Olde English Bulldogge vs English Bulldog

Reviewed By Tom •  Updated: 01/26/22 •  11 min read
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Olde English Bulldogge vs English Bulldog

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Have you ever wondered about the difference between the Olde English Bulldogge and the English Bulldog? If so, we’re glad you’re here!

It’s easy to be confused about these two beautiful dog breeds; however, they are distinct from one another. We’ve put together some information about these dogs breeds so you can better tell them apart! Let’s get started!

Purebred Dogs & Humans

Purebred dogs are bred by humans who are looking for a specific type of dog for their needs. They may want a working dog that has specific qualities or a gentle dog that’s a great, calm companion. It just depends.

Over time, the breeds bred together product offspring that may not even resemble their parents or heritage. This can spur some breeders to “bring back” the older bloodlines to revive dog breeds that may have become rarer.

With the Olde English Bulldogge, the latter is the case. Breeders have tried to bring back the original characteristics of this dog breed.

The Bulldog Breed

The Bulldog is a dog breed that was originally bred to participate in bull- and bear-baiting. In those days, Bulldogs were leaner and taller than they are today. They had smaller heads and not as many facial folds. Their muzzles were also longer. Plus, the dogs were extremely aggressive. They had to be to even survive the horrible bull- and bear-baiting activities.

By 1835, these activities were made illegal. However, Bulldogs were then used for dog fighting. After this activity began illegal, breeders worked to breed the dogs’ aggressiveness out. The goal was to create an amazing companion dog.

In the 1970s, Americans began working to develop the Olde English Bulldogge. Their goal was to have dogs that looked more like their ancestors from the 1800s but without aggressiveness.

The breeder who started this process was David Leavitt. He wanted to develop a purebred dog that matched the English Bulldogs of the 1800s. He did this by crossing the following breeds:

The Olde English Bulldogge Association registered the breed and created standards for these dogs. However, in 2005, Leavitt broke ties with the organization and the name of the dog bred. He said the breed he developed no longer bore the appearance of the English Bulldog from the 1800s. He decided to change the dog breed’s name to Leavitt Bulldog.

Needless to say, this caused quite a stir with other Olde English Bulldogge breeders. However, both the Olde English Bulldogge and the Leavitt Bulldog were accepted by the United Kennel Club (UKC). However, the two dog breeds were recognized with the same requirements and characteristics. No distinction was made between the dog breeds. So, this is where some of the confusion started between the Olde English Bulldogge and the English Bulldog.

What’s the Difference Between the Olde English Bulldogge and the English Bulldog?

As we compare these dogs, it’s important to understand that the Olde English Bulldogge was created to recapture the Bulldog of the 1800s. The goal was to take away some of the problems that developed in the English Bulldog over time.

For instance, the Olde English Bulldogge’s standard & description from the UKC says the dog are muscular and of medium size. Their description goes on to say the dogs are also very agile and strong. And their body is proportionate, and the dogs have no breathing problems. Olde English Bulldogges are friendly, confident, and alert dogs.

English Bulldogs, on the other hand, are not as proportionate. They tend to have wide, heavy shoulders, and as you back along the dog’s back, their backend is lighter (weight).

There’s also a difference between the height and weight of these two dog breeds. Olde English Bulldoges tend to be heavier and weigh between 40 to 80 lbs. The English Bulldog weighs between 40 to 50 lbs. In addition, the English Bulldog is shorter, and their legs are stockier and sturdier.

In addition, the UKC does not like the wrinkles of the Olde English Bulldogge. However, this is a common characteristic in English Bulldogs. What’s more, the muzzle of the Olde English Bulldogge is longer and has wider nostrils (that’s why they have no trouble breathing). English Bulldogs have “squished in” faces, which causes breathing difficulties. The dogs are known as brachycephalic dogs, which means they have more respiratory issues.

While the Olde English Bulldogge was bred to remove some of the health issues of the English Bulldog, they still have their own health issues. Inbreeding has caused the breed to develop hip dysplasia.

What About the Old English Bulldog and the English Bulldog?

Here, it gets even more confusing! Another dog breed is called the Old English Bulldog, which is completely different from the Olde English Bulldogge. The Old English Bulldog no longer exists—it has become extinct. These were the dogs who were the ancestors of the English Bulldog.

Some people are confused, and we can’t blame them. But you can tell the difference between the Olde English Bulldogge and the Old English Bulldog by spelling their names. The Olde English Bulldogge is the newer breed, while the Old English Bulldog is the older breed (from the 1800s).

After the Cruelty to Animal Act was passed in 1835, bear-baiting and other similar activities became illegal. However, breeders still wanted to preserve the Old English Bulldog, but without their aggressiveness. Over time, breeding led to the creation of the American Pitbull Terrier and the Bull Terrier. However, in the process, the Old English Bulldog became extinct.

Coat Colors of Olde English Bulldogges & English Bulldogs

Back to our original two dogs—the Olde English Bulldogge and the English Bulldog. There are some differences between the dogs’ coat colors. The standard colors of the English Bulldog range from brindle (various shades), solid white or red, solid fawn, light tan, and brown & white piebald. It is possible for an English Bulldog to be solid black; however, this is not an official standard for the breed. However, the dogs can be black & white piebald.

The Olde English Bulldogge comes in pretty much the same colors and may be brindle or solid, too.

Appearances are Different, Too

While the colors may be pretty much the same, Olde English Bulldogges and English Bulldogs do have some differences in their appearance.

For instance, the English Bulldog is not very athletic. They enjoy walking, but a long walk would be too difficult for these dogs. They have trouble breathing and also have short legs, making a more extended walk more challenging.

On the other hand, the Olde English Bulldogge is more muscular and agile. These dogs are more athletic and happier to have plenty of energy for various dog sports, such as agility and others. This is a dog that can easily take a long walk and still have energy left over.

Wrinkles are a common feature to both dogs; however, the Olde English Bulldogge should not have too many wrinkles. On the other hand, English Bulldogs do have more wrinkles, which may put them at higher risk of skin irritation and infections.

We already mentioned that Olde English Bulldoggges have a longer muzzle and wider nostrils compared to the English Bulldog. These dogs don’t have trouble breathing.

What About Temperament?

Here, the two breeds are pretty close to one another. Both the Olde English Bulldogge and the English Bulldog are affectionate, courageous, friendly, loving, social, and sweet. However, the Olde English Bulldogge can be more stubborn and territorial. Even so, both dogs benefit from training and socialization from a young age.

Health Issues

When it comes to health issues, English Bulldogs are not as healthy as Olde English Bulldogges. English Bulldogs are prone to the following health conditions:

Olde English Bulldogges are prone to the following health issues:

As you can see, the list of health issues for Olde English Bulldogges is much shorter than for English Bulldogs. That’s one of the sadder differences between these dog breeds.

In the following sections, we’ll focus on each dog breed in turn so that you can learn more them as distinctive breeds!

How to Exercise an Olde English Bulldogge

When it comes to Exercise, these dogs have energy and then some! They’re highly intelligent and have a fun sense of adventure. For these reasons, the dogs require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. If they become bored, these dogs will become destructive.

These are working dogs, so they thrive when they have work! However, they also like to have fun playing and running. They also enjoy obedience training, weight pulling, and other activities.

Olde English Bulldogges also enjoy long walks and hikes, though it’s essential for pet parents not to make the activity too strenuous. It’s easy for activities to put too much wear and tear on the dog’s joints.

Grooming an Olde English Bulldogge

When it comes to grooming, Olde English Bulldogges are easy to care for. However, they are moderate shedders, so it’s a good idea to brush your dog once a day or at least once a week. Their ears also need to be checked and cleaned every week.

The dog’s skin folds also need daily attention. Their facial wrinkles can be moist from drool and slobber. If the skin folds stay wet, fungi and bacterial infections can cause problems. So, the dogs need their facial wrinkles cleaned and dried on a regular basis.

Olde English Bulldogge Feeding

These dogs require high-quality dog food that has plenty of protein. Meat should be the first thing on the ingredient list.

Olde English Bulldogges do well on kibble and need about 3.5 cups of food each day. They can be fed 2-3 meals each day in order to prevent bloat or other GI problems.

English Bulldog Exercise

When it comes to exercise, the English Bulldog doesn’t have as much energy as his Olde English Bulldogge cousin! He needs about 30 minutes of daily exercise.

The dogs don’t do well in hot, humid weather, which can kill them. The reason is the dog’s squished in nose. They’re not able to breathe.

English Bulldog Diet

When it comes to food, these dogs also need dog food that’s high in protein. However, English Bulldogs have problems with gaining weight, food allergies, and sensitive stomachs.

The English Bulldog can eat meat, fish, veggies & fruits (that are safe for dogs!), and more. However, they (and their Olde English Bulldogge cousins) should not eat each human food.

In addition, because they may suffer from kidney problems, English Bulldogs need a combination of wet and dry dog food. This can be accomplished by mixing kibble and canned food or as directed by a vet.

English Bulldog Grooming

The English Bulldog also has short hair; however, they do shed. So, daily brushing is best. Brushing helps keep dog fur and dander from going all over the home. And during shedding season, it’s best to brush these dogs outside; otherwise, the house is quickly covered in fur.

These dogs only need a bath when needed. That’s because they have sensitive skin. Plus, bathing too often removes the protective oils from the dog’s skin. This can cause skin irritation and lead to infections.

Like their Olde English Bulldogge cousins, the English Bulldog has facial wrinkles that must be cleaned every day. Otherwise, the areas could become prone to fungal and bacterial infections.

Summing It Up

As you can see, the Olde English Bulldogge and the English Bulldog have some things in common; however, they have even more that differentiates them. Both dogs are adorable; however, the Olde English Bulldogge is healthier than the English Bulldog. This is a major consideration when choosing between the Olde English Bulldogge and the English Bulldog.

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Tom

Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!

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