The best known origin and history is dated back to 1209 when the Earl of Warren while standing atop of his castle walls, watched a team of butcher's dogs harassing a bull in his castle meadow.  When the bull charged down into the town - running through the streets with the dogs chasing after it, the Earl was so pleased with this exhibition that he gave the meadow to the town butchers with the provision that they supply bulls for just such activities in the future.  Thus began the great an popular period of bull baiting, which lasted more than six and a quarter centuries.  At first the dogs that were used for this sport were Mastiffs, Alaunts and Bandogs (or Bonddogge, which are the ancestors of our modern day Bulldog).  The object of bull baiting was for the dog to seize, pin and hold the bull by the nose (the nose of the bull is his most tender part) making sure not to leave go.  This would render the bull helpless.  The bulls were massive and powerful so the dogs were trained to play low - keeping his own head close to the ground avoiding being above the bull's horns where the bull could use those horns to throw the dog into the air.  Bull baiting was made illegal around the year 1840.

To produce our modern day Bulldog many breed crossings were made.  It is believed that Mastiffs, Bandogges, Greyhounds and even Pugs were crossed and bred to produce the English Bulldog.  In 1859 the first 'official' dog show in England was held and 1860 at the Birmingham show, there held the first class for the breed Bulldog, thus, began the huge popularity of the breed.

Today you will find the Bulldog as a mascot for a division of one of the US armed services, endless schools and universities, in cartoons, all over movies, television, magazines, ect.  Ever wonder why this is?  My personal speculation is because this breed of dog exemplifies strength, courage, intelligence, and loyalty.  Not to mention the fact that they are just adorable!