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Utility · United States

Olde English Bulldogge

A walker's guide to the Olde English Bulldogge: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Medium, 25 to 36 kgActiveBulldog typeStrong pullerHeat sensitiveNot KC recognised
Exercise a day60 min plus
Energy3 of 5
Walk styleStrong, purposeful plod
With other dogsConfident, needs managing

Overview

The Olde English Bulldogge was created in the United States in the 1970s to recover the look of the eighteenth-century bulldog with fewer of the breathing and structural problems of the modern show dog. It is taller, leaner and longer-faced than the Bulldog, with a more obvious athletic ability.

Temperament is usually confident and steady, with a strong attachment to the family and a certain amount of swagger with strange dogs. Because it is not a Kennel Club breed and several registries exist, type varies, and some dogs are closer to the heavy, flat-faced end than the breed's promoters would like.

Exercise and walking needs

An hour a day in two walks is right for most adults, with a brisk pace possible on a cool day. They enjoy a tug toy and a short game of fetch more than distance, and they tire faster than their muscle suggests.

Heat is still the main risk. Even a dog with a decent muzzle has a heavy body and a thick neck, so from late spring walk early, keep to shade and listen for breathing that gets harsh.

Daily minimum60 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeEnclosed spaces

On the walk

  • Pulling: Powerful and low to the ground. A padded harness with a front clip and a lead you can wrap round your hand are worth their price.
  • Other dogs: Many are fine, some are keen to assert themselves, particularly with other bull breeds. Introduce slowly and keep greetings short and moving.
  • Breathing: Better than the show Bulldog as a rule, but check the individual. Snorting under effort is a sign to slow down and cool off.
  • Recall: Variable and often indifferent. Secure spaces only for off-lead time, and expect the dog to come back when it is ready rather than when you call.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Ask to see the dog's face and listen to it breathe at rest before planning a route; type varies a lot.
  2. Carry water and a collapsible bowl, and skip the walk entirely on hot afternoons.
  3. Avoid narrow paths where you cannot give other dogs space.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • How does the dog behave with other dogs, and are there any it has had trouble with?
  • Does it have any breathing, skin or joint issues the vet is monitoring?
  • What equipment does the owner use for lead walking, and does the dog accept a harness?
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