AKC Gazette

February 1943

Bulldog-Breed Description

THE subject of this month's brief description, the Bulldog, has been called phlegmatic, slow, somewhat dull, and also lacking in many of the attributes that make a breed popular. We could pen quite a case in disproving such an unjust libel, employing a host of colorful adjectives, but, if we did, it would be entirely out of keeping with the taciturn, self-sufficient nature of this dog. Further more, his human friends, whose continued patronage has long made him one of the world's most beloved canines, would find it merely repetition of what they already know, while his detractors might be less impressed by it than by the following brief comparison snatched out of current history.

In short, the Bulldog's character is very similar to that of the British people, of whom he has so long been the symbol. Now if we go back several years we find the British armed forces losing ground on every front. Then, following the defection of France and the desperate but heroic evacuation at Dunkirk, came the "Battle of Britain"-an air bombardment of such intensity and duration that Axis, neutral, and friendly nations alike predicted it would write "finis" to either the war or the "tight little island."

It's no longer news, of course, that Britain not only survived that ordeal but came out stronger than its enemy, which surprised Goering, Goebbels, and Hitler, but not those who understand that the British, once fully aroused, have amazing staying power. So here's our point! If the British had not long ago seen in the Bulldog this same ability to both "hand it out" and "take it" would they have permitted him for so long to be used as the symbol of their nation?

Furthermore, while the Bulldog is not a speed demon, he is far from slow. Neither is he phlegmatic, for he takes a keen interest in the lives of the human beings who make up his home circle. Without bidding, he will invariably take the children as his special responsibility. As for his intelligence, perhaps the least obvious evidence of it is his successful participation in obedience test trials. More convincing is the fact that this 50-lb. dog could survive a period of 625 years when it was used to bait bulls weighing some 200 times its own weight.

Of necessity, the old, bull-baiting specimen of the breed was a ferocious animal, but the application of scientific selective- breeding during the century since the somewhat revolting "sport" was banned in 1835, has resulted in a dog which, while losing its vicious quality, has retained its courage and gained in sociability.

The development of the modern Bulldog is one that makes most interesting reading, and, of many volumes on the subject to be found in the well-stocked library at AKC headquarters, we list some of the better ones now available. Included in some are the official description and standard of points, from which we quote, in part, as follows:

"The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs.

"The general appearance and attitude should suggest great stability, vigor, and strength.

"The disposition should be equable and kind, resolute and courageous (not vicious or aggressive), and demeanor should be pacific and dignified.

"The style and carriage are peculiar, his gait being a loose-jointed, shuffling, sidewise motion, giving the characteristic 'roll.' The action must, however, he unrestrained, free, and vigorous.

"The 'points' should be well distributed and hear good relation one to the other. In comparison of specimens of different sex, due allowance should be made in favor of the bitches, which do not bear the same degree of perfection and grandeur as do the dogs . . .. The size for mature dogs is about 50 lbs., for mature bitches about 40 lbs.

"The coat should be straight, short, flat, close, of fine texture, smooth, and glossy . . .

The color of coat should be uniform, pure of its kind and brilliant. The various colors . . . are to be preferred in the following order: (I) Red brindle. (2) all other brindles, (3) solid white, (4) solid red, fawn, or fallow, (5) piebald, (6) inferior qualities of all the foregoing.

The skin should be soft and loose, especially at the head, neck, and shoulders

The skull should he very large, and in circumference in front of the ears, should measure at least the height of the dog at the shoulders. The eyes, seen from the front, should be situated low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible.

The ears should be set high in the head small and thin. The shape termed 'rose ear' is the most desirable . . .

The nose should be large, broad, and black, its tip being set deeply between the eyes.

"The jaws should be massive, very broad, square, and 'undershot,' the lower jaw projecting considerably in front of the upper jaw and turning up .

"The forelegs should be short, very stout, straight, and muscular, set very wide apart

The hindlegs should be strong and muscular and longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders

The tail may be either straight or 'screwed . . . and in any case must be short

No description of the Bulldog can do more than emphasize his low-slung power and the fact that he is distinctly not among the "pretty" breeds. His beauty is in his nature and no words can compete with the living dog's method of "selling' that asset.

BOOKS ON THE BULLDOG

Deacon, Sidney H-Show Bulldogs. (Chapters on origin and character, type and standard, selecting, rearing, exhibiting, judging, breeding, some of the noteworthy exhibitors and their dogs during the last forty years, etc.) 3rd rev. ed. (about 1924). 81 pages. Publisher: "Our Dogs" Publishing Company, ltd., "Our Dogs" Buildings, Oxford Road Station Approach, Manchester, England. Price: approx. $2.00.

Fowler, F. Barrett- Bulldogs And All About Them. (Chapters on history, breeding, rearing, kenneling, characteristics, exhibiting, buying, selling, ailments, outstanding Bulldogs of England . . . also a chapter on the French Bulldog.) Rev. ed. 1925. 248 pages. Publisher: Jarrolds Ltd., 10 & 11 Warwick Lane, London, E.G., England. Price: approx. $2.50.

Johns, Rowland, editor-Our Friend the Bulldog. (Chapters on the beginnings of the Bull dog, selecting, breeding, the Bulldog as companion, hints on showing, some famous modern strains, common ailments, etc.) 1934. 88 pages. Publisher: E. P. Dutton & Company, 286-302 Fourth Avenue. N. Y. C. Price.' approx. $1.00.

Nugent, J. Ross-The Gorgeous Sourmug: A treatise on Bulldogs containing complete information on breeding, rearing, keeping and showing this lovable ancient breed, with special attention to information needed by the novice. 1934., 105 pages. Publisher: Orange Judd Publishing Company, 15 East 26th Street. N. Y. C. Price: approx. $2.00.

Simmonds, Walter E.-The Complete Bulldog . . . a complete book of guidance and authoritative information regarding the Bulldog. 1926. 70 pages. Publisher: Judy Publishing Company, 3323 Michigan Blvd., Chicago, ill. Price.' approx. $2.00.

Sturgeon, A. G.-Bulldogdom. (Chapters on history, breeding, rearing, selecting, exhibiting, type. judging, standard, etc.) 5th ed. 1932. 115 pages and numerous illustrations. Publisher.' Abel Heywood & Son Ltd., Lever Street, Manchester, England. (Obtainable from "Dog World," Watmoughs Ltd., Idle, Bradford, )'orks., Eng.)

American Kennel Club-The Complete Dog Book. (Official publication . . . contains a chapter on the Bulldog, as well as one on each of the other recognized breeds, giving history, characteristics, official standard, etc., a 78 page section on the care, feeding, breeding, etc. of dogs in general and a chapter on practical obedience training.) New edition revised to 1943. 800 pages. Price: $1.98 or $2.12 delivered.