You don't know it yet, but you need an OEB in your life

For many years, my son has asked for a dog. For many years, he was told that it wouldn’t be fair to have a dog in our small apartment. A few years ago we moved into a larger home with a large yard that felt like it was made for dogs. It took us two years and a lot of research to finally take the leap and bring home a puppy.

My husband wanted an English Bulldog. I wanted an American Bulldog. We looked at the pros and cons of both Bully breeds. English Bulldogs have a lot of health problems after years and years of breeding into a show dog. American Bulldogs are larger than we really wanted. The question we had to figure out was: Could we find a Bully breed that’s healthy like the American Bulldog but smaller like the English Bulldog.

Enter the Olde English Bulldogge! The OEB, sometimes called the Leavitt Bulldog, is the brainchild of David Leavitt who set out to create a healthier bulldog similar to the original bull baiting dog of the 17th century. A true OEB should be genetically comprised of ½ English Bulldog, ⅙ Bullmastiff, ⅙ American Pit Bull Terrier, ⅙ American Bulldog. These dogs were chosen to help resurrect the Bulldog because they exhibit some of the qualities that the bull baiting dog popularized as pets after bull baiting ban laws went into effect.

A healthy OEB is big boned and super muscular. Their chest is broad, their head is large with a muzzle measuring between 1½ ” - 3”, and their body is fairly long and slim while their hind quarters legs are equally as muscular as that of their front end. The OEB is athletic, loyal, and protective. While they look fierce, they are sweet, cuddly, loving dogs. Often OEBs are stubborn but they are also highly food motivated making them easy to train if done with fidelity and consistently.

My 65 pound 9 month OEB thinks he’s a lap dog. He follows me around the house while I take care of whatever needs to be done because he is generally always waiting for me to give him a lap to sit on. As soon as I sit down, he finds a comfortable position and falls asleep. If he hears noise outside, he is quick to jump up and look out the window to see what is going on. When moose wander into our yard, he “protects us” by barking at them. He does the same when he sees humans he doesn’t recognize. He is a prime example of the phrase “his bark is worse than his bite,” because if I let him outside when he’s barking at a human, he cowers and backs away while continuing to bark as they come near. He’s even been known to run and hide behind me.

These are among some of the many reasons that we chose to bring an Olde English Bulldogge into our family. I reached out to other owners to ask what made them choose this breed for themselves. I was pleasantly surprised that I agreed with most of their reasons.

Paula says: “They are the best! Simply because they love you unconditionally! They are silly, funny, and stinky but their personalities are the best ever! They will love you more than they love themselves!”

Barbara says: “They are the best dogs I’ve ever had. So much love they have.”

Kat says: “I love their personalities. Goofy, lovable, protective. They have huge hearts and want to please us so bad. I’ve owned many breeds, none come close to the OEB.”

Eric says: “Power in a smaller package. I’ve had 100+ pound dogs and loved them but it’s hard to take them anywhere because they take up the whole back seat. These guys give you the blockhead, strong shoulders to pat, and can still get up on your lap and cuddle up, which they love as much as you do. I’ve never had as strong a bond as I do with my boy, Winston. OEBs can’t be beat!”

Katie says: “They are the most loving breed I’ve ever known and so easily become ‘family.’ They genuinely believe they are human! And the bond they form with children is fascinating!”