The purpose of the Old Style Bulldogge program is for the continuing development of quality working types of bulldogges, regardles of bloodlines, personal veiws or politics.
Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
A medium to medium larged sized, smooth coated dog. A balanced medium to large headed dogge with medium to thick bones that do not impede vigor. Broad muzzle with a short face, but not too short to hinder breathing capabilities even during vigorous exercise. Hindquarters can be slightly higher than shoulders although a level top line is preferred. The VBA Old Style Bulldogge should have a symmetrical body and be heavily muscled.The Old Style Bulldogge will represent the olde style of working bulldogges, and will not resemble pit types nor Ban dogge or Mastiff types.
TEMPERAMENT
The bulldogge should be fierce and bold backing down from nothing, but must first be steady, loyal & true with a dependable nature. He is fearless and protective of his owner while still being docile and dependable.
HEAD
The head should be balanced and medium/large to large in size without being out of proportion to the body. Cheeks should be slightly loose to tight. From the stop to the end of the muzzle should measure 1.5 to 2.5 inches. The muzzle should be turned upwards, well defined with light to moderate wrinkle. The muzzle should be blocked/squared in appearance. The bite should be undershot without excess and without interfering with function. Nostrils should be large & wide, black preferred. The teeth [canines] should be wide apart & moderate to large. Eyes from the front, set low. Eyes should neither be bulging or sunken. Ears rose, button or half pricked, ears should not be erect or cropped.
1. The Skull; should be balanced to the body: Neither small nor too large.
2. Circumference of head from females will not be as large as a male
3. Cheeks: Must be well defined showing great power.
4. Jaws should be as follows: lower jaw projects slightly further than upper jaw which will give the jaw a slight upward turn. The bite should be square.
5. Tusk [Teeth]: Canines should be wide apart with smaller teeth set in between canines
6. Lips: should be thick without being overly loose.
7. Nose: should lay back slightly being large, broad & moist, color . Nose's can be of any color with black being preferred but having no bering on the judging of the dogge
8. Eyes: Size should be in proportion to the skull without bulging, eyes should be perfectly set [equal on each side] from the middle of the skull . Eye color preferably dark .
9. Ears: The ears should be rose shaped [short, small & folds more to side] or button [semi pricked with forward fold], half pricked/half erect.
10. Stop: The stop is the indentation between the eyes, the stop should be in proportion to the rest of the skull.
NECK
Very Muscled, with a thickness in proportion to the head. strong and arched, with tight to moderately loose skin forming dewlap on each side, the neck should be short to medium, not having a long appearance.
BODY STRUCTURE
The shoulders should be broad & deep. The chest should be well sprung and deep. A slight lowering or rise of the back to the rear is acceptable as long as it is not in excess making the symmetry of the dog suffer. The rear of the body should have a slight upward tuck. The body length should appear square in proportion to the height to slightly longer in proportion to the height. Forelegs should be muscular, straight and wide apart, a slight bow is not a fault although straight legs are preferred. The bulldogge should be up on his pastern, the pastern should be strong. Hind legs should be muscled showing power, hocks slightly bent, feet round and compact.
1. Chest: Wide, deep and muscular without impeding movement with rib cage in proportion. Ribs should be round
2. Loins: Should be powerfully and well muscled with tuck-up that does not take away from the muscular appearance.
3. Back: Should have a level top line but may have a slight rise to the rear.
TAIL
The preferred tail is short and strait(pump handle).
Under no circumstance's should the tail be carried over the back, and there are no deductions for a docked tail.
HIND LEGS
The Old Style Bulldogge can have slightly higher hind legs than the front legs without exaggeration, the bone is moderately thick, the feet are compact and the toes are tight.
FORELEGS
Forelegs should be powerful and muscular with moderately thick bone. Forelegs can be straight [preferred] or slightly bowed , so long as movement is never impeded.
FOREFEET
Should be straight at the pastern. The feet are compact. The toes are tight with good arching.
COLOR
Color plays no bearing on the quality of the dogges all colors are acceptable.
Merle colors are not acceptable
COAT
The coat is short & close, it is very smooth and silky to the touch.
MOVEMENT
The Old Style Bulldogge should move with ease and confidence. giving the impression of great strength while retaining supple movement and agility.
SIZE
Males: 17 to 20 inches
Females: 16.5 to 19 inches
The weight for the Old Style Bulldogge should be in direct proportion to height and width of the dogge
Note the Old Style Bulldogge's weight must show good proportions to it's height. A sloppy obese dog is not preferred. Neither the larger nor smaller proportions are preferred. Instead the preferred Old Style Bulldogge is one that is heavily muscled and well proportioned throughout.
The Old Style Bulldogge program is directed by the Victorian Bulldogge Association's
For more information about the Old Style Bulldogge program please contact above links.