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Dorset Old Tyme Bulldogge |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Dorset Bulldog
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| With a breeding program known to date back to the late 1980s, Steve Barnett set out to recreate his ideal bulldog of yesteryear, using his previous experiences of the various bulldog crosses he was involved in breeding, some of which went into the basic stock of the late Victorian Bulldog breeder M. K Mollett, which was originally to produce a kennel club bulldog. Steve Barnett's goal (in his own words) has always been to "produce a national bulldog, a dog that is showcased in the show or ring with pride, stand beside your dog knowing he is an athlete capable of energy, worthy of the name gladiator, a true bulldog both in appearance and temperament of the traditional bulldog. Not a nuisance around animals and other dogs, but with an inbred fire if necessary, or so called, a dog that would grace the arena of any show in any country there were in the world, and they were looked upon with true spirit and national pride, which didn't figure among the fruits and vegetables in a wheelbarrow like today's dogs. Steve found his desired bulldogs, going back in history to the early 16th century, bred for the kings and queens of the Tudor period as the old bear baiting dogs, the same dogs were bred for the early barbarian sports, both bear baiting and bull. During the Tudor period these two bloody sports were up there with the national pastimes, the normal person, however poor and hungry, always seemed to find the odd halfpenny to attend the various bear pits that lined the south side of the Thames. As in 1506, mentioned by Shakespeare and other famous writers in their day. Henry VIII (1509-1477) had a real penchant for the early bear and bull pits, appointing the first official master of the game, documented in history. Queen Elizabeth had a fascination for bull and bear. She visited Kenilworth Castle in 1575, then owned by the Earl of Leicester, where 13 bears were assembled for her amusement, although this was the highest period of bull and bear in old England. A bill to end bull-baiting was defeated as late in history as 1829 by forty-five votes, before being abolished six years later in 1835. A regal sport that has been documented for nearly 400 years were the backbone of the now unfashionable bulldog, the kind that won the hearts and minds of the first writers of the day, that stamped the seal, that brought national pride to the English words bulldogge, our aim has been to reproduce this broad-faced, muscular old dog, while retaining the traditional shape and character we all love. In doing so, Steve Barnett introduces us to the Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge, the original English Bulldog, our national breed, the very best Bulldogge. The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge is a medium-sized dog that stands proud and out of court without fear, confident, alert, yet docile, showing great strength, it's a real powerhouse that attracts looks and comments. His strong, hard athletic physique is still tightly coupled and compact enough to favor the traditional bulldog looks that are common in his breeding, making him stocky, athletic and imposing. Shoulders are muscular and slightly sloping, forelegs straight, well boned and set wide apart, elbows turning neither in nor out, feet wide, toes tight, nails curved and strong, pads thick and hard. The hindquarters are broad and muscular, with a well-developed, but not heavy, full-bodied second power, moderate angulations in the hocks; cow hocks and splayed feet are serious faults. His gait is powerful and heavy, with good drive from the hindquarters. A straight or pump tail is preferred and most desired, but the crank and corkscrew are accepted. The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge has a large, solid head; the upper region of the head is slightly convex from side to side, the forehead dominates the face, but is still wider than it is high, the head is furrowed, with thick, wrinkled skin on the throat and side of the head, cheeks: prominent, due to strong muscle development, broad muzzle: with obvious folds, wide and deep, keeping its length in comparison to that of the whole head. The nose is broad, with well opened nostrils; the lack of a front face with nostrils placed on the muzzle is a throwback to the kennel club bulldog and is highly undesirable. Care is taken to keep the traditional bulldog head strong, allowing a muzzle strong enough not to interfere with breathing while retaining the bulldog look. The body is compact. The chest is broad and deep, with well sprung ribs set between the front legs. The back is short, giving the impression of a well-balanced dog. The neck is slightly arched, of moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to the circumference of the skull. The topline is solid, with a broad, muscular back, well defined withers and broad, rather short, solid loin. Ears are set high and wide, pink preferred, button accepted. Coat is fine-textured, smooth to flat, short coat desired, similar to Stafford's glossy sheen, double or bold coat not desired. Any color acceptable, Dorsets are bred in brindle variations, foot variations, also black and slate-gray-blue; the slate-gray-blue is known as Dorset blue poole, as respect and homage to the original Paul blue (pol) of Scotland, and the Poole area in Dorset. This breeding is still in the early stages of Steve's breeding program, and after only a few years has begun to reproduce the color type. The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge is a very good family member, loyal among children and eager to please and be part of the family circle, not housetrained as a guardian, but a determined protector nonetheless. Eager to lie at your feet or walk beside you, a good companion very attached to its master and very affectionate, aspires to leadership and to be loved. They're generally good with non-dog pets, especially when raised with them as puppies, and they generally get on well with other dogs, socializing them well. Be sure to be this dog's calm but firm, confident and consistent pack leader, providing daily mental and physical training to avoid unwanted behavioral problems. He is a very healthy dog. The Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge can live indoors or outdoors. If kept outdoors, they'll need a good, dry, draft-free kennel. They do well in an apartment. This Bulldogge can handle any amount of exercise. They'll want to lie at your feet or walk beside you, but like all dogs, they need to be walked daily to fulfill their primitive canine instinct to walk. Coat care can consist of daily wiping with a cloth or soft brush; care should be taken to ensure that all wrinkles around the muzzle are free from dirt or stains. Preferring a strong, stocky muscular physique, size and weight should be in harmony with a symmetrical, well-proportioned body, while maintaining the appearance of a traditional bulldog look. Height at withers : 48 to 54 cm. Weight : 27 to 41 kg. |
English (United Kingdom)