HISTORY OF THE BULLDOG During any extended period of Circa 1920, Eng. time, it is quite common to see a Ch. Basford breed of dog evolve into a totally Revivue, Mr. different specimen than what it Roddy’s famous Bulldog, is may have been hundreds or even remembered for thousands of years ago. It would an exquisite head be considered very unusual for a which was not breed to remain fairly consistent exaggerated like in type and temperament many of the throughout its development. This modern-day is certainly true when studying Bulldogs. the history and growth of the Bulldog. The Bulldog, better known as the English Bulldog, has changed tremendously since its inception. Although there are some old A famous engraving by John Scott of Bulldogs Crib and Rosa, circa 1817. 10 BULLDOG attributes that can still be found in the breed today, specimens HISTORICAL WEIGHT that existed in the 13th century The Bulldog was slightly smaller in looked and behaved nothing like ancient times, and the average dog the “type” of dog we see weighed approximately 40 pounds. represented in today’s homes and Today, they are a bit more robust. show ring. Historians are fairly Males usually weigh 55 to 60 confident that the breed derived pounds and bitches 50 to 55 from ancient war dogs, or other pounds. types of old Mastiff-like breeds. In 1914, the leading British dog painter, R. Ward Binks, illustrated six of the best known Bulldog champions in Britain. These dogs earned their championships at the end of the 19th century. History 11 These war dogs were used by the Eng. Ch. Dame’s British in times of battle and Double was an were excellent protectors of their outstanding pillar of the Bulldog master’s property and flock. Still breed at the turn others believe that the true origin of the century. He of the breed is not entirely clear, was owned by Mrs. and are quick to point out the A. G. Sturgeon and many loopholes that exist in was a winner of 24 some of the more favorably Challenge recognized theories. Certificates, a great accomplishment for any dog in Britain. 12 BULLDOG Advertising a dog fight in 1819 at the Westminster Pit. Bulldog fighting was, after the days of the bull-baiting, the pastime of the sporting fancy in England. Bulldogs were desired to be as low to the ground as possible so that the underside of the body was not vulnerable. Blossom Westall, HOW THE “BULL” CAME TO BE the pet Bulldog of IN THE BULLDOG Miss Dorothy One safe theory is that the Pearson. Miss Bulldog was first developed in Pearson was the the British Isles, and was world’s leading lady golfer and originally bred for the sole had just won purpose of bull-baiting, an the English Ladies’ extremely barbaric pastime that Golf Champion- became very popular in England. ship. Photo Its popularity was so great that it circa 1913. became the national sport of England from around the 13th to the 18th century. Bull-baiting was an event that was usually held in conjunction with a series of boxing matches, and took place behind rope enclosures in an indoor arena. To keep the fight on more equal terms, the bull was helplessly tied to a rope that was attached to History 13 a large hook in the ground. The An etching by E. C. sport involved the use of one dog, Ash illustrating or a group of dogs, which were bull-baiting, a set loose to pin and hold a bull “sport” wherein dogs were used to by the ears and nose in front of hold a charging thousands of screaming specta- bull by its nose. tors. The nose was considered to Bulldogs, with be the bull’s most delicate body short faces and part and where it was most undershot jaws, vulnerable to injury. The dogs were the best were specifically trained to attack suited to perform this area. Despite its popularity, yesteryear was a far cry from the in this sport. the event was a horrifying loving, loyal companion that’s spectacle to watch. It was not now cherished by fanciers world- uncommon for a group of dogs to wide. be viciously killed or severely injured during a fight. Spectators A LEGENDARY, DIVERSIFIED often wagered on this tasteless FIGHTING DOG event. It wasn’t until 1778 that an outcry The early Bulldog was bred to against the barbaric nature of be a fierce and aggressive animal bull-baiting was finally acknowl- with enormous strength and edged and acted upon by the courage. Beauty and conforma- Duke of Devonshire in Stafford- tion were of little importance to shire, who officially abolished the the Bulldog breeders of this early harrowing sport. Unfortunately, era. The breed’s temperament of this was not the end of the Bulldog’s use as a fighting Eng. Ch. Hefty machine. Although bulls were no Master Grumpy, BULL-BAITING owned by Mr. Despite its savage characteristics, George Creswell, and considered to bull-baiting was a widely accepted be the ideal dog social activity in England during the of the day (circa 18th and 19th centuries. The sport 1915), was required the breed to be much more unfortunately mobile and agile than a majority of suffocated in his the dogs seen today. The sport kennel owing to dictated form and function of the mail bags being dogs, and that has ultimately helped inadvertently it to develop into what it is at the thrown over him. His death was present time. considered a great loss to the fancy. 14 BULLDOG longer used, the fighting Born in 1893, these two great continued with rats, lions, BULL -RUNNING Bulldogs, monkeys, bears, other Bulldogs It wasn’t long before bull-running Boomerang and and any other animal the English became almost as popular as bull- Katerfelto, people could get their hands on. baiting. The scenario included a bull belonged to Mrs. It wasn’t long before dog-fighting being set loose, and a pack of L. Crabtree. Their and bear-baiting had taken the ravaging Bulldogs that would follow sire was King place of bull-baiting. In fact, these and chase. The sport developed in Orry, and they “sports” became just as popular— the town of Stamford, and it represented a if not more so. Bear-baiting attracted large enthusiastic crowds famous strain that gathered to watch and wager noted for their quickly developed into one of the size, long skulls, most widespread baiting sports. on the event. Its popularity good turn up of Eventually, because of the high increased throughout England and underjaw and cost associated with importing spread to several other towns excellent layback. bears, the sport gradually came to including Tutbury and Tetbury. This lovely a halt in the 18th century. painting was After bull-baiting and bear- made especially baiting came to an end, many alive and were concerned with for the wonderful believed that the breed as a transforming it into a worthy Hutchinson’s Popular and whole would disappear. pure-bred dog. These dedicated Illustrated Dog Fortunately, there were many breeders set their sights on Encyclopaedia by individuals who were still developing a breed that would be F. T. Daws. interested in keeping the breed suitable for the family environ- ment, as opposed to one that was a combative fighting dog. It wasn’t too long before breeders switched from breeding for fighting and combat to breeding for showing and exhibiting. By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, early breed specimens were of poor quality compared to today’s standards. Many fighting-dog qualities were still evident in their physical appearance. They had small skulls, long noses and no wrinkle covering their head. They were extremely crippled, and for the most part considered very unhealthy. History 15 Don Brae and Smasher (1876). Don Brae was considered to be the best Bulldog under 40 pounds and was the property of Capt. Holdworth. Smasher was 20 inches round the neck and weighed 43 pounds. FROM FIGHTING DOG TO From the 1930s, SHOW DOG AND FAMILY Lady Vansittart, wife of Sir Robert COMPANION Vansittart, KCB, It wasn’t until the official Bulldog CMG, MVO, a great Club was formed in England that lover of animals, these poor physical qualities seen here at began to be worked out by Denham Place, concerned breeders and fanciers. Bucks, with her Long before the English Kennel Bulldog. Club was founded, the Bulldog Club was the first group to attempt to standardize the breed, and the first to hold a conforma- tion show for them in 1859. Jacob 16 BULLDOG Eng. Ch. Novo Nivo, one of the FEROCIOUS ANCESTOR best Bulldogs of Fortunately, the Bulldog is nothing 1933, was owned like the ferocious dog that it was by Mrs. Shaw. He several hundred years ago. In ancient won many high honors. Note the times it was a persistent fighter. strong legs, Some written reports include tales massive back and of Bulldogs hanging on the lips of head, jaws and the bull long after their insides had muzzle. been ripped completely apart by the ravenous animal. Many dogs were killed during this era, and the harsh sports in which they were forced to participate would be considered Sir Tristram unethical by today’s standards. from 1933, exemplifying the roach back and Lamphier is credited with good body as drawing up the first “official” desired during standard of Bulldogs in 1864, but that period. it wasn’t until 1879 that it made it to print. The first real standard was the Philo Kuon, which was adopted in 1865 in London.