Dog Attack Styles

Professionals teach dogs to guard against intruders and attack on command.

THE AMERICAN BULLDOG (Training)

BULLDOG

COUNTRY: Great Britain

WEIGHT: 40-55 pounds

HEIGHT: 12-14 inches

COAT: Short, smooth

COLOR: Red brindle, other brindles, solid white, red-fawn or yellow, piebald (in descending order of preference); black undesirable

OTHER NAMES: English Bulldog

GROUP: Mastiff

These dogs were first classified by cynologists as "bulldogs" in the 1630s, although mentioned earlier under "bandogge" or "butchers dogge." They probably shared a common ancestor with the Mastiff, through the Alaunt, which was described in Master of Game by Edward, second Duke of York, circa 1406: ". . . Alauntes are treacherous and evil ... it is the best hound to hold and to nyme [seize] all manner of beasts and hold them fast."

During the heinous days of bull-baiting, dogs caught the bulls by the ear. The early Bulldog, more agile than other fighters, went for the nose and was not as likely to be hooked by a horn. Certainly, the higher legged "bulldogge" of yesteryear could harass the bull into lowering its head for the dog to grab a piece of anatomy, whether the ear or the tender nose. Rules stated that the dog then had to pull the bull backward around the ring—or to throw and pin the beast. Bears, lions, monkeys and badgers were also found worthy to meet the Bulldog in combat. As Pierce Egan recites, the sight brought forth patriotic utterances, as:". . . What creature that, so fierce and bold, That springs and scorns to leave his hold?... It is the Bulldog, matchless, brave, Like Britons on the swelling Wave."

Following the demise of this grisly sport, the old-fashioned Bulldog then waded through the bloodbath of the dog-fight pits. This encouraged crosses to various terriers to increase speed, which resulted in the creation of other well-known modern breeds.

The Bulldog of today is not the same as that of the 1600s. After bull-baiting was outlawed in 1835, the original dog evolved into the shorter faced, squattier version we know today, while retaining its powerful undershot jaw.

Bulldogs attained legitimacy in 1860 by entering a different arena—though not quite so bloody—that of the show ring. The bloodthirsty personality of its early years has mellowed into its even demeanor of modern times, while maintaining its threatening appearance. This has earned it the description of "beautiful in its ugliness." Bulldogs are popular mascots, demonstrating the toughness of a team, and have become a symbol of tenacity throughout the world.

The breed has widespread shoulders and a distinctive, rolling gait, making it recognizable anywhere. The exaggerated characteristics have made the Bulldog difficult to mate and whelp, often requiring human assistance through artificial inseminations and Caesarean sections. Care must be taken during hot weather, since the brachycephalic characteristics of the nose and throat tend to restrict air flow.

Bulldog temperament is loving, quiet and gentle. Docile and phlegmatic, their favorite activities are following their masters around the house and taking long naps at their feet.

American Bulldog

COUNTRY: USA

WEIGHT; 65-105 pounds

HEIGHT: 19-25 inches

COAT: Short, smooth

COLOR: Preferred in following order—red brindle, all other brindles; solid white, red, fawn or fallow; piebald

OTHER NAMES: Old Country Bulldog, Old English White
GROUP: Mastiff

The old-time bull-baiters did more than provide a day's entertainment. One of the excuses given for baiting was to tenderize the meat. Notices of a bull-baiting were considered advertising for a fresh meat sale, long before refrigeration made that commodity available. Dogs were expected to fight until the bull submitted or their own currently there is a strong central organization to sponsor and maintain this type of hound which was never meant to compete with the speed of the streamlined hounds. The Blue Gascons were and still are prized as game-taking hounds; i.e., they are used on real animals in actual hunting situations. Capable of pursuing a wide variety of quarry including fox, badger, coyotes, wolverine and wild boar, the Big 'n Blue dogs are particularly suited to the big-game hunter going for bear, bobcat, jaguar or mountain lion. "They also make splendid coondogs for the man who hunts for the enjoyment of hearing and seeing good hounds work, or to experience that special bond between a man and his hound."

To insure the maintenance of the type, the American Bulldog organization requires all dogs to be examined for type, even those of registered parents, before permanent registration can be granted. The group has not sought UKC recognition, fearing loss of type if control escapes the breeders' hands.

This is not a hound for everyone, but he is excellent for specialized needs. His extremely large size and loud voice, which can be heard up to five miles, necessitate large spaces and remote areas. He is best suited to adverse terrain and poor hunting conditions, such as dry canyons, swamps and bayous, high altitudes or where game is quite scarce. The person who appreciates an American Blue Gascon is a sports enthusiast to whom the hunt is more important than the kill.

Stories, both modern and long past, show the heart of these hounds—tales of "Green's Scout," "Blue," and "Sport." Scout and Blue were two well-known hounds of the late 1930s and early 1940s. One day they hit a bear track in the Wa-satch Mountains of Utah and were never seen or heard from again. Sport's spectacular leap of 150 feet from a bluff into water won his owner a field trial in the early 1920s. More recently, "Sugar Creek Blue Ben" kept a lion treed for three days during sub-zero weather in the Bit-terroot Mountains of Montana.

It is no wonder that the Blue Gascon is admired for its stamina, perseverance, desire and hunting abilities. These are truly dogs of great heart. They are bold with people they know, aloof with strangers and sometimes protective to death. When tossed, the owner would attempt to catch the dog on a leather apron or, amazingly, on a bamboo pole which the dog then slid down. No matter what the injuries cracked ribs, injured back, ripped or gored hide if the dog could walk, it was expected to continue its bloody battle. After the bull was called on a technical KO, and before he was killed, the young canine apprentices were allowed to rush the victim for a "taste of blood."

The American Bulldog, as opposed to today's familiar English version, is very similar to the old 17th-century bull-baiter. If that's confusing, it's because the modern English Bulldog has been changed, modified, improved or exaggerated, depending on who's making the statement.

The original "bulldogge" was first brought to American shores in early colonial times. Here the American Bulldog did not undergo the "improvement" of his English cousins and has come down to the present day in his generally original form.

The American Bulldog remains higher on the leg, more agile and swifter than its English counterpart. This dog can leap eight feet into the air and "turn on a dime." The American Bulldog has tenacity, an iron jaw, small flap or rolled ears and, usually, a long, low tail.

The American version is now an all-around dog, used for protecting homes, with some owners hunting raccoons, squirrels and even wild hogs and bears with their Bulldogs. They boast longevity of up to 16 years, and these dogs are still capable of wrestling down a cantankerous bull. Farmers find all these qualities attractive for a working farm dog and companion.

Reputable breeders recount myriad tales showing the heroism of the American Bulldog dogs. They do not wait for a command, but assess the situation themselves and react appropriately. To protect their masters, they have fought wild dogs, bulls and even fire. It is said that "fighting off one of these dogs is like fighting an animal that possesses an alligator's head and a python's body," Yet when called off by their handler, they immediately obey. No wonder they are said to have "true grit, true devotion and true love." This breed genuinely loves children.

Other types of American or "original" Bulldogs are being bred in the USA. While some are merely dogs crossbred in an attempt to produce something that looks like the former dog, others are truly descendants of early dogs. Some of these latter are called Old Country Bulldogs or Old English Whites and are common in the southern states where they are used as boar dogs.

A small underground faction continues to illegally fight the American Bulldog. This activity is not encouraged or promoted by the breed organization or by reputable breeders. American Bulldogs are registered with the Game American Bulldog Club (GABC). Some recently have been placed on military bases as Marine mascots.