General
Description
:
The ideal Olde
English Bulldogge is a loyal, courageous dog of medium size
with a large powerful head and stout muscular body.
Olde English Bulldogges are athletic and most importantly of
very good health, males are free breeders
and females are free whelpers. The Olde English Bulldogge
is devoid of all breathing issues and is capable of enjoying
outdoor activity without concern except in extreme heat or
cold.
The temperament is very
stable and trustworthy making them a loyal companion,
capable protector and
the ultimate family member.
Old English Bulldogges
thrive on pleasing their owners and are very trainable.
Their lifespan is between 10 and 14 years.
Head
:
Large and high,
moderately sunken between the eyes (medial furrow).
The circumference of the head
should be equal to or greater than the dog's
height at the shoulder.
A narrow head or one that appears too small for the body is
a fault.
Ears :
Rose ears set
well on the sides of the head are preferred. Dropped ears
are acceptable as long they are small, not “hound like”.
Full pricked ears that stand up on top of the head should be
considered
a serious fault.
Muzzle
: Broad, deep
and short with moderate wrinkling. The bite is undershot
with the bottom jaw turning up noticeably.
Lower canines should
not protrude.
Muzzle too
long (more than 3 inches), scissor bite or even bite are
disqualifying faults. Muzzle should be no shorter than 1
½”. Wry jaw is a disqualifying fault.
Eyes
:
Wide apart and
of moderate size. Any color is acceptable. However, odd
eyes (one dark, one blue or light) should be considered
unpreferred. Misshapen or bugged eyes are a serious fault.
Lacking pigment around the eyes is undesirable. Crossed
eyes or non-symmetrically shaped eyes are a disqualifying
fault.
Nose
:
Broad with open
nostrils (nares) with no sign of air restriction. The nose
should not be pushed up between the eyes. From the stop to
the end of the nose
must be at least one and one half inches.
The
nose should be a solid color. Lacking pigment is a serious
fault. A nose lacking all pigment is a disqualifying fault.
Neck
:
Short to medium in length and
very muscular flowing into the shoulders and should not be
set on the dog so it appears to stop at the shoulders.
Chest :
Ribs should be well sprung
(rounded) and the chest wide and deep.
Depth of chest should be at
least to the elbows.
A hollow or narrow chest (slab sided) should be considered a
serious fault.
Back :
Males should
appear square and balanced. Females should appear similar
with consideration given for body length. Short with a
very slight rise from the shoulders to a slight drop in the
croup is preferred. A level back is acceptable as long as
the tail does not come straight off the top of the back.
Shoulders :
Shoulders should be well laid back with significant
angulations to allow for good movement. Straight shoulders
are a fault.
Legs
:
Forelegs should
be straight and wide apart, neither bowing out nor turning
in. There should be significant bone substance.
Elbows should be relatively close to the body. Lacking bone
and substance
is very undesirable. Elbows that are loose or “fiddle
fronts” are a disqualifying fault. “East / West” forelegs
are a serious fault.
Rear legs should exhibit
significant bend of stifle so to allow for good movement.
They should be well muscled. Straight or “posty” rear legs
are a serious fault.
Cow hocks are a disqualifying fault.
Movement
: Dogs should have
a balanced gait that drives off the rear and is complimented
by reach allowing the dog to cover ground with a sense of
power.
Dogs should single track. Pacing or crabbing is a serious
fault.
Feet
:
Round, tight
both front and rear, and the pasterns should be strong.
Weak pasterns and/or splayed feet are disqualifying
faults.
Height
:
Males - 18 to 20
inches at the shoulder. Females - 17 to 19 inches at the
shoulder.
Weight
:
Between 50 to 70
lbs. for females and 65 to 85 lbs. for males. Although
height and weight
above the standard is to be discouraged, there is no penalty
as
long as the dog is well proportioned, otherwise correct and
balanced.
Color
:
Any color,
except merle, is acceptable with no preference for one over
another. The coat is short. A wavy coat or a long coat is
a disqualifying fault. There should be no signs of
feathering on the legs or neck area, also a disqualifying
fault.
Tail
:
A pump handle
tail that naturally reaches the hock is preferred, screwed
short
or a docked tails are acceptable. The pump handle tail
should be carried low and not over the back of
the dog.
Temperament
: Disposition should be outgoing and happy.
While a watchful nature may be expected
at home, human aggression without provocation is a
disqualifying fault.