This breed of dog takes its name from the
so-called sport it was bred for, not because it bears any resemblance to a
bull. Bulldogs were bred centuries ago for bull-baiting “contests” held in
England until they were outlawed by Parliament in 1835. A bull was chained
to a stake in the center of the arena and then whipped into a frenzy when
dogs were loosed upon it. The dogs had to be able to get by the bull’s
horns, seize its nose and hang on tenaciously. Therefore, they were bred
to be strong, savage, courageous animals with a low center of gravity and
an undershot jaw.
These bulldogs were often killed, but the bull could never win, for if it
killed several bulldogs more were set upon it. Because of its courage and
tenacity the bulldog became a symbol of England. Over the years the savage
aggressiveness has been bred out of it.