Italian Bulldogge

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Italian Bulldogge

90-110 lbs

24-29"

North Americas, USA

Neapolitan Mastiff

Olde English Bulldogge

Powerful, intimidating and a great protector, the Italian Bulldogge is giant breed dog that is a cross between the Neapolitan Mastiff and the Olde English Bulldogge. These hybrids are above average maintenance dogs as they are seasonal shedders, heavy droolers and need to have their wrinkles specially cleaned on a regular basis. Despite being a giant breed, they are actually quite well suited to an apartment lifestyle so as long as they are walked a few times daily and have a park area close by where they can go to stretch and investigate the world several times a week. The Italian Bulldogge is a breed that is not recommended to first time owners though; they are best suited to experienced, dominant owners.

Purpose
Guarding, Companion, Watchdog


Date of Origin
2000s


Ancestry
Neapolitan Mastiff and Olde English Bulldogge

Italian Bulldogge Health

Average Size

Height: 26-31 inches Weight: 120-150 lbs

Height: 24-29 inches Weight: 90-110 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

Ectropion
Cherry Eye
Skin Fold Dermatitis

Occasional Diagnoses

Elbow Dysplasia
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Occasional Tests

X-Rays
Eye Examination
Skin Evaluation
Complete Physical Examination

Italian Bulldogge Breed History

The Olde English Bulldogge is a relatively new breed as far as development with the breeding program of Mr. David Leavitt commencing in 1971. Though the ancestors of this breed were mainly used for bull baiting and pit fighting, Mr. Leavitt sought to bring to fruition the good points of this wonderful canine by concentrating on the traits of athleticism (of less intensity than seen in the predecessors) and gentle temperament. He carefully bred the American Bulldog, Bullmastiff, English Bulldog, and the American Pit Bull Terrier to develop the Olde English Bulldog which we see today. Thought to be of lineage of the British Mastiff and Roman war dogs, the giant Neapolitan Mastiff hails from Italy, most likely Naples. Excellent at guarding and protecting in the past, the Neapolitan Mastiff is now excelling on the home front as a treasured companion and in the show ring as a much admired giant. They were almost wiped out as a breed during the second World War, but due to promotion by Piere Scanziana, enthusiast and owner of the Neapolitan Mastiff, this gorgeous giant was once again a favored dog. In 1973 the first Neapolitan Mastiff entered the United States and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2004.

Italian Bulldogge Breed Appearance

Heavy boned, tall and deep-chested, the Italian Bulldogge is a giant breed that tends to have a large broad head, flat-rounded skull and deep-set eyes. These breeds are very muscular and powerful. Their muzzles tend to be squared deep and wide, with large nostrils on a brown or black nose. Often, their ears are semi-flopped but can be cropped. They have powerful jaws and a bite that is mostly undershot. A distinct feature of these hybrids is that they typically have heavy wrinkling and folds all throughout their body, with the greatest amount of folds found in the facial region. These dogs tend to have very short, straight coats that are no more than 1 inch in length. They have an ambling gait that is determined and strong.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Brown

Coat Color Possibilities

Black

Red

Brindle

Blue

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Italian Bulldogge Breed Maintenance

A seasonal shedder, these dogs do need a bit of year-round maintenance when it comes to grooming. A weekly brushing with the slicker brush should do just fine and when your hybrid is in a heavier shedding stage, you can brush him daily. The folds and wrinkles found on the face and body of the Italian Bulldogge should be checked each day for moisture and dirt accumulation; in particular his facial folds will need to be kept dry as he may be a bit of a drooler. His nails will be strong and tough; keep on top of their length by trimming them on a bi-weekly basis. When he is a puppy, get him used to having his teeth brushed a few times a week and you will avoid unnecessary dental expenses in the future.

Brushes for Italian Bulldogge

Slicker Brush

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Italian Bulldogge Temperament

This hybrid can be quite dominating. They are not for the light of heart and are better suited to strong owners who have experience with giant breeds with a lot of personality. The person who takes on the Italian Bulldogge as a pet needs to understand that due to the sheer size of this hybrid, the handler must be in control. This hybrid is happy to obey but will need consistent leadership in order for him to be at his happiest. He does not mind children at all but should be monitored during interaction. He is a natural protector; obedience classes will not only socialize him as far as other people and canines are concerned but will teach him to obey your commands and trust you that the visitor at the door is welcome to come in.

Italian Bulldogge Activity Requirements

These hybrids need a lot of exercise and need to be walked at least 2 times a day. They aren’t swimmers and aren’t comfortable as runners, so intellectual activity will be welcomed as much as physical activity will be. He is affectionate and will be happy to go where you go, as long as you don't mind going at his pace. The Italian Bulldogge really is too big to live happily in an apartment; he'll prefer the comfort of a large home with a good sized back yard that is securely fenced. He will not be happy left outside alone though, and will make an excellent gardening companion. In the heat of the day, however, provide him with plenty of shade and water to drink.

Activity Level

Low
Medium
High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
11 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Italian Bulldogge

Similarly Sized Breeds to Italian Bulldogge

Italian Bulldogge Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
4 cups
Daily Cost
$2.75 - $3.00
Monthly Cost
$80.00 - $90.00

Written by Loreziel Ortega

Published: 12/15/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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