Olde English Bulldogge Care

The Olde English Bulldogge is a relatively new (and fairly rare) Bulldog breed that's playful, protective, and healthy--and it's a breed that's prized and beloved by owners everywhere. One of its greatest attributes is that Olde English Bulldogge care doesn't take a lot of work. Below you'll find plenty of details about caring for dogs of this breed: puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more. For answers to all your questions about owning an Olde English Bulldogge, read on!

Like other Bulldog breeds, the Olde English is athletic and strong--but fairly low-energy and laid back at the same time. Olde English Bulldogge exercise requirements aren't too extensive, but these dogs still need some daily physical activity to keep their muscular bodies in shape, to ensure they don't become bored (and in turn, destructive), and to avoid their gaining too much weight.

But specifically how much exercise does an Olde English Bulldogge need each day? the typical adult OEB, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need 30-45 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. You can begin exercising an Olde English puppy at three months of age by taking it on short (5- to 10-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

Some precautions to consider when exercising your OEB: first, puppies younger than nine months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing joints and bones. And regardless of age, the use of a leash is recommended when you and your OEB are in public. Though not aggressive, these dogs are extremely loyal and protective, and may be defensive or confrontational if you encounter unknown people or animals; a leash will help you control your OEB if such a situation arises. On the plus side, Olde English Bulldogges were developed to not have as many breathing issues as other Bulldog breeds, so they're not as brachycephalic (unable to cool the air a dog breathes) as other Bulldogs--which means they're not as susceptible to heat stroke. Still, OEBs don't handle extreme heat and cold very well, so it's best to exercise them in more moderate temperatures.

Safeguards aside, it's a good idea to exercise your Olde English every single day. These low-energy dogs have a high tendency of becoming obese is under-exercised (and overfed), and a bored or restless OEB can turn incredibly destructive. Consistent daily activity is good for the dog's well-being--and for your own too. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 15-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: An Olde English usually loves chasing down a ball or stick
• Tug-of-War: Good indoor activity; use a rope or old towel
• Dog Park: A well-socialized OEB will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Hiking: Great bonding activity; bonus if you can find a remote area where the dog can be off-leash

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your OEB access to one or more balls or chew-toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy (if it actually has any); these dogs are known to be frequent chewers, so better a toy than your favorite pair of slippers! It's also recommended that you establish a consistent exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, care needed for these dogs is moderate to high. Olde English Bulldogge shedding is year-round, and fair; OEBs also drool pretty regularly.

Olde English Bulldogges have short, smooth coats that shed moderately all the time--but the amount of shed hairs isn't too crazy. Brushing an OEB once or twice a week will help keep the shedding under control, but owners will still need to vacuum the floors and use lint rollers on clothes and furniture from time to time to pick up stray hair.

Due mainly to their hanging lips, OEBs will drool in anticipation of food, when hot and panting, after drinking water, and when especially excited or nervous. Keeping old rags or towels handy to clean up excess slobber is a good idea. If your OEB drools excessively, you can tie a bandanna or old towel around the dog's neck to keep its chest and neck from getting dirty and stinky from all the drool.

Like all breeds, the Olde English Bulldogge diet will need to include food packed with protein and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and possibly some omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. This means the best Olde English Bulldogge food is the premium dry kind, as it contains balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients that will keep your OEB healthy and long-living. Some owners prefer feeding their OEBs a raw'fresh diet consisting of fresh meats, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruits, and other protein sources--but many people find such a diet for their dogs to be too expensive and time-consuming, and choose premium dry food instead. Regardless of your choice, feeding an OEB cheap, generic dog food is not recommended, as these inexpensive foods contain mostly empty "filler" ingredients that won't keep a dog healthy for the long term.

But how much of this premium food will your Olde English need? The typical adult OEB, depending on its age, size, and activity level, will need about 3½ cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. Because their developing bodies have greater nutritional needs, Olde English Bulldogge puppy food portions are only slightly less: again depending on its age, an OEB pup will need about 2½ cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until six months of age. For more info on feeding your OEB from puppyhood through maturity, here's an Olde English Bulldogge feeding guide:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.

Try and stick to the above-listed portions if possible. Though your OEB could probably eat a lot more, this breed has a high tendency for obesity--and an OEB that's constantly overfed will quickly become overweight, leading to joint, digestive, and breathing problems. You can help control your Olde English's weight by having consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time, thereby allowing it to eat anytime it wants. It's better to put your OEB's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up 20 minutes or so after the dog begins eating.

If you're worried your Olde English Bulldogge is overweight, give the dog this test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs beneath the muscle, it's diet time. Reduce your OEB's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.

Though opinions vary, a majority of breeders and owners agree that the best dog food for an Olde English Bulldogge is premium dry food, because it contains balanced nutrients an OEB needs to stay healthy for the long term. Taste of the Wild and Royal Canin are two high-quality, recommended brands.