Leavitt Bulldog

Leavitt Bulldog
Origin United States
Breed status Not recognized as a standardized breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Weight Male 27–35 kg (60–80 lb)
Female 25–31 kg (50–70 lb)
Height Male 42–51 cm (17–20 in)
Female 40–48 cm (16–19 in)
Coat short
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
Therapy dog team

The Leavitt Bulldog is a late 20th-century re-creation of the now extinct Old English Bulldog, the original bulldog breed which existed around the 19th century Regency era, about 1820. In contrast to English bulldogs of modern times, depictions of the breed from nearly two centuries earlier showed healthier, more agile dogs, with working ability. Unlike the 19th century breed however, the Leavitt Bulldog has a placid temperament. It is one of several breeds developed in order to overcome the genetic problems in the English Bulldog breed.[1][2] The Leavitt Bulldog was developed by breeder David Leavitt which he originally named the Olde English Bulldogge. Leavitt has since disassociated himself with this name for the breed and set up the Leavitt Bulldog as its name due to many later OEB litters losing many of the qualities of his original OEB litter. David Leavitt's "Leavitt Bulldogs" were purebred from the earlier Olde English Bulldogge stock. Regardless of this, the original name has been adopted by the United Kennel Club whose breed standard is adopted as of 1 January 2014. The Leavitt Bulldog was mentioned in the documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed – Three Years On as a suggested healthier alternative to the English Bulldog.

History

Leavitt Bulldog body diagram

Portions of the Olde English Bulldogge (OEB) breeding circles renamed their dogs in 2005 in order to distance themselves from the OEB name, now commonly being used by some breeders to refer to their unrelated (and non-purebred, a.k.a. "designer dog" crossbreed) dogs using a different standard and foundation stock.[3]

Breed developer David Leavitt wrote, in a formal statement [unusual capitalization as in the original text]: "A big reason for my wanting to change the Breed name is that there are far more Alternative Bulldog OEB's than true ones, and most of these dogs don’t have the appearance of the old working Bulldog. I admit it's my pride that has driven me to want to make clear these heavy dogs aren't my creation. I couldn't force them to change and the logical answer was to change a name that really wasn't correct for the period we are trying to recreate anyway."[4]

Breeders who decided against changing the OEB name have since gained United Kennel Club (UKC) recognition for their stock under the breed name Olde English Bulldogge, since 1 January 2014.[5] The registries of both the competing clubs have since been granted recognition by UKC, so Leavitt Bulldog Association members can register their dogs with UKC as OEBs, contingent upon review by that breed's parent club.[6]

Genetic background

The Leavitt bulldog was created 2005 with only breeds that all have old Bulldog in their background. According to David Leavitt a line breeding scheme developed at Ohio State University was used in the breed's development. The founding stock of the Olde English Bulldogge in 1971 consisted of 1/2 English Bulldog, 1/6 American Bulldog, 1/6 American Pit Bull Terrier and 1/6 Bullmastiff.[7]

Characteristics

The Leavitt Bulldog has a very stable, friendly and loving temperament, which makes them suitable as family companions, and some have qualified as therapy dogs. They are easy to train and they are useful for various sports. This breed is extremely strong, which means that socialization and obedience training are important. Their disposition should be confident, courageous and alert without being overly protective. They enjoy not just physical games, but also activities that require intellect, such as tracking.

Appearance

According to the breed standard,[8] the Leavitt Bulldog has a large head (the circumference of the head is at least equal to the dog’s height at the withers), with powerful jaw muscles. The lower jaw extends forward. The back and chest are wide and muscular. The tail is straight, and reaches the hocks.

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leavitt bulldogs.
  1. ↑ Benoit Denizet-Lewis (November 22, 2011). "Can the Bulldog be saved?". The New York Times, Magazine.
  2. ↑ Zwettler, M. (2013). The Great Book of Bulldogs, Bull Terrier and Molosser: Part I Bulldogs & Bull Terrier. epubli GmbH. ISBN 9783844239225.
  3. ↑ "IOEBA Breed Standard". International Old English BullDogge Association.
  4. ↑ "David Leavitt Statement". Leavitt Bulldog Association.
  5. ↑ "Olde English Bulldogge: Official UKC Breed Standard". Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "UKC, Olde English Bulldogge Single Registration Requirements".
  7. ↑ "Leavitt Bulldog / Olde English Bulldog breed history.".
  8. ↑ "LBA Standard". Leavitt Bulldog Association.

Further reading

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