the context of their time. Some descriptions contain terminology, opinions and working practices that are very different from modern animal welfare and breeding standards. For that reason, historical accounts are valuable for understanding the development of Bulldog type, but they should not be treated as modern veterinary guidance.

 

The Philo-Kuon Tradition

Some historical accounts of Bulldog development refer to the Philo-Kuon breeders and their efforts to preserve a more functional Bulldog during the 19th century.

Philo-Kuon has been associated with historical Bulldog writing and descriptions emphasizing courage, structure and working ability. Accounts of this period describe breeders who wanted to retain a capable and athletic Bulldog rather than allowing the breed to become increasingly exaggerated in appearance.

Much of the Philo-Kuon story has been repeated throughout modern Bulldog literature and enthusiast communities. However, individual details of these accounts are not equally well documented, and some are disputed. We therefore present the Philo-Kuon material as historical Bulldog tradition and accounts, rather than suggesting that every detail is universally accepted historical fact. The part of this history that remains particularly relevant to the modern Olde English Bulldogge is the underlying philosophy: A Bulldog should be capable of functioning as a dog.

 

The International Olde English Bulldogge Association

The International Olde English Bulldogge Association (IOEBA) provides a written breed standard describing the desired type, structure and temperament of the Olde English Bulldogge.

 

A breed standard provides breeders and conformation judges with a reference for evaluating breed type and structure. It is not intended to suggest that every individual dog will perfectly match every characteristic. The IOEBA describes the ideal Olde English Bulldogge as a loyal and courageous medium-sized dog with a large, powerful head and stout, muscular body, the dog should be athletic and in very good health. The standard places considerable emphasis on athleticism, health, temperament and function. It describes the desired lifespan as approximately 10–14 years.

 

IOEBA Olde English Bulldogge Breed Standard: 

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The IOEBA standard describes males as free breeders and females as free whelpers and emphasizes the importance of functional breathing and the ability to participate in outdoor activity except under extreme heat or cold. The temperament should be stable and trustworthy, making the Olde English Bulldogge a loyal companion and capable protector.

 

Olde English Bulldogges are described as eager to please and trainable.

The typical lifespan is 10–14 years.

 

Head; The head should be large and high, with a moderately sunken medial furrow between the eyes. The circumference of the head should be equal to or greater than the dog's height at the shoulder. A narrow head or one that appears too small for the body is considered a fault.

Ears; Rose ears, set well on the sides of the head, are preferred. Dropped ears are acceptable when they are small and not hound-like. Full, pricked ears standing upright on top of the head are considered a serious fault.

 

Muzzle & Bite; The muzzle should be broad, deep and short, with moderate wrinkling. The bite should be undershot, with the bottom jaw turning upward noticeably. The lower canines should not protrude. The muzzle should be no shorter than 1½ inches and no longer than 3 inches. A muzzle longer than 3 inches, scissor bite or even bite are disqualifying faults. A wry jaw is also a disqualifying fault.

 

Eyes; The eyes should be moderately sized and set wide apart. Any eye color is acceptable.

Odd eyes, such as one dark eye and one blue or light eye, are considered non-preferred.

Misshapen or excessively prominent eyes are serious faults. Lack of pigment around the eyes is undesirable. Crossed eyes or asymmetrically shaped eyes are disqualifying faults.

 

Nose; The nose should be broad with open nostrils and no indication of restricted airflow. The nose should not be pushed upward between the eyes. The distance from the stop to the end of the nose should be at least 1½ inches. The nose should have solid pigmentation. Lack of pigment is a serious fault, while a completely unpigmented nose is disqualifying.

 

Neck; The neck should be short to medium in length and very muscular. It should flow naturally into the shoulders rather than appearing to stop abruptly at the shoulder line.

 

Chest; The ribs should be well sprung and rounded. The chest should be broad and deep, with the depth extending at least to the elbows. A hollow, narrow or slab-sided chest is considered a serious fault.

 

Back; Males should appear square and balanced. Females should have a similar overall appearance, with consideration given to appropriate body length. A short back with a very slight rise from the shoulders toward a slight drop in the croup is preferred. A level back is acceptable provided the tail does not come directly from the top of the back.

 

Shoulders; The shoulders should be well laid back with significant angulation to allow for good movement. Straight shoulders are considered a fault.

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Legs; The forelegs should be straight and set wide apart, neither bowing outward nor turning inward. Significant bone substance is desired, with elbows relatively close to the body. Lack of bone and substance is very undesirable. Loose elbows or “fiddle fronts” are disqualifying faults. East/west forelegs are considered a serious fault. The rear legs should have significant stifle bend to allow for good movement and should be well muscled. Straight or “posty” rear legs are serious faults. Cow hocks are a disqualifying fault.

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Movement; Movement is an important component of a functional Olde English Bulldogge. The desired gait should be balanced and powerful, with drive from the rear complemented by sufficient reach to allow the dog to cover ground effectively.

Dogs should single-track. Pacing or crabbing is considered a serious fault.

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Feet; The feet should be round and tight on both the front and rear. Pasterns should be strong. Weak pasterns and splayed feet are disqualifying faults.

 

Height; Males: 18–20 inches at the shoulder & Females: 17–19 inches at the shoulder

Weight; Males: 65–85 pounds & Females: 50–70 pounds

The IOEBA discourages excessive height and weight, but a dog above the stated range is not automatically penalized as long as it remains well proportioned, correct and balanced.

 

At Falling Pine Bulldogges, we believe this distinction is important.

We are not interested in simply producing the biggest Bulldogge possible.

Proportion, athleticism, structure and balance matter.

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Color; The IOEBA standard accepts any color, with no preference given to one color over another.

For us, color is secondary to the qualities that actually make a good Bulldogge.

Health, temperament, structure and function should never be sacrificed simply for a particular color.

Coat; The current IOEBA standard describes the preferred coat as short, smooth and close to the body. However, an important update to the IOEBA standard is that long coats are now permitted and do not constitute a disqualifying fault. Long-coated Olde English Bulldogges may have feathering on the legs, ears or neck, as well as an overall longer coat. In conformation evaluation, a short coat remains preferred when all other characteristics are equal. This is an important distinction from older versions of the IOEBA standard, which did not permit long-coated OEBs.

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Tail; A naturally occurring pump-handle tail reaching the hock is preferred. Short, screwed tails and docked tails are acceptable under the IOEBA standard. The preferred pump-handle tail should be carried low and should not curl over the dog's back.

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Temperament; The ideal Olde English Bulldogge should have an outgoing and happy disposition. A watchful nature may be expected in the home, but the dog should remain trustworthy and controllable. Unprovoked human aggression is a disqualifying fault. For a breed that is intended to be both a companion and a capable protector, a stable temperament is essential.

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Preservation Requires Purpose

Preserving a breed is about much more than producing puppies that look like the breed.

It requires understanding where those dogs came from, what is behind them, what they have produced, and what they can contribute to the future of the breed.

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Pedigrees Matter, A pedigree is more than a piece of paper. A well-documented pedigree gives a breeder the opportunity to understand generations of dogs behind an individual. It can help identify bloodlines, relationships, repeated ancestors and patterns within a breeding program. Understanding pedigrees allows breeders to make more informed decisions about which dogs should be paired together and why. Papers alone do not make a dog healthy or well bred. Registration does not guarantee quality. But accurate records and documented pedigrees give responsible breeders something incredibly important:

Knowledge. Without knowing what is behind our dogs, we lose the ability to make educated decisions about what we are putting into the next generation. That is one reason we believe maintaining accurate pedigrees and registration records is an important part of preserving the Olde English Bulldogge.

 

Breeding With a Purpose

Producing a litter should never be the purpose of breeding.

Improving and preserving the breed should be.

A responsible breeding program should begin with a question:

“What are we hoping to improve, preserve or contribute by making this breeding?”

 

Perhaps a pairing is intended to preserve a particular bloodline. Perhaps it is intended to improve structure, movement, temperament or athleticism. Perhaps a breeder is combining two complementary pedigrees because the resulting offspring may strengthen the direction of the program. There should be a reason behind the pairing beyond simply wanting puppies. Every breeding produces another generation of dogs that will influence the breed. That responsibility should not be taken lightly.

 

Why Keeping a Puppy Back Matters

Sometimes the most important puppy in a litter isn't the puppy that leaves for a family.

Responsible breeders may choose to retain a puppy from their own breeding program when that puppy represents an opportunity to carry forward qualities they believe are important to the future of their dogs. Keeping a puppy back allows a breeder to continue developing a carefully planned program rather than constantly looking elsewhere for the next generation.

But keeping a puppy simply because it is beautiful isn't enough either.

 

A potential future breeding dog should be evaluated as it matures for: Structure and overall balance, Movement, Bone and substance, Head and breed type, Temperament, Health and longevity, Pedigree and genetic diversity, How the dog develops compared with the goals of the breeding program. Sometimes the best decision is to keep a puppy.

Sometimes the best decision is not to breed one.

A responsible breeder must be willing to make either decision based on the individual dog and the long-term goals of the program.

 

More Puppies Does Not Mean More Preservation

Breeding dogs simply because puppies are wanted, because a female is available, or because there is an opportunity to produce another litter does not necessarily contribute to the preservation of a breed. In fact, breeding without a clear purpose can work against it.

Every litter adds another generation to the gene pool. If breeders continually produce dogs without considering structure, health, temperament, pedigrees and the direction of the breed, undesirable traits can become more common rather than less.

Preservation is not about producing as many dogs as possible. It is about producing the right dogs for the right reasons. Sometimes that means having fewer litters. Sometimes it means waiting. Sometimes it means keeping a puppy back for several years before deciding whether that dog belongs in the breeding program. And sometimes it means retiring a dog from breeding even when that dog is beautiful. The goal is not simply to continue the numbers.

The goal is to move the breed forward without losing what made it worth preserving in the first place.

 

Breeding for the Next Generation

Every breeder is working with more than the dogs in front of them.

We are working with the generations that came before us and making decisions that will affect the generations that come after us. That is why we believe responsible Olde English Bulldogge breeding requires patience, research, honest evaluation and a willingness to put the long-term future of the breed ahead of the short-term excitement of producing puppies.

A litter should have a purpose. A pedigree should tell a story. A breeding dog should have something meaningful to contribute. 

And every generation should leave the breeder asking:

“Did we preserve what was good, improve what needed improvement, and leave the breed better positioned for the next generation?”

That is what preservation means to us.

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What We Believe an Olde English Bulldogge Should Be

At Falling Pine Bulldogges, we believe the Olde English Bulldogge should be more than a collection of physical characteristics. It should be a functional Bulldog.

We strive for dogs that can: Breathe freely. Move freely. Exercise comfortably. Live an active life. Have stable, trustworthy temperaments. Maintain sound structure. And, whenever possible, reproduce naturally.

We do not believe an Olde English Bulldogge needs to be the largest, shortest-faced or most exaggerated dog in order to be impressive. In fact, we believe that excessive exaggeration can move the breed away from the very purpose behind the Olde English Bulldogge. Our goal is to preserve the recognizable Bulldogge appearance while maintaining the athleticism, structure and function that make these dogs capable of being dogs first.

Type, Health & Function

Breed type matters.

So does health.

So does temperament.

So does movement.

 

A beautiful head means very little if the dog cannot breathe properly.

A massive body means very little if the dog cannot move comfortably.

A correct color means very little if temperament and health have been sacrificed to achieve it.

And a perfect-looking puppy at eight weeks tells us very little about the adult dog it will become.

Responsible breeding requires looking beyond one characteristic and considering the whole dog.

Pedigree, structure, movement, temperament, health history, reproductive history and the strengths and weaknesses of each individual should all be considered when planning a breeding.

 

Preserving the Future of the Breed

The Olde English Bulldogge was created with the intention of bringing back a more functional Bulldog. We believe preserving that purpose is just as important today as it was when the breed was being reconstructed. The IOEBA standard gives breeders a written reference for the desired Olde English Bulldogge type, but responsible breeding goes beyond checking boxes on a standard.

Our responsibility is to make thoughtful breeding decisions that preserve what is good, improve what can be improved, and produce dogs that can enjoy the lives they were bred to live. We don't want to simply produce the next generation of bulldogges.

We want to help produce better Bulldogges for the generations that follow.

 

The future's bright, the future's Falling Pine Bulldogges.