Old White English History
Florida: circa 1900 - OWE, child and goat.
The OWE was developed from the Shepherd's Mastiffs aka white mastiffs, (or Alaunts), of England, the Alano of Spain and to some degree, the Mastin, Dogue 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 mountain dogs, such as longer coat and rear dew claws, are still seen occasionaly in today's OWE. These types are typically known as Georgia Giants.
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 OWE 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
In the southeastern US, where the OWE was developed during the Spanish colonization and English colonialism. The OWE 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 OWE 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 OWE 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.
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, they simply called these old type dogs White English or Old English Whites, (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 OWE as a foundation. The increasing growth in popularity of the American Bulldog, specifically the performance type AB, has nearly caused the OWE to be bred out of existence.
The OWE 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.
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 OWE 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
In the southeastern US, where the OWE was developed during the Spanish colonization and English colonialism. The OWE 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 OWE 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 OWE 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.
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, they simply called these old type dogs White English or Old English Whites, (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 OWE as a foundation. The increasing growth in popularity of the American Bulldog, specifically the performance type AB, has nearly caused the OWE to be bred out of existence.
The OWE 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.