Bulldogs are a very interesting breed. They’re muscular but not too large of a dog in the traditional sense, but they do have quite the brutal history. Here are some crazy facts about bulldogs.
They Were Trained for Bull-Baiting
This was a brutal sport where a bull was chained to the ground by his neck. In this situation, the dog was trained to bite the bull’s nose (a vulnerable point on the bull’s body) and hold the bull down until he was grounded completely or the bull would simply execute the dog.
Bulldogs Initially Bred
Many believe that bulldogs stem from a mixed breed of mastiff and pug.
Breeders Needed Small Dogs With Strong Backs
Bull-baiting was originally done by mastiffs, but they were too slow and big. The bulldogs were small enough to avoid the horns from bulls and they had great back support. Not to mention, they could be more mobile and truly carry their weight without much strain.
Low-Life Expectancy in the Sport
The sport was not made for the faint of heart, because a lot of dogs lost teeth and their lives in this game.
Bulldogs Were Tenacious
Even if they lost their feet or entrails, the dogs would fight until their last breath. They were built/trained like that.
Other Animals Were Pitted Against Bulldogs
Horses and bears were also pitted against bulldogs in some coliseum-like buildings.
Been Around Since Ancient Times
This is not a new concept because ancient civilizations loved this sport. It’s been quite the spectacle for centuries.
