The breed is descended from the ancient asiatic mastiff, but its development took place completely in Great Britain, leave it to the Brits. The name bulldog, which is medieval in origin, refers not only to the robust look of a little bull, which this aggressive dog has, but also to the power with which this little dog attacked bulls in the arena combat before the awful practice was abolished by law in the nineteenth century, thank goodness.

Until the nineteenth century, when the bulldog was still used in combats, it was very aggressive, ferocious and blood thirsty so much so in fact the Romans decreed to forbade taking the bulldog through the streets, even if it was held back with a chain.  Luckily more responsible breeders over the last hundred years, while maintaining the bulldog menacing look, has made the breed more good natured, reserved loyal, clean, almost domestically docile and aristocratic, and very beautiful in own ugliness.

As a guard dog it can’t be beat, it was used a police dog and an auxiliary in the armed services in the United States.  Astonishingly one bulldog was decorated with five ribbons and a Bronze medal for its war work and another was promoted to corporal.

The bulldog is small in stature, but wide and compact, with a thick massive head that is broad with cheeks that extend to the sides of the eyes. The skin on its skull and forehead falls in dense folds and its muzzle is short and pug with large nostrils.

The dog weighs in at around 53 to 55 pounds in males with bitches about 49 pounds. Its height ranges from around 12 to 14 inches from the shoulder. the Hair is short and soft, with tan or white or variegated white. I’ve never seen a black bulldog.

Although this breed started out on the rough side of the street because of the recent breeding measures this is a very good family pet. He’s cute and cuddly with a face only a mother could love.

By Jasmine Beaupre, author