BULLDOG HISTORY

Authorities differ completely about the origin of the Bulldog. They even have differing opinions as to the spelling of the name. Be it Bondogge, Boldogge, Bandogge, the final spelling is Bulldog.

Whatever the name or the origin, there is little doubt that centuries ago there was a canine resembling our present day Bulldog. This Bulldog was lighter boned and higher on leg, but with the courage, tenacity, and determination that still exists today. Over the years other breeds have crossed with the Bulldog to give these traits to their breeds, perhaps the best known being the Greyhound.

After bull-baiting, bear-baiting and dog fighting were prohibited in England in 1835, a few dedicated fanciers worked diligently to breed out the aggressive, vicious tendencies and to modify the Bulldog to look more like we see him today, shorter faced and heavier in structure. These breeders made it their job to preserve and protect the Bulldog.

The modern Bulldog is gentle, intelligent, affectionate, strong and determined. The Bulldog was among the first of the breeds to be granted official recognition when the Kennel Club (England) was organized in 1873.

The Bulldog Club of America was formed in 1890 utilizing the Eng- lish Standard. In 1896 a Standard was adopted by the Bulldog Club of America. It was revised in 1914 to declare the Dudley nose a disquali- fication. In 1976 the Dudley nose disqualification was redefined as a “brown or liver-colored nose”. The Standard was reformatted in 1990 with no changes in wording. In 2016 the Bulldog Club of America ap- proved, and the American Kennel Club adopted, a revision to the Stan- dard which includes disqualifications for eye color, coat color, markings and patterns as specified.