"...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
OWE or WEB?
The separation of OWE and WEB is the same as the separation of the Mastiff and the Bulldog. The White English breed is often called by various terms such as Old White English, English Whites, Old English White, White English Bulldog and most commonly by rural southerners, just plain bulldogs. "White English" is the breed name, however there are two types within the breed; a mastiff type and a bulldog type. The mastiff type is known as the OWE and the bulldog type is known as the WEB, and follows the same separation as the Dogue de Bordeaux and Doguin, as well the Spanish Alano and Spanish Bulldog.
Unfortunately not many people are aware of these differences or even that there are two types, mistakenly calling any and all White English as WEB. What confuses so many people is their understanding, or lack thereof, of the terms bulldog and mastiff.
Despite the English Mastiff breed and English Bulldog breed being separated as their own distinct breeds in 1609, over 400 years ago, people still do not understand the difference, assuming that 'mastiff' means a 200+ lb. slobbering dog; and that 'bulldog' means any upturned nose, undershot, stubborn dog. These vast umbrellas of generalizations has destroyed people's concept of the actual mastiff and the actual bulldog. Historically and by definition, the mastiff has always been a guard dog of stock and family and a fighting dog of predator. The mastiff proper was never a hunting dog. Historically and by definition, the bulldog has always been a sporting dog. "The bulldog became defined by the sport it was used for..." Wynn. Today, these lines are blurred, leaving most little chance at understanding what either really is.
Unfortunately not many people are aware of these differences or even that there are two types, mistakenly calling any and all White English as WEB. What confuses so many people is their understanding, or lack thereof, of the terms bulldog and mastiff.
Despite the English Mastiff breed and English Bulldog breed being separated as their own distinct breeds in 1609, over 400 years ago, people still do not understand the difference, assuming that 'mastiff' means a 200+ lb. slobbering dog; and that 'bulldog' means any upturned nose, undershot, stubborn dog. These vast umbrellas of generalizations has destroyed people's concept of the actual mastiff and the actual bulldog. Historically and by definition, the mastiff has always been a guard dog of stock and family and a fighting dog of predator. The mastiff proper was never a hunting dog. Historically and by definition, the bulldog has always been a sporting dog. "The bulldog became defined by the sport it was used for..." Wynn. Today, these lines are blurred, leaving most little chance at understanding what either really is.
THE OWE
"The mastiff's nature and his office is to keep his master's beasts and his master's house, and it is a good kind of hound, for they keep and defend with all their power all their master's goods." Gaston de Foix
The OWE is the mastiff type White English. They are more of a mastiff proper (original mastiff), size, temperament and function, being used as guardians of the farm, which includes the property, livestock and family. They are a much calmer, more relaxed, fairly quiet, seemingly benign yard dog until the time presents itself for them to prove just how ferocious and protective they are. They are not playful dogs, though they serve as playgrounds for the family's children, letting them wallow all over them yet rarely engaging in play themselves. Prey drive is very, very low in the mastiff type and as such they don't typically make good hunting dogs. There are physical differences as well: They have longer backs, longer muzzles, longer, flatter heads, less under-bite, and often have smaller feet. They are not the large, massive boned, heavily muscled, wrinkled, slobbering dogs that most associate with the mastiff, rather, they are of moderate size (50-95 lbs. +/-), far less mass and much more functional. The OWE does not do well in confined spaces and do not make good city or suburban dogs. They need plenty of space so that their inherent ability's can be best expressed. Oftentimes, with nothing to protect or no space to roam, the OWE will shut down. They may not eat, drink, get up, or even interact with their master. They must have a job to do.
The ferocity of the OWE when engaged in protecting their charge is unlike any other breed I've ever encountered. There method of attack is far different than the WEB in that they approach from the rear and go for a fatal bite under the elbow and into the chest of a predator, be it man or beast; sometimes they may go for the throat. Either way, when they respond to a threat, they respond with the intent of permanently doing away with it so that it never returns. They are extremely serious dogs that do not belong in the hands of the novice.
"The mastiff's nature and his office is to keep his master's beasts and his master's house, and it is a good kind of hound, for they keep and defend with all their power all their master's goods." Gaston de Foix
The OWE is the mastiff type White English. They are more of a mastiff proper (original mastiff), size, temperament and function, being used as guardians of the farm, which includes the property, livestock and family. They are a much calmer, more relaxed, fairly quiet, seemingly benign yard dog until the time presents itself for them to prove just how ferocious and protective they are. They are not playful dogs, though they serve as playgrounds for the family's children, letting them wallow all over them yet rarely engaging in play themselves. Prey drive is very, very low in the mastiff type and as such they don't typically make good hunting dogs. There are physical differences as well: They have longer backs, longer muzzles, longer, flatter heads, less under-bite, and often have smaller feet. They are not the large, massive boned, heavily muscled, wrinkled, slobbering dogs that most associate with the mastiff, rather, they are of moderate size (50-95 lbs. +/-), far less mass and much more functional. The OWE does not do well in confined spaces and do not make good city or suburban dogs. They need plenty of space so that their inherent ability's can be best expressed. Oftentimes, with nothing to protect or no space to roam, the OWE will shut down. They may not eat, drink, get up, or even interact with their master. They must have a job to do.
The ferocity of the OWE when engaged in protecting their charge is unlike any other breed I've ever encountered. There method of attack is far different than the WEB in that they approach from the rear and go for a fatal bite under the elbow and into the chest of a predator, be it man or beast; sometimes they may go for the throat. Either way, when they respond to a threat, they respond with the intent of permanently doing away with it so that it never returns. They are extremely serious dogs that do not belong in the hands of the novice.
THE WEB
The bulldog type, or WEB is a much different than the mastiff type OWE in a number of ways. Most noticeable is the temperament of the WEB when compared to that of the OWE. The WEB is a much more active and playful dog with a higher prey drive, making them more suited for hunting and less suited for guarding livestock, especially fowl. They are more vocal and enjoy the attention and praise of their masters more so than the OWE. Physically they are shorter in the back, have shorter muzzles, shorter, more square heads, more of an under bite, more wrinkle and lip and often have very large, rather flat feet. They do fairly well in smaller spaces and adjust to city life well. They are content being a family pet, playing with the children and toys but do need to stay active or can become destructive.
Also very protective, the WEB is not nearly as extreme and much more likely to 'bluff' a threat than is the OWE. Their method of attack is more along the lines of a Bullmastiff in that they will bite a leg or arm and hold the threat, be it man or beast, until their master arrives. The WEB is, to all intents and purposes, the original American Bulldog; the mostly un modified, original type butcher's dog that John D. Johnson spoke of as the dogs of his youth and sought to preserve. The WEB, unlike the AB, has no outcrosses to various breeds that were added first by Johnson and then by others for size, color and for hunting. They are as close to the original English Butcher's dog of any to be found. They do exceptional work in herding a variety of livestock, including all sorts of fowl. They are a much more versatile dog than is the OWE whose primary function is as a guardian of the home, stock and family, in following with the traditional role of the mastiff proper.
The bulldog type, or WEB is a much different than the mastiff type OWE in a number of ways. Most noticeable is the temperament of the WEB when compared to that of the OWE. The WEB is a much more active and playful dog with a higher prey drive, making them more suited for hunting and less suited for guarding livestock, especially fowl. They are more vocal and enjoy the attention and praise of their masters more so than the OWE. Physically they are shorter in the back, have shorter muzzles, shorter, more square heads, more of an under bite, more wrinkle and lip and often have very large, rather flat feet. They do fairly well in smaller spaces and adjust to city life well. They are content being a family pet, playing with the children and toys but do need to stay active or can become destructive.
Also very protective, the WEB is not nearly as extreme and much more likely to 'bluff' a threat than is the OWE. Their method of attack is more along the lines of a Bullmastiff in that they will bite a leg or arm and hold the threat, be it man or beast, until their master arrives. The WEB is, to all intents and purposes, the original American Bulldog; the mostly un modified, original type butcher's dog that John D. Johnson spoke of as the dogs of his youth and sought to preserve. The WEB, unlike the AB, has no outcrosses to various breeds that were added first by Johnson and then by others for size, color and for hunting. They are as close to the original English Butcher's dog of any to be found. They do exceptional work in herding a variety of livestock, including all sorts of fowl. They are a much more versatile dog than is the OWE whose primary function is as a guardian of the home, stock and family, in following with the traditional role of the mastiff proper.