Caring for your dog

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The bulldog is acknowledged to have resided in the UK for several centuries.  They are a smaller form, and a descendent of the Mastiff.  The first known use of the description “Bulldog” was probably around 1631 in a letter from Prestwich Eaton to George Wellingham in St Swithin’s Lane, London.      “….. 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.”

I assume the name “Bulldog” originated from the breed’s association with the popular “sport” of Bull-baiting.   The object of the activity is that the dog should pin and hold the bull by the muzzle and not release it.   Naturally, when held by this very tender part, the bull was effectively helpless.  In order to achieve this the dog had to wait for the bull to lower it’s head to use the horns and then seize the bull by the muzzle.  Therefore the dog had in the parlance of the day, to “play low”. Hence larger dogs, like the Mastiff were at a disadvantage.  The height of these dogs was about sixteen inches and they would weigh, typically, 45 pounds with a broad muscular body. 

When the law intervened and banned Bull-Baiting the “sportsmen” started to train their bulldogs for dog-fighting.  In order to encourage more quickness of movement many bulldogs were crossed with terriers. However some fanciers continued to rely on the pure breed.   The main venues for these exhibitions were in London at the Westminster Pit, the Bear Garden at Bankside and the Old Conduit Fields at Bayswater.  It is on record that Lord Camelford’s Bulldog, Belcher fought one hundred and four battles without once suffering defeat. 

The law stepped in again and interest in the activity began to fade.  By 1824 even the main breeders were losing interest, and it was stated that Wasp, Child and Billy, The Duke of Hamilton’s dogs, were the only remaining bulldogs in existence and that the breed would disappear on their demise.  Modern day bulldog lovers will be glad that this opinion was incorrect. 

1859 saw the onset of the dog-show era.  A class for bulldogs was included and this offered a motivation to breed them.  There were still fanciers around.  Primarily in London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Dudley.  It is to those people that we are indebted for the various specimens of the breed that exist today. 

The usual weight for a grown bulldog is around 50 pounds.   The coat should be close, smooth and fine in texture. Silky when stroked from head to tail, but not wiry when stroked from tail to head.  It must be realised that there are many strains of bulldog that are constitutionally unsound.  Therefore the novice should take great care in the purchase of his first bulldog.  There is too much to discuss in this article, but you can find out more by clicking on the picture above. 

Two main variations: 

1/ The miniature Bulldog: 

Some years ago “toy” or as the Kennel Club requires them to be called “miniature” bulldogs weighing about fifteen or sixteen pounds were made popular primarily by the Lace Makers of Nottingham.   They soon lost popularity as many of the lace makers moved to France where there was work to be had in the new Lace-making factories around Normandy.  The miniature breed was, however, re-introduced to this country in about 1898 by a group of enthusiasts.  It was immediately apparent that whilst very attractive, many of the finer points of the breed had been lost.   After a Toy Bulldog Club had been formed a great deal of work and discussion took place to reform the breed to resemble the larger variety but at a weight of about 22 pounds. 

These miniature bulldogs make faithful and devoted companions.  They maintain a keen interest in all people and surroundings, but do not bark excessively.  As puppies they can be a little delicate and may require constant care and supervision.  They particularly dislike cold and damp.

 2/ The French Bulldog (Bouledogue Francais) 

As indicated above, this strain originated in the UK and is an offshoot of the miniature bulldog.  It does not replicate the bulldog seen in this country today, but that of the 1850’s.  The tulip-eared and short under jawed specimens.   There are superficial similarities between the French and British Miniature Bulldogs, but due to disputes about their essential differences they are given their own class at shows under  Bouledogue Francais