Ok let’s be honest, when people think of bulldogs the first thing that comes to mind is usually snoring, lounging around, and drooling. Olde English Bulldogges can definitely prove this assumption wrong. Oldes are a recreation of the 17th and 18th century bull-baiting bulldogs and were created to work and be agile. Now days it can be difficult to come across a dog that actually works whether it is weight pulling, agility, or anything in between.
Dog pulling, or weight pulling, is a sport to see the most weight pulled within 16 feet on a track in 60 seconds within that dogs weight class. The handler cannot help or touch the dog in any way; they may only verbally communicate or encourage their dogs. The dog pulling the most weight in its class is declared the winner. Weight pulling titles can be given depending on how much weight times their weight was pulled. To get started with pulling you need the proper equipment and training. It would be best to find a local group or club. Some registries that participate with weight pulling are the United Kennel Club, International Weight Pulling Association, and the National Working Dog Association.
Agility is a sport of fast movement that judges the ability to control your dog through a timed obstacle course. The course includes jump hurdles, scale ramps, tunnels, traverse a see-saw and weave through a line of poles. It is not only judged on speed but also the performance of the dog and the ability to listen to its handler. Agility can be broken down to levels consisting of Novice, Open, and Excellent/Master. Registries that participate with Agility include United Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, and the United States Dog Agility Association.
Obedience/Rally consists of the handler and dog communication to complete obedience tasks at the “heel position” through different stations. Communication plays a huge role with this sport. Some of the different stations consist of sit, stay, down, etc. There are on average 10-20 stations depending on the level (Novice/Advanced/Excellent). The judge will evaluate the performance of each exercise and teamwork between dog and handler. Some registries that compete with Obediance/Rally are the American Kennel Club, National Bulldogge Association, and United Kennel Club.
If your dog loves the water, Dock Jumping may be the sport for you! It is broken up into different disciplines of air/distance and vertical. Each registry or group has their own names for it. For the air/distance category; each dog runs down the dock to go after a toy to go as far as they can. The vertical is a different twist that is a form of high jumping. Both can be full of adrenaline and fun for both dogs/handlers and spectators! Titles can be earned with both distance and vertical classes. Registries that participate with these water sports include The United Kennel Club, North America Diving Dogs, and Dock Dogs.
These are only a few events that Olde English Bulldogges participate in. The breed is very versatile and excellent for any family depending on what you are looking for. Some have more drive than others, while some can make excellent therapy dogs. If you are interested in getting an Olde English Bulldogge, make sure to ask questions to different breeders and find out about the lines you are interested in. Remember that Old English Bulldogges can come with a variety of type, color, size, and health. But most of all, they are all very loyal.
