Bull dogs make a fine pet for some dog lovers.
Bulldogs have a history of violence and aggression. The breed, however, diminished in the nineteenth century when authorities banned bull baiting. Since then breeders have attempted to resurrect the appearance of the brutal ancestors while eliminating the aggressive temperament. The English Bulldog and the Olde English Bulldog (OEB) parted ways when different breeders took the breed in separate directions. The result was two very different varieties.
Description
The English Bulldog has a medium-sized, wide but compact body with short legs. Add a gigantic head and extra skin folding over the forehead and skull, and you have the English Bulldog. The male stands at 12 to 16 inches weighing 53 to 55 pounds, while the female's weight averages 49 to 51 pounds.
The Olde English Bulldog, on the other hand, is muscular, medium sized, strong, stable and athletic. He has more of a well-balanced look than his counterpart, with no exaggerated features. Even though he has a large skull, it is proportionate to the dog's body and shoulders. The male stands at 17 to 20 inches weighing 60 to 80 pounds. Females are 16 to 19 inches tall and weigh 50 to 70 pounds. Not yet accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the bloodline has gained more credence since the breed has spawned 9 generations.
Temperament
Both breeds are similar in nature. They tend to be affectionate, dependable and gentle with children. They make superior guard dogs since loyalty to family is the focus of these two breeds. Because these breeds are a bit dominating, owners need to act as the alpha dog in the pack. In other words, he cannot be the dominant one. You need to be.
Health Issues
The English Bulldog has poor eyesight and breathing issues. It is sensitive to hot and cold and can have terrible reactions in the hot weather. The female often gives birth by cesarean section since the puppies' heads are so broad. This breed also gets skin infections easily and has hip and knee issues. The dogs live approximately 8 years.
Bloat is a painful and often fatal illness caused by eating too much food at one time. The Olde English Bulldog is prone to bloat. Hip dysplasia, which is common to large breeds, can also be a problem for this breed. Since breeders are attempting to rid the breed of disorders, they do not breed any dog subject to hip issues. These dogs have a life expectancy of 11 years or more.
Registration
Many people confuse the Olde English Bulldog with the English Bulldog. The two breeds, however, are distinctively different. The English Bulldog is a standing member of the AKC, and many of them are show dogs. The OEB is a mix and is not recognized by the prestigious club. The original breeder, David Leavitt, used English Bulldogs, Bull Mastiffs, American Pit Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs to initiate his new breed. Leavitt's purpose was not to totally re-create the bulldog of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but to capture their appearance without the vicious temperament.
History
Seventeenth century England marked the birth of the Bulldog breed. Many varieties exist today, but the early breed existed only for bull baiting, the sport of setting dogs upon bulls in an arena. In the middle of the nineteenth century, England banned this practice, so bulldogs lost their main reason for existing. As a result, the numbers of Bulldogs declined quickly almost to elimination. Throughout the years, breeders redirected the breed to be less aggressive than its early ancestors.
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