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The British Bulldog
The origins of the modern British Bulldog are steeped in the mists of time. It is possible the breed originated from the Molosser dogs of Ancient Greece, who in turn may have been descended from the Tibetan mastiff.
What is certain is that when Britain was invaded by the Romans in 50AD and Claudius defeated Caractacus they discovered mastiff like dogs, used in hunting and as guard dogs, referred to as “pugnace brittanicii” or ‘the broad mouthed dogs of Britain’. They were exported to Rome for use in the Coliseum. From thence they were disseminated to every part of the continent of Europe where the Romans had settled.
The Norman conquest of Britain in the 11th century saw the re-introduction of the French version of the breed. In 1154 Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine and acquired Bordeaux. In 1356 Edward III moved his court there and re-introduced his fighting dogs. Modifications in breeding resulted in the 15th century in the Alaunt or Allen dog. This French Alaunt dog was a descendant of the English Alaunt as was the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Spanish Burgos dog.
It is not until the 17th century during the reign of Charles I that the breed is referred to as the Bulldog in a letter from the court of Philip II from a prospective purchaser.
The original breeds had a practical function. They were trained to latch their teeth onto a wild bull’s muzzle to incapacitate it until it could be restrained with a rope or halter. They never attacked any other part of the body. This skill coupled with their tenacity and fearlessness was immediately exploited for the vicarious human pastimes of bull and bear baiting.
During the 16th century they were bred to be smaller and continued to be used in bull baiting which was now practiced “ostensibly” as a way of tenderising the meat. The practice was banned in 1835.
Bulldogs have short muscular bodies with a broad chest. Their most distinguishing features are their large heads and flat muzzles. The skin is in wrinkled folds at the head, neck and shoulders and needs to be regularly cleansed. The male can weigh between 50lbs and 60lbs and the female from 40lbs to 50lbs. (The original breeds were twice this weight!)
Despite their intimidating appearance they are among the gentlest of dogs. They are affectionate, friendly and good-natured which makes them excellent family pets. Contrary to popular belief they are very intelligent. They can be stubborn but persistent training in puppy hood pays huge dividends. They are said be lazy. “If it doesn’t have to run, it will walk. If it doesn’t have to walk, it will lie down.” Regular daily exercise is essential in maintaining their fitness and well-being. However they do not cope well in the heat and should not be walked during the hottest part of the day or left too long exposed to strong sunlight.
Their inability to cope with extreme heat is due to the conformation of the skull. The short nose and convoluted walls of the pharynx hampers their breathing, especially when panting, and makes evaporative cooling less effective. Because of their elongated soft palate they are very heavy snorers. Restricted respiration may be the reason why they are reluctant to exert themselves.
The image of the Bulldog was used extensively on posters during the second World War exhorting people to support the war effort and the breed has ever since been associated with the then Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill.
There has been an unusual rise in the popularity of the breed in France in recent years. In 1977 the number of British Bulldog births registered in France was 26. In 2009 it had risen to 1,380.
In France in November 2009 a film was released entitled ‘Tresor’ directed by Claude Berri. The eponymous star of the film is a British Bulldog.
Jane Birkin and her daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg both own bulldogs.
In the UK bulldogs seem to be a popular breed with Americans who, like the French, may see them as status or fashion symbol.
What is certain is that when Britain was invaded by the Romans in 50AD and Claudius defeated Caractacus they discovered mastiff like dogs, used in hunting and as guard dogs, referred to as “pugnace brittanicii” or ‘the broad mouthed dogs of Britain’. They were exported to Rome for use in the Coliseum. From thence they were disseminated to every part of the continent of Europe where the Romans had settled.
The Norman conquest of Britain in the 11th century saw the re-introduction of the French version of the breed. In 1154 Henry II married Eleanor of Aquitaine and acquired Bordeaux. In 1356 Edward III moved his court there and re-introduced his fighting dogs. Modifications in breeding resulted in the 15th century in the Alaunt or Allen dog. This French Alaunt dog was a descendant of the English Alaunt as was the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Spanish Burgos dog.
It is not until the 17th century during the reign of Charles I that the breed is referred to as the Bulldog in a letter from the court of Philip II from a prospective purchaser.
The original breeds had a practical function. They were trained to latch their teeth onto a wild bull’s muzzle to incapacitate it until it could be restrained with a rope or halter. They never attacked any other part of the body. This skill coupled with their tenacity and fearlessness was immediately exploited for the vicarious human pastimes of bull and bear baiting.
During the 16th century they were bred to be smaller and continued to be used in bull baiting which was now practiced “ostensibly” as a way of tenderising the meat. The practice was banned in 1835.
Bulldogs have short muscular bodies with a broad chest. Their most distinguishing features are their large heads and flat muzzles. The skin is in wrinkled folds at the head, neck and shoulders and needs to be regularly cleansed. The male can weigh between 50lbs and 60lbs and the female from 40lbs to 50lbs. (The original breeds were twice this weight!)
Despite their intimidating appearance they are among the gentlest of dogs. They are affectionate, friendly and good-natured which makes them excellent family pets. Contrary to popular belief they are very intelligent. They can be stubborn but persistent training in puppy hood pays huge dividends. They are said be lazy. “If it doesn’t have to run, it will walk. If it doesn’t have to walk, it will lie down.” Regular daily exercise is essential in maintaining their fitness and well-being. However they do not cope well in the heat and should not be walked during the hottest part of the day or left too long exposed to strong sunlight.
Their inability to cope with extreme heat is due to the conformation of the skull. The short nose and convoluted walls of the pharynx hampers their breathing, especially when panting, and makes evaporative cooling less effective. Because of their elongated soft palate they are very heavy snorers. Restricted respiration may be the reason why they are reluctant to exert themselves.
The image of the Bulldog was used extensively on posters during the second World War exhorting people to support the war effort and the breed has ever since been associated with the then Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill.
There has been an unusual rise in the popularity of the breed in France in recent years. In 1977 the number of British Bulldog births registered in France was 26. In 2009 it had risen to 1,380.
In France in November 2009 a film was released entitled ‘Tresor’ directed by Claude Berri. The eponymous star of the film is a British Bulldog.
Jane Birkin and her daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg both own bulldogs.
In the UK bulldogs seem to be a popular breed with Americans who, like the French, may see them as status or fashion symbol.
BRITISH BULLDOGS
British Bulldogs is a game played in a large hall or on a playing field. Players line up at one end. In the middle of the ‘pitch’ is one (sometimes two) “bulldogs”. The object of the game is to get from one end to the other without getting tagged. Each tagged player then becomes a “bulldog”. The winner is the last player to survive the gauntlet of the “bulldogs”.
British Bulldogs is a game played in a large hall or on a playing field. Players line up at one end. In the middle of the ‘pitch’ is one (sometimes two) “bulldogs”. The object of the game is to get from one end to the other without getting tagged. Each tagged player then becomes a “bulldog”. The winner is the last player to survive the gauntlet of the “bulldogs”.
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