Boerboel vs Olde English Bulldogge: Size, History and Key Differences
Short answer: The Olde English Bulldogge is a modern American recreation of the old working Bulldog, started by David Leavitt in 1971. The UKC standard puts males at 17 to 20 inches and 60 to 80 lb. A male Boerboel stands 24 to 27 inches, and the AKC lists the breed at 150 to 200 lb. Think of the OEB as a sturdy, friendly bulldog that fits on the couch with you. The Boerboel is the guardian that fits on the couch instead of you.
Boerboel vs Olde English Bulldogge at a glance
Trait | Boerboel vs Olde English Bulldogge |
Origin | Boerboel: South Africa Olde English Bulldogge: United States (Pennsylvania), beginning in 1971 |
Original job | Boerboel: Farm and homestead guardian; first line of defense against predators Olde English Bulldogge: Recreation of the 18th-century working Bulldog; family companion |
Height | Boerboel: Males 24 to 27 in; females 22 to 25 in Olde English Bulldogge: Males 17 to 20 in; females 16 to 19 in (UKC) |
Weight | Boerboel: 150 to 200 lb Olde English Bulldogge: Males 60 to 80 lb; females 50 to 70 lb (UKC) |
Coat | Boerboel: Short, dense and smooth; low grooming Olde English Bulldogge: Short, close and of medium density |
Registry group | Boerboel: AKC Working Group Olde English Bulldogge: UKC Guardian Dog Group |
Guarding style | Boerboel: Calm, confident home and family guardian Olde English Bulldogge: Confident, friendly and alert |
Boerboel height comes from the AKC breed standard and weight from the AKC breed weight chart. Typical lifespan reflects what we see in the breed. Olde English Bulldogge figures come from the breed standards and AKC resources listed under Sources.
Size and build
This is one of the biggest size gaps in the bulldog family. The UKC standard sets male Olde English Bulldogges at 17 to 20 inches and 60 to 80 lb, and females at 16 to 19 inches and 50 to 70 lb. A male Boerboel stands 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder, and the AKC lists the breed at 150 to 200 lb. A grown male Boerboel can weigh as much as two to three Olde English Bulldogges.
Temperament and guarding style
The UKC standard describes the Olde English Bulldogge's disposition as "confident, friendly and alert" and asks for "an animated and expressive dog." David Leavitt wrote that his dogs "must be very loving" and "must have courage and determination, without being overly aggressive." The Boerboel is calmer and more reserved with strangers. The AKC Boerboel standard calls for a dog that is "calm, stable and confident, at times displaying a self-assured aloofness." The OEB greets the guests. The Boerboel decides whether they are guests.
More on how Boerboels behave with family, children and visitors is in our Boerboel temperament FAQ.
Training and handling
Both breeds can be stubborn in that charming way bulldogs are stubborn. Short, upbeat sessions work well for the OEB. The Boerboel needs the same consistency plus early leash and handling work, because a stubborn 60 lb dog is a workout and a stubborn 180 lb dog is a negotiation.
Our puppies start that work early through Cold River HomeStart™, the early foundation every Cold River puppy receives, and our Boerboel training FAQ covers house training, leash work, mouthing and more.
Exercise, work and performance
Leavitt began the breed in 1971 using a line-breeding scheme developed at Ohio State University, aiming for the look of the 18th-century Bulldog with better health and temperament, according to the UKC standard and his own account. Today the OEB is mainly a family companion with good athletic ability for its size. The Boerboel was bred as an all-around South African farm guardian. It needs daily exercise and real work, and its size and frame are built for strength sports.
Performance is how we measure the breed at Cold River. Cold River's Sun Wukong and Cold River's Mr. Wednesday both pulled 22,039 lb at a UPF event on May 9, 2026, the heaviest pull in any weight-pull federation's published results. Sun competes at about 164 lb and Wednesday at about 186 lb. The full results and sources are on our world record page, and our dog weight pulling guide explains how the sport works.
Health and lifespan
Leavitt has said he started the project after becoming disenchanted with the breathing problems of the English Bulldogs of his day. The UKC standard does not set a lifespan for the OEB. Boerboels generally live 9 to 11 years. Ask any breeder for health results on both parents. For growth, lifespan and bloat prevention in Boerboels, see our Boerboel size, growth and health FAQ.
Which breed is right for you?
Choose a Boerboel if:
You want a serious guardian with real size and presence
You have the space, vehicle and budget for a giant breed
You are interested in strength sports like weight pull
Choose a Olde English Bulldogge if:
You want a friendly, mid-sized bulldog for family life
You want the bulldog look with less dog to manage
You want a dog that fits in a standard crate and a standard car
Whichever breed you choose, pick a breeder who can show you health results and what their dogs actually do. Our guide on how to choose a Boerboel breeder covers what to ask.
Common questions
How much bigger is a Boerboel than an Olde English Bulldogge?
A lot. A male OEB stands 17 to 20 inches and weighs 60 to 80 lb under the UKC standard. A male Boerboel stands 24 to 27 inches, and the AKC lists the breed at 150 to 200 lb.
Is the Olde English Bulldogge a good guard dog?
It is alert and will let you know someone is there, but the UKC standard describes a friendly disposition. The Boerboel was bred specifically as a homestead guardian.
Is the Olde English Bulldogge recognized by the AKC?
No. The UKC recognized the breed on January 1, 2014.
Thinking about a Boerboel?
Start with our puppy application, see our available puppies, or read the Boerboel puppy price FAQ. To compare the Boerboel with more breeds, see Boerboel vs other breeds.
Sources
By Cold River Boerboels. Updated October 2026.
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