The Three Types: Standard, Bully and Hybrid
Within most all bull breeds exist three basic types; standard, bully and hybrid. In recent years, breed clubs have considered the idea of eliminating these different types and standardizing them into one. The idea was met with both support and criticism from breed fanciers to experienced breeders. In weighing my opinion on the matter, I looked to what was historically correct for bull breeds. Not surprisingly, history tells us that these three basic types have existed since the inception of the Bulldog of England.
The standard type is typically considered the original or old type and is synonymous with the mastiff. This type, the standard/mastiff type, is significantly older than the bully or the hybrid type, as it is a naturally occurring type, one that was shaped by necessity and time.
In order of age of type, next is the bully type, which is understandably synonymous with the bulldog. This type came to describe the bulldog which came to be by crossing the mastiff with various nations indegenous dogs. They were a type that was selectively bred for a very specific function, a type shaped by man.
Lastly is the hybrid type, which for obvious reasons, is the youngest of the three types, and is synonymous with the bullmastiff. It is fairly self explanatory as it describes the blending or hybridizing of the standard/mastiff type and the bully/bulldog types.
In keeping with what history proves to be correct, we as fanciers or breeders have little option but to acknowledge, embrace and encourage the three long-standing types as distinct and separate from each other.
The standard type is typically considered the original or old type and is synonymous with the mastiff. This type, the standard/mastiff type, is significantly older than the bully or the hybrid type, as it is a naturally occurring type, one that was shaped by necessity and time.
In order of age of type, next is the bully type, which is understandably synonymous with the bulldog. This type came to describe the bulldog which came to be by crossing the mastiff with various nations indegenous dogs. They were a type that was selectively bred for a very specific function, a type shaped by man.
Lastly is the hybrid type, which for obvious reasons, is the youngest of the three types, and is synonymous with the bullmastiff. It is fairly self explanatory as it describes the blending or hybridizing of the standard/mastiff type and the bully/bulldog types.
In keeping with what history proves to be correct, we as fanciers or breeders have little option but to acknowledge, embrace and encourage the three long-standing types as distinct and separate from each other.
