Bulldogs are a type of dog that were traditionally used for the blood sports of baiting and dog fighting, but today are kept for other purposes, including companion dogs, guard dogs and catch dogs.[1][2][3] Bulldogs are typically stocky, powerful, square-built animals with large, strong, brachycephalic-type muzzles.[2] "Bull" is a reference that originated in England that refers to the sport of bull baiting, which was a national sport in England between the 13th and 18th century.[4] It is believed bulldogs were developed during the 16th century in the Elizabethan era from the larger mastiffs, as smaller, more compact dogs were better suited for baiting.[1][2][3]
A bull and a bulldog, etching by F. Barlow, circa 17th century A.D..
Bull-baiting with dogs, 19th century
Spanish Alano dogs, bull-fighting scene by Goya, circa 1815
Spanish Alano dogs, bull-fighting scene, circa 1795
References
^ a bBeaufoy, James, Staffordshire Bull Terriers: a practical guide for owners and breeders, Ramsbury, Wiltshire: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2016, ISBN 9781785000973.
^ a b c d e f g h iHancock, David, The mastiffs: the big game hunters, their history, development & future, Charwynne Dog Features, 2001, ISBN 9780951780114.
^ a bZarley, B. David, "Your Yorkie Was a Killing Machine", Vice, 22 November 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
^Pedersen, Niels C.; Pooch, Ashley S.; Liu, Hongwei (2016-07-29). "A genetic assessment of the English bulldog". Canine Genetics and Epidemiology. 3 (1): 6. doi:10.1186/s40575-016-0036-y. ISSN 2052-6687. PMC 4965900. PMID 27478618.