Old English Bulldog: description of the breed

For a long time the Bulldogs were famous throughout 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 fights. It was the Old English bulldog that was famous throughout the world for its fearlessness and independence. Since the middle of the XIX century, these dogs have almost disappeared. But lovers of purebred breeds revived them, and now you can meet old English bulldogs, virtually indistinguishable from those fighting dogs of medieval England.

History of Bulldogs

In England, such amusement as bull-baiting was common, when dogs attacked him and gnawed him to death. Therefore, they should have not only strength, but also dexterity and fearlessness. And later, dog fights became popular. In these cruel pastimes, Old English Bulldog dogs were used. Evil, strong and aggressive, they did not fit any more for any work. Therefore, when in the middle of the XIX 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. Breeds began to be called differently: bullmastiff, pit bull, English or American bulldog - depending on what kind of dog they were crossed with. But they were almost no more like a real Old English bulldog. For almost a hundred years there have not been such dogs.

How did the modern Old English bulldog

In the 60s of the 20th century, American veterinarian David Levitt decided to revive this breed. But for him it was important to avoid the disadvantages that the Old English Bulldog had before. Therefore, the selection work was lengthy, the selection was carefully conducted. Levitt crossed the dogs that came from this breed: English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff and Pit Bull. Using various combinations, he achieved that a dog appeared, as strong and vigorous as before, but devoid of aggression and malice. Now this breed is very small, meets only in America and is not officially recognized.

What does an Old English bulldog look like?

The photo of these dogs makes it possible to understand how they differ from modern bulldogs. Purebred dogs of this breed should be of medium size, they are strong and muscular. Height at the withers they do not exceed 50 centimeters, usually even less. The constitution is compact and powerful, the dog is proportionally proportioned. The head has folds, like all bulldogs, but not so many, but the skin is thick. If you compare the appearance of the modern Old English Bulldog with engravings depicting scenes of hunting or bull ravaging, you can see that the dog turned out exactly as it was in the past.

Breed Standard

1. Dimensions.

Despite the fact that this dog is short, it weighs a lot - the weight of some males reaches 50 kilograms. This is due to her strong, muscular physique.

2. Head.

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

3. Eyes.

Round, widely set, dark.

4. Ears.

Small and touch very thin. They are very high and widely set and bent intricately, so that even their inner part is visible.

5. Housing.

The body of this bulldog is very powerful and strong. The neck is thick, the chest is wide, and the front paws are therefore set. There are no wrinkles on the body, the skin fits well. This dog is characterized by high fatigue.

6. Wool.

Very short, soft and dense. A dog can be of any color, but necessarily the color should be uniform. Only a black mask on the head is allowed.

7. The tail.

The dog Bulldog is already born with a short tail. It is low-set and has characteristic kinks.

Character of the animal

Levitt managed to get a dog outwardly very similar to the ancient bulldog, but very different from him in character. She turned out good-natured, smart and obedient. This is a very sensitive dog, it is strongly attached to the owner. In the modern Old English bulldog, there is absolutely no aggression, he gets on well with other pets, gets on well with children and is very affectionate. If the owner is in danger, a docile and affectionate dog becomes a formidable beast. But in general the modern Old English bulldog was, for that, deduced to be a companion, a reliable defender and a devoted friend.

Problems of education

But the modern bulldog dog has preserved some features of its ancestor. Therefore, it needs discipline and serious upbringing. Bulldogs are used to domination, and if puppyhood is not shown to the dog, who is the boss, there may be more problems with it in the future. In education, you should not use force or rudeness. After all, the most stubborn and intelligent dog with a sense of dignity is considered to be the Old English bulldog.

Puppies like to chew and chew something, they do not need to scold them, it's just worthwhile to provide them with enough toys. The bulldog also needs long walks and energetic moving games. With proper upbringing, you can get a faithful and loyal friend, always ready to bravely defend the owner from ill-wishers. But it will not turn out from the Old English bulldog to make a pet dog. It's a dog for strong, active people.

Caring for an Old English Bulldog

It is not easy to care for the fur of this dog, because it is very soft and short. Clean it with a special brush. In addition, bulldogs are very cold and can catch cold, they also need to be protected from heat. For the health of the jaws, the dog should be allowed to chew a lot, so buy more special toys. Nutrition for pets should also be carefully monitored, because they are prone to poisoning. Old English bulldog need a long walk, a lot of play with him in outdoor games and give different assignments so that he does not get bored.

How Old English Bulldogs are Used

The breeds that were bred specially for fighting, by the end of the XIX century disappeared, because it was for such fun that these dogs were always used. But the bulldogs of the twentieth century were withdrawn for another purpose: to benefit people. And they can easily cope with this task. Apart from the fact that this dog is a wonderful companion, friend and protector of children, a home guard and bodyguard, it perfectly suits as a partner for running sports - jogging or bicycle rides, and also for use in special kinds of sports for dogs (agility, springpool and others). .). The nature of the bulldogs allows them to be drawn to work in the police when searching for and catching criminals. After all, they are fearless, strong and used to always carry out the work to the end. And because of the high intelligence and the ability to make decisions on their own, they are successfully used in canistherapy - treating certain diseases through the communication of patients with dogs.

How to get a dog of this breed

Modern Old English Bulldogs are a very rare breed. In Europe, they are not recognized, because they are found mostly in America. But lovers of purebred breeds can still get a puppy. First you need to make sure that you are suitable bulldog. The price of this particular breed in our country is quite high - it reaches 70 thousand. But to find a puppy, we'll have to try, because the nurseries in Russia basically offer ordinary English bulldogs. Most often purebred puppies are brought from abroad.