Bulldogs of all breed types are deeply entrenched in European and American History. With their stocky stature and large heads they evolved alongside humans to manage the control of wild and domesticated cattle.
"Crib and Rosa" circa 1817 Abraham Cooper (1787-1868) Crib and Rosa
Their bullishness was misappropriated over the centuries creating the wager sports of bull-baiting, bear-baiting, and dog fighting. After bans were set in place decades of breeding for companionship bred out aggressive behaviors and replaced them with docile temperaments.
Bull-baiting in the 19th century, painted by Samuel Henry Alken.
Some might hypothesize their once ancestral energetic and aggressive tendencies that made them so great at herding and challenging giant creatures such as Bulls, now manifest in mischievous domestic behaviors they are not sorry about in any form or fashion. That ancestral energy is transformed into chewing table legs and doors, busting through screen doors just because, eating holes in drywall while looking for bacon in the walls, and tearing up books and shoes are a favorite as well as new dog beds. Couches and phones are not off limits for chewing either. Forget the numerous expensive chewing toys laying around the house.... an iPhone or table has a refined flavor and crunchiness, and human screams that can't be beat.
For a detailed anatomical description of form and function of the evolution of bulldogs over the past several centuries this is a great landing spot https://www.sutusbulldogs.co.uk/history.htm
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