600 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



nose, and stay there until lie had "pinned him." Fora 

 dog to have been expert in this so-called sport, he must 

 have possessed certain essential, points. He must have had 

 a big head, which is an unvarying indication of courage; 

 Ms nose must have been well turned back to enable him to 

 breathe freely when fastened to the bull; he must have 

 been low on his legs, as a long-legged dog would be in 

 greater danger of being gored by the bull. Of course this 

 occupation required great courage, fortitude, and endur- 

 ance, but the Bulldog has plenty of these. Bulldogs were 

 therefore bred for these points and characteristics, and the 

 type thus developed is the one that is considered standard 

 to-day. 



In 1835 an act was passed by the English Parliament for 

 the prevention of cruelty to animals, and this put a stop to 

 all public exhibitions of bull-baiting, although it was 

 kept up by miners and professional sports, in out-of-the- 

 way places, for a good many years thereafter. Although 

 it was a most cruel sport, and was justly prohibited, yet it 

 was unfortunate that on that account this noble dog should 

 have fallen into disrepute and neglect, as he did. 



As soon as public baiting was prohibited, the Bulldog 

 fell into the hands of the lowest and most disreputable 

 class of sports and toughs, and deteriorated rapidly in 

 form and general characteristics. 



The qualities for which the dog was formerly most 

 valued, not having any further employment or opportunity 

 to develop, soon began, under this loose breeding and 

 handling, to disappear; fine specimens became rare, and in 

 time almost unknown. The Bulldog is only used now, 

 generally speaking, as a pet or a watch-dog, and is care- 

 fully bred for points, in order that he may win prizes at 

 bench shows. 



At one time there were so many different types of Bull- 

 dogs, and so few good specimens and sizes, that a few prom- 

 inent English breeders got together and formed the New 

 Bulldog Club, which has since exerted a great influence in 

 rescuing this breed from extinction. 



