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Explore the history, health, and versatility of Bulldogs, from their origins in bullbaiting to their success in various dog sports.
Elizabeth Hugo-Millam & Cheryl Knapp
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, October 2013 issue.
The Bulldog, classic symbol of courage and tenacity. A breed of dog universally recognized as one of gentle devotion and endless fascination. Tis breed is all of these things and so much more.
Tis breed has a fascinating history that can be divided into three sections. It has its beginnings in the ancient and brutal sport of bullbaiting. Tis horrifc sport, at one time the National sport of England, is the one and only job the breed was bred to do. Breeding selections were made purely on the dog’s ability to perform. It was from this sport that the breed’s very unique conformation sprung forth. A tethered bull was set on by a Bulldog who was expected to crawl on his belly to the front of the bull, leap up and not only grab, but hold onto the nose of the bull while the bull tried furiously to shake the dog of. Te dog has to be nimble enough to not only withstand the shaking but also the tossing. He also had to be small enough that a waiting handler could possibly catch him and save him from further harm. Tis sport continued for centuries until it was declared by an act of parliament to be illegal in 1835. Tis act ushered in a very tenuous time for the breed. With no “job” left to do and with only the lowest classes of people left as devotees, the Bulldog nearly became extinct in the years following the ban. It was the dog show era, beginning in 1860, that helped keep the breed from disappearing forever. Te shows attracted “Bulldogs” of all types from the very small to the very large.
Te last of the pure Bulldog breeders saw a need for a standard to preserve classic features, which also included the very important size aspect. Te Bulldog is a medium size dog and this was of critical importance during this tumultuous time. After a few starts and stops an ofcial Bulldog Club was formed in England in 1875 (and is still in existence) and an ofcial Standard fnalized. Te standard used in the US and Canada is the closest to the original standard approved by Te Bulldog Club Inc. ( England) and he Bulldog Club of America (BCA) is adamantly opposed to any standard changes.
Tis is a contentious issue surrounding the breed. Tere has been a “culture of acceptance” that has evolved over the years that implies the Bulldog is inherently unhealthy due almost completely to his unique conformation and ultimately the ofcial standard for excellence. Te casual breeder often regards health issues as “typical” for the breed and propagates these health issues by careless breeding practices. Accepting buyers have been told for decades that these health problems are somehow normal for the breed and veterinarians see in droves the results of these careless practices. Te reality is that it should never be expected that a Bulldog will be unhealthy. Te BCA has actively promoted health testing for all breeding stock. BCA is a CHIC member and requires the following tests for those interested in entering the database; Required tests; Cardiac, Patella, Trachea. Recommended but not required; hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, autoimmune thyroiditis, CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) or OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) for eyes, BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) for deafness and Hyperuricosuria. BCA has also implemented the Ambassador for Health program, which rewards dogs for their participation in health testing. Many top performance and conformation winners have achieved the platinum status—the highest award. Tere is an active campaign among concerned fanciers to perpetuate the breed as it was originally intended and described by the standard — a vigorous, sound and healthy dog free of any medical conditions that would diminish its quality of life. Tis requires no change to the Ofcial Standard.
Te Bulldog’s popularity has surged in recent years. Tis has created many problems for the breed, mainly in sub par quality dogs being bred to fll the demand. Tere is also a growing trend among people breeding for undesirable colors. Te standard calls black undesirable and these new dilute colors are equally undesirable, if not more so. Te marketing of undesirable colors for retail without focus on the more important health and temperament aspects is creating dogs who are destined for problems.
Te breed is generally known to be very tolerant of children. But it is not a breed that is easily pigeon holed or called “cookie cutter”. Tey come in many sizes and a variety of colors and color patterns. Tey can be bold and outgoing or shy and reserved. Tey can be as active as is required of a normal family pet or be made into a lazy couch potato. Tey are clownish and always draw attention in public. Quite clearly this is not a breed for someone who needs a long distance jogging companion or someone who wants a dog to go hunting or swimming. Other than shedding, chewing and the fatulence they are notorious for, this is an ideal pet for a variety of owners. Tey are surprisingly versatile—from skateboarding to snowboarding to basic obedience to advanced. Tere are Bulldogs competing in rally, coursing, carting and agility. Tey are a competitive breed in the conformation show ring, although most are exhibited by their owners, rather than by professional handlers, as is common in many other breeds.
When I brought home my frst Bulldog puppy, it soon became apparent that she was incredibly smart, athletic and willing to do anything I could think of teaching her. Rosie became my frst competition obedience dog, quickly earning her Companion Dog and Companion Dog Excellent titles with consistent scores in the mid-190s. Several others followed suit, garnishing placements in all-breed trials as they racked up titles with precision, speed-and a touch of that Bulldog silliness that I love so much! Te titles earned include 3 UDs (Utility Dog) and a UDX (Utility Dog Excellent) (with a few OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) points for good measure). With my children now “out of the nest”, I have ventured into a variety of other doggy sports with my current boy, Gabe, who has added advanced Agility titles, Lure Coursing, Rally, a couple of Draft titles, Herding Instinct and a Terapy Dog Title to what has become my usual obedience repertoire (he recently earned his UD as well as one UDX leg).
Gabe, a multichampion, is also in training for his Tracking Dog title, which I hope to accomplish within the coming year. And, I am not alone in choosing this versatile breed as a performance companion—there are well over 100 members in the Bulldog Performance Group on Yahoo! with representatives earning titles in all manner of sports from fyball, to weight pulls, dock-diving and freestyle dance. Bulldogs were among the frst breed to earn the new Coursing Ability title ofered by the American Kennel Club, and last year they held the record for dogs earning the Coursing Ability Excellent title! Bulldogs have earned invitations to participate in the prestigious national competitions in obedience, rally and agility—and have represented their breed well, earning top placements among the best of the best of all breeds from around the country. More and more people are discovering what an animated and capable partner a Bulldog can be!
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Learn how to keep your dog safe in hot weather with AKC tips on heatstroke prevention, cooling products, hydration, and summer care.
