Victorian Bulldog Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Victorian Bulldog should give the overall appearance of a fit, healthy and functional English Bulldog.
It should remain unmistakably Bulldog in type, with the substance, strength and character expected of the breed, while presenting a fit, balanced and functional appearance.
Size & Proportion
Bitches: 14–16 inches at the withers.
Males: 15–17 inches at the withers.
The Victorian Bulldog should be square, balanced and well proportioned, with a strong, compact and substantial appearance.
The dog may be heavy and powerful, but must not be overweight. Substance and weight should come from bone, muscle and correct construction, not excess body fat.
A visible waist and abdominal tuck should be present when viewed from above and from the side.
Head & Muzzle
The Victorian Bulldog is a large-headed breed, with the head displaying clear English Bulldog type.
Males should have a large, broad and powerful head. A small or feminine head on a male is a fault.
Bitches may have either a large head or a more feminine head, provided it remains in proportion with the body and retains correct Bulldog type. A small, weak or underdeveloped head is a fault.
The muzzle should be broad, deep and well developed, with the characteristic English Bulldog appearance. It should not be excessively long or narrow.
Allowance should be made for age, as the head can continue to develop and mature up to approximately three years of age.
Nostrils & Breathing
The nose may be black or Dudley.
Nostrils must be wide and open, allowing free and unrestricted airflow.
Breathing should be silent and effortless at rest.
Pinched, narrowed or restricted nostrils are a fault, as is noisy or laboured breathing at rest.
Skin & Wrinkles
The Victorian Bulldog should have close, tight-fitting skin over the body.
Wrinkling should be present on the head and muzzle, maintaining the characteristic Bulldog expression.
A nose roll is acceptable, provided it does not cover or obstruct the nostrils or interfere with free and unrestricted breathing.
Some looser skin around the neck is acceptable, but the skin over the body must remain close and tight.
Excessive loose, hanging or heavily wrinkled skin over the body is a fault.
Eyes
Eyes should be brown, clear and healthy in appearance.
They should be well set and complement the characteristic Bulldog expression.
Excessive visible white, overly prominent or bulging eyes are undesirable.
Ears
Rose ears are preferred and should give the characteristic Bulldog expression.
Button ears are accepted and should not be considered a fault.
Ears should be proportionate to the head and carried naturally.
Body & Condition
The Victorian Bulldog should be presented in a naturally fit and muscular condition. It is a substantial, heavy-boned, broad and powerful dog, but being overweight is a fault.
The body should be wide and well ribbed, with good depth and substance throughout. A narrow or lightly built body is a fault.
The topline should be straight, curving down over the rump towards the tail.
The body should taper into a visible waist and abdominal tuck, showing fitness and correct condition while retaining the breed’s natural weight, bone and substance.
Front Construction
Viewed from the front, the Victorian Bulldog should appear broad, powerful and square, with a large head and good width through the chest and shoulders.
The front legs should be straight, strong and well boned, with the feet pointing forward.
A slight outward turn of the feet is acceptable where it assists natural movement, but should never be excessive.
Feet turning inward are a fault.
Feet
Feet should be strong and well formed, with straight-facing feet preferred.
A slight outward turn is acceptable, provided it is not excessive and does not interfere with correct movement.
Feet turning inward are a fault.
Rear Construction
The hindquarters should be strong, muscular and powerful, with well-developed rear legs providing the drive to propel the dog forward.
The rear should have correct, balanced angulation, with the hind legs positioned naturally beneath the rear of the dog when standing.
When viewed from the side, an imaginary vertical line dropped from the rear of the rump should meet the natural position of the hind leg and foot.
The rear should be neither excessively straight nor over-angulated. The construction must allow powerful, balanced and unrestricted movement.
Movement
Movement should be free, balanced and effortless, with good drive from the rear.
The Victorian Bulldog should be a capable canine athlete, not simply a dog capable of moving correctly around a show ring.
Despite its heavy-boned, broad and powerful appearance, it should be capable of running, jumping, swimming, playing and exercising with ease, displaying surprising athleticism, stamina and agility for a dog of its build.
It should move and perform with the confidence and physical ability of a fit, functional and athletic dog.
Tail
The tail should be naturally short and movable.
A short, straight tail, no longer than approximately 6 inches, or a corkscrew tail is accepted.
The tail should remain free and movable, without being tightly fixed or restricting the surrounding skin.
Colour
Accepted colours are:
Red, fawn, white, brindle, black and chocolate, including any combination of these accepted colours.
Temperament
The Victorian Bulldog should be a confident, loyal and devoted family dog, possessing a distinctly noble air.
It has a natural guarding instinct and may be protective of its family and home. For this reason, clear boundaries, socialisation and consistent training from a young age are essential.
The Victorian Bulldog should be confident and steady in character, showing courage and awareness without unnecessary aggression or nervousness.
Bullbreeds United: Judging the Whole Dog
Evaluating the Victorian Bulldog requires a holistic approach, balancing structure, health, and breed character.
