Dogs and All About Them | Page 9

distinctive name of this now
national breed occurs in a letter, written by Prestwich Eaton from St.
Sebastian to George Wellingham in St. Swithin's Lane, London, in
1631 or 1632, "for a good Mastive dogge, a case of bottles replenished
with the best lickour, and pray proceur mee two good bulldoggs, and let
them be sent by ye first shipp." Obviously the name was derived from
the dog's association with the sport of bull-baiting. The object aimed at
in that pursuit was that the dog should pin and hold the bull by the
muzzle, and not leave it. The bull was naturally helpless when seized in
his most tender part. As he lowered his head in order to use his horns it
was necessary for the dog to keep close to the ground, or, in the words
of the old fanciers of the sport, to "play low." Larger dogs were at a
disadvantage in this respect, and, therefore, those of smaller
proportions, which were quite as suitable for the sport, were selected.
The average height of the dogs was about 16 inches, and the weight
was generally about 45 lbs., whilst the body was broad, muscular, and
compact, as is shown in Scott's well-known engraving of "Crib and
Rosa."

When bull-baiting was prohibited by law the sportsmen of the period
turned their attention to dog-fighting, and for this pastime the Bulldogs
were specially trained. The chief centres in London where these
exhibitions took place were the Westminster Pit, the Bear Garden at
Bankside, and the Old Conduit Fields in Bayswater. In order to obtain
greater quickness of movement many of the Bulldogs were crossed
with a terrier, although some fanciers relied on the pure breed. It is
recorded that Lord Camelford's Bulldog Belcher fought one hundred
and four battles without once suffering defeat.
The decline of bull-baiting and dog-fighting after the passing of the Bill
prohibiting these sports was responsible for a lack of interest in
perpetuating the breed of Bulldogs. Even in 1824 it was said to be
degenerating, and gentlemen who had previously been the chief
breeders gradually deserted the fancy. At one time it was stated that
Wasp, Child, and Billy, who were of the Duke of Hamilton's strain,
were the only remaining Bulldogs in existence, and that upon their
decease the Bulldog would become extinct--a prophecy which all
Bulldog lovers happily find incorrect.
The specimens alive in 1817, as seen in prints of that period, were not
so cloddy as those met with at the present day. Still, the outline of Rosa
in the engraving of Crib and Rosa, is considered to represent perfection
in the shape, make, and size of the ideal type of Bulldog. The only
objections which have been taken are that the bitch is deficient in
wrinkles about the head and neck, and in substance of bone in the
limbs.
The commencement of the dog-show era in 1859 enabled classes to be
provided for Bulldogs, and a fresh incentive to breed them was offered
to the dog fancier. In certain districts of the country, notably in London,
Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, and Dudley, a number of fanciers
resided, and it is to their efforts that we are indebted for the varied
specimens of the breed that are to be seen at the present time.
In forming a judgment of a Bulldog the general appearance is of most
importance, as the various points of the dog should be symmetrical and
well balanced, no one point being in excess of the others so as to

destroy the impression of determination, strength, and activity which is
conveyed by the typical specimen. His body should be thickset, rather
low in stature, but broad, powerful, and compact. The head should be
strikingly massive and large in proportion to the dog's size. It cannot be
too large so long as it is square; that is, it must not be wider than it is
deep. The larger the head in circumference, caused by the prominent
cheeks, the greater the quantity of muscle to hold the jaws together.
The head should be of great depth from the occiput to the base of the
lower jaw, and should not in any way be wedge-shaped, dome-shaped,
or peaked. In circumference the skull should measure in front of the
ears at least the height of the dog at the shoulders. The cheeks should
be well rounded, extend sideways beyond the eyes, and be well
furnished with muscle. Length of skull--that is, the distance between
the eye and the ear--is very desirable. The forehead should be flat, and
the skin upon it and about the head very loose, hanging in large
wrinkles. The temples, or frontal bones, should be very prominent,
broad, square and high, causing a wide and deep groove known as the
"stop" between the