CHAPTER III 

 THE BULLDOG 



THE Bulldog is known to have been domiciled in this country 

 for several centuries. Like the Mastiff, of which it is a 

 smaller form, it is a descendant of the " Alaunt," Mastive, or 

 Bandog, described by Dr. Caius, who states that " the Mastyve 

 or Bandogge is vaste, huge, stubborne, ougly and eager, of a 

 hevy, and burthenous body, and therefore but of little swift- 

 nesse, terrible and frightful to beholde, and more fearce and 

 fell than any Arcadian curre." 



The first mention of " Bulldog " as the distinctive name 

 of this now national breed occurs in a letter, written by 

 Prestwich Eaton from St. Sebastian to George Wellingham 

 in St. Swithin's Lane, London, in 1631 or 1632, " for a good 

 Mastive dogge, a case of bottles replenished with the best 

 lickour, and pray proceur mee two good bulldoggs, and let 

 them be sent by ye first shipp." Obviously the name was 

 derived from the dog's association with the sport of bull-baiting. 

 The object aimed at in that pursuit was that the dog should pin 

 and hold the bull by the muzzle, and not leave it. The bull 

 was naturally helpless when seized in his most tender part. 

 As he lowered his head in order to use his horns it was neces- 

 sary for the dog to keep close to the ground, or, in the words of 

 the old fanciers of the sport, to " play low." Larger dogs 

 were at a disadvantage in this respect, and, therefore, those 

 of smaller proportions, which were quite as suitable for the 

 sport, were selected. The average height of the dogs was 

 about 16 inches, and the weight was generally about 45 Ibs., 

 whilst the body was broad, muscular, and compact, as is 

 shown in Scott's well-known engraving of " Crib and Rosa." 

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