Bold, determined, and powerful are some of the
traits which describe the present day Bulldog. It is affectionate
with humans and especially protective towards children.
Description & History
The Bulldog is the national dog of Great Britain.
Related to the bear-baiting Mastiff, the Bulldog was developed for
the purpose of bull-baiting. This sport was known to have taken
place from the sixteenth century until it became illegal in 1835.
Owing to the terrible cruelty which took place to bulls and dogs
alike, the sport was eventually prohibited, in spite of attempts
to save it. Down the centuries the Bulldog was selectively bred
for fighting. It was gradually developed into a type which was shorter-legged,
more agile and had a shorter but massive jaw. It also had to be
intelligent, courageous and, perhaps most of all, obedient to its
handler's commands. In the bull-ring the handler would time his
dog's attack, thus enabling it to fasten onto the bull's head without
being tossed. If the dog was tossed, the handler would try to catch
the dog or, if this failed, to prevent it hitting the ground by
breaking its fall. After bull-baiting was made illegal, it was replaced
with dog fighting. Bulldogs were too slow for this sport and eventually
gave way to the Bull Terrier. This was the beginning of the decline
of the breed and breeders soon became concerned when their popularity
waned.
Gradually they eliminated its viciousness
while trying to preserve its finer qualities. Today's dogs, which
are very different from the dogs of the bull-baiting days, are considered
to have excellent temperaments and usually make affectionate
companions.