Bulldogs are a

type Type may refer to: Science and technology Computing * Typing, producing text via a keyboard, typewriter, etc. * Data type, collection of values used for computations. * File type * TYPE (DOS command), a command to display contents of a file. * ...

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the gray wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred from a population of wolves during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. ...

that were traditionally used for the

blood sport A blood sport or bloodsport is a category of sport or entertainment that involves bloodshed. Common examples of the former include combat sports such as cockfighting and dog fighting, and some forms of hunting and fishing. Activities charact ...

s of baiting and dog fighting, but today are kept for other purposes, including

companion dog A companion dog is a dog which is not primarily a working dog but a pet. The primary function of a companion dog is not to perform a useful job but to provide companionship to humans. A companion dog can also be called an emotional support anima ...

guard dog A guard dog or watchdog is a dog used to watch for and guard people or property against unwanted human or animal intruders. A dog trained to attack intruders is known as an attack dog. History Dogs have been used as guardians since ancient ...

s and

catch dog A catch dog is a specially trained dog that is used to catch large animals in hunting, working livestock, and baiting. As hunters, catch dogs are contrasted with bay dogs who corner prey animals and alert their handler by howling, or baying. ...

s. Bulldogs are typically stocky, powerful, square-built animals with large, strong,

brachycephalic Brachycephaly (derived from the Ancient Greek '' βραχύς'', 'short' and '' κεφαλή'', 'head') is the shape of a skull shorter than average in its species. It is perceived as a cosmetically desirable trait in some domesticated dog and ...

-type muzzles. "Bull" is a reference that originated in

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

that refers to the sport of

bull-baiting Bull-baiting (or bullbaiting) is a blood sport involving pitting a bull against dogs with the aim of attacking and subduing the bull by biting and holding onto its nose or neck, which often resulted in the death of the bull. History England ...

, which was a

national sport A national sport is a physical activity or sport that is culturally significant or deeply embedded in a nation, serving as a national symbol and an intrinsic element to a nation's identity and culture. Several sovereign states and constituent ...

in England between the 13th and 18th century. It is believed that bulldogs were developed during the 16th century in the

Elizabethan era The Elizabethan era is the epoch in the Tudor period of the history of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558–1603). Historians often depict it as the golden age in English history. The Roman symbol of Britannia (a female ...

from the larger

mastiff A mastiff is a large and powerful Dog type, type of dog. Mastiffs are among the largest dogs, and typically have a short Coat (dog), coat, a long low-set tail and large feet; the skull is large and bulky, the muzzle broad and short (brachycephal ...

s, as smaller, more compact dogs were better suited for baiting.

List of bulldog breeds

Extant breeds

Alano Español The Alano Español or Spanish Bulldog is a Spanish breed of medium to large sized dog of alaunt or bulldog type. It has at various times been used as a war dog, for bullfighting, for the management of cattle, for hunting and as a guard dog. In ...

(Spanish Bulldog) *

Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is a breed of bulldog from the United States, and it is predominantly used as a guard dog. It is a very powerful, muscular breed with large head and brachycephalic muzzle. The hair coat is short, typically colored ...

American Bulldog The American bulldog is a large, muscular dog breed, breed of mastiff-type dog. Their ancestors were brought to the British North American colonies where they worked on small farms and ranches. History Dog breeds defined to any standard onl ...

Bulldog The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is a stocky, muscular dog of medium size, with a large head, thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders and a rel ...

Campeiro Bulldog The Campeiro Bulldog (, ) is a breed of bulldog from Brazil. Overview The Campeiro Bulldog was traditionally used in Brazil as a catch dog, catching and holding cattle, often in slaughterhouses. In the 1970s the use of such dogs was banned in ...

* Continental Bulldog *

French Bulldog The French Bulldog () is a French breed of companion dog or toy dog. It appeared in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century, apparently the result of cross-breeding of Toy Bulldogs imported from England and local Parisian ratters.Olde English Bulldogge The Olde English Bulldogge is an American dog breed, recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in January 2014. The breed is listed in the UKC Guardian Dog Group. Five years prior to UKC recognition, the breed was registered by the former Ca ...

* Perro de Presa Mallorquin *

Serrano Bulldog The Serrano Bulldog () is a Brazilian dog breed recognized by the Brazilian Confederation of Cynophilia (CBKC). Name ''Serrano'' is a Portuguese word widely used in Brazil as a term for those who are from regions with hills; it is a synonym of h ...

Extinct breeds

Bullenbeisser The Bullenbeisser (German: Bullenbeißer), also known as the German Bulldog, is an extinct breed of dog known for its strength and agility. It is an ancestor of both the modern Boxer and the English bulldog. The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff-like dog ...

(German Bulldog) *

Old English Bulldog The Old English Bulldog is an extinct dog breed, breed of dog. Physical characteristics The Old English Bulldog was compact, broad and muscular, as reflected in the painting ''Crib and Rosa''. Through John Scott's engraving, this painting ...

Toy Bulldog The toy bulldog is an extinct unrecognised breed of small bulldog that existed in England during the 18th and early 19th centuries. The same name is used for unrelated, but similar-appearing dogs, that are mostly modern crosses between bull ...

Gallery

File:02. Old English Bulldog, 1863. Paris, France. 2.png,

in Paris, 1863 File:A bull and a bulldog are about to attack each other in an en Wellcome V0020451.jpg, A bull and a bulldog, etching by F. Barlow, circa 17th century A.D.. File:Circle of James Ward (1769-1859) British. A Bull Baiting Scene.jpg, Bull-baiting with dogs, 19th century File:Goya - Jogam cachorros ao touro.jpg, Spanish Alano dogs, bull-fighting scene by Goya, circa 1815 File:Luis Fernández Noseret - Colección de las Principales Suertes de Una Corrida de Toros 02.jpg, Spanish Alano dogs, bull-fighting scene, circa 1795

List of bulldog breeds

Extant breeds

Extinct breeds

Gallery

References

Further reading