English Bulldogs – A Famous Breed

If you mention an English Bulldog in conversation, most people will instantly know what the dog looks like. The English Bulldog, despite its negative reputation for its use in bull baiting, is a much-loved breed of dog and its image is recognizable to people all over the world. It is a symbol of strength and virility.

Great Britain, the country of origin of this type of bulldog, uses the English (or British) Bulldog as its national symbol. The US Marine Corps also uses the image of a bulldog as a kind of mascot named Chesty. They chose the Bulldog due to its strong stature and stubborn nature. The Bulldog portrays the message, we will not be moved.

Many schools in the United States and England are proud to have an English Bulldog as a mascot for their football, basketball, baseball, and many other sports teams. In fact, the English Bulldog even plays a part in pet history! The first live mascot to be used in the United States was Yale University’s Handsome Dan. He was adored and revered by students and alumni alike. There have been various Handsome Dans over time, but Handsome Dan as a symbol and a dog have made their mark.

Another first for the English Bulldogs was Uga V, the mascot of the University of Georgia. Sports Illustrated awarded Uga V the title of College Mascot of the Year and he even graced the cover of the magazine in 1997. He was the first living mascot to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. The University of Georgia mascot also made a cameo appearance in the Clint Eastwood film Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. In 1996, Uga V caused a stir in the public eye after he chased a receiver from the opposing team across the football field in an attempt to eliminate him. Due to stunts like this, Uga V had one of the most recognizable runs of any living mascot.

Nowadays, English Bulldogs are loved by everyone. Almost everyone has seen the skating bulldog, something they are very good at due to their low center of gravity. Many celebrities buy expensive European bred English Bulldogs as a status symbol. The great nature and high intelligence of the Bulldog make it the perfect candidate for anyone’s home. If you are interested in adding a Bulldog to your family, do a lot of research and find a responsible breeder. Some English Bulldogs can be quite expensive due to their poor health.