The American Bulldog is the OEB's closest cousin in spirit. Both are athletic, working bulldogs. Both reject the show-bred extremes of the modern English Bulldog. Both come out of programs to preserve a functional, healthy bulldog. But they're different breeds with different histories, and they fit different households.
Disclosure. OBBA's founder also runs the American Bulldog Registry & Archives (ABRA). We register both breeds, separately, and we recommend either one when it's the right match. There's no team-vs-team here.
Different origins
The American Bulldog descends from working farm bulldogs brought to the southern United States in the 1700s and 1800s. The breed was kept alive through the 20th century by working farmers - John D. Johnson and Alan Scott in particular - using functional, drug-free, working-line dogs. Two distinct types emerged: the Johnson (bully) and the Scott (standard), with hybrids in between.
The Olde English Bulldogge was created in 1971 by David Leavitt as a re-creation of the original 1700s English Bulldog, using English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, and pit bull stock. So the OEB has American Bulldog in it; the American Bulldog does not have OEB in it.
Size
American Bulldog: 20–28 inches at the withers, 60–120 pounds. Johnson type runs larger (often 100+ lbs), Scott type more medium (60–90 lbs).
Olde English Bulldogge: 16–20 inches, 50–80 pounds. Smaller than almost any American Bulldog except a small Scott female.
Structure and athleticism
The Scott-type American Bulldog is the most athletic dog of the three (Scott AB, Johnson AB, OEB). Long-legged, agile, can sprint and jump. Built like a working catch dog.
The Johnson-type American Bulldog is heavier-headed, broader-chested, more muscle-mass per pound. Slower than the Scott but not slow.
The OEB is in between - more compact than the Scott, less massive than the Johnson, structurally more "compact bulldog" than "lean catch dog."
Drive and trainability
American Bulldogs have higher prey drive and higher working drive than OEBs as a rule. They were kept on farms to catch hogs, control predators, and protect property - the drive needs an outlet. A bored AB is a destructive AB on a different scale than a bored OEB.
OEBs have working temperament but lower drive overall. They are easier dogs in a typical pet home. They will go for the daily run, do the protection-sport class, and then settle in the house. Many ABs need more.
Health
Both breeds are healthier than the modern English Bulldog. Both have hip risk. Both can have allergies. ABs are at higher risk for NCL (a fatal neurodegenerative condition in some lines) and ICH (ichthyosis, a skin condition). OEBs have neither in significant frequency.
The OEB's shorter muzzle gives it slightly more heat sensitivity than a typical Scott AB. The Johnson AB is roughly comparable.
Family fit
Get an American Bulldog if: you have land, working-dog experience, and want a dog with serious drive that you can put to work. ABs are excellent property dogs and family protectors when handled by experienced owners.
Get an Olde English Bulldogge if: you want most of the working bulldog package without the size, drive, or experience requirements of an AB. OEBs are better fits for typical suburban families with active lifestyles.
Price
American Bulldog: $1,500–$3,500 from a registered breeder, more for working-line or proven-stud-line puppies.
Olde English Bulldogge: $1,500–$3,500 from an OBBA-registered breeder. Comparable.