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The Bull-Dog

Discussion in 'Staffordshire Bull Terriers' started by F.W.K., Apr 13, 2019.

  1. F.W.K.

    F.W.K. CH Dog

    THE BULL-DOG.
    "The heroes of a bull-fight, and the champions of a cock-fight, can produce but few, if any, disciples brought up under their tuition, who have done service to their country, but abundant are the testimonies which have been registered at the gallows of her devoted victims, trained up to the pursuits of bull-baiting."—Dr. Barry.

    The bull-dog has been called the most courageous animal in the world. He is low in stature, although remarkably deep-chested, strong, and muscular. From the projection of his under jaw, which occasions his teeth always to be seen, and from his eyes being distant from each other, and somewhat prominent, he has an appearance which would prevent a stranger from attempting any familiarity with him. He is, however, a dog capable of strong attachment to his master, whom he is at all times ready to defend. His strength is so great, that in pinning a bull, one of this breed of dogs has been known, by giving a strong muscular twist of his body, to bring the bull flat on his side. In consequence also of his strength, high courage, and perseverance, a bull-dog has gone a greater distance in swimming than any other dog has been known to do.

    It is universally known amongst the lovers of bull-dogs, that when once exasperated by an opponent or encouraged by the owner, no pain or punishment will induce him to swerve from his purpose, or in the least relax the violence of his endeavours to subdue whatever may be the object of his dislike or resentment. Amidst the many instances which might be adduced in support of this assertion, we shall notice one which is well-authenticated. Some years since, when bull-baiting was more common than in the present improved state of civilization, a juvenile amateur, at an entertainment of this kind in the north of England, confident in the courage and purity of blood in his bull-dog, laid a wager "that he would at four distinct intervals deprive the animal of one of his feet by amputation, and that after every individual deprivation he should still attack the bull with his previous ferocity; and that, lastly, he should continue to do so up on his stumps." Shocking as the recital must prove to the feelings of every reader, the experiment was made, and the dog continued to seize the bull with the same eagerness as before. In a match which was made for the purpose, one of these animals fought and beat two powerful Newfoundland dogs.

    It must be a matter of congratulation to every humane person, that the barbarous and cruel custom of bull-baiting no longer exists in this country. That it tended to brutalize the working classes, whatever its advocates may have stated to the contrary, cannot be doubted. In the part of Staffordshire in which I formerly resided, and where the custom was extremely prevalent, idleness, drunkenness and profligacy, were conspicuous amongst those who kept bull-dogs. Even females might be seen at a bull-baiting, in their working dresses as they came out of a factory, their arms crossed and covered with their aprons, standing to enjoy the sport, if such it could be called.

    The breed of dogs kept by the persons referred to was said to be of the purest kind, and large sums were frequently given for them. Lord Camelford purchased one for eighty guineas; forty and fifty pounds was no uncommon price for one. These dogs would appear to have a natural antipathy to the bull, as puppies will attack them when only a few months old, and if permitted to continue the combat, will suffer themselves to be destroyed rather than relinquish the contest. A well-bred dog always attacks the bull in front, and endeavours to seize on the lip as the most sensitive part.

    A nobleman had a favourite bull-dog, which was his constant companion in his carriage to and from his seat in Scotland for many years. The dog was strongly attached to his master, and was gentle and inoffensive. As he grew old, it was determined to leave him in London. The carriage came to the door, his master entered it, and drove off, taking another dog for his companion. The packing—the preparations—had all been witnessed by the faithful bull-dog, who was evidently aware that he had been deserted by the only being he loved. From that moment he became melancholy. He refused to eat, and notwithstanding all the care taken of him, he pined and died.

    A bull-dog, not many years since, saved a shipwrecked crew by towing a rope from the vessel to the shore, after two fine Newfoundland dogs had perished in the attempt. This success may be attributed to his indomitable courage, which prevented him from giving up his exertions while life remained.

    I remember many years ago hearing of some robberies, which took place by means of a bull-dog in the neighbourhood of London, one of which was near my own residence. A gentleman in riding home one winter's evening, had one of the hocks of his horse seized, as he was trotting along the road, by a bull-dog, who kept his hold, and brought the horse to the ground. A man then came up, and robbed the gentleman of his purse.

    It was common in Staffordshire, before young dogs were able to cope with a bull, to practise them with a man, who stood proxy for the bull. On one occasion of this sort, Mr. Deputy Bull being properly staked, began to perform his part by snorting and roaring lustily. The dog ran at him, but was repulsed,—the courage of the animal, however, increased with every struggle, and at last he seized his biped antagonist by the cheek, who, with rueful countenance, endured it for some time, till at length he was compelled to cry out to his companion to take the dog off; but he, unwilling to damp the courage of his élève, vociferated, "Woot spoil the pup, mun?—let 'em taste bloode first!"

    Bull-dogs are now much less common than they were. A cross breed between them and a good terrier is said to produce better fighters and harder biters than the pure bull-dog. If one of these dogs is crossed with a greyhound, the offspring is found to be too courageous, and from this cause in attacking deer they have been frequently killed.

    Edward Jesse.
    East Sheen, Sept. 1858.
     
  2. YIS!.......great read as always...reminds me of today's dogs a bit
     
  3. The part were it says they show a natural antipathy to attacking the bull as puppies will attack them at a few months old,is like some of to days dogs show a natural antipathy for attacking other dogs...I think the breeders of them days redirected the desire to attack bull into attack dog some how..it probably wouldn't of been hard...but maybe crossing one to a Terrier brought on this trait a bit quicker?.....

    The story of chopping the dogs feet of is well known,as the author says..but it's so well known ,or story's of this kind are so well known.that I don't doubt it lol.and I can see some lunatic doing this to show of how game his dogs is...ugrr!vile or what?!?..but it must of been some dog ,,,I don't think one of to days dogs would let you do that to it.I reckon it would fucking bite ya!and quite rightfully so I think...Lol.but story's like that were common,and I can't see a dog surviving after such treatment to be honest,and some story's state they chopped the dogs head of after the whole crazy event.witch is probably the least painful of it all.but what a load of madness all the same.

    Madness lol.nothing more madder then them man v dog battles.wooosh!that must of been a sight to watch I think..fuck that ,I would not wanna fight a dog lol...it's said in some storys the man won.imagine the state of the man after it...crazy stuff...brummy the dwaf is said to have won one.and he's meant to of eat a live cat?..how the fk could do that is anyone's guess.he must of liked fighting with beasts that's for sure lol...

    Great read all that,I had to read it a few times.is that the only mention of the Bulldog in Jessie book??
    I'll be waiting for the next crazy bit of history you dig up lol..
    What about the bit on Bulldog s and Bull Terriers in "Stonhenge The Dog "book?....that's a interesting read.it's hard to find...I can't find the book to be honest.it's got a drawing of a Bulldog x Greyhound,and stuff about Hinks Madman.it's that book...he wrote a few...

    YIS
     
  4. The book might be dogs of the British isles now I think,,,he wrote a few Stonehenge..
    Also fighting sports by Fitz Baranrd is a good old book I can't seem to get hold of.
     
  5. corvettedex

    corvettedex CH Dog

    I read an old story about a breeder a Bulldogs used for bull baiting, that this gentleman actually cut off one of the dog's rear legs and it crawled back to the bull then he cut off another one of the Bulldogs rear legs and it still crawl back to the bull , that bulldog was lost but his pups, offspring, stock, was in high demand.. This was back in the Roman days....
     
  6. @ Dex,,ha,ha,yes..it dose seem these bizarre methods originally came from Roman times.or maybe earlier?....
    And the story s of this nature are common indeed...
    One thing made me laff what you put tho Dex.. "This gentleman" ..yeah,lol.I don't think gentleman is the right word for the brutal In humane owner who did these horrible things lol..Butcher seems more appropriate LOL....

    But gameness must of been in dogs for millennium when we consider these storys.
     
    corvettedex and david63 like this.
  7. corvettedex

    corvettedex CH Dog

    I believe I read that in an old book called "The world fighting Dog's" many years ago...
     
  8. Dr Sementric????
    Don't believe every thing you read man.no matter how interesting it is...a huge market for books about "fighting"breeds lol.
     
    david63 likes this.
  9. Southbanker

    Southbanker Big Dog

     
  10. Southbanker

    Southbanker Big Dog

    Dr. Carl Semencic.
     
  11. Sorry,my bad.
     
  12. Southbanker

    Southbanker Big Dog

    I think that the story of a game dog having his legs chopped off to prove gameness is a complete myth. The dog would die of blood loss/organ failure long before he lost his grip on the bull.
     
  13. Gameness is NOT a complete myth.Gameness most definitely exists...the subject on Gameness is a different topic all together.as there is different levels of it.and different opinions about it.I've seen Gamness so I no it exists.at the same time I have not seen enough of it to speak any further on the matter.but I'm sure people will agree with me that it's no myth.....

    I agree about the dogs feet being chopped of.as it seems highly unlikely the dog would survive such treatment.and it seems highly unlikely the dog wou!d let you do that to it!lol....if it did survive such treatment.and it did go back to the bull on its stumps.must of been one game animal that practically dosen t feel extreme pain..I think it's possible it may of happend if they did not cut it on a certain part of the foot.like they might of just hacked the toes of every foot.and the spectators who wrote about it said the whole foot or everywhere chopped of?????.......either way.the British seemed to have a strange particularity to what they would of called gameness..and a even more stranger particularly for amputations of beasts lol....

    Happy Easter everyone.
    All the best.
     
  14. Sorry mate I've just noticed you put you think the story of the dog getting it's legs chopped of to be a myth.and I thought you meant Gameness was a myth!...lol.sorry mate my bad!.my apologies!

    And yes there's probably more then a hint of exaggeration to such storys lol.
     
    david63 likes this.
  15. Yeah,I need to get my eyes checked.
    Again sorry mate,my apologies!
     
  16. oldguy

    oldguy CH Dog

    I got no doubt bulldogs have lost tails, ears, noses, genitals and legs in pursuit of whatever they happened to be hunting against at the time.. I'm not saying all, but some have for sure.. Gameness beyond human comprehension, gameness that's humbling to witness, gameness that exposes the weakness of men.
    http://www.apbt.online-pedigrees.com/modules.php?name=Public&file=printPedigree&dog_id=281048
     
  17. Oh yes man...proof ....
    Them far fetched story s have All ways made me admire them!
    Farfetched alright.but most definitely true all the same!!!
    BULLDOGS!
     
  18. DISCOIII

    DISCOIII Big Dog

    I was going to reply this morning, Gameness beyond human comprehension, gameness that's humbling to witness, gameness that exposes the weakness of men I have felt all of them feelings at least once in my life and also witnessed a lot of other men have them emotions exposed to. To write what you did means to me you have seen it and lived it I tip my hat to you!
     
  19. oldguy

    oldguy CH Dog

    Thanks DISCOIII.. Appreciated!
    the right way.jpg
     
    david63, DISCOIII and Soze the killer like this.
  20. Awesome words of wisdom @ OG!

    All you fuckers with your show bread staffs need to read that!
     
    david63 likes this.

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