Old English bulldogs are known for their giant size and giant strength. They are known for being gentle giants, but when they want something, no one can say no to them.
They are loyal and protective, and they will go to great lengths to keep their owners safe. Old English bulldogs are man’s best friend, and they are a lot of fun to be around
Historians believe that this breed was the result of crossbreeding between ancient fighter dogs, like the Old Mastiff or the extinct breed of the Alaunt dog.
Some believe this is the ancestor of the bull terrier and the American pit bull terrier.
This breed was developed as an athletic and agile dog for blood sports such as Bull Baiting and other common English blood sports such as dog fighting.
As per the print that shows the variety, there was a small Mastiff with a comparative long head.
But this fact isn’t clear because the Mastiff was found to be very slow for Bull-Baiting sports.
The English Bulldog was once a participant in a bloody sport called Bull-Baiting.
Following several attempts to put an end to such games, the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 was passed in England to bloody sport game.
Some of the last known members of the Old English Bulldog breed Wasp, Child, and Billy, were described in a painting from Duke of Hamilton‘s strain before it became extinct.
Old English Bulldog origin
The Old English Bulldog breed, which originated in the 1600s, and this breed is the ancestor of many bulldog breeds, including the American Bulldog and the English Bulldog. However, some believe that the true origin of the Old English Bulldog is unknown.
Quick Overview of Old English Bulldog
| Breed Name | Old English Bulldog |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Lifespan | NA |
| Breed type | Athletic |
| Size | Medium |
| Weight | 45 pounds (20 kg) |
| Hight | 15 inches (380 mm) |
| Temperament | Fierce |
| Coat color | Solid White |
| Features | Active, confident |
| Exercise prerequisites | NA |
| Energy level | High |
| Tendency to Drool | NA |
| Snore | NA |
| Tendency to Bark | NA |
| Tendency to Dig | NA |
| Attention required | NA |
Breed Appearance
According to John Scott’s well-known painting, two other recognized members of the breed, Crib, and Rosa can be seen in 1817 as Old English Bulldog breeds, demonstrating that this breed was compact in size, broad, and muscular.
This breed was a one-of-a-kind creature, with the face of a Mastiff but a smaller head, and the dog was shorter than its ancestor but relatively tall.
It was extremely muscular and powerful, with an impressive physique.
Most of this breed have long tails, but occasionally medium length and naturally bobbed tails are also found.
This breed is commonly found with folded ears, but some have pricked or semi-pricked ears as well.
Breed Size
This breed was a Molosser type of dog breed, large to massive in size, very strong, with a wide jaw and pushed into the face.
The majority of Molosser dog breeds are found primarily in Western European countries.
The height of the Old English Bulldog was around 15 inches (380 mm), and they weighed around 45 pounds (20 kg).
Breed Colors
The Old English Bulldog was found in different colors, but solid white with white markings was very common.
Some believe that two of the extinct breeds, English White Terrier and Talbot Hound, were crossed breeds and white color was the result of that is no proof that.
Breed Temperament
The Old English Bulldog was quite savage.
Since this breed was from a sports group, it was very active and fearless, and very aggressive.
It was unafraid of attacking and killing anything it came across.
However, this breed was not found to be aggressive towards humans.
In history, it was regularly kept in families as a family companion, and it was quite good as a family dog as well.
How did the old English bulldog go extinct?
BullBaiting was popular in the early 1800s, but as times changed and new social mores emerged, blood sports like BullBaiting were viewed as cruel and inhumane.
The Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835 resulted in a decline in bullbaiting and dog fighting, resulting in a lack of interest in preserving the Old English Bulldog.
After the bull-baiting sport was made illegal in 1835, this breed became unemployed, and the breed began to decline, resulting in a lack of interest in this Bulldog breed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Old English bulldogs extinct?
Yes, The Old English Bulldog is an extinct dog breed.
Is an old English Bulldog a pitbull?
No, however, both pitbulls and American bulldogs are considered to be descended from Old English bulldogs.
