THE BULLDOG
The term “Bulldog” was first mentioned in literature around 1500, the oldest spelling of the word being Bondogge and Bolddogge.
The first reference to the word with the modern spelling is dated 1631 or 1632 in a letter by a man named Preswick Eaton where he writes: “procuer mee two good Bulldogs, and let them be sent by ye first shipp”.
The designation “bull” was applied because of the dog’s use in the sport of bull baiting This entailed the setting of dogs (after placing wagers on each dog) onto a tethered bull.
The dog that grabbed the bull by the nose and pinned it to the ground would be the victor. It was common for a bull to maim or kill several dogs at such an event, either by goring, tossing, or trampling.
Over the centuries, dogs used for bull-baiting developed the stocky bodies and massive heads and jaws that typify the breed as well as a ferocious and savage temperament.
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Bull-baiting, along with bear-baiting, reached the peak of its popularity in England in the early 1800s until they were both made illegal by the Cruelty to animals act 1835 and put a stop all blood sports and the bulldog took on a more useful role on farms.
Because cornering and leading wild bulls were dangerous, bulldogs were trained to seize a bull by its nose long enough for a rope to be secured around its neck.
Bulldogs as pets were continually promoted by dog dealer Bill Goerge. In time, the original old English Bulldog was crossed with the pug.
The outcome was a shorter, wider dog with a Brachyciphalec skull. Though today’s Bulldog looks tough, he cannot perform the job he was originally created for as he cannot withstand the rigors of running and being thrown by a bull, also cannot grip with such a short muzzle.
These days the Bulldog is a soft mild mannered family pet clumsy and comical but agile and alert when needed, this breed has had many a political view in the canine world due to the breeding but putting that aside the bulldog is a very well loved breed a mascot for many an organisation company and even the USMC.
The bulldog can be best known for its character being of one with the English nation and this propaganda type view stemmed from WW2 where Winston Churchill’s bulldog became the symbol of the English determination and stubbornness, this winston type look can be seen today with many figurines smoking a trade mark Churchill cigar.
Beautiful gesture a painting by Lori
A few days ago a friend that I met on face book contacted me out of the blue and asked for my address I found this a little confusing until the painting below was presented to me in the message and the address was needed to send it.
This beautiful painting by lori Arost Bluni was commissioned by a total heart of gold miss Janet Powell Feeback and we as a family are humbled by the gesture and the kindness Janet has shown to us during and after losing our beloved Scruffy Louise.
Thank you so much Janet and lori, the painting is beautiful and will become a family treasured possession.
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PLEASE NOTE Lori will be guesting at Collectibulldogs very soon and some examples of her work and bio are to follow shortly and we at Collectibulldogs hope lori is just as excited to come guest appear at Collectibulldogs as we are as excited to have such a wonderful laid back guest artist.