THE BREED CHANGED DRASTICALLY AFTER BULL BAITING WAS BANNED
To bait bulls, Bulldogs had to be tall, athletic and ferocious. But England banned bull baiting in the 19th century, and since then the breed has changed. No longer needed for their original purpose, Bulldogs became companion animals, and were bred to be much smaller and friendlier. The English Bulldogs we know today are much different than their forefathers.
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ENGLISH BULLDOGS ARE COMMONLY DELIVERED VIA C-SECTION
Dog breeds look very different, even though all dogs are technically the same exact species. Selective breeding causes these physical differences, which sometimes causes complications. In the case of the English Bulldog, years of breeding have made their heads so large that they usually can't be born naturally. Eighty percent of bulldogs have to be delivered by Caesarean section.
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THE ENGLISH BULLDOG IS THE FIFTH MOST POPULAR DOG BREED IN AMERICA
Every year, the American Kennel Club releases a list of the most popular dogs in America. Currently, the English Bulldog is way up there. In 2013 it was the fifth most popular breed in the country, behind only Labs, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Beagles. The Bulldog tops the list of most popular breeds in New York and Los Angeles.
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TWO ENGLISH BULLDOGS HAVE WON BEST IN SHOW AT WESTMINSTER.
The first English Bulldog to win the top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was Ch. Strathtay Prince Albert, who was named Best in Show in 1913. Prince Albert was the fifth dog to win the show, and the first non-Terrier. The second Bulldog to win the prize was Ch. Kippax Fearnought, who won in 1955.
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PRESIDENT WARREN G. HARDING HAD AN ENGLISH BULLDOG
Many U.S. Commanders in Chief have owned pets during their stints in the White House, but only one had an English Bulldog. That would be No. 29, Warren G. Harding. The dog's name is somewhat mysterious. He is variously listed a Old Boy, Oh Boy and O'Boy. At any rate, he was decidedly overshadowed in popularity by Harding's famous Airedale Terrier, Laddie Boy.
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CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, CHURCHILL DIDN'T OWN AN ENGLISH BULLDOG
The English Bulldog is tightly connected to its country of origin. The breed is a national symbol for the United Kingdom. It's also closely associated with one of the UK's greatest leaders, Winston Churchill, whom the Russians called the British Bulldog (his jowly countenance also famously resembled that of a Bulldog). But despite the connection, Churchill did not, as is often believed, own a pet Bulldog. But he did have a Pug.
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