Olde English Bulldogge vs Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Breed Comparison

Fondly referred to as the Chessie, the ‘Labrador-look-alike’ Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s history extends to St. Johns Newfoundland pups which were rescued off a ship off the coast of Maryland in 1807. The Chesapeake is an American breed.

It is believed that the Newfoundland puppies as they grew, were bred with area dogs, with there being few records of the early dogs, but it is believed that spaniels and dogs were included.

In 1918 the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was recognized by the American Kennel Club and in 1964 the dog was declared the official dog of Maryland.

The Bulldog in general has undergone quite a few changes over the years and the Olde English Bulldogge was developed as a designer breed in the United States.

The dog was developed by David Leavitt in 1971, who crossed the English Bulldog with a Pitbull, American Bulldog and Bull Mastiff. Leavitt wanted a dog that would be free of the breathing problems bulldogs battle with. He also wanted the dog to be more nimble, more agile and more healthier.

Crossing the Bulldog, Bullmastiff, American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Bulldog, he developed the Olde English Bulldogge. The dog isn’t recognized as a breed by the AKC.

The Chesapeake is a large dog belonging to the Sporting breed group. Perhaps one of the more distinctive features of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the yellowish eyes.

This is a strong, well muscled dog that stands anywhere from 61 – 66cm and weighs between 30 – 45kg. The short, thick coat of the dog is waterproof and comes in colors ranging from brown to reddish yellow to chestnut shades.

The head of the Chesapeake is broad and roundish with medium length floppy ears. The tail is long. The toes are webbed which helps makes the dog an excellent swimmer as well.

Temperament:

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a happy kind of dog with a bright, alert, intelligent expression. He loves water and is guaranteed to make a wonderful pet for any family.

With his wonderful characteristics, it is worth training him and socializing him as this training sets parameters for him so that he becomes a wonderfully obedient dog that gets on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

Olde English Bulldogges are purebred dogs. They are big boned, solid and muscular. They are medium sized dogs and stand at roughly between 40 and 51cm and weigh between 22 and 36kg.

They have big, broad head and a furrowed face. The ears are fairly small and are semi-erect, semi-floppy. The neck is thick and powerful, the legs short and stocky. The coat is short and is usually white and tan, white and grey, brindle or solid colors of fawn, red and black.

The Olde English Bulldogge is a healthier, more active, athletic dog. It was given this name to differentiate it from the modern English Bulldog.

Temperament:

Olde English Bulldogges are gentle and good natured, snorting around and just dying for his human family to tickle his tummy.

He has an easy-to-please temperament and being intelligent, he will respond well to training and socialization.

He is adaptable and can settle into life in the city or in the countryside. He has strength and stamina but will do better with a walk as opposed to running next to you as you cycle - this will exhaust him and be unhealthy for him.

The Olde English Bulldogge is a sweet, friendly, confident but gentle dog known for his strength and stamina. They are friendly and outgoing, even being social and friendly around strangers. They get on well with children and pets in the home too and will make a wonderful pet.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is ready to be your best friend and companion. This dog breed is highly active and he’ll fit easily into a family that is active and can ensure he is involved in all their activities.

He loves human companionship and is protective, making him a good watchdog.

The beauty about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is that he is generally an even tempered dog, and once trained and socialized, becomes a truly splendid pet, one that will be loving and loyal with his owners.

The Olde English Bulldogge is a gentle, sweet dog who just wants to be a loved member of your home. He wants to please, so training and socialization will do him the world of good as then he becomes obedient and responds easily to some basic commands.

He has a protective nature and will do what he can to guard and protect you. Such a wonderful 4-legged friend and companion deserves your unconditional love.

By taking good care of your Chesapeake, you can ensure his teeth remain strong, his nose is wet and his coat glossy and healthy. He is a robust breed as it is, but there are always some common dog diseases to watch out for -

Obesity:

Obesity is an ailment that is afflicting many humans and their pets. Being overweight can bring on a host of unwanted diseases. Obesity is a serious disease that can contribute to digestive disorders, back pain, heart disease and joint problems.

Instead of showering him with little treats to show him how much you love him, rather stroke him or play a game with him – it’s the ultimate treat for him – your attention.

Spay or Neuter:

Remember that if you aren’t going to let your Chessie become a parent, the best thing you can do for your male or female is to have them spayed or neutered. In fact, spaying or neutering can decrease the likelihood of your pet getting certain types of cancers as well as other illnesses. Speak to your vet and discover how these procedures can be very beneficial for your pet.

The Olde English Bulldogge can live to be 14 years old if he is looked after well. These dogs are prone to some of the typical dog ailments there are and bloat is one.

Bloat:

This ailment is also known as Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, a life-threatening disease regarded as a medical emergency. The stomach can twist, cutting off blood flow to the heart. It occurs more often in deep-chested dogs and you will notice the swollen stomach.

These dogs are considered to have less health issues than other brachycephalic breeds but still you need to keep an eye on their breathing. In fact, David Leavitt, who developed the dog says that this particular mix of dog doesn’t have the undesired negative health aspects of the dog’s relatives such as hip issues, difficult births and brachycephalic syndrome. They are also far more tolerant to heat and cold that other bulldog types.

Grooming:

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever sheds fairly heavily throughout the year. The coat should be brushed at least twice a week to remove dead hair. Brushing is good for the dog too as it distributes the oils of the skin, making his coat shinier.

Because the Chesapeake has floppy ears, the ears will need to be checked on a weekly basis for signs of infection. This is of particular importance if your Chessie loves to spend time splashing around in water. The veterinarian can recommend and also advise on cleaners for your dog’s ears.

Diet and Exercise:

An excellent diet and plenty of exercise will ensure your Chessie can live to be 11, 12 or 13 years of age. You want to keep his diet of kibble, rice, vegetables and meat consistent so as not to upset his stomach.

Avoid giving him foods such as chocolates. Do research on the harm you can do to your pet when you feed him some human foods that are entirely not meant for a dog’s digestive system.

Make sure to always have a constant supply of fresh, clean water for him.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has always loved to be active - hunting for- and retrieving birds from rivers and lakes. He is used to being active and will require a good supply of exercise. Take him for long walks and let him join you on your runs or your cycling.

There are a number of things you can do to make sure your Old English Bulldogge settles down nicely into his new home.

Grooming:

With his short coat, he isn’t described as being hypoallergenic, but the coat is looked upon as not triggering allergies as much as some of the other dog breeds. He will simply require a brush twice a week.

Vaccinations:

Make sure to take your 8 week old puppy to the vet to check him over and to start with his first vaccines to avoid him getting some of the life-threatening illnesses there are. He will also be de-wormed. Later on as an adult, he or she will need to be neutered or spayed to prevent puppies.

Never leave your dog in a car on a hot day. It can kill him. Rather leave him at home.

Diet:

Feed your Olde English Bulldogge a balanced diet that provides him with the right amount of minerals and vitamins. The top ingredients of commercially manufactured pet food must be meat. You can add some home-made food into his kibble as a treat as well as some raw meat occasionally. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as spinach, sweet potato and carrots will be excellent for him. You can also look at the possibility of giving your dog a supplement. Make sure he has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.