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The Problem with Alternative Bulldog Breeds: A Personal Opinion

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Some Context From Mitch 

Why Bruiser Bulldogs chose a different path

Alternative bulldog breeds deserve credit where it’s due. The Olde English Bulldogge, Continental Bulldog, and Victorian Bulldog have successfully addressed one of the English Bulldog’s most pressing problems—health. Through strategic outcrossing with other breeds, they’ve created dogs that breathe easier, move better, and live longer. In many ways, these alternative bulldogs mirror what we’ve achieved at Bruiser Bulldogs: more athletic builds, improved respiratory function, better skin and coats, and extended lifespans.

But here’s where our paths diverge, and why I believe staying within purebred English Bulldog parameters remains the better choice for families.

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The Success of Outcrossing Programs

Let’s examine what these alternative breeds have accomplished through outcrossing:

The Olde English Bulldogge, developed by David Leavitt in 1971, combined English Bulldogs with American Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs, and American Pit Bull Terriers. The result? A dog that closely resembles the bulldogs of the 1800s with significantly fewer health issues.

The Continental Bulldog, created by Imelda Angehrn in Switzerland starting in 2001, crossed English Bulldogs with Olde English Bulldogges. This breed was specifically developed to meet strict Swiss animal welfare standards, producing dogs capable of natural birth and better breathing.

The Victorian Bulldog, initiated by Ken Mollett in 1980s London, incorporated Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bullmastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux, and the healthiest English Bulldogs available. These dogs achieved the athletic build and stamina of historical bulldogs.

Each program successfully increased genetic diversity and reduced the health problems plaguing modern English Bulldogs. The dogs resulting from these programs are undeniably healthier—they can run, play, breathe freely, and often live well into their teens.

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The Hidden Cost: Temperament Changes

However, there’s a significant trade-off that often goes undiscussed. When you outcross to breeds like American Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Bullmastiffs, you don’t just inherit their physical traits—you inherit their behavioral genetics as well.

These outcross breeds were developed for different purposes than the English Bulldog. They retain stronger territorial instincts and prey drives. While these traits made them excellent at their original jobs, they create challenges in modern family settings. Alternative bulldog owners frequently report:

• Increased dog-on-dog aggression
• Higher prey drive toward small animals
• More territorial behavior around property
• Occasional aggression issues with strangers
• Greater need for intensive socialization and training

This isn’t to say these dogs are inherently dangerous—they’re not. But they require more experienced handling and vigilant management than a typical English Bulldog. The very traits that make them healthier and more athletic also make them more challenging as family pets.

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Why We Choose the Harder Path

At Bruiser Bulldogs, we’ve taken a different approach. Rather than outcrossing, we’ve focused on selective breeding within the English Bulldog breed to improve health while maintaining temperament. This path is undeniably more difficult and time-consuming, but we believe the results justify the effort.

Over 15 years, we’ve achieved:

• Lighter wrinkle sets that reduce skin fold infections
• Improved breathing through better airway structure
• Enhanced athleticism for better joint health
• An average lifespan increase of over 1.5 years

Most importantly, we’ve maintained the English Bulldog’s exceptional temperament—arguably one of the best family dog personalities of any breed.

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The English Bulldog Temperament: Worth Preserving

What makes the English Bulldog temperament so special? It’s a combination of traits rarely found together in other breeds:

Low energy levels that match modern family life. While alternative bulldogs often require extensive exercise to manage their energy and prevent behavioral issues, English Bulldogs are content with moderate activity.

Minimal prey drive means they coexist peacefully with cats, small dogs, and other pets. You won’t find an English Bulldog chasing squirrels or fixating on small animals.

Low territorial instincts create dogs that are naturally friendly with visitors and adaptable to new environments. They’re protective of their families without being aggressive.

Exceptional patience with children stems from generations of selection for gentle temperament. English Bulldogs tolerate handling that would provoke other breeds, making them ideal for families with young children.

These traits didn’t happen by accident. They’re the result of centuries of breeding specifically for companionship rather than working ability.

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The Reality of Breed Preservation

Could we create healthier bulldogs faster through outcrossing? Absolutely. But at what cost? Once you introduce genes from terriers and working breeds, you fundamentally change the dog’s nature. The laid-back, everyone’s-friend English Bulldog becomes something different—perhaps healthier, but no longer the same breed in temperament.

We believe there’s value in preserving the English Bulldog’s unique personality while working to improve their health. It requires patience, careful selection, and a commitment to gradual improvement rather than quick fixes. But the result is a dog that maintains all the qualities that make English Bulldogs beloved family members while enjoying better health.

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Looking Forward

Alternative bulldog breeds have proven that outcrossing can improve health—there’s no denying their success in this area. For owners who want a healthier bulldog and have the experience to manage a more intense temperament, these breeds offer a viable option.

However, for families seeking the classic English Bulldog temperament—that perfect combination of gentle nature, low energy, and universal friendliness—staying within the breed remains the best choice. At Bruiser Bulldogs, we’re committed to proving that purebred English Bulldogs can be both healthy and true to their temperament heritage.

Our selective breeding program continues to show that meaningful health improvements are possible within the English Bulldog breed. We believe we can achieve the best of both worlds—healthier dogs that maintain the exceptional temperament traits that make them ideal family companions.

Different breeders will make different choices, and there’s room for various approaches in the dog world. But for us, the English Bulldog’s temperament is a treasure worth preserving, even if it means taking the longer, more challenging path to better health.

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For more information about our health-focused breeding program, visit BruiserBulldogs.com