UPDATED:
06/14/2009
Welcome to Starline Ranch
Olde Bulldogges. Our Olde English Bulldogges carry heavy Hermes influence, but not all
of our Bulldogges can be traced directly to the Hermes yard. Our dogs have no Leavitt
influence, although we may add some in future breedings. Our dogs fit the
loose description currently encompassed by the Olde English Bulldogge “breed.”
To be clear, Mr. David Leavitt named the breed, and defined the origins as
˝ English Bulldog, 1/6 Pit Bull, 1/6 Bull Mastiff, and 1/6 American Bulldog.
Mr. Leavitt was dedicated to reproducing the bulldog of yore, an animal of great
athleticism and health; an animal capable of working; but without the mean streak.
All of his dogs had joint evaluations performed, and were found to be sound before being
included in his breeding program. If an Olde Bulldogge has anything other than Olde English Bulldogge in the
last three generations of it’s pedigree, it is not more than 7/8 pure and probably should not be called an
Olde English Bulldogge.
That is not to say an Olde Bulldogge
has to be pure Olde English Bulldogge to be an acceptable representation of the animal
of yore. There were many differences in size and looks during the years
these animals were a healthy robust breed.
On the other hand, the four breeds
were crossed in the manner they were, to produce the animal the true
Olde English Bulldogge is, and it is a far healthier dog than the English Bulldog. The
Olde English Bulldogge was (and Is) not without health problems, and only
with careful selection and breeding of healthy offspring over generations can the undesirable traits be culled. If an “OEB” does not have several generations of selective breeding in
it’s background, don’t be surprised if “things” don’t turn out too well
later in the dog’s life. For example, many people who purchase an
Olde English Bulldogge look for a very “bully” dog. Some breeders looking for a quick fix
respond to that demand by injection of additional English Bulldog blood
into their line. That, in and of itself, is not necessarily a problem, if
(and that is a huge IF) the breeder knows the English Bulldog to be truly healthy.
Over half of the dogs suffering from hip dysplasia do not become affected
enough to noticeably impair function. 76% of English
Bulldogges are dysplastic. That number also represents better than a 30% increase in the incidence of
dysplasia in the breed over the last several years. The only way to
screen for dysplasia is through the use of x-rays. A breeder cannot know
if dysplasia is a problem in a line unless the dogs have been
professionally screened.
We know the origins of our dogs. They
come from proven healthy lines. Our first female was three years old
before we bred her, because it took me a year and a half
to identify the
right stud. Our females have joints x-rayed before we breed them, and, in
the future, all breeding stock we own will have been evaluated by O.F.A.,
at least on a preliminary basis. We will do our homework
in evaluating
dogs from outside of our yard, and stand behind offspring as though they
were of our origin.
We produce healthy dogs from proven
lines. They make exceptional family pets,
are great with children, form
strong lasting bonds and will defend “their” family aggressively,
fearlessly, and awesomely effectively.
I always have at least two dogs
out of our breeding stock trained to the point they are of some utility in
handling cattle.
These
animals are very intelligent and strong-willed. Unless you have
prior experience training dogs, obedience training is a must for both you
and the dog.
I also guarantee the dog
will train you, if you do not train it. These are medium sized, powerful
dogs, some capable of pulling thousands of pounds. Either they are taught
to do as you please, or you will go where they please.
