Bulldog English History, discover the roots of this charismatic
breed.
Home | Bulldog
English History
Published by John Clifford
Bulldog English History, the 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.
Bulldog English History - Bull Baiting
The object aimed at in that pursuit was that the dog should pin
and hold the bull by the muzzle, and not leave it. The bull was
naturally helpless when seized in his most tender part. As he lowered
his head in order to use his horns it was necessary for the dog
to keep close to the ground, or, in the words of the old fanciers
of the sport, to "play low." 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.
Bulldog English 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." When bull-baiting
was prohibited by law the sportsmen of the period turned their attention
to dog-fighting, and for this pastime the Bulldogs were specially
trained according to Bulldog English History.
The History of Bullbaiting and the English Bulldog
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. 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 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 Bulldogs
in existence, and that upon their decease the Bulldog would become
extinct--a prophecy which all Bulldog lovers happily find incorrect.
The bulldog english history specimens alive in 1817, as seen in
prints of that period, were not so cloddy as those met with at the
present day. Still, the outline of Rosa in the engraving of Crib
and Rosa, is considered to represent perfection in the shape, make,
and size of the ideal type of Bulldog. The only objections which
have been taken are that the bitch is deficient in wrinkles about
the head and neck, and in substance of bone in the limbs.
The Bulldog in English history and the Dog Show Era
The commencement of the dog-show era in 1859 enabled classes to
be provided for Bulldogs, 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.
Note's:: This is the end of our Bulldog English History
page, I hope you've enjoyed reading this detailed account of the
English Bulldog in the historical perspective of Robert Leighton.
You may also be interested in a general overview of the History
of Dogs.
If you're interested in America Dog History you may also be interested
in these Dog Breed History articles:
English
Mastiff History , a detailed look at the origins of the English
Mastiff.
History
of the St. Bernard , a look at the origins of the large, lovable
resucer of the lost and cold.
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