The Bullmastiff and the Olde English Bulldogge share working-bulldog ancestry. The Bullmastiff was originally created by crossing English Bulldogs with English Mastiffs to produce a gamekeeper's dog. The OEB's 1971 reconstruction included Bullmastiff in its foundation cross. Both breeds are guardian dogs that tolerate family well, both have moderate exercise needs, and both share the bulldog look in broad strokes.
The differences matter for household fit. The Bullmastiff is significantly larger and shorter-lived. The OEB is more athletic and longer-lived. They suit different homes and different owners.
One-sentence summary. The Bullmastiff is a 100-130 lb guardian with a 7-9 year lifespan; the Olde English Bulldogge is a 50-90 lb working dog with a 9-14 year lifespan and more exercise tolerance.
Size and weight
Bullmastiff: 24-27 inches at the withers, 100-130 pounds. Males larger than females. One of the heavier guardian breeds.
Olde English Bulldogge: 16-20 inches, 50-90 pounds. Substantial but significantly smaller than a Bullmastiff. Standard type leans 50-70 pounds, Classic type 70-90.
Lifespan
Bullmastiff: Median 7-9 years. Common large-breed concerns: cancer (a significant cause of death in the breed), cardiac issues, joint disease, GDV.
Olde English Bulldogge:Median 9-14 years. Hip and elbow dysplasia and the usual large-breed risks but the breed's smaller size and more functional structure produce longer lives. OEB lifespan.
Exercise needs
Bullmastiff: 30-45 minutes of moderate exercise per day. Built for short bursts of guardian work, not endurance. Avoids high-intensity activity in heat.
Olde English Bulldogge: 60-75 minutes per day, with more variety (walks, hikes, structured play, training). Tolerates higher intensity than the Bullmastiff. OEB exercise guide.
Temperament
Bullmastiff: Calm, watchful, tolerant. Will physically intervene if family is threatened but rarely escalates first. Strong protective instinct, slow arousal, slow recovery. Generally good with kids.
Olde English Bulldogge: More engaged with the environment. Strong protective instinct that emerges around 12-18 months. More biddable than the Bullmastiff in training. More tolerant of strangers once introduced. Higher interest in everyday activity. OEB personality traits.
Breathing
Bullmastiff: Moderate brachycephalic features. Some BOAS in short-muzzled lines. Heat tolerance is limited at the heavier end of the breed.
Olde English Bulldogge: Longer, more functional muzzle than the Bullmastiff in most modern lines. Better breathing function. More heat tolerance, though still not a hot-climate exercise breed. OEB heat regulation.
Trainability
Bullmastiff: Slow to mature mentally. Independent. Will comply with training but often slowly. Resistant to repetitive obedience drills.
Olde English Bulldogge: More biddable. Learns commands in fewer repetitions. Still independent enough that the handler-dog relationship matters more than coercion. OEB trainability.
Price and ownership cost
Bullmastiff: Puppies $1,500-$3,000 from a registered breeder. Lifetime cost of ownership runs higher than the OEB on food, vet, and end-of-life because of the larger size and shorter lifespan.
Olde English Bulldogge: Puppies $1,500-$3,500 from an OBBA-registered breeder. Lifetime cost $26,000-$42,000.
Which fits which household
Choose the Bullmastiff if:
- You want a serious-presence guardian and the size is the point
- You prefer a calmer, less-engaged dog who is content to be near the family without participating in everything
- You can absorb the higher food, vet, and end-of-life costs of a 100+ pound dog
- You accept the shorter lifespan as a trade-off for the breed's presence
- You have the strength to handle a 110+ pound dog on leash
Choose the OEB if:
- You want a guardian dog that is also a working partner
- You will spend daily time on real exercise and training
- You want more years with the dog
- You like a dog that engages with everyday life rather than mostly observing
- You have a moderate-energy household, not a couch-only one and not a marathon-runner one