meet the...Victorian Bulldog
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 4: Bull Breeds
Sub-group 4-A: Bulldogs
Origin Country England
Weight Males: 55-70 pounds. Females: 50-60 pounds.
Height Males: 17-19 inches. Females: 16-19 inches.
Breed Type Pure
click here for FULL BREED STANDARD
Origins
The Victorian Bulldog breed’s ancestors can be traced back to the bandogges, butcher’s dogges, and molossoids that were used in the horrific sport of bull-baiting, which was popular in England during the 1700s and 1800s. The dog’s purpose was to grasp and hold the bull’s nose until the bull was rendered helpless. Not only was bull-baiting considered entertaining, but many believed baiting the bull before killing it made the meat tastier and more nutritious. The cruel sport remained widely popular until 1835, when bull baiting was outlawed in England, which nearly resulted in the extinction of the breed. Those who admired the “bulldogs” and wanted to save them from extinction revamped the breed by outcrossing to other dog types, toning down the appearance and tenacity of the breed. It is believed that certain dogs, such as the ancestor of the modern-day Pug, were utilized during the process, resulting in the much more docile yet extreme, brachycephalic English Bulldog breed. The extreme transformation of the English Bulldog from agile athlete to rotund companion has taken a toll on the breed, with devastating effects on the dog’s health and quality of life. In fact, the characteristics that make the English Bulldog a breed apart have also, unfortunately, resulted in an extremely unhealthy phenotype. The extreme brachycephalic skull type, heavy body, and wide chest and forequarters have resulted in breathing difficulties, heat intolerance, and other issues.
The Victorian Bulldog breed is a recreation of the bulldogs of old, with the idea of this sparked by an English breeder, Ken Mollett, back in the 1980s. Molette combined the English Bulldogs with the other powerful and athletic breeds that were descended from the same stock at one point but were without the unhealthy extremes. He used the Bull Terrier, the Bullmastiff, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to give his bulldogs a healthier and more capable build. The result was the Victorian Bulldog that we see today, which resembles the Bulldogs of the 1800s and before.Breed Characteristics
Head: Somewhat brachycephalic skull type, moderately large in size, broad and deep, and always in proportion to the body. When viewed from the front, the head appears square. The topskull is wide between the ears, being equal in width (measured in front of the ears across the top of the skull) as it is long (from stop to occiput). The plane of the topskull is flat to slightly arched but never prominently so. A prominent furrow begins at the stop and extends up the center of the skull, enhanced by well-developed temporalis muscles on the topskull, to the occiput. The skull should never be narrow or domed. The head should appear clean and free of excess wrinkles and skin. Slight wrinkling on the forehead and cheeks is permissible when the dog is alerted or the mouth is open.
Eyes: The eyes are medium in size, set wide apart, and may be somewhat rounded, open-almond, or lemon-shaped. The preferred color is medium to dark brown, with darkly pigmented membranes and eye rims. The eye rims are well-fitted. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: The ears are small to medium in size and set well back on the head at the highest and farthest corner of the skull. They may be rose or tulip (preferred), but buttoned is also acceptable. They are never erect, semi-erect, overly large, hound-like, or cropped.
Muzzle: The muzzle is broad, deep (slightly deeper from the chin to the plane of the muzzle than the length of the muzzle from the tip of the nose to the stop), full, and square. It is shorter than the topskull but should never be so short as to give a flat profile appearance. The upper and lower jaws are broad, strong, well developed, and have good bone substance. The lower jaw is somewhat prominent and just slightly turned up. However, the lower jaw and teeth should never protrude beyond the break of the lips/flews.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat in nonstandard varieties. The nostrils are well opened.
Neck: Thick and sufficiently long to allow for proud head carriage. The neck is powerfully muscled with an arch. The neck tapers only slightly from the deeper and broader body toward the head, where it remains almost as thick as the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin or throatiness. A very slight dewlap may be present.
Chest: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Body: Sturdy, powerful, solid, and of good substance, yet agile. The body is never racy, refined, or excessively cobby. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried up over the back. Tails should never be docked short but left natural. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, crank, pump-handled, or forming a slight saber shape. Kinked tails, ringtails, crank tails, screw tails, curled tails, bobbed tails, and docked tails are incorrect for this breed and should be penalized.
Movement: The Victorian Bulldog moves powerfully, easily, efficiently, energetically, and confidently, with movement being free from cloddy and heavy action. Movement is unrestrained and without signs of breathing difficulty. Energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident: when moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: Confident, loyal, alert, and watchful. Younger dogs (under a year of age) are often energetic and sociable or may appear a tad uncertain in novel situations. Well-socialized mature dogs (three years and older) may retain more self-composure and become impartial to friendly or neutral stranger interactions, so a lack of friendly behavior, even aloofness, toward strangers is not to be penalized. If the Victorian Bulldog perceives a threat to themself or their family, they will stand their ground. Victorian Bulldogs may exhibit intraspecific same-sex aggression, so early socialization, along with obedience training, is important for this breed. Adult dogs (one year of age and up) should never exhibit shyness or fearfulness. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 4: Bull Breeds
Proportions: The body is slightly rectangular, with the body length, from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being slightly greater than the height from the withers to the ground. The ideal body-length-to-height ratio is approximately 5:4. The body is well put together, sturdy, and moderately solid-boned. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The body, combining strength and agility, is a return to the bulldogs of old. The Victorian Bulldog’s appearance should never appear overly cloddy and cobby, like that of the English Bulldog, nor light and square, like that of the Boxer breed. The weight of males and females is always proportionate to height.
Head
General Appearance: Somewhat brachycephalic skull type, moderately large in size, broad and deep, and always in proportion to the body. When viewed from the front, the head appears square. The topskull is wide between the ears, being equal in width (measured in front of the ears across the top of the skull) as it is long (from stop to occiput). The plane of the topskull is flat to slightly arched but never prominently so. A prominent furrow begins at the stop and extends up the center of the skull, enhanced by well-developed temporalis muscles on the topskull, to the occiput. The skull should never be narrow or domed. The head should appear clean and free of excess wrinkles and skin. Slight wrinkling on the forehead and cheeks is permissible when the dog is alerted or the mouth is open.
Expression: Confident, composed, alert, and watchful.
Stop: The stop is definite, preferably forming a 90-degree angle between the topskull and muzzle.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 2:1 and 3:1, with the topskull being longer than the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is broad, deep (slightly deeper from the chin to the plane of the muzzle than the length of the muzzle from the tip of the nose to the stop), full, and square. It is shorter than the topskull but should never be so short as to give a flat profile appearance. The upper and lower jaws are broad, strong, well developed, and have good bone substance. The lower jaw is somewhat prominent and just slightly turned up. However, the lower jaw and teeth should never protrude beyond the break of the lips/flews.
Lips or Flews: The lips are relatively clean and fit well over the teeth and jaws. The lips are thick, broad, and only semi-pendulous, just long enough to adequately and cleanly cover the teeth and jaws and enhance the muzzle’s squared appearance. They should never appear loose or overly pendulous.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat in nonstandard varieties. The nostrils are well opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well-muscled and well-developed. However, they should not appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, reverse-scissor, or slightly undershot, with less than ¼ inch of space between upper and lower incisors being permissible. Contact is preferred between the top and bottom incisors. The lower jaw is slightly curved, allowing for the chin to have a prominent, yet not protrusive, position on the muzzle. All teeth should be well concealed when the dog’s mouth is closed. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: The eyes are medium in size, set wide apart, and may be somewhat rounded, open-almond, or lemon-shaped. The preferred color is medium to dark brown, with darkly pigmented membranes and eye rims. The eye rims are well-fitted. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: The ears are small to medium in size and set well back on the head at the highest and farthest corner of the skull. They may be rose or tulip (preferred), but buttoned is also acceptable. They are never erect, semi-erect, overly large, hound-like, or cropped.
Body and Tail
General Description: Sturdy, powerful, solid, and of good substance, yet agile. The body is never racy, refined, or excessively cobby. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Thick and sufficiently long to allow for proud head carriage. The neck is powerfully muscled with an arch. The neck tapers only slightly from the deeper and broader body toward the head, where it remains almost as thick as the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin or throatiness. A very slight dewlap may be present.
Chest: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Topline: Straight and level from withers to croup (preferred). However, a “wheel” back, with a minimal (almost imperceptible) dip directly behind the withers and a gentle arch at the loin, is not to be penalized. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut and may be flat and level or slightly arched yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad and gently sloped.
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried up over the back. Tails should never be docked short but left natural. The tail is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, crank, pump-handled, or forming a slight saber shape. Kinked tails, ringtails, crank tails, screw tails, curled tails, bobbed tails, and docked tails are incorrect for this breed and should be penalized.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and moderately angulated with the bilaterally laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderately solid bone, and parallel to one another. A very slight outward orientation of the feet is permissible.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are long and equal in length, strong, sturdy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Short, close, and soft.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the Victorian Bulldog breed: the standard and nonstandard.
Standard coat color variety: All solid colors of white, fawn, red, tan, fallow, mahogany, or brindle, all with or without varying degrees of white or white with varying degrees of the above color and patterned markings.
Nonstandard coat color variety: Black, black with tan, or any color not listed above, including blue and liver, all either with or without varying degrees of white or white with varying degrees of black and tan.
Movement
The Victorian Bulldog moves powerfully, easily, efficiently, energetically, and confidently, with movement being free from cloddy and heavy action. Movement is unrestrained and without signs of breathing difficulty. Energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident: when moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
Confident, loyal, alert, and watchful. Younger dogs (under a year of age) are often energetic and sociable or may appear a tad uncertain in novel situations. Well-socialized mature dogs (three years and older) may retain more self-composure and become impartial to friendly or neutral stranger interactions, so a lack of friendly behavior, even aloofness, toward strangers is not to be penalized. If the Victorian Bulldog perceives a threat to themself or their family, they will stand their ground. Victorian Bulldogs may exhibit intraspecific same-sex aggression, so early socialization, along with obedience training, is important for this breed. Adult dogs (one year of age and up) should never exhibit shyness or fearfulness. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper, healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
