Victorian Bulldog

		Victorian Bulldog
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as			Mollet's Victorian Bulldog

A brief presentation of the Victorian Bulldog

The English Bulldog has changed considerably since its development in the 19th century. Photographs of the time show a muscular dog, much like the modern English Bulldog, but with a longer muzzle, longer legs and a tail that is generally less curly. London breeder Ken Mollett began crossing modern English Bulldogs with Bull Terriers, Bull Mastiffs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers to recreate the Bulldog as it was in Victorian times and reduce genetic defects. These dogs are muscular and athletic, but they don't require as much physical activity as most athletic breeds and are generally gentle and tolerant of humans and other domestic animals.

History of the Victorian Bulldog

When the English Bulldog was first developed, there was still a great deal of subjectivity when it came to classifying dogs like these, and breed names could be quite imprecise. A large dog might carry the title Mastiff strictly on the basis of its size, but could also be called a Bandog, a term that could at the time correspond to any type of dog kept on a chain, and the Bulldog was a dog used in bait bull practice. As early as the 1800s, Sydenham Edwards clearly described the English Bulldog as a distinct breed and featured in the Cynographia Britannica. She described their round heads, broad chest and natural bite. The preferences and practices of English Bulldog breeders eventually led to a dog that looked quite different from the original English Bulldog, with shorter and somewhat curved legs, a shorter muzzle and tail, and an even more pronounced underbite prevalence of several serious disorders within the breed. From the 1940s onwards, several breeders decided to try and recreate the breed as it had been in the hope of regaining their original vigor and healthy constitutions, while retaining the pleasant, laid-back nature the breed had been infused with, including the American Bulldog. developed largely by John D Johnson and Alan Scot, the Olde English Bulldogge developed by Dr. Fechimer, both recognized by the United Kennel Club, and the Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldog developed by Steve Barnett, and the Olde Victorian Bulldog by Carlos Woods, none of which have been recognized by any of the major kennel clubs. Developer Ken Mollett of London used not only English Bulldogs, but also Bull Terriers, Bull Mastiffs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The emerging Victorian Bulldog breed is gaining in popularity, leading unscrupulous or ill-informed breeders to breed different Bully-type dogs together and sell their offspring under the Victorian Bulldog name.

Appearance of the Victorian Bulldog

Mr. Mollett's standard for the Victorian Bulldog describes them as a medium-sized dog, measuring around 46 centimeters at the shoulder and weighing between 25 and 34 kilos. Like the English Bulldog, they are thickset, muscular, with a large head and muscular neck, but these qualities must not be exaggerated to the point of impairing the dog's health or movement. Their broad, upturned muzzle should be short, but not too short so as not to impede breathing, and their lower jaw has a square bite. They have dark, low-set eyes and medium to short, forward-facing ears that should never be cropped. The tail may be straight or lowered or corkscrew-shaped, but it will not be carried over the back and their short coat may be any color of brindle, or white, or red, fawn, pied, or fallow with white markings.

Temperament of the Victorian Bulldog

While the English Bulldog was originally an aggressive animal, capable of controlling bulls many times its size, breeding preferences changed after the sport of bull baiting became illegal, and breeders focused on creating a gentler dog with a tractable personality. The Victorian Bulldog inherited this softer personality and they generally get on very well with humans and most other types of animals, although they can sometimes be a bit crazy when dealing with other dogs. Although all interactions between dogs and young children need to be closely supervised, the Victorian Bulldog is generally very tolerant of their behavior. Their placid but stubborn personality can make training a challenge, but they can learn it by adopting a positive attitude as well as lots of praise and treats. Although these dogs may take a while to get the hang of things, they tend to remember once they've learned something.

Needs and activities of the Victorian Bulldog

While most Victorian Bulldogs are more than happy to stay in the living room all day, these muscular dogs need daily exercise to maintain their fitness and avoid obesity. While English Bukkdogs may have difficulty with long or arduous walks due to respiratory problems and shortened legs, Victorian Bulldogs generally have more stamina due to their elongated muzzle and legs. They are slightly more sensitive to heat and cold than many other breeds. These dogs may seem a little large for an average apartment, but their nonchalant attitude inside homes tends to make them pleasant bedfellows, even in small spaces.

Maintenance of the Victorian Bulldog

The Victorian Bulldog generally requires a little more bathing than many other breeds, and should be bathed every month or two to avoid odors. Although they have fewer wrinkles than their English Bulldog ancestors, it's still important to check the wrinkles they have frequently to make sure they haven't trapped dirt or moisture, which can promote the onset of skin problems. Their short coats therefore get a little wet and need to be brushed once a week to keep their fur clean and shiny. Particular attention must be paid to dental hygiene in lower-jawed dogs such as the Victorian Bulldog.

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Victorian Bulldog