The Olde English Bulldog is the ancestor of the modern Bulldog, and according to The History of the Bulldog (2003-2007) by C. Marien-de Luca, Sydenham Edwards states that the breed was the result of crossbreeding the Mastiff and the Pug dog. Resources also say that both the Bulldog and the Mastiff were descended from a dog called the Alaunt which was described to resemble a Mastiff according to the dictionary in 1632. .
Early Ancestry
Part of this early ancestry goes back to Britain where fierce dogs were hand selected and bred for fighting. In olden days they were called the “pugnace britannicii” or fighting dogs. The Romans imported these dogs from Britain because they admired them for their bravery, loyalty, strength, and fighting skills.
The Bulldogs were considered bandog or a dog that had to be chained. These dogs were not necessarily wild dogs, but they were also considered property and had to be protected. They included mastiffs and other breeds. The Olde English Bulldog is strong looking with a large head, and its size ranges from medium to large. It originated in England around 1600 and was also used for baiting of bulls.
A Sporting Dog
Because of its short muzzle it grabbed the bull by the loop and hung on to it making it easy for the animal to led away. Several dogs would then attack the bull. Bull baiting also became a sport of the aristocracy. This involved a dog chasing and grabbing the bull by the muzzle.
Eventually this sport was considered illegal and outlawed. The new restriction also helped to decreased the popularity of these dogs causing them to be almost extinct. As a final attempt to save the breed, the remaining dogs were collected and bred with the Pug. This led to the making of the modern English Bulldog.
An American Dog
The American Bulldog originated not only from the older Bulldog breeds, but continued to be selectively bred and handpicked. It soon arrived with the early colonists to America. The colonists used the dogs to guard homes. This working breed also gathered hogs and tended cattle on ranches. It was also a good protector because of its loyal nature.
The breed has a large head and powerful jaws, and it is less squat in form than the Olde English Bulldog. It does have a rough exterior but it is a gentle dog and a good companion for both adults and children. Among all the other breeds of dogs, the Bulldog is the most popular dog to be depicted in many historical paintings. See the oil painting by Thomas Clayton c.1843.
A Part of French History
The French Bulldog or Frenchie are small dogs that are not only good companion dogs but also good watch dogs. They are small and seek a lot of attention from their human families. This breed of Bulldog originated during the English Industrial Revolution with the Nottingham lace workers. They left England to live in France and took their smaller Bulldogs with them. These little dogs were compact enough to live in small crowded spaces, but they were big in loyalty. They exhibited great skills in mouse hunting.
From the origins of the Olde English Bulldog to the smaller compact Frenchie, the list of Bulldogs goes on to be explored later because their are many breeds of Bulldogs. No matter what kind of Bulldog, these wonderful dogs all share traits of loyalty, friendship, and intelligence.
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