History of the White English
“Caius, '(1550)', gives a very appropriate name for the group when he classifies them as “Canes Rustici”, dogs of the country – country dogs. According to what these were capable of accomplishing, they were accordingly grouped, and eventually became recognizable as distinct breeds. ... We have already quoted Caius with regard to mastiffs of his day, and shown in connection with the smooth sheep dog and the bulldog that they were members of the family of common country dog, dogs of undoubted courage, differing in size and adaptation for the many uses to which they were put. The section of the family which we are now discussing was the largest, and Caius places it second to the shepherd's dog in the family group. As Caius tells us nothing of the alauntes and describes no dog that at all resembles what we know it to have been, we may assume that they had died out, but we must also assume that their blood had become incorporated in that of the common dog... .” Watson 1906
Florida: circa 1900 - OWE, child and goat.
The WE was developed from the Shepherd's Mastiffs aka white mastiffs, (or Alaunts), of England, the Alano of Spain, Spanish Mountain Mastiff and to some degree, the French Mastin, Dogue and Doguin de Bordeaux, Alpine Mastiff and Pyreneen Mastiff of France during the 17th and 18th centuries, in northern Florida and southern Georgia by cattle ranchers and homesteaders as a cattle dog and property guardian, a commoners, or farmer's dog. Throwbacks to the French and Spanish mountain dogs, such as longer coat and rear dew claws, are still seen occasionally in today's WE. These types are typically known in southern Georgia as 'Georgia Giants' and elsewhere in pockets of the south as 'White Mastiffs'.
These shepherds mastiffs were known and called by that name in England, while in Spain they were known as Alanos. The French referred to them simply as mastin (mastiff); a term they introduced into Britain in 1066 with the Norman invasion. Some strains of WE today show more Spanish ancestry while others show a more English or French influence. The Carr White English has proven to be of English and French origin. “This dog is also called "Villaticia", because it's job is to guard and protect farms." Caius 1550
The OWE, being of core Alaunt origin, is of the ayuda type temperament: Ayuda literally meaning aid or assistance. Occasionally a presa temperament is thrown in some litters: Presa literally meaning chase or pursuit. The presa WE is fairly uncommon in strains bred specifically for guarding, such as the Carr line, which are ayuda dogs. Such WE are known as the WEB, or bulldog/Beisser type.
These shepherds mastiffs were known and called by that name in England, while in Spain they were known as Alanos. The French referred to them simply as mastin (mastiff); a term they introduced into Britain in 1066 with the Norman invasion. Some strains of WE today show more Spanish ancestry while others show a more English or French influence. The Carr White English has proven to be of English and French origin. “This dog is also called "Villaticia", because it's job is to guard and protect farms." Caius 1550
The OWE, being of core Alaunt origin, is of the ayuda type temperament: Ayuda literally meaning aid or assistance. Occasionally a presa temperament is thrown in some litters: Presa literally meaning chase or pursuit. The presa WE is fairly uncommon in strains bred specifically for guarding, such as the Carr line, which are ayuda dogs. Such WE are known as the WEB, or bulldog/Beisser type.
Type?
"...with the characteristic short muzzle and undershot jaw of its trade or use, which if bred out or allowed to degenerate into other types, the breed would become no longer the mastiff, as they approached nearer in type to their boarhound, bloodhound, or Alpine sheepdog ancestry; foul crosses which have been introduced to the detriment of the true type. Vast dogs long on the legs, somewhat light in bone for their size, are not in reality mastiffs, whatever their owners may think." Wynn
The Old White English is of the mastiff type in form, temperament and function, though not of the modern idea of mastiff size. They are very much in line with the original mastiffs of old, being primarily guardians with occasional assistance being required in moving or controlling livestock. They are very laid back, easy going seemingly benign yard dogs until pressed into service. "It was very gentle, excepting when urged to make an attack, when its ferocity knew no bounds." 'The History of the Dog' by WCL Martin, 1845.
There exists a more 'bulldoggy' type as well, being more of the Beisser type. A more active, animal aggressive type with a much different manner of attack, and being a holding dog. This 'bulldoggy' type is much better suited to hunting than the mastiff type. Though similar in appearance and often confused with one another, the temperament, use and method of attack and fighting style separate the two types as distinct and unique from the other. This separation follows historical accounts of the separation of the mastiff and the bulldog aka Beisser.
There exists a more 'bulldoggy' type as well, being more of the Beisser type. A more active, animal aggressive type with a much different manner of attack, and being a holding dog. This 'bulldoggy' type is much better suited to hunting than the mastiff type. Though similar in appearance and often confused with one another, the temperament, use and method of attack and fighting style separate the two types as distinct and unique from the other. This separation follows historical accounts of the separation of the mastiff and the bulldog aka Beisser.
The breed name White English is first documented by the United States Army in March of 1871 in a report written by Officer R. G. Carter in Fort Concho, West Texas. The report's description of the dog clearly indicate a dog suited to following Calvary on long arduous marches, a guard dog and protector extraordinaire and a very capable stock dog; Certainly what we call a WE today. The breed is named and described exactly as they are today, some 27 years before the American Pit Bull Terrier is named, 100 years before the American Bulldog and 115 years before the Alapaha are named, both being modern descendants of the WE. see the 'Breed Names' page for more information
In the southeastern US, where the WE was developed during the Spanish colonization and English colonialism. The WE was and remains a stock / farm dog and guardian, that, because of it's abilities with stock, is quite capable of catching whatever you wish it to. However, over the past 30-40 years the WE has been out-crossed to various other breeds; the Cur breeds, APBTs, even different hounds, and the result is a fine hunting dog of various types, including the standard/performance/Scott/OSW type AB and the Southern Curs. The WE can and will hunt wild hogs, however, the newly developed, (30-40 years), standard/performance/Scott/OSW type AB is a far better dog for this. Any stock dog that is capable of bringing a bull under control without injury is fully capable of catching wild boar. The reverse however, cannot be said.
Just as in England nearly 200 years ago, the true function of these remarkable dogs has been overlooked, set aside, and taken advantage of. Back then, the blood-sport for public display and entertainment was baiting and pit fighting. (As in crowds gathering to watch). Today it is the catching of wild hogs in catch/bay pens and unfortunately, pit fighting is still widely spread, though illegal. Efforts have been under way for several years to outlaw the use of dogs in catching wild hogs for sport and public display, just as efforts to outlaw the baiting of dogs began in England almost two centuries ago.
The Name "White English?"
When the English invaded the southeastern region of North America in 1733, they were faced with Alaunts of the older type, (like their own Shepherds' Mastiff), protecting Spanish forts and missions, guarding homesteads and tending livestock. Hence, in typical English fashion, they simply claimed and called these old type dogs White English or Old English Whites as their own, (referring to their own old type Shepherds' Mastiff of England), what they knew them to be.
The Old White English Today
Unfortunately, the breed is in a serious decline due to the development of new breeds using the WE as a foundation. The increasing growth in popularity of the American Bulldog, specifically the performance type AB, and most recently, the Alapaha, has nearly caused the WE to be bred out of existence.
In the southeastern US, where the WE was developed during the Spanish colonization and English colonialism. The WE was and remains a stock / farm dog and guardian, that, because of it's abilities with stock, is quite capable of catching whatever you wish it to. However, over the past 30-40 years the WE has been out-crossed to various other breeds; the Cur breeds, APBTs, even different hounds, and the result is a fine hunting dog of various types, including the standard/performance/Scott/OSW type AB and the Southern Curs. The WE can and will hunt wild hogs, however, the newly developed, (30-40 years), standard/performance/Scott/OSW type AB is a far better dog for this. Any stock dog that is capable of bringing a bull under control without injury is fully capable of catching wild boar. The reverse however, cannot be said.
Just as in England nearly 200 years ago, the true function of these remarkable dogs has been overlooked, set aside, and taken advantage of. Back then, the blood-sport for public display and entertainment was baiting and pit fighting. (As in crowds gathering to watch). Today it is the catching of wild hogs in catch/bay pens and unfortunately, pit fighting is still widely spread, though illegal. Efforts have been under way for several years to outlaw the use of dogs in catching wild hogs for sport and public display, just as efforts to outlaw the baiting of dogs began in England almost two centuries ago.
The Name "White English?"
When the English invaded the southeastern region of North America in 1733, they were faced with Alaunts of the older type, (like their own Shepherds' Mastiff), protecting Spanish forts and missions, guarding homesteads and tending livestock. Hence, in typical English fashion, they simply claimed and called these old type dogs White English or Old English Whites as their own, (referring to their own old type Shepherds' Mastiff of England), what they knew them to be.
The Old White English Today
Unfortunately, the breed is in a serious decline due to the development of new breeds using the WE as a foundation. The increasing growth in popularity of the American Bulldog, specifically the performance type AB, and most recently, the Alapaha, has nearly caused the WE to be bred out of existence.
The WE is still used today in America's south as an all around farm dog. A courageous protector of livestock, including cattle, swine, and fowl, and a family guardian, they are prized for their innate abilities and intelligence and respected for their ferocious guarding instincts. They are finally being remembered and recognized for their unique qualities that make them so versatile and valuable to the average farmer, being put to work on such farms throughout the US and Canada.
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