Most important facts
- Group
- Crossbreed
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 20–32 kg
- Lifespan
- 9–12 years
- Coat
- Short, smooth
- Energy
- Moderate
- Height
- 40–50 cm
- Colours
- Brindle, fawn, red, white or pied
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£42/mo
- Gear to consider
- Slow-feeder bowl, no-pull harness (avoid neck collars), durable chew toys
Typical dry food, adult
About the Old Tyme Bulldog
The Old Tyme Bulldog is a modern British re-creation, developed from the 1990s onwards by breeders aiming to restore the fitter, longer-muzzled working bulldog of the early nineteenth century. Show fashion had compressed the face and widened the frame. Various bulldog breeds contributed to the type. The Kennel Club does not recognise the type, so build and health vary more between lines than in a standardised breed.
The Old Tyme Bulldog was developed to keep the calm, loyal character of the classic bulldog while improving on soundness and health. Owners typically describe a confident, brave but gentle dog that bonds closely with its family and is naturally protective without being aggressive.
This breed can be prone to separation anxiety, so building up time alone gradually from puppyhood matters. Training responds well to patient, positive reinforcement. This is a food-motivated breed, so training rewards work well but treats need counting into the daily calorie total to avoid steady weight gain.
Common health conditions
Things Old Tyme Bulldog owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
A malformed joint that can cause lifelong stiffness. Keep this heavy-boned breed lean through puppyhood and adulthood to ease pressure on developing joints.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
The longer muzzle helps, but breathing can still labour in heat or after excitement. Carrying extra weight makes this worse, so portion control matters.
Hyperuricosuria (urate bladder stones)
Bulldog-type breeds carry a genetic tendency to excrete more urate than usual, raising stone risk. Ask a vet about diet adjustments and monitoring if this is flagged.
Skin fold dermatitis and interdigital cysts
Facial wrinkles and paw skin can trap moisture and become sore. Check regularly and dry after walks, alongside a diet that supports healthy skin.
Cherry eye
Prolapse of the gland behind the third eyelid, appearing as a red lump in the corner of the eye. It's usually corrected surgically and isn't linked to feeding.
Feeding a Old Tyme Bulldog
The Old Tyme Bulldog is deep-chested and food-motivated, so mealtimes are best split into two smaller portions rather than one large bowlful, with a rest either side of exercise to reduce the risk of bloat. A slow-feeder bowl also helps curb the enthusiastic gulping this breed is known for.
Hip and elbow dysplasia run in the breed, so keeping this dog lean from puppyhood is one of the most protective things an owner can do. Excess weight loads the joints and makes breathing harder in a breed already working with a shortened airway. A diet with controlled fat and calories, joint support, and portions adjusted to body condition suits this breed best.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Old Tyme Bulldog needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
20–32 kg
Est. daily calories
790–1,510 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Old Tyme Bulldogs eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£1.37
- Per month
- ~£42
- Per year
- ~£502
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Old Tyme Bulldog
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Old Tyme Bulldog by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs5/10
- Appetite7/10
- Trainability6/10
- Good with children8/10
- Shedding4/10
- Tolerates being alone4/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Loyal, affectionate and gentle with their family, particularly older children
- Moderate exercise needs suit a range of households and activity levels
- Low-maintenance short coat that only needs a weekly brush
Worth knowing
- Predisposed to hip, elbow and airway problems that need lifelong weight management
- Can develop separation anxiety and doesn't always suit long hours alone
- Not recognised by the Kennel Club, so build and health vary between lines
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much should I feed an Old Tyme Bulldog?
Feed to body condition rather than a fixed amount. You should feel the ribs easily, but you should not see them. Split food into two meals a day, use a slow-feeder bowl, and adjust portions if weight creeps up. Our Food Finder can suggest suitable diets.
Are Old Tyme Bulldogs prone to breathing problems?
Their longer muzzle makes them less affected than the traditional English Bulldog, but they can still struggle in the heat or after excitement. Keeping them at a healthy weight and avoiding exercise in the hottest part of the day both help considerably.
Do Old Tyme Bulldogs need a special diet?
Not automatically, but many owners find a controlled-calorie or joint-support formula worthwhile given the breed's tendency to gain weight and its predisposition to hip and elbow dysplasia. If hyperuricosuria has been identified in a dog's line, a vet may recommend a lower-purine diet.
Are Old Tyme Bulldogs good with children?
Generally yes. They're affectionate and gentle, and tend to do particularly well with older children. Their solid build means supervision is sensible around toddlers, more from size and exuberance than temperament.