Bulldog

The bulldog is a strong, short-haired dog with a pug nose and wide, powerful jaws.

The bulldog gets its name because it was once bred for the sport of bull-baiting, a cruel sport popular in England in the 1600s.

Because of his pushed-in nose, the bulldog was able to hang on to the unfortunate animal’s ears or nose with his strong teeth and still be able to breathe.

Often, a bear was used in the place of a bull.

When this cruel sport was outlawed, the bulldog was used for dog-fighting.  It was called a “Pit Dog” or “Pit Bull.”

Today the bulldog, though still brave, makes a gentle and friendly pet.

Bulldogs are slightly pigeon-toed and have many wrinkles on their faces.

A bulldog may weigh from 40 to 50 pounds.  It is Great Britain’s national dog, as well as mascot of the British Navy. – Dick Rogers