Extinct Molossers

[Spike]

Who or what are the Bulldogs or Bullydogs?

thesmartcanine.com/types-of-bulldog-breeds/

15 Types of Bulldog – The Complete Guide to Bulldog Breeds - Published: April 17, 2020.

It’s hard to mistake a Bulldog. With their wrinkly skin, stumpy legs, large heads and undershot jaw, Bulldogs have become a staple breed in America. In fact, the Bulldog ranks the 5th most popular breed in the country (2018).

Even the smaller cousin of the Bulldog, the French Bulldog, cracks the top 5 list for popularity. Bulldogs are everywhere, and it’s easy to see why. However, did you know that there are many more variations of the prevalent Bulldog?

Through crossbreeding the Bully-type dogs with various breeds, the world had seen at least two dozen Bulldog breeds. While some may be extinct, many more have thrived in our modern-day society. Read on to learn more about the different Bulldog types.

What’s a Bulldog?

Bulldogs, both American and English, may be the two most popular bulldog-types outside of the French Bulldog. While the two may slightly differ in looks, the temperaments are relatively the same. As such, they’re often confused for one another.

However, bulldog-type breeds have undeniably similar physical characteristics seen all across the board. For example, you’re always going to get a similar build and frame, that is, wide and short with plenty of heft.

And while height and weight varies among bulldog-types, the breed’s signature wrinkled skin is often visible on the face and body. Other defining characteristics of these dogs are the short snout and flat face. We call them, brachycephalic dogs.

Bulldogs are wonderful dogs and they are not lazy. They’re very smart but also very stubborn. Mine is also very treat-motivated, so you can get him to do just about anything you want with food.

– Dogpaw (City Data)
Bulldogs were once aggressive and brave dogs, bred for bull-baiting. But in time, they evolved into the docile and friendly companion dogs we see today. They’ve come a long way since their days as fighters, and the modern Bulldogs are proof.

It’s not unusual to see a sweet-tempered Bulldog with a gentle disposition. They’re as loving as any other breed with their people-oriented personalities. As such, they’re great with kids and do well with other dogs if socialized.

Because of their past, Bulldogs still retain the courageousness and alertness that these dogs once needed. It’s why they make some of the best watchdogs today. While they can be sweet to family, they’re likely be aloof with strangers.

There are so many types of Bulldogs, each with their own unique characteristics and charm. In fact, plenty have unfortunately already gone extinct. We’ve compiled a list of the most popular and/or unique Bulldog types.

[Spike]

The Bully Breeds - www.bullyprideofaz.com/bully-breed-list.html

What's in the name?

The term "bully" can invoke a sense of terror and intimidation, so it's no wonder many people believe these breeds pose a danger to society. However, the term actually has nothing to do with the dogs' temperament or behavior, and everything to do with their origin and history. Bully breeds all come from the same root stock called Molosser, which is a breed that originated in ancient Greece. Molossers were big dogs with large bones and muscles, pendant ears and short muzzles. The bullies that we know today were created as a result of Molossers combining with other breeds, like the Old English bulldog or mastiff breeds. Though they were originally bred to protect livestock and property, some breeders and owners began to use the dogs for other, unsavory purposes. For example, during the 19th century in England, they were used in blood sports like bull baiting, and some believe this is where Molosser descendents first came to be known as "bully breeds."

pit bull” is NOT a breed. It's a generic term often used to describe all dogs with similar traits and characteristics known to the public as "pit bulls." When we use the term “pit bull” here, it should be understood to encompass American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and mixes of those breeds.

The term bully breed is simply a term to classify bull dog type breeds. There are several dogs that are sometimes labeled as bully breeds. Here is a small list of those breeds:
American Pit Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Terrier
Staforshire Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier
Miniature Bull Terrier
American Bulldog
English Bulldog
Olde English Bulldog
Dogo Argentino
Cane Corso
Dog de Bordeux
Mastiffs
Boxers
Rottweilers
Boston Terriers
French Bulldog

You could probably trace the beginning of bully bias back to the 1980s, when gangs began using pit bull breeds for protection or as status symbols. According to the ASPCA, another probable cause is the media's misidentification of dogs involved in attacks. One often overlooked fact is that any dog may attack if it's neglected, abused or trained to be aggressive.

Bully breeds are normally gentle dogs when they're cared for properly, and they have many qualities that make them great pets for active people with lots of time to give. They are very social and extremely loyal to their owners. Thanks to their athletic bodies and exceptional intelligence, they are very energetic and generally excel in agility. Believe it or not, bully breeds are very good with children, too. As with any dog, you should supervise bullies when they're around strangers, children or other pets. There's no doubt bully breeds have been given a bad name, but many animal lovers are dedicated to restoring their image and proving they deserve to be among America's favorite dogs again.

[Spike]

Extinct Dog Breeds: 15 Breeds You Probably Don’t Know

getodie.com/blog/extinct-dog-breeds-15-breeds-you-probably-dont-know/

Molossus Dog - Molossus dog was home for Ancient Greece, which known for Molossian hound or molosser. The existence of these dogs was very popular during Ancient Greece, which used as an image on the silver coinage issued as the emblem of the Molossians. The ancient literature confirmed the popularity of the Molossus dog often mentioned in various writings such as Statius, Aristotle, Virgil, Horace, Martial, Lucan, Seneca and other scholars. This dog marked its history of the Ancient Greek and used for fighting, hunting and protecting the house and livestock.

Alpine Mastiff - Alpine Mastiff was one of the earliest dogs to attain a gigantic size. The dog originated from Northern Europe before 500 BC and recognized as the ancestor of the St. Bernard breed. This also contributed to the modern Mastiff. The largest Mastiff may have measured more than 1 m (39 in) at the shoulder and weighing up to 160 kg (350 lbs.) Since the 1970s, attempts made to crossbreed of Saint Bernard, Great Dane and the Bernese mountain dog.

Bullenbeisser (aka German Bulldog)- Bullenbeisser refer to as German bulldog. This was a breed in Germany before it was extinct. Bullenbeisser crossbred out of the existence just like the Old English Bulldog. A cross of Bullenbeissers with Bulldogs brought from Britain coordinated by German breeders. They created a new breed in the 1870s, which known today as Boxer.

[Spike]

ABOUT BREEDS25 Extinct Dog Breeds You Never Knew Existed

www.dogingtonpost.com/25-dog-breeds-you-will-never-meet-pet-or-snuggle/

Bullenbeisser - The Bullenbeisser (also known as the German Bulldog) was a breed of dog known for its strength and agility. The breed was closely related to the Bärenbeisser (some believe that the two breeds were the same; the names mean “bull-biter” and “bear-biter,” respectively), and the Boxer. It was in all its aspects similar to the present Alano Español and very alike to the Dogo Argentino, not only in aspect, but also in usage.

The Bullenbeisser became extinct by crossbreeding rather than by a decadence of the breed. In the late 1870s, German breeders Roberth, Konig, and Hopner used the dog to create a new breed, today called the Boxer.

Alpine Mastiff - Alpine Mastiff: An ancestor to modern-day Mastiffs, the Alpine Mastiff was once considered the largest dog in England. Breeding with Newfoundlands and Great Danes created the St. Bernard.

Cordoba Fighting Dog - The Cordoba Fighting Dog originated in Córdoba, Argentina. It was noted for its willingness to fight to the death, and its high pain tolerance. The breed had such strong aggression toward other dogs that the males and females would rather fight than mate. In addition, many members of this breed died in the dog fighting pits, contributing to the breed’s extinction.

The Dogo Argentino is directly derived from this breed. In the 1920s, breeders developed the Dogo by crossing the Cordoba Fighting Dog with other breeds such as the Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, English Bulldog, Bull Terrier and Dogue de Bordeaux.

Dogo Cubano - Also known as the Cuban Mastiff, Cuban Dogo and Cuban Dogge is an extinct dog breed from Cuba. It was of Bull Mastiff type used for dog fighting. The breed was introduced in Cuba to capture runaway slaves (cimarrones). After the abolition of slavery they ceased to exist in time.

The breed is considered extinct since the end of the 19th century, but there have been reports which state that although no pure Dogo Cubanos remain, the dogs used in today’s fighting pits in Cuba are descendants of the crossbreed between Pit Bulls, Cordoba Bulldogs and Dogo Argentinos and the few pure Dogo Cubanos that were remaining by the beginning of the 20th century. The modern descendant of this rare dog breed is much larger and stronger than the original and resembles the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Alaunt - The Alaunt is an extinct breed of dogthat existed in central Asia and Europe from ancient times through the 17th century. A number of modern dog breeds are believed to be descended from the Alaunt.

The original Alaunt breed came in three distinct pheno-types: Alaunt Veantre, Alaunt Boucherie and the Alaunt Gentile. They all were large, short coated dogs of varying head-types. The former two resembled the molosser type dogs much like the present-day Dogo Argentino or like the Caucasian Shepherd Dog except with short hair and a mesocephalic head which made them excellent large-game hunters. The Alaunt is regarded by some cynologists as the ancestor to the original bulldog breeds.

[Spike]

The (de-)evolution of the bulldog

scienceline.org/2017/09/de-evolution-bulldog/

Here’s how a powerful breed of guard dogs turned into humanity’s cruelest genetics experiment. Over just 100 years, the English bulldog has undergone an unfortunate transformation. Unsustainable generations of selective inbreeding have exaggerated the breed's features to an unhealthy, extreme degree.

Humans have been deliberately breeding dogs to have specific traits and appearances for centuries. That’s why even though all dogs are members of the same species, we have pups that are teeny, gigantic, round and long. And, in the case of the bulldog, just generally sad-looking.

Because this aesthetic-based genetic engineering happened without understanding the, you know, genetics, each new appearance came with changes beneath the surface.

When we raise different dog breeds to have different traits, we are also causing a number of health problems along the way. As such, a number of dogs have shorter lifespans than they used to, thanks to problems with their hearts, livers, bones and other maladies. Bulldogs have it worse than any other type of dog — they tend to develop heart problems, hip problems, breathing difficulties and a whole slew of other health issues that emerged after generations and generations of inbreeding. Modern English Bulldogs rarely live longer than six human years or just 42 dog years.

The bulldog situation has become particularly dire. A 2016 study published in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology concluded the bulldog subspecies is past the point of no return. The authors argue that we have so severely reduced the amount of genetic variability among bulldogs, that introducing new, healthy genes into English Bulldogs and other breeds now probably wouldn’t improve their lot.

So how did a breed of dogs that used to be known for its strength and resilience turn into the sick and short-lived modern bulldog? Here’s what we know about their past.

[Spike]

Continued:
12,000 B.C.: The gray wolf - In the last decade, geneticists have conducted a great deal of research into the mutations that turned gray wolves into modern dogs.

What likely happened is that some wolves who were naturally more social and less aggressive would venture closer to human settlements and rely on their scraps as a food source. Over time and through selection, those friendlier traits would have been passed on to their offspring, generating a breed of social proto-dogs, explains Dr. Krishna Veeramah, a population geneticist at Stony Brook University.

“The first specimen that we can say is a dog, not a wolf, is 14,000 years old from Germany,” says Veeramah. “But there are other specimens that people say ‘Oh, that looks like a dog,’ but it’s difficult to say that’s not a small wolf.”

That initial domestication had a range of physical implications, like dogs developing the ability to digest the starch and fats so common among human foods. These genetic changes allowed dogs to subsist on agricultural scraps and whatever meat was left behind when humans and dogs hunted side by side.

But domestication mostly happened in the brain. A 2004 study found that domesticated dogs have altered production of two neuropeptides that help determine behavior, CALCB and NPY. These mutations led to notable differences between the prefrontal cortices of dogs and wolves, according to another genetics study from 2013. The prefrontal cortex is associated with higher levels of cognition and social behaviors, so this may have been the big neurological jump that gave dogs the ability to be nice to us.

From there, the story of the bulldog is just fine — or, rather, not-so-fine — tuning.

[Spike]

Continued:
Ancient Rome: The pugnaces Britanniae - Ancient Roman records include mention of both British and Greek soldiers fighting alongside large, ferocious dogs. Records of both the Greek Molossian dogs and the pugnaces Britanniae, or “broad-mouthed dogs of Britain” describe dogs that are similar in appearance to early bulldogs. So similar, in fact, that University of California historians assert that the pugnaces Britanniae is likely the ancestor of the Alaunt and, in turn, the modern English Bulldog.

The Middle Ages: The Alaunt and the mastiff - The terminology used to describe different dog breeds has changed over time, so the earliest known ancestor of the bulldog is still subject to debate. But historical records suggest that the alaunt is likely the common ancestor shared by the bulldog and the mastiff, which was brought over from Asia. However, many say that bulldogs descended from mastiffs. While it’s likely that the dogs are related, “mastiff” used to be a general term for large dogs so the bulldog’s earliest origins remain unclear.

Mastiffs, native to Tibet, descended from Chinese dogs. According to a genetics paper published in Molecular Biology and Evolution in 2014, these mastiffs differentiated from their ancestors through genetic mutations that helped them survive at extremely high altitudes. Some of these mutations, which include alterations in multiple genes, are the same as those found in people who have also adapted to survive at high altitudes.

In 13th century England, mastiffs became common in staged bull baiting, where one or multiple dogs would try to bring down an angry bull by latching onto its nose with their teeth and trying to drag it to the ground. The bulls, in turn, would keep their heads low to the ground and defend themselves by launching the dogs into the air with their horns.

[Spike]

Continued:
The Renaissance: Dogo de Burgos and the Bulldogg - In 1900, an Englishman named John Proctor bought a plaque from the French Bulldog breeder A. Provendier. The plaque, which was dated back to 1625, was labeled “Dogo de Burgos,” and depicted a Burgos Mastiff. At that point in time, the Burgos Mastiff strongly resembled a modern bulldog.

And in 1631, a letter sent from Spain to London requested a shipment including, “…a good Mastive dog, a case of liquor and I beg you to get for me some good bulldoggs.” These were the first times in written history that bulldogs and mastiffs were differentiated as separate breeds.

In the book Of English Dogs written by Johannes Caius in 1576, the mastive or bandogge are still considered the same, and are described as a large, stubborn, loyal dog that was used to bait bulls. The two breeds must have been distinguished from one another shortly after that.

1800: The Bulldog - A physical description of the bulldog appeared in the 1800 Cynographia Britannica, a text providing images and descriptions of various dog breeds. The description of the bulldog mentioned its round head, short nose, small ears and wide, muscular frame and legs.

Bull baiting was outlawed in England in 1802. The ban wasn’t enforced for another 33 years, but once it was, purebred bulldogs dropped in popularity. Some were crossed with terriers to produce a dog that would be better at fighting. In general, crossbreeding bulldogs with other dogs became more popular over this period of time.

That 2016 study in Canine Genetics and Epidemiology — the one that looked at just how limited the bulldog genome had become — analyzed the genetic makeup of purebred bulldogs and verified that they descended from mastiffs. It also found that at some point, bulldogs had been crossed with pugs. This bizarre combination may explain some of the changes over time to the skull and face of modern bulldogs.

[Spike]

Continued:
Victorian Era: Selective breeding - It was during the reign of Queen Victoria, who ruled from 1837 to 1901, that breeding dogs into specific, often funny-looking breeds came into fashion. As contests became increasingly popular and accessible over this time period, so too grew the number of breeds for which one might win an award. “The vast majority of dogs that people have as pets really arrived from the Victorian era from very active breeding,” says Veeramah. “There are rather few ‘ancient breeds.’”

Because this period is marked by actively altering dogs’ appearances, it coincides with an explosive change in dog genetics as well. “Each breed foundation will have made a difference to the gene pool,” says David Sargan, a geneticist at Cambridge University.

As dogs were bred to have specific traits, often to cartoonish extents, their gene pools became increasingly limited and breeds became more inbred. “Every time you create a bit of genetic variation that makes you an animal that you don’t like as much — and some of those might have health benefits — you don’t breed from those,” Sargan says.

Dogs were often bred to have extreme features because people associated those features with certain dogs, creating a vicious cycle of caricature-like exaggeration that caused serious health problems down the line. The perception of what made a bulldog was based on what made a dog good at bull baiting: heavy muscling, a robust skeleton and a big chest. And as those features were accentuated in subsequent generations, explains Sargan, people took them to be the new average and continued to breed for them.

In 2016, scientists from Cornell University ran a genetic profile of 25 dog breeds, including the French Bulldog. They found that bulldogs emerged as a specific breed relatively early on the gigantic dog family tree, so they weren’t the result of crossing different breeds.

They also found specific mutations that defined different breeds. Relative to other dogs, French Bulldogs showed high rates of mutation in genes like MC5R which controls the type of fur a dog grows, CHRNB1, which gives dogs droopy, hanging lips, IGF1, which gives dogs a bigger body size, and BMP3, which shortened the length of their snout. These changes happened over time, as dogs were selected for breeding based on having the most “bulldog-like” appearances.

“Part of it is you’re a breeder and you read a breed standard that says ‘large head,’” says Sargan, “so you look at a litter of pups and you see the one with the largest head and say ‘Oh, that must be closest to the breed standard.’”

[Spike]

Continued:
Present Day: Inbreeding and Health Issues - Since the 1800s, the number of purebred bulldogs has declined. In fact, the research study from 2016 that said it may be too late to save bulldogs cited evidence that the entirety of the English Bulldog population was bred from just 68 individuals.

According to Sargan’s research, there has been very little new genetic variation over the last 150 years. Today’s bulldogs look mean and intimidating but tend to be docile, brave and friendly with children, in part because of their high tolerance for pain. This can have some drawbacks, though, as bulldogs may not complain or indicate to their humans when they are hungry or in pain.

Even though some breeders claim that they are raising dogs that are designed to be healthy, the real goal of bulldog breeders seems to be selecting for cartoonish musculature and exaggerated features that wouldn’t be found in healthy animals. “I don’t think anyone has deliberately bred against welfare,” says Sargan, “but there’s a lot of feeling that if your dog doesn’t show early disease, then you don’t need to worry about it.”

And that causes a lot of problems because bulldogs are one of the least healthy breeds out there. In particular, Sargan’s lab has spent five years studying why bulldogs have such difficulty breathing, a particularly pronounced problem in the breed, alongside displaced hips. The difficulty in discerning healthy dogs from dogs with breathing problems comes from the fact that their snouts look very similar; the difference comes from the sizes of their floppy tongues and oversized soft palettes.

One possible solution is outbreeding, or crossing bulldogs with healthier breeds so their offspring have fewer health issues. While this would eradicate the modern bulldog, it could give rise to healthier pups.

Outbreeding could work very quickly, but it would be hard for people to accept. Bulldogs are popular among people looking for a companion animal — because they take exercise slowly, people often assume that bulldogs don’t need exercise and make good friends for people who can’t lead active lifestyles.

“The public like these dogs partly because they’re cute and they snuffle,” says Sargan. He says that bad breathing has become an accepted trait rather than an alarming health concern among bulldog fans, simply because it’s become common within the breed.

The trouble with outbreeding is that we can’t just breed one bulldog with one Jack Russell and say that the mission has been accomplished. There are tens of thousands of dogs out there — changes would have to happen at the population level. Also, bulldogs have had their aggression almost entirely bred out of them. While some dogs might make good outbreeding candidates based on appearance, it would be nearly impossible to retain their personality.

Another tool, which Sargan feels is more likely to help, is to continue identifying the genetic markers of healthy dogs and breeding for them. Of course, as he points out, removing the poorer candidates from the gene pool will only make the bulldog even more inbred than before, possibly bringing forth new health issues controlled by recessive genes.

Breeders have been quick to adopt the necessary changes to prevent simple genetic disorders, but breeding for overall health is much more complex. What might help is to accept that some bad traits will still be passed on and assign different bulldogs breeding values. That value would be a ranking based on their health factored with some less-critical unhealthy traits that would inevitably get passed on to their offspring. While this approach wouldn’t eradicate all of the problems that bulldogs face, it would at least help while keeping their genetic variance at slightly higher levels.

“We create fingerprints of most of the things we want,” says Sargan, who pointed out that breeding based on genetics rather than appearance will make the practice much more accurate in the future.

Because decades and decades of inbreeding among a very small group of animals has knocked out any sort of genetic variety within the breed, the resulting health problems from which modern bulldogs suffer may be inescapable. Whether we leave them as they are or we try to alleviate their problems, it’s possible that the purebred English bulldog won’t be around for much longer.

[Spike]

*Quote from above: One possible solution is outbreeding, or crossing bulldogs with healthier breeds so their offspring have fewer health issues. While this would eradicate the modern bulldog, it could give rise to healthier pups.

*Exactly as I am doing in breeding various bulldog and/or similar breeds with the boxer to produce non-pedigree bull-boxers.

[Spike]

Bulldog Breed Basics

[Spike]

Bulldog Breed Basics

[Spike]

Bulldog Breed Basics

[Spike]

Bulldog Breed Basics

[Spike]

The History of the Name "Bulldog" is Far More Horrifying Than You Can Even Imagine

www.ranker.com/list/history-of-the-name-bulldog/nicky-benson

How did bulldogs get their name? It's an interesting question with an even more interesting (and rather disturbing) answer. The popular breed is known today for its loyal and protective nature. Bulldogs can also be rather lazy and are great with children. But the history of bulldogs reveals that centuries ago, they were fierce and tenacious animals. The bull baiting bulldog was bred to be aggressive and used for entertainment celebrated by both the rich and poor.

During the Middle Ages, spectators would congregate in towns across England to watch a bulldog taking down a bull. It was a violent sport that was outlawed in 1835, but its outlawing almost brought the breed to extinction. Eventually, the bulldog made its way to the United States and became one of the country's most popular breeds, which is evidenced by the dozens of universities and schools that have a bulldog as their mascot. Even the Marines favor the bulldog, which is known for its strength and patience. Today, it's hard to believe that the bulldog used to be one of the most aggressive canines around.

How did bulldogs get their name? It's an interesting question with an even more interesting (and rather disturbing) answer. The popular breed is known today for its loyal and protective nature. Bulldogs can also be rather lazy and are great with children. But the history of bulldogs reveals that centuries ago, they were fierce and tenacious animals. The bull baiting bulldog was bred to be aggressive and used for entertainment celebrated by both the rich and poor.

The Bulldog May Have Been The Result Of Breeding Between A Mastiff And A Pug.
The bulldog breed has been around for a very long time. Their English roots go back to the 5th century, and some believe they are connected to the alaunt breed. Others think the bulldog was the result of a pairing between a mastiff and a pug. In 1632, a dictionary entry for the alaunt compared it to the mastiff, and a letter written that same year by one Preswick Eaton included the first known use of the word "bulldog." He wrote: "procuer mee two good Bulldogs, and let them be sent by ye first shipp." Notably, in that same letter, Eaton mentions a mastiff, which indicates that the two were distinct breeds at the time.

Dogs Were Specially Trained For A Popular Sport, Bull-Baiting.
Throughout history dogs performed various farm tasks, including corralling horses, cattle, and other animals. Beyond their work tasks, however, dogs were also used in a sport known as bull-baiting. A bull was chained to the ground by his neck, so he had limited mobility. The dog was trained to bite the bull's nose and hold on until: 1) he pulled the animal to the ground, or 2) the bull killed the dog. This activity was extremely popular during the Middle Ages, and it wasn't outlawed until the passage of the English Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835.

Bulldogs became the dog of choice for this sporting event, hence their name.

Dogs involved in bull-baiting learned how to "play low," which meant they learned how to stay close to the ground and not let their heads become targets of a bull's kicks. The larger breeds of dogs were trained to go towards a bull's stomach in order to effectively attack while evading the horns. The bull, in turn, looked for an opportunity to spear the canine with its horns and throw it up into the air.

[Spike]

Contunued:

Breeders Needed Small Dogs With Strong Backs To Participate In The Sport – And The Bulldog Earned His Name.

In the beginning, mastiffs and other large dogs were used in bull-baiting. However, these dogs lumbered around and were too slow. Breeders realized that they had to develop a new kind of dog that carried more of its weight on the front of its body. This would make them less susceptible to back injury when the bulls tossed them around. The breeders also needed their dogs to be smaller so they could avoid the bulls' horns.

The bulldogs were fierce and aggressive animals. Incredibly, it was not too difficult for an 80-pound dog to subdue a bull, which typically weighed 2,000 pounds. The bulldog would do a corkscrew and use his center of gravity to throw a bull down. It helped that the bull's nose was not only accessible, but also one of the most sensitive areas on its body.

The Loss Of Dog Life Was Incredibly High In The Sport – Many Dogs Died Or Lost Their Teeth.

Many of the dogs who participated in bull-baiting were relentless and refused to let go of the bull once they latched on to its nose. The canine would hold on until the bull swung its powerful neck around and threw the animal aside. It wasn't uncommon for dogs to break their bones or die from the sport. Some were flung into the air so violently that they lost their teeth.

One Bulldog Kept Attacking Even After His Owner Systematically Cut Off His Feet.

There are many stories about dogs that were bred because their characteristics were perfect for bull-baiting. One particularly disturbing story involves an Englishman who was convinced that his bulldog would keep fighting no matter what. To prove his point, he bet that he could chop off his dog's feet, and it would continue to attack the bull. One by one, the man did as he promised and cut off the dog's paws. The dog, despite his injuries, kept attacking. Following the fight, the man decapitated the dog.

[Spike]

19th century bulldog

[Spike]

Continued:

People Bet On The Dogs, Who Kept Fighting Even As Their Entrails Poured Out Of Their Bodies.

The bulldogs who were trained for bull-baiting were tenacious. They were so single minded that they often kept fighting even when they were dying. In some cases, spectators and others involved in the game would keep yelling at the dog to attack even when its entrails were pouring out of its body. Once, a popular bulldog was speared in the bowels, and they came out. The bowels were stitched back inside the dog's body, and he was ordered to continue attacking. Since many people placed bets at these events, dogs in these conditions were often urged to keep attacking even though they were dying.

Bears, Horses & Other Animals Were Also Pitted Against Bulldogs.

While bulls were the top pick for bull-baiting matches, they weren't the only animals that were used in the sport. Horses and even bears were also occasional contestants in the brutal game. The matches were well attended by the public. The often occurred in a coliseum-like building, and seats surrounded the center ring. The dogs were housed outside the building and kept in kennels until it was their time to fight.

Ancient Civilizations Enjoyed The Sport.

Bull-baiting was not invented during the Middle Ages. In fact, it was a source of entertainment hundreds of years earlier. The sport was enjoyed for centuries by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. During the Middle Ages, nearly every town in England had its own bull ring. It was a national sport in that country from the 13th to 18th centuries.

[Spike]

Bulldog Breed Basics