English Bulldog vs Olde English Bulldogge: What are the Differences?

If you think that the English Bulldog and the Olde English Bulldogge are the same breed, you are hugely mistaken. While both are considered bully breeds, the difference goes beyond just the name. It includes distinctions in their origins, appearance, health issues, and exercise needs.

Here’s everything you need to know about the differences between English Bulldog and Olde English Bulldogge. Make sure to read all the way to know their key characteristics that will help you decide which breed is for you.

Origins of English Bulldog vs Olde English Bulldogge

English Bulldog Origin

The English Bulldog, as the breed’s name implies, originated in England in the 13th century. The breed was originally used for the blood sport of bull-baiting wherein a bull is staked for a pack of dogs to subdue. This brutal sport was a widely known form of entertainment during that era and the Bulldogs were commonly used for this due to their massive and powerful jaws as well as high pain tolerance.

A quick note on food: for your Bulldog, the goal is high protein with fewer calories, and a reduced-fat recipe makes that easy.

KEEP IT LEAN WITH BULLY MAX 25/11 REDUCED FAT FOOD

Chicken-free lamb recipe with 25% protein, 45% less fat, and 415 calories per cup for dogs that need a lighter bowl.

$55.97 · 15 lb

ADD TO CART

Fortunately during 1835, England finally banned blood sports with animals but this did not stop illegal blood sports activities. It took several decades to completely obsolesce bull-baiting. On the other hand, the breed enthusiasts during that period began to convert these dogs from fighters to companion animals. By 1886, the breed was recognized by the AKC.

Olde English Bulldogge Origin

The Olde English Bulldogge, just like the English Bulldog, originated from England. Its namesake, the original Old English Bulldog, was the working bulldog used for bull-baiting and is the ancestor of many bull breeds that exist today. That dog died out in the 1800s after England banned blood sports, and later selective breeding pushed the bulldog toward the shorter, heavier type we know as the English Bulldog.

In the early 1970s, David Leavitt, a dog breeder from Pennsylvania, started a breeding program which aimed to recreate the ancestral bulldog in terms of appearance, athleticism and health. As a result, this breed, known as the Olde English Bulldogge, looks similar to the bulldogs used for blood sports back then. The Olde English Bulldogge was recognized by the UKC in 2014.

Appearance, Color and Size

English Bulldog

The English Bulldog is a medium set dog with a stocky and low-swung body, a big and flat-faced head, wide shoulders, and short, sturdy limbs. Notable characteristics of this breed include the heavy wrinkles covering the face and their iconic undershot mouth. The colors of the English Bulldog may vary from red, white, fawn, fallow and their combinations. The breed’s coat is short and smooth. The standard sizes for mature males and females are about 50 and 40 pounds, respectively. The English Bulldog stands at 14-15 inches.

Olde English Bulldogge

The Olde English Bulldogge is a medium-sized breed with a muscular build, a rectangular body, a large and short head, and prominent shoulders. The length of the limbs of this breed is proportionate to their bodies. The colors of the Olde English Bulldogge include white, fawn, red, black, brindle, and their combinations. The breed’s coat is short with medium density. The average standard sizes for mature males and females are about 70 and 60 pounds, respectively. The Olde English Bulldogge stands at 16-20 inches.

In Comparison

In terms of appearance, the English Bulldog has a more wrinkled appearance and a shorter face than the Olde English Bulldogge. The variety of colors and coat quality between the breeds are quite similar. In terms of size, the Olde English Bulldogge is slightly taller, larger and heavier than the English Bulldog.

English vs Olde English Bulldog Personality and Temperament

English Bulldog

Even though the English Bulldog were originally bred for bull-baiting, the long process of transforming the breed into a companion animal almost bred out unwanted traits such as aggression and unpredictability. This breed is affectionate, loyal and has a good temperability, but may be a little protective of its owner and family. It is also known that English Bulldogs are quite lazy. The breed can be civil with other pets in the house but be apprehensive of dogs they are unfamiliar with.

Olde English Bulldogge

With the same roots, the Olde English Bulldogge has a similar personality and temperament to the English Bulldog. The breed is sociable, playful and loyal to their owners and family. One distinct difference from the English Bulldog is their higher energy drive, which makes them more trainable. However, this also means that they have a higher prey drive so caution is required with smaller dogs and pets.

Family Compatibility and Friendliness Towards Strangers

Both the English Bulldog and the Olde English Bulldogge are great family pets. They also do well with children because they are even-tempered with long patience. As with all dogs, supervision is required at every playtime between these breeds and children to make sure everyone is safe and happy.

With proper socialization, both the breeds will be approachable and calm in the presence of strangers. This is the reason why bulldog breeds are known to be people-oriented. However, there may be a risk of anxiety and aggression when it comes to unfamiliar dogs.

Activity Level and Exercise Needs

English Bulldog

The English Bulldog has a low energy level which requires around 30 minutes of exercise a day. They tolerate short 15-minute walks when it’s cool outside. It is important to provide water at all times and to keep exercise sessions short to avoid overexertion. They also enjoy games such as tug-of-war and ball games.

Olde English Bulldogge

The Olde English Bulldogge is a moderately active breed which requires around an hour of exercise a day. This breed enjoys regular walks and a yard for play. The Olde English Bulldogge loves games such as tug-of-war and fetch. Even though they are more athletic than the English Bulldog, it is important to keep exercise sessions shorter than half an hour to prevent overexertion.

Health Issues

English Bulldog

The English Bulldog is predisposed to health issues namely skin fold dermatitis, prolapsed nictitating membrane gland (a.k.a. cherry eye), brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), and interdigital cysts (O’Neill et. al., 2022). The breed is also predisposed to obesity which may be a contributing factor to the aforementioned diseases.

Olde English Bulldogge

The Olde English Bulldogge is predisposed to health issues similar to the English Bulldog’s like skin fold dermatitis and BOAS but to a lesser extent due to their morphology. However, anecdotal evidence shows that this breed is predisposed to various forms of heart disease and entropion. The probability of these diseases in this breed have not been proven by any studies as of this writing.

Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

BOAS

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, or BOAS, refers to a particular set of upper airway abnormalities including stenotic nares, elongated soft palate and hypoplastic trachea, all of which compromise breathing. Clinical signs and symptoms of BOAS include labored and noisy breathing, open-mouth breathing, and snoring. Affected dogs may also have exercise intolerance, coughing, gagging, and vomiting. Severely affected dogs may have episodes of fainting. In general, these symptoms are more frequently observed during hot and humid weather. Dogs with BOAS are at a very high risk for heat stroke.

This condition is tentatively diagnosed based on clinical signs and results of a physical examination. This is further confirmed through examination of the respiratory tract under general anesthesia.Treatment of BOAS includes medical and/or surgical management depending on the severity.

Skin Fold Dermatitis

Skin fold dermatitis is an infection formed in a pocket between two folds of skin causing itching, pain and malodorous smell. Reddish, itchy and smelly skin particularly on the folds are signs of this type of dermatitis. The offensive odor may not go away even after bathing. The folds may also have sticky and yellowish discharge which may be painful when cleaned.

A veterinarian can easily diagnose this issue upon physical examination. Further testing, such as a skin cytology, may be done to determine the specific type of infection. This condition is treated with oral and topical medications.

Interdigital Cysts

Interdigital cyst is a condition wherein an inflamed bump (cyst) forms in between the toes (interdigit) of the paw. This cyst is usually reddish and may rupture with trauma which will then leak clear, blood-tinged or purulent discharge. A dog with this condition will likely lick and chew the affected paw. They may also limp from pain.

Physical examination will diagnose interdigital cysts but further tests are required to determine the underlying cause. Depending on the cause, mild cases can be treated with topical management but severe cases complicated with secondary infections will be treated with long courses of antibiotics.

Cherry Eye

Cherry eye, medically known as prolapsed nictitating membrane gland, is a condition where a tear-producing gland inside the eye protrudes. This condition is irritating and may cause dry eyes in dogs. A smooth, round, red or pink mass in the inner corner of the eye is suggestive of the disorder. It may come and go in mild forms of the disease. It may also present in both eyes. Affected dogs may have excessive eye secretions. They may also try to paw their eyes.
An eye examination by a veterinarian is enough to determine the disorder. Surgery is the treatment of choice.

Entropion

Entropion is defined as the inward rolling of the eyelids. This results in continuous rubbing of the eyelashes on the cornea of the eye. Eye irritation, corneal ulcers and ocular hyperpigmentation may occur secondary to entropion. Dogs with entropion usually squint or hold their eyes shut. They also have excessive formation of tears which may sometimes be accompanied by a mucoid discharge. Most of the time, both eyes are affected.

A veterinarian will diagnose entropion through an eye examination. This abnormality is usually diagnosed in puppies less than one year of age. The only treatment is surgery where a section of skin is removed from the affected eyelid to reverse its inward rolling.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is an umbrella term for various heart conditions which include, but are not limited to, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), mitral valve disease (MVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

PDA is the most common congenital heart disorder while MVD and DCM are the two most common acquired heart disorders in dogs. Early stages of acquired heart disease do not show signs in affected dogs, but a veterinarian may detect heart murmurs during physical examination. Some of the common signs of heart disease include coughing, difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, weakness, collapse, weight loss, lethargy, abdominal bloating and stunted growth.

A veterinary cardiologist will diagnose a heart disease from physical examination, x-rays, echocardiography (ECG), and cardiac ultrasound. PDA is treated surgically. Acquired heart disorders are treated with oral medications to support heart function and treat abnormal heart rhythms. Dogs with heart disease will usually require regular recheck examinations, laboratory testing, and imaging.

In Comparison

The English Bulldog is expected to face more health issues than the Olde English Bulldogge. Firstly because English Bulldogs are lazy in nature, they are prone to obesity which exacerbates the symptoms of diseases such as BOAS. Additionally, their heavier facial wrinkles make them more prone to skin fold dermatitis than the Olde English Bulldogge.

Knowing these, it is important to manage the weights of both breeds to prevent obesity-related health conditions. Good grooming habits including regular cleaning of facial folds will also help prevent skin issues for both breeds. It is also essential to have regular veterinary visits when owning either of these breeds.

Feeding an English Bulldog vs an Olde English Bulldogge

These two bulldogs need different approaches at the bowl:

• English Bulldogs are low-energy and gain weight easily, and extra weight makes breathing and skin-fold problems worse. Measure every meal, count treats, and consider a lower-fat, lower-calorie food if your dog is easy to over-feed.
• Olde English Bulldogges are bigger and more athletic. Active dogs usually do well on a higher-protein, higher-calorie food that supports lean muscle.

For both breeds, choose a food with animal protein first, keep your dog lean, and adjust portions by body condition. Our dog food calculator and guide to your dog's ideal weight can help, and you can compare every formula, including the lower-fat 25/11 Lamb, in our high-protein dog food collection.

Whichever bulldog you own, feeding is similar: moderate calories, high protein, no fillers. Compare formulas in our best dog food for Bulldogs guide.

TRY BULLY MAX 25/11 REDUCED FAT DOG FOOD

Chicken-free lamb recipe with 25% protein, 45% less fat, and 415 calories per cup for dogs that need a lighter bowl.

$55.97 · 15 lb

ADD TO CART

TRY BULLY MAX 30/20 HIGH-PROTEIN DOG FOOD

Fuel strength and energy with meat-based nutrition, 30% protein, 20% fat, and 535 calories per cup.

$55.97 · 15 lb

ADD TO CART

Price Comparison

Both breeds are expensive. Puppies from reputable breeders commonly cost anywhere from about $1,500 to $5,000 or more, depending on lineage, location and health testing.

English Bulldog puppies are usually born through cesarean sections which make them expensive to breed. That adds to the price.

Olde English Bulldogge puppies are rarer because of the scarce number of breeders. Waitlists are common.

Key Differences and Considerations

To summarize, here is a table differentiating English Bulldogs and Olde English Bulldogges.

Conclusion

English Bulldogs and Olde English Bulldogs are both excellent choices as family pets. These breeds have good temperaments and are tolerant to children. They are both predisposed to certain diseases just like any other purebred dog but the English Bulldog is expected to face more health issues in its life. With the right husbandry and regular veterinary visits, both breeds will live long lives.

FAQ

Is the Olde English Bulldogge the same as the Old English Bulldog?

No. The Old English Bulldog was the original working bulldog and is extinct. The Olde English Bulldogge is a modern breed developed in the 1970s to recreate it.

Which is bigger, the English Bulldog or the Olde English Bulldogge?

The Olde English Bulldogge. It stands about 16-20 inches and usually weighs 50-80 pounds, compared with 14-15 inches and 40-50 pounds for the English Bulldog.

Which bulldog is healthier?

The Olde English Bulldogge was bred for better breathing and athleticism, so it typically has fewer breathing and skin-fold issues. Both breeds benefit from staying lean and regular vet care.

Do you own a bulldog? Share your experience by leaving us a comment below.

References

Hunter, Tammy. 2023. Heart Disease in Dogs. VCA Hospitals. Retrieved from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/heart-disease-in-dogs).

O’Neill, Dan; Skipper, Alison; Packer, Rowena; Lacey, Caitriona; Brodbelt, Dave; Church, David; Pegram, Camilla. 2022. English Bulldogs in the UK: a VetCompass study of their disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Medicine and Genetics.

Tou, Sandra. 2020. Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual. NJ USA.