Bulldog Breeds
The Bulldog Breeds are breeds whose ancestry include the Old Bulldog. Examples include the American Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, English Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, French Bulldog, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, Valley Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Bull Mastiff, and the Banter Bulldogge.
Here is the official Bulldog Breeds site.
The baiting of bulls before slaughtering them was based on the belief that that beef had a superior flavour and was more tender if the bulls were made to exercise before being sacrificed. Bulldogs in the early and late middle ages. Queen Elizabeth I was a great admirer of these terrible fights. The bulldog breeds originated from the fighting breeds and moloss dogs of the past. Roman historians described the fierce Greek, Molossian dogs and the "pugnace britannicii" or fighting dogs of Britain used in battles. These British fighting dogs were of two types: the larger Mastiff type guard dogs and the smaller type used for herding and protecting livestock. At the time of the popular bull fights, the bulldog breed was selected for its particularity to attack the nose of the bull and hang on without loosening its grip instead of using the slashing attack from the rear preferred by most dog breeds. Historical pictures proof that these dogs were of the mastiff type, but with their appearance varying.
The genepool of the Bulldog has been modified through the years by selective breeding and judicious outcrosses creating new breeds which through their common background and unique characteristics may be considered as belonging to one and the same group.
Trusted Resources:
- Bulldog Information - Bulldog411 contains information, photos, and history of the bulldog.