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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, which 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 named
the breed Olde English Bulldogge.
Research has been critical in developing a standard. I have period
statues, paintings, prints, and all the important older dog books. 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 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 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 breathe. 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 is 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.
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