The Incorrect Stereotype of the Aggressive Bulldog
The stereotype of the aggressive bulldog is usually just that – a stereotype. When asked to identify a dangerous dog, many people will automatically select the bulldog because of its fierce expression.
The culturally ubiquitous phrase “stubborn as a bulldog” may also play a role in the public’s decidedly negative view of the breed. In fact, there are many types of bulldogs, most all of which have relatively sweet dispositions.
Types of Bulldogs
There are many different breeds of bulldog, including the Alapaha Blue Blood, American, Aussie, Banter, Campeiro, Catahoula, Dorset Olde Tyme, French, Ca de Bou, Victorian, Valley, Olde Boston,
Olde English, and English. The latter is the most commonly known bulldog, followed closely by the American and French breeds.
Misleading Expression
While it is true that bulldogs have facial features set in a characteristically mean-looking expression, the stereotype of an aggressive bulldog is somewhat misleading.
Bulldogs are in fact very friendly animals with a mainly good temperament. They interact favorably with children as well as other animals, including other dogs.
Aggression for Flavor and Sport
In the 1600s, bulldogs were used to guard and bait bulls. During this time period, a widely held belief dictated that beef’s flavor improved if the bulls exercised before being slaughtered.
Under the illusion that a bull’s meat would taste better if bulldogs first goaded the bull into strenuous physical activity before it was killed, bulldogs were taught to be vicious and impervious to pain while taunting bulls.
Bull baiting quickly evolved into a sport during which bulldogs purposely trained to be aggressive tried to suffocate bulls tied to posts by covering their snouts.
Aggression for Safety
An aggressive bulldog was also a boon in rounding up wild bulls that roamed freely in New York during the 17th century. Humans could not safely perform the task, so bulldogs again were trained to cover a bull’s snout, giving a human time to successfully rope the bull without risk to life or limb.
“Stubborn as a Bulldog?”
The phrase “stubborn as a bulldog” likely stems from the fact that bulldogs can occasionally be willful animals, not because they are aggressive. Additionally, bulldogs are ranked fairly low in intelligence, so it can take them a considerable period of time to grasp the meaning of orders given to them.
Over time, the phrase “stubborn as a bulldog” became divorced from its original context, causing people to associate it with an aggressive bulldog as opposed to a mentally slow animal.
Conclusions About the Bulldog
While the public views the stereotype of an aggressive bulldog as truth, bulldogs are in fact normally good-natured, loving animals.
Phrases taken out of context like “stubborn as a bulldog” and historical uses for angry bulldogs only serve to further ingrain the public’s misinformed view of the breed.
The history of humans forcing bulldogs to be aggressive for sport and protection informs the current aggressive bulldog stereotype. The bulldog’s true affectionate nature has yet to be realized on a worldwide scale.