BRONZE ICON BULLDOGS
The English / Olde English Bulldogge History
The term "Bulldog"was first mentioned in literature around 1500, the oldest spelling of the word being Bondogge and Bolddogge. The first reference to the word with the modern spelling is dated 1631 or 1632 in a letter by a man named Preswick Eaton where he writes: "procuer mee two good Bulldogs, and let them be sent by ye first shipp". The name "bull" was applied because of the dog's use in the sport of bull baiting. This entailed the setting of dogs (after placing wagers on each dog) onto a tethered bull. The dog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground would be the victor. It was common for a bull to maim or kill several dogs at such an event, either by goring, tossing or trampling. Over the centuries dogs used for bull-baiting developed the stocky bodies and massive heads and jaws which typify the breed as well as a ferocious and savage temperament. Bull-baiting - along with bear-baiting - reached the peak of their popularity in England in the early 1800s until they were both made illegal by the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835. This amended the existing legislation to protect animals from mistreatment and included (as 'cattle') bulls, dogs, bears and sheep, so that bull and bear-baiting as well as cockfighting became prohibited. Therefore, the Old English Bulldog had outlived its usefulness in England as a sporting animal and its active or 'working' days were numbered. However, emigrants did have a use for such dogs in the New World. In mid-17th century New York, Bulldogs were used as a part of a city-wide round-up effort led by governor Richard Nicolls. Because cornering and leading wild bulls was dangerous, Bulldogs were trained to seize a bull by its nose long enough for a rope to be secured around its neck. Bulldogs as pets were continually promoted by dog dealer Bill George.
Despite slow maturation so that growing up is rarely achieved by two and a half years, bulldogs' lives are relatively short and at five to six years of age they are starting to show signs of aging.
In time, the original old English Bulldog was crossed with the pug. The outcome was a shorter, wider dog with a brachycephalic skull. Though today's Bulldog looks tough, he cannot perform the job he was originally created for as he cannot withstand the rigors of running and being thrown by a bull, and also cannot grip with such a short muzzle.
The oldest single breed specialty club is The Bulldog Club (England), which was formed in 1878. Members of this club met frequently at the Blue Post pub on Oxford Street in London. There they wrote the first standard of perfection for the breed. In 1891 the two top Bulldogs, Orry and Dockleaf, competed in a contest to see which dog could walk the farthest. Orry was reminiscent of the original Bulldogs, lighter boned and very athletic. Dockleaf was smaller and heavier set, more like modern Bulldogs. Dockleaf was declared the winner that year. Although some argued that the older version of the Bulldog was more fit to perform, the modern version’s looks won over the fans of the breed because they proved they were equally as fit and athletic in the walking competition.
At the turn of the 20th century, Ch. Rodney Stone became the first Bulldog to command a price of $5000 when he was bought by controversial Irish-American political figure Richard Croker.
*Special thanks to Wikipedia for the above posted information*
IOEBA OLDE ENGLISH BULLDOGGE HISTORY
The Olde English Bulldogge originated in England between 1600 and 1700. These were the early ancestors to many of the Bull breeds that exist today including the English Bulldog and the American Bulldog. They were bred to participate in blood sports like bull baiting. This so called sport, became quite popular in England through out the middle of the 18th Century. Bull baiting primarily consisted of staking out a bull and allowing several Bulldogges to attack it. A dog of great courage and agility was needed for bull baiting. This dog was of medium size; larger dogs were considered to be the result of mastiff crosses.

Around 1835, laws were passed in England prohibiting bull baiting and the Olde English Bulldogges main purpose of existence vanished. Within a decade the numbers of bulldogs declined drastically almost to extinction. Dog show fanciers eventually decided to reconstruct the breed, but wanted to tone down the aggressive temperament of the original Olde English Bulldogge. They crossed the remnants of the existing stock with the pug and over the years that followed they developed the modern English Bulldog. Unfortunately though, this modern dog is wrought with all kinds of genetic health problems.
The modern Olde English Bulldogge is a reconstruction of the original Olde Bulldogge of the 17th and 18th century. Various genetic crosses have been used in carefully and thoughtfully planned breeding programs to obtain this goal. The foundation of most of today’s Olde English Bulldogges can be traced to English Bulldog, American Bulldog, APBT and Mastiff.
These dogs were used very selectively in various combinations to obtain the desired physical and mental traits of the original Olde English Bulldogge. The result has been a good looking Bulldogge of great athletic ability that is much healthier and physically fit without most or all of the problems that plague today’s modern English Bulldogs. The goal of all Olde English Bulldogge breeders should be to produce genetically healthier Bulldogges that are free breathers, free breeders, and free whelpers.

The IOEBA’s detailed breed standard is the best guide as to what the perfect Olde English Bulldogge should look like according to the International Olde English Bulldogge Association. It is recommended that it be used by today’s Olde breeders in an effort to maintain the high standards that the breeders of the past and the IOEBA have set fourth.
Olde English Bulldogges / English Bulldog
In recent years, the Olde Bulldog has been developed as an alternative to the English Bulldog. Since most people are not familiar with English Bulldog breeding practices, they donÂ’t realize that there has been considerable inbreeding, and/or line-breeding of English Bulldogs so that a desired conformation of that breed could be produced. Unfortunately, these breeding practices have done a great deal of harm to the English Bulldog, as well as many other breeds. Over the past 50-plus years, the ARF has monitored the largest American Kennel Club in the world, and we have watched their breeding quality requirements decline. As a result of their unwise breeding requirements, we know of no breeds that are improving, i.e., German Shepherds that are crippled by bad hips, St. Bernands that have attacked children, hunting dogs that cannot hunt, etc. How has this come about? Let me point out, when dogs are bred only for “conformation” [appearance], over a period of years, thatÂ’s all you have left. The working ability disappears, a desired temperament is diminished, and the soundness of body is greatly impaired. With the crossing of the American Bulldog into the English Bulldog, all “Olde Bulldog” owners will notice a higher degree of intelligence and health in their new pet.
Whether you use your “Olde Bulldog” for “Dog Sport”, or as a “Companion Dog”, as a “Therapy Dog”, as a “Protection Dog”, etc., you will have a four-footed friend with a sweet disposition, with a lot of tenacity, agility, and speed. After selective breeding, our ARF Breeders have produced a strong and ideal canine that will receive many positive comments from all who get acquainted with this marvelous lineage of bulldogs.
Here is a list of other popular “Bulldogs” that are being registered with the Animal Research Foundation.
The American Bulldog
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
The Arkansas Giant Bulldog
The Catahoula Bulldog
Hermes’ Olde Bulldog
Leavitt’s Olde Bulldogge
Larson’s Olde English Bulldogge
The Original English Bulldogge
The Olde English Bulldogge
Stonehenge Olde Bulldog
THE BULLDOG CAN HELP OTHER BREEDS, BUT NO OTHER BREED CAN HELP THE BULLDOG.
Olde English Bulldogge History Leavitt
A few words from David Leavitt…
In 1971, I started this project of breeding a dog with the looks of the 18th century Bulldog. I had become disenchanted with English Bulldogs, due to breeding and breathing problems. I discovered that they didn’t look like their ancestors, who were healthier and less extreme. I found that bull and bear-baiting had been very widespread for hundreds of years. Extreme cruelty to animals was inherent in baiting sports. This cruelty was abhorrent to me, but I was fascinated by the great tenacity and courage of the over-matched underdog. I was also drawn to the Bulldog because of his fierce appearance. A modern protection dog, who looks really tough, will repulse an assailant without having to bite. This is the most desirable end to a confrontation. I couldn’t find a reliable source for old style Bulldogs, and set about the daunting task of breeding back. I call the breed the Olde English Bulldogge.
Research has been critical in developing a standard. I have period statues, paintings, prints, and all the important older dog looks. I found that Bulldog sizes varied during different periods, due to changes in the way the baits were staged. Like all old working breeds, Bulldogs were not bred to a strict standard. Their distinctive body, head, and temperament, were dictated instead by their work.
I do not want the temperament of the original Bulldog. My dogs must be very loving. They must have courage and determination, without being overly aggressive. I’ve found that I can’t count on buyers to get their dogs under good obedience control. If I have to make a mistake, it must be on the friendly side, and if someone wants their dog to be sharper, all it takes is a bit of training. I’d rather teach a friendly dog to bite, then vice versa.
I’m using a line-breeding scheme, developed for cattle at Ohio State University. You start with 3 unrelated dogs, two males and one female. Female pups from the first cross are bred to the second male. From this point, females are bred back to uncles, each generation. I have 2 unrelated schemes started, so future outcrosses will be possible. I’ve used breeds that all have old Bulldog in their background. My dogs are half English Bulldog, and the other half is Bullmastiff, Pit Bull, and American Bulldog. The process of getting the dogs to match the old depictions is actually rapid due to the breeds used, and a dogs’ short gestation period. I try to get on to the next generation as quickly as possible, to make genetic progress and get consistent results. I’m up to the eight and ninth generations on the two lines, at the time of this printing in 1995.
My dogs can now breath. They will never be like hounds, able to run for miles during the hottest weather of summer, but they’re three times better than the restricted modern Bulldog. Cesarean section births are not necessary. Artificial insemination, due to male ineptness and lack of drive, has been replaced by natural ties. Life span in over eleven years. All breeding stock have had hip x-rays. No dog with bad hips is bred. I’m now achieving my goal of producing a Bulldog with the health and temperament to be able to serve people, instead of forcing people to serve him.
The Olde English Bulldogge has met the stringent requirements for inclusion in “The Rare Breed Handbook” and dog show judges can find the standard there. Various registries have recognized the breed, but the most important registration is with the Olde English Bulldogge Association (OEBA). People are selling fakes. The dogs must have OEBA papers to be genuine Olde English Bulldogges.
* NOTE: This was written by David Leavitt and reproduced with his permission. Copyright © 1995
The Difference between Olde English and English Bulldogs
So here's the long and short of it. Olde English Bulldogges were the original bulldog breed bred back in the day for "bull baiting" - a very inhumane form of tenderizing cattle meat before they were slaughtered. The original breed of "Bulldogges" was vicious and passionately aggressive due to is required role to attack full grown cattle in groups of two or three enduring trampling, piercing and being tossed. At some point the public realized that this practice was pretty awful and outlawed it leaving this aggressive dog with little purpose. Now I'm sure that people used these dogs for illegal dog fighting for some years until the breed was near extinct. And then one day in an attempt to save the breed someone (most likely Bill George) promoted and experimented crossing Bulldogges with Pugs in order to breed out their aggressiveness and turn them into a more "desirable" and domestic house pet. It worked. And so enters the birth of the classic known breed "The English Bulldog" - short and thick domestic house bred version off its ancestor.
Over the past 50 years though a few gentleman decided they would like to bring back the original "Bulldogge" features trying to eliminate classic health issues in the well known English Bulldog breed. They started to breed English Bulldogs with Pitbulls, Mastiffs, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs, American Bulldogs and so forth. And after multiple generations they developed a new breed of Olde English Bulldogges that claimed to have less health issues and more athleticism. At the end of the day a dog is only as healthy as its gene pool will allow, so Olde English, English or half breeds - every breed can be subject to health issues REGARDLESS of its title. The key is to breed healthy gene pools free of line breeding to other healthy gene pools free of line breeding (in our opinion at least).
So now here's the deal with today's market. Olde English Bulldogges are popping up everywhere - why? Well the short of it is simple. Alot of backyard breeders see an easy way to make alot of money on a free breeding and free whelping dog that can fetch up to $5000 a pup.
The traditional English Bulldogs (EB) aren't designed to be able to breed freely or deliver their pups without assistance - so 9.99 times out of 10 pure breed English Bulldogs need to be artificially inseminated (A.I) and have caesarians (C-Sections) - including ultrasounds, hip x-rays and continual updates racking up the vet bills - thus the puppies start at around $2500 - $3000.
Now the Olde English Bulldogges (OEB) are larger in structure and due to their difference in genetic blending they can usually free breed (mate on their own) and free whelp (deliver their pups without assistance). Ultra sounds and regular check ups are the breeders choice, but the above facts reduce vet bills significantly. The general public doesn't understand this, and alot of breeders know this so they sell the pups for $1500-$5000 with a significant general profit.
This being said, we need to clarify some terminology. What do the words "Generational, Foundational, F1, F2 and F3" mean when referring to the bulldog breed?
Generational.
A "Generational Olde English Bulldogge" means that the dog is technically a pure bred Olde English. It has over 3 generations Olde English Bulldogge genetics - meaning there are no new breeds introduced immediately. Each parent and grandparent should be a recognized or registered OEB. A quality pure bred OEB should have up to 12 generations of pure OEB lineages.
Foundational.
A "Foundational Olde English Bulldogge" basic means "developing breed" and that the dog is not recognized as a "pure bred" OEB. Now this can get tricky because technically you can breed a pure bred English Bulldog (AKC/CKC) to a pure bred Olde English Bulldogge (IOEBA/UCA) and it would be registered as "foundational" - because it is not a recognized pure bred breed. This is fair. But keep in mind in the world of breeding it is completely acceptable and complimentary to breed two pure bred bulldog breeds together and quite common. And if the Dam (mother) is the pure bred English than she may still need to be artificially inseminated and have a c-section.
The flip side to this is when breeders introduce new blood into their lines like pitbulls and mastiffs that are not of the bulldog gene pool and they are registered as "Foundational or F1 Oldes". Now technically they can do this but it pisses other breeders off because they sell them for cheaper, advertise them as Olde English Bulldogs and the lines are basically just half breeds. Think of it like spending $1500 -$2500 on a lab / poodle cross advertised as Lab - not as what it actually is. Tricky right?
So what can you do? Ask questions - and lots of them. Don't be afraid to question the parents, their paperwork and your breeders methods. If the breeder won't help you, then its probably time to move to the next website or ad regardless of how cute that puppy is or great the deal. A good breeder shouldn't have a problem spending a few hours on the phone or in person with you. Getting a new puppy is exciting, and so is breeding them - shouldn't that be shared?
F1 Olde English - Means a first generation of Olde English Bulldogges. This is a crossed litter of one generational OEB and one non OEB breed.
F2 Olde English - Means a second generation of Olde English Bulldogges. This litter is the puppies of and F1 Olde English and a Generational OEB.
F3 Olde English - means a third generation of Olde English Bulldogges. This litter is the product of and F2 Olde English and a Generational OEB.
There is no such thing as an F4 Olde English. After 3 generations the puppies are considered pure bred as long as no new breed is introduced.
What is the IOEBA?
"The International Olde English Bulldogge Association is the world's premier registry of Olde English Bulldogges, Olde Boston Bulldogges, Bantam Bulldogges, Valley Bulldogs and several other rare bully breeds.
The IOEBA has been dedicated to the preservation, continuation and improvement of these breeds since 1995. The IOEBA was the first registry in history to recognize, develop breed standards and begin registration of several bully breeds including the English Bantam Bulldogge and the Valley Bulldog.
The IOEBA is a non-discriminatory registry dedicated to representing all bloodlines of Olde English Bulldogges, Olde Boston Bulldogges, English Bantam Bulldogges, Valley Bulldogs that exist today as well as several other rare breeds.
The IOEBA's well-trained experienced staff is dedicated to providing our customers with superior customer service in a professional friendly manner with an emphasis on accuracy, promptness, reliability and quality service. Accuracy and promptness are two of the areas which the IOEBA registration staff take great pride in and two of the important features that we believe sets the International Olde English Bulldogge Association apart from other registration companies.
As a result of the IOEBA's dedication to the advancement of the breeds registered, our well-trained experienced staff and our commitment to providing our customers with superior customer service, the IOEBA has rapidly become the largest and most popular Olde English Bulldogge and rare bully breed registry in the world today.
The IOEBA is truly an "International" registry that works with breeders, pet owners and fanciers through out the United States, Canada, Mexico and around the globe.
Several IOEBA sanctioned clubs have been established and many more are in the developing stages. The IOEBA regularly holds sanctioned conformation events.
IOEBA MISSION STATEMENT
To be consistently recognized in the canine community as a professional organization that manages a vibrant, progressive, dependable and responsible canine registry.
To advance and improve the breeding of purebred Olde English Bulldogges, Olde Boston Bulldogges, Valley Bulldogs, English Bantam Bulldogges and other bully breeds by establishing and maintaining a genetic stud file of all registered IOEBA canines.
To maintain a registry exclusively for rare, unique and distinctive bully breeds while preserving the integrity of the International Olde English Bulldogge Association's genetic database.
To sanction IOEBA canine events that promote sportsmanship, interest and growth in the sport of purebred dogs while encouraging and maintaining the process of breeding for true type and function of all IOEBA recognized canine breeds.
To be clearly recognized and respected by the canine community as an organization that truly cares about the advancement and betterment of all canines.
To promote and encourage the advancement and registration of purebred Olde English Bulldogges, Olde Boston Bulldogges, Valley Bulldogs, English Bantam Bulldogges and other rare bully breeds.
To encourage all breeders of IOEBA registered canines to use only the best of the best in their breeding programs, while maintaining an emphasis on health, temperament and conformation.
The encourage the betterment of canine life by education of breeders and owners of today's ever changing ideas and advancements in dog care"
What is the CKC?
"The Canadian Kennel Club (or CKC) is the primary registry body for purebred dog pedigrees in Canada. Beyond maintaining the pedigree registry, the CKC also promotes events such as conformation shows and obedience trials for purebred dogs and confers championship and other titles in conformation, obedience and similar competitions.
The Canadian Kennel Club is a national, member-based, non-profit organization, incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act of Canada. Founded in 1888, it provides registry services for all the 175 dog breeds which it currently recognizes, and provides governance for all CKC approved shows, trial and events. CKC provides news and information to its membership through its association with Dogs in Canada monthly magazine.
For a dog to be registered with the CKC, the dog's parents must be registered with the CKC as the same breed, and the litter in which the dog is born must be registered with the CKC Foreign-born dogs are registered as imports by CKC provided that they are registered with a CKC approved and recognized foreign registry and identified in accordance with CKC regulations. Once these criteria are met, the dog is eligible to be registered as purebred by the CKC.
CKC is not the only Canadian registry of purebred dogs, but it is the one most Canadians are familiar with. The Animal Pedigree Act provides that only one official registry per breed may exist in Canada, and other breeds not recognized by CKC are registered by other registries such as the Canine Federation of Canada and the Working Canine Association of Canada. CKC members may only breed CKC recognized breeds and are required to sign a membership pledge not to engage in the buying, selling or breeding of dogs not purebred (purebred being defined as eligible for CKC registration).
As with almost all breed registries, the registration specifies only that the dog is purely of one recognized breed—it does not guarantee that the dog comes from healthy or show-quality bloodlines. Neither is it a reflection on the quality of the breeder or how the puppy was raised. Registration basically provides tracking for known canine ancestry as stated by the breeder of each dog registered, and therefore the possibility of pedigree services. Purebred pedigrees can often be followed back for as much as a century and for perhaps thirty or more generations of registered ancestry.
Registration is necessary for dogs who will participate in purebred conformation shows or who will be used for purebred breeding. Most breeders prefer to register their eligible puppies, even if they are not of show quality, either because there is a better market for registered dogs or because the puppy might have characteristics that could produce championship stock if careful genetic planning takes place."
-Wikipedia 2016
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