Olde Pit Bulldogge

The Olde Pit Bulldogge is a relatively new hybrid, though the two breeds that make the hybrid have long histories. The original “bulldog” used for boar hunting and as a guard can be seen in paintings as far back as the 1500’s. The dogs in these paintings look very similar to today’s Pit Bull. These dogs were called Bull Dogs due to the suitability for the sport of bull baiting. Once the sport was outlawed in England in 1835, those who promoted it looked for a new way to earn money and turned to ratting and dog fighting. At this time, it is thought that one or more types of terriers were crossed with the Pit Bull in order to breed an increased drive to seek prey as well as increased aggression and agility. This produced the American Pit Bull Terrier that arrived in the United States in the 1800’s. The dogs successfully worked as hunters and herders and functioned as guardians and friends. The Olde English Bulldogge originated in England between 1600 and 1700 and are the ancestors to a number of today’s Bull breeds. The dogs were bred for courage and agility in order to participate in blood sports like bullbaiting and the Old English Bulldogge participated in the sport until it was banned. The sport being banned led to a significant decrease in the breed; in fact the breed almost became extinct. Breeders who were passionate about the breed sought to breed out some of its aggression and focused on crossing those dogs that remained with other breeds in order to refine its temperament. Today’s Olde English Bulldogge is healthier and more active than the breed of the 17th century and share the genes of the English Bulldog, American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier and Mastiff.