Romany Bulldog Discussions

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Bolty does not seem to be about, anyone else have a link, the dog look like a cross breed and nothing like a bulldog, more a staffie X something!

Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldog
or was it Romany's you mean't?

A few pics of Angel......





And Dave, another Romany taken at a recent show....

Why are they called bulldogs when they look nothing like a bulldog, well not to me they don't, more a Staffie x Boxer or Gt Dane. Guess there must be some reason and I would be interested to know why they are given the name. They have a very different head and upright shoulders, particularly the white, not sure where the shoulder would come from as most dogs have some slope to the shoulder apart from Ibizan and even they seems to have more than the dog in the photo, and they seem to have little angulation, again particularly the white, is this intentional, something that is bred for and if so why when it is known to cause problems?

They are called bulldog because they are a cross of Stafford and Dorset OTB (usually a higher % of bulldog blood) if you knew much about this line (Dorset Bulldogs) or had seen many of them you would be able to see clearly that these dogs contain this blood in them..it is very obvious especially in Dave I think Kendo explained earlier in this thread about how the breed was created and their first purpose, infact I am pretty sure he states what the original cross was therefore if you read that you should get an understanding of where the word bulldog comes from. I have seen these dogs perform and they are very very capable and powerful animals. Cant really tell you much more but if it bugs you so much why not contact SB who created the line if not I hope that answers your question.

Does not bug me just a puzzle why so many dogs who do not look anything like bulldogs are call something bulldog, they appear no more like a bulldog than a English bully but I guess it does not matter what you call them really although it does perhaps bug the owners of Bulldogs.

I guess that all depends on what you think a bulldog should look like ;-)

The APBT is often refered too as just simply a bulldog by fanciers of the breed and has been for years and years (just read any old books on them) since many believe it is the closest thing to the bulldog of old. I guess the term bulldog and various types of bulldog were in existence long before there was ever a KC standard, so therefore there is no single type can claim the name so I dont see how any "bulldog" people would be unhappy with the use of the name. Unlike some other breeds in which a standard was drawn up and a name decided upon after the standard the bulldog has been in existence a long time before any standard - if that makes sense.

Was referring to the English Bulldog, but if some one can give me information about these ancient dogs called Bulldogs I would be interested to do some research. English Bulldogs were around long before the KC came into existence but it can’t be those you are referring to so can you tell me about these other bulldogs, you describe as of old, and of which countries they were natives. Must say I can see the resemblance to the APBT and the dogs described as ISBT but not to any bulldog I know of and that is the reason why I am puzzled why they are so called most if not all these 'bulldogs' have been 'developed' long after the English Bulldog was made famous in Victorias reign, although it did of course exist long before this.

Not sure why it wouldnt be those dogs i am refering too, the Bulldog from which the English Bulldog descended was a LOT different (and healthier) before the KC decided to introduce a standard for it, that is obvious even from pics you can view even just from the turn of last century if you go back years before they would have been less and less extreme it was also a very diverse breed too, with regards the recreated bulldogs I believe for the most part the sole aim of the founders was to introduce a healthier bulldog resembling the dogs of old (for which I think they are to be commended). I dont claim to know too much about bulldogs they are not my chosen breed I think there are better people to answer some of your questions, however from what little reading I have found this example seems to be a much agreed view: "Bulldog comes from an ancient, fierce mastiff-like breed which was used to restrain wild oxen and to hunt wild boar. The word Bulldog was first used in a 1598....however it is generally thought that the Bulldog was a well-known breed in England long before. Bandogs, Bonddoggess, and Bolddogges were repeatedly mentioned in English literature beginning around 1200, when the sport of bullbaiting first became popular in England. However, there is a reference to British Hounds that attacked bulls dating back to 395 AD. These dogs were bred and trained to bite and hang on to the noses, ears and necks of bulls"

Like I said if you really are to get picky regarding the name why not contact the guy who started the line you obviously know lots about these dogs so you would do better having somebody with as much knowledge as you to talk to ;-) It really doesnt bother me what they call them if it really doesnt bother you like you say I should hope that answers your question if not perhaps we should just leave it here, maybe you will just have to disagree with the fact that somebody has chosen a name for a line of dogs they started that you dont agree with, not the end of the world. A bulldog to me covers a wide variety of dogs and not all are short faced squat stocky dogs like the EB today and like I said if you have seen many of the recreated bulldogs and seen some of these dogs in the flesh you would fully appreciate why they are called bulldogs. Now I cant really say much more than that....

Laura can you give me some sort of date when these dogs were like the ones who are now called bulldogs but do not look like bulldogs. No I'm not picky just as puzzled about the name as I am about when the English bulldog looked so very different. Now there were dogs who resembled large Staffies or English Bull Terriers who were called Bandogs and later Bulldogs and they may well have become evolved into the what was to become the English Bulldog of to day. But I would like to have more detail and know when they evolved into the stocky dog that the world thinks of when they think of the English National Dog, they have looked more or less like the ‘John Bull’ dog since circa 1600, I would like to know their previous history that is the only reason for me to keep asking.
Do know that since about 1860 they have evolved but understood that they were still a stocky square dog even before the face and legs were shortened and had defined angulation and loads of heart room but have only seen very few drawings and they do not go back very much further that the mid 18th century.

Perhaps you should look up some bulldog history go buy some books and do as much research as you can on the subject if your interest is great, I cant really answer all your questions as I already said my knowledge on these dogs is limited. I can PM you some emails of people who have a great depth of bulldog knowledge especially regarding their history?

Have already looked at all the books I can find and researched the net but either peoples references are very vague or one will contradicted another and there are not many life drawing as most are caricatures, still thank you for trying.

I really like Romany Bulldogs a lot! I didn't realize they had a reference here in the breeds section! Beautiful pictures

romanys are one of the best breeds of dogs around and when im older i breed i will defo be looking in to having!

This one looks very nice

thats angel, she amazing looking girl!

They look very fit and healthy examples of dogs of these types if you ask me

Laura they look like lovely dogs and it is great to hear about them. I admit have never heard of them but I am no expert, but fascinated all the same.

You've done a great job introducing them - it is always difficult to answer every single question if one is not responsible for introducing/breeding a dog and all you can do is refer on to the 'experts', which you have done.

Would you mind sharing your research findings by listing the names of books and URLs? I ask as I too am quite interested in the Dorset and Romany bulldogs.

Thank you in advance for sharing your info!!