ENGLISH BULLDOG HISTORY
THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH BULLDOG
What The 'Bull' Means In Bulldog
ENGLISH BULLDOG HISTORY
The English Bulldog is known to have been domiciled in England for several centuries. Like the Mastiff, of which it is a smaller form, it is a descendant of the "Alaunt," Mastive, or Bandog, described by Dr. Caius, who states that "the Mastyve or Bandogge is vaste, huge, stubborne, ougly and eager, of a hevy, and burthenous body, and therefore but of little swiftness, terrible and frightful to behold, and more fierce and fell than any Arcadian curre."
The first mention of "Bulldog" as the distinctive name of this now national breed occurs in a letter, written by Prestwich Eaton from St. Sebastian to George Wellingham in St. Swithin's Lane, London, in 1631 or 1632, "for a good Mastive dogge, a case of bottles replenished with the best lickour, and pray proceur mee two good bulldoggs, and let them be sent by ye first shipp." Obviously the name was derived from the dog's association with the sport of bull-baiting.
English Bulldog's are today known for their calm demeanor. But, this was not the case centuries ago. The breed was regularly used to control bulls and oxen in preparation for slaughter. In fact, it's widely-accepted that the breed was named expressly for this reason. Known as bull baiting, the practice quickly evolved from a method to tenderize the bull before slaughter into a blood sport. Bull baiting involved tying a bull to a stake in the ground and allowing a bulldog to pin the beast. Despite its comparatively small stature, bulldogs were adept at the sport. They were trained to remain low to the ground (thus, avoiding the bull's horns) and grabbing the bull's nose to render it powerless. Larger dogs were at a disadvantage in this respect, and, therefore, those of smaller proportions, which were quite as suitable for the sport, were selected.
English Bulldog history tells us the average height of the dogs was about 16 inches, and the weight was generally about 45 lbs., whilst the body was broad, muscular, and compact, as is shown in Scott's well-known engraving of "Crib and Rosa."
The chief centres in London where these exhibitions took place were the Westminster Pit, the Bear Garden at Bankside, and the Old Conduit Fields in Bayswater. In order to obtain greater quickness of movement many of the Bulldogs were crossed with a terrier, although some fanciers relied on the pure breed. It is recorded that Lord Camelford's Bulldog Belcher fought one hundred and four battles without once suffering defeat. While the blood sport attracted many spectators and betting was common, it was outlawed by Parliament in 1835. When bull-baiting was prohibited by law the sportsmen of the period turned their attention to dog-fighting,.
It was around this time when the purebred bulldog started to disappear. In the hopes of producing a dog with a competitive fighting edge, breeders began breeding them with terriers. This crossbreed produced a fighting dog that blended the power and pain tolerance of the English Bulldog with the agility of the terrier. In short, the effort to create a superior fighting dog was successful. However, the trend against blood sports was gaining traction and soon, interest in raising English Bulldog's waned.
The decline of bull-baiting and dog-fighting after the passing of the Bill prohibiting these sports was responsible for a lack of interest in perpetuating the breed of the English Bulldog in English History. Even in 1824 it was said to be degenerating, and gentlemen who had previously been the chief breeders gradually deserted the fancy. At one time it was stated that Wasp, Child, and Billy, who were of the Duke of Hamilton's strain, were the only remaining English Bulldogs in existence, and that upon their decease the Bulldog would become extinct--a prophecy which all Bulldog lovers happily find incorrect.
The commencement of the dog-show era in 1859 enabled classes to be provided for English Bulldog's, and a fresh incentive to breed them was offered to the dog fancier. In certain districts of the country, notably in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, and Dudley, a number of fanciers resided, and it is to their efforts that we are indebted for the varied specimens of the breed that are to be seen at the present time. In forming a judgment of a Bulldog the general appearance is of most importance, as the various points of the dog should be symmetrical and well balanced, no one point being in excess of the others so as to destroy the impression of determination, strength, and activity which is conveyed by the typical specimen.
Noting that the English Bulldog breed was in decline due to a lack of public interest in raising them, a small and dedicated group of enthusiasts formed the Bulldog Club in 1864. Its objective was twofold: to promote the breed and to bring loyal owners together. That club only lasted a few years, but had created a small surge of interest in the breed. In 1875, a new club (also called the Bulldog Club) was formed. Its chief interest was keeping the English Bulldog breed pure from the Spanish breed. Members created a Standard by which bulldogs are still judged today.
While the breed's past is steeped in blood and controversy, bulldogs are now primarily kept as pets. The aggressive combatant that stunned owners and spectators by taking on bulls several times its size has been completely removed from the breed. Today, the only thing that gives this breed cause to become aggressive is an apparent threat to its owner and family. Predictably calm, and relentlessly loyal and protective, the English bulldog has evolved from a ferocious fighter to a kind-hearted member of the family.
