Why are Old Tyme Bulldogs so expensive? Explained
The Old Tyme Bulldog ranks as the 31st most popular dog type in the UK among 241 varieties, according to user adverts and searches on Pets4Homes over the past year. Despite not being recognised as an official breed by The Kennel Club, and thus unable to be registered for pedigree showing, they command prices higher than many pedigree breeds, with an average advertised purchase price of £1,101.
In this article, we explore what defines an Old Tyme Bulldog and uncover why buying one can be a significant financial investment, alongside guidance on responsible purchasing.
What is an Old Tyme Bulldog?
The Old Tyme Bulldog is a relatively recent breed type developed to resemble the more traditional, historical English bulldog rather than the modern, heavily exaggerated one. Historically, English bulldogs were taller, leaner, and had less extreme facial flattening and large heads. Over the last few decades, modern English bulldogs have been bred with increasingly exaggerated features, causing many health problems like breathing difficulties, overheating, skin infections, and often requiring assistance for mating or birth.
The Old Tyme Bulldog was created to restore a healthier, more balanced bulldog appearance, characterised by a taller, leaner body, a proportionate head and neck, and a longer muzzle that supports easier breathing and overall better health.
Because the Old Tyme Bulldog is still establishing itself as a breed, it lacks formal recognition by official bodies; however, with continued careful breeding efforts that focus on genetics and health, it may achieve Kennel Club recognition in time. This process involves setting breed standards, tracing pedigrees, and having enough representative dogs in the UK to serve as the breed foundation.
Why are Old Tyme Bulldog prices so high?
The average price of £1,101 for an Old Tyme Bulldog is notable given they are not officially recognised pedigrees. Several factors contribute to this premium price:
- High Demand: Their ranking as 31st in popularity indicates strong buyer interest, which drives prices up. Many people seek healthier bulldog alternatives without the health risks of modern English bulldogs.
- Breeding Complexity and Expense: Breeding Old Tyme Bulldogs is challenging and costly. English bulldogs, a key foundation breed, are themselves expensive with high veterinary care costs, including frequent caesarean sections, which can be costly. Suitable English bulldog parents with the right traits (less exaggeration, better conformation) are rare and expensive to obtain. Breeders invest significant time and resources setting multi-generation programs to achieve the desired Old Tyme traits.
- Health Testing and Responsible Breeding: High-quality breeders conduct health screenings and genetic tests to minimise inherited conditions common in related bulldog breeds. These tests add to breeding expenses but are essential for producing healthier puppies and promoting responsible ownership.
- Smaller Litter Sizes: Old Tyme Bulldogs tend to have small litters, similar to English bulldogs, often just two or three puppies, meaning the cost of breeding is distributed over fewer puppies, raising individual puppy prices.
- Veterinary Costs: Even with less exaggerated features, many Old Tyme Bulldogs still require caesarean sections for delivery, which adds significant veterinary costs that breeders recover partially through higher sale prices.
Tips for buying an Old Tyme Bulldog
Paying a premium price does not guarantee good health or temperament. It's important to choose reputable breeders who prioritise health, genetics, and welfare. Here are actions you should take:
- Verify the breeder follows comprehensive health testing protocols for breeding stock.
- Ask to meet puppies’ parents and see their living conditions.
- Request details on the breeding programme, including generations of Old Tyme Bulldogs.
- Consider eager waiting times and higher prices as signs of a responsible breeding process rather than a commercial quick sale.
- Never purchase from puppy farms or unreliable sources, even if prices seem lower.
Your responsible approach helps support ethical breeding and better outcomes for these dogs and their families.