Iconic, laid back and ever cool, the British bulldog is something special! Just check out that jowly face, that stocky, muscular body and an underbite to make you smile, no wonder this is one of the most popular breeds in the world.

As with any dog, it was bred for a purpose. The Bulldog was specifically honed for bull baiting and its' lineage can be traced directly back to Medieval England. In the mid-1600's, bull (bear and horse) baiting was as popular as it was barbaric. A 'sport' consisting of a bull being attacked by specially trained dogs - one at a time, over and over again. In order to win the bet, a dog would lock its' teeth onto the bull's snout and could not be shaken loose.

During this time, English bulldogs were bred with the following characteristics:

• Shorter legs for one because the lower it was to the ground, the more it could avoid being thrown or gouged by the bull's horns.
•  Its' weight shifted so the centre of gravity moved to its' neck, this was to prevent spinal damage when being tossed about by the bull.
•  An underbite was developed to allow the dog more power to grip onto the bull's nose.
• Their face wrinkles acted as channels directing blood down their faces and out of their eyes.
• As for the loose body skin, that worked like a shield protecting the dog's vital organs when in battle.
• Finally, they were bred to have a tenacity of spirit and stubbornness which kept them holding onto the bull despite great physical pain.

Fast forward to 1835, an Act of Congress finally saw this vile 'sport' outlawed. Since then, the English Bulldog has been bred to be much less aggressive however they are still synonymous with courage and determination.

Cartoonists in the 18th century would illustrate the figure of Britannia in between a Bulldog and a lion and this image evolved during the first World War with the brave Bulldog becoming the poster boy for troops. By WW2, this breed became the epitome of resilience and symbolised both 'British Bulldog spirit' and Churchillian defiance. A national icon was created.

Incidentally, Winston Churchill never owned a bulldog, he preferred poodles instead!

It's not just England that recognises the Bulldog's tenacity and strength, in the States it is by far the most popular sport and university mascot. Think Boston Bulldogs, think Yale, the list goes on.

Besides resilience and courage, Bulldogs are famous skateboarders. A dog named 'Tillman' currently holds the Guinness Book of World Record for "Fastest 100m by a Skateboarding Dog", another called "Extreme Pete" can slide down stairs riding a skateboard and in Peru, a dog called 'Biuf' set up the first skateboarding club in Lima specifically for Bulldogs. Click on the link below to see "Otto Bulldog Skater". According to Wikipedia, he holds the world record for the "Longest Human Tunnel Travelled by a Dog Skateboarder."

 So what are their pros and cons...

• Giving birth naturally is one with over 80% of pups having to be delivered by a caesarian section. This comes down to their large heads and a small birth canal.
• They also need help procreating. Their awkward biology means males have a tough time reaching the ladies so most breeders use artificial insemination.
• Travelling by airplane is another tricky issue. Due to their breathing difficulties (they are brachycephalic), they suffer more airline fatalities than any other dog breed.
• Hot climates definitely exacerbate their breathing issues. Excessive wheezing, panting and shortness of breath can result even from a short walk in the heat. Likewise, their short, thin fur offers no protection from extreme cold so a moderate climate is best for this breed.
• Buoyancy is not their forte either. With their big heads, small backsides and shorts legs Bulldogs don't manoeuvre well in water. Although some can swim, it's generally best to keep these bad boys on dry land.
• They are expensive. These beauties come with a hefty pice tag, expect to pay upwards of £2500 for a pup which makes rehoming a rescue a no-brainer.

• Lazeeee! If you let them, they'll sleep the day away so you'll really need to encourage them to be active. Fortunately they only need 20-40 minutes of exercise a day but even getting them to do that can be tricky. This couch potato needs a proactive owner with treats, enthusiasm and sometimes tough love to coax it into a leash. 
• That laziness however makes them ideal for those of us in flats and without a garden. In fact they make perfect dogs for first time owners as they are highly adaptable companions.
• Other than snoring and farting, they are quiet and rarely bark excessively. 
• Perfect pets for those who work long hours. They don't need long walks or demand much attention so are ok with being left alone for hours. Let's face it, they are probably asleep on the sofa.
• Saying that, they are very sociable and love being around people. With a gentle demeanour second to none, they even make wonderful family pets as they love children.
• Predictable, dependable and loyal, they are also fearless and make great guard dogs.

This quote is from his recent-ish interview in GQ magazine.....

 "I'm a firm believer Bulldog owners are kindred spirits. Mostly because we can and will have very serious conversations about snorts, farts, shit consistency, crusty eyes, crusty noses, puke, and various firms of gas with other Bulldog owners."

 And with that affirmation, if you fancy rescuing a laid back, loving, snore-a-thon who prefers the sofa to the park please check out the links below...