Bulldogs are a type of

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it is derived from the extinct Pleistocene wolf, and the modern wolf is the dog's nearest living relative. Do ...

that were traditionally used for the

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

s of baiting and

dog fighting Dog fighting is a type of blood sport that turns game and fighting dogs against each other in a physical fight, generally to the death, for the purposes of gambling or entertainment to the spectators. In rural areas, fights are often staged i ...

, but today are kept for other purposes, including

companion dog A companion dog is a dog that does not work, providing only companionship as a pet, rather than usefulness by doing specific tasks. Many of the toy dog breeds are used only for the pleasure of their company, not as workers. Any dog can be a compa ...

guard dog A guard dog or watchdog (not to be confused with an attack dog) is a dog used to watch for and guard property against unwanted or unexpected human or animal intruders. The dog is discerning so that it does not annoy or attack the resident hum ...

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. C ...

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 typical for its species. It is perceived as a desirable trait in some domesticated dog and cat breeds, ...

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

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

that refers to the sport of

bull baiting Bull-baiting is a blood sport involving pitting a bull against dogs. History England Crowds in London during the Royal Entry of James VI and I in March 1604 were entertained by bull-baiting. During the time of Queen Anne, bull-baiting was p ...

, which was a

national sport A national sport is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. Some sports are ''de facto'' (not established by law) national sports, as sumo is in Japan and Gaelic games are in Ireland and field hockey in Pakistan, while oth ...

in England between the 13th and 18th century. It is believed 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 symbol of Britannia (a female personifi ...

from the larger

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

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-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 th ...

(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 *

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 of medium size, a muscular, hefty dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose.Campeiro Bulldog The Campeiro Bulldog ( pt, Buldogue campeiro, ) 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 ...

* Continental Bulldog * French Bulldog *

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 ( pt, Buldogue serrano) 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; ...

Extinct breeds

Bullenbeisser The Bullenbeisser, also known as the German Bulldog, is an extinct breed of dog known for its strength and agility. The breed was closely related to the Bärenbeisser (some authorities believe that the two breeds were one and the same; the names m ...

(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 unrecognized 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 bu ...

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