The Olde English Bulldogge and the American Bully are frequently confused, especially by first-time buyers shopping classifieds. They share blocky heads and stocky builds. Beyond that, they are different breeds with different histories, different breeding goals, and different temperaments. Confusion is often deliberate: some sellers market American Bully puppies as "OEB-type" or "Olde English-style" to claim a more breed-recognized price. Understanding the difference protects buyers.
The OEB is a 1971 reconstruction of the working English Bulldog, drawing from English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, and APBT. The American Bully was developed in the 1990s, primarily from American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier stock with various bulldog crosses, as a companion-focused show breed. The breeds look superficially similar because of their shared bulldog/APBT heritage, but they were bred for different purposes.
One-sentence summary. The Olde English Bulldogge is a working bulldog recreated from foundation crosses; the American Bully is a 1990s show-bred companion breed derived primarily from APBT and AmStaff lines.
Origins
American Bully: Established in the 1990s. Recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2013 and by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC). Selectively bred for blocky heads, heavy bone, and a more compact build than the APBT it descends from. Variants include Pocket, Standard, XL, and XXL.
Olde English Bulldogge: 1971 reconstruction by David Leavitt. Drawn from English Bulldog, American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, and American Pit Bull Terrier in defined ratios. Bred to recover the working bulldog of pre-Victorian England, before modern English Bulldog show breeding made the breed unable to breathe or whelp without intervention. OEB breed history.
Size and weight
American Bully: Highly variable by variant.
- Pocket: 12-16 inches, 30-50 pounds
- Standard: 16-20 inches, 50-80 pounds
- Classic: 16-20 inches, 50-80 pounds (more APBT-like build)
- XL: 20-23 inches, 80-120 pounds
- XXL: variable, 120+ pounds (controversial within the breed community)
Olde English Bulldogge: 16-20 inches, 50-90 pounds. More uniform than the Bully in size. Two type variants (Standard and Classic) within the breed standard, but no XL/XXL track. OEB size guide.
Structure
American Bully: Wide, heavy front. Compact build. Short muzzle in many show lines. Bone is exaggerated in some lines. Movement varies considerably across variants.
Olde English Bulldogge: Athletic structure with a more functional muzzle. Strong but not exaggerated bone. The breed standard prefers movement that is free, balanced, and athletic, not the rolling gait of show-bred English Bulldogs or the heavy carriage of some Bully lines.
Temperament
American Bully: Bred specifically for stable, friendly, family temperament. Generally good with kids. Less protective drive than working breeds. Lower prey drive than the APBT it descends from.
Olde English Bulldogge: Family-loyal, protective, more guardian-style than the Bully. Working drive retained. Tolerant of family kids, watchful with strangers. OEB personality traits.
Exercise needs
American Bully: 30-45 minutes per day for most variants. Pocket and Standard variants tire faster than Classic or XL.
Olde English Bulldogge: 60-75 minutes per day with more variety. Built for moderate-distance work, not just companionship.
Health concerns
American Bully: Brachycephalic concerns in show-bred lines (more extreme muzzle = more BOAS risk). Hip and elbow dysplasia. Heart conditions in some lines. Skin allergies. The XL and XXL variants face additional joint and cardiac risk from the size selection.
Olde English Bulldogge: Hip and elbow dysplasia (the main concerns). Cherry eye. Allergies. Less brachycephalic risk than show-bred Bullies. OEB health issues.
Lifespan
American Bully: 10-13 years for Standard and Classic. Shorter (8-11 years) for XL/XXL because of size-related health issues.
Olde English Bulldogge: 9-14 years. Mid-range size produces mid-to-long lifespan compared to bulldog-related breeds.
Registries
American Bully: ABKC (American Bully Kennel Club), UKC, USBR (United States Bully Registry). Some Bully variants are not breed-recognized by AKC or other mainstream registries.
Olde English Bulldogge: OBBA, IOEBA, OEBKC, UKC, LBA, ARBA. Wide cross-registry acceptance. Registry comparison.
When buyers confuse the two
The most common confusion happens at the buyer end:
- Sellers list American Bully puppies as "OEB-style" or "old-style bulldog" to capture buyers searching for OEBs
- Some sellers cross American Bully with English Bulldog and call the result an Olde English Bulldogge, which it is not
- The Pocket Bully size class confuses buyers who think they are buying a small OEB
- OBBA papers verify the dog is a verified OEB; without papers from a recognized OEB registry, the "OEB" label is just a marketing claim
If a seller claims their puppy is an OEB, ask for the parents' OBBA, IOEBA, OEBKC, UKC, or LBA registration numbers. Verify those numbers in the relevant registry. If the parents are not registered with an OEB registry, the puppy is not a verified OEB.
Which fits which household
Choose the American Bully if:
- You want a stable companion breed without working drive
- You prefer a specific look (XL/XXL are unique to the Bully)
- You are comfortable navigating a young breed with multiple registries and variant standards
- You have a flexible household that can absorb the variability across lines
Choose the OEB if:
- You want a working-bulldog-type dog with established breed history
- You will use the dog's exercise tolerance and engagement
- You want a guardian dog with protective instinct, not just a companion
- You prefer a breed with multi-registry recognition and verifiable pedigrees back to a known foundation