My American Bulldog - Phoebe Dove (named after my Great-Great Grandmother)

Doesn't my dog look like the old timey bulldog that used to roam through the Southern states before WWII? This is an antique advertisement from somewhere around the turn of the century. This other picture is Phoebe Dove, my American Bulldog and pick-of-the-litter from the famous American Bulldog stud, Joshua's Ol' Southern White. She's about 75 pounds and pure muscle and pure baby when it comes to her need for attention and her attachment to me - her owner. She's a good dog and I am proud to have her.

...the original history on how these American Bulldogs came about is pretty interesting. Basically they are, what is now known as, the English Bulldog BEFORE they were bred down into the pug-nose misfits that they are today. After bullbaiting was outlawed in 1825 and dog shows began forcing breeders to breed for type and looks only, the working functionality was bred out of the English bulldog to the point where the English bulldog today isn't athletic by any means. Females can't even deliver pups naturally and require C-sections due to the abnormally large heads. English bulldogs are also known for their breathing problems due to an extremely shortened muzzle.

American bulldogs are essentially a restored population nearly gone extinct descended from the actual bull-baiting bulldogs from the 1700s brought to this continent by the early English colonists. There are various theories though based on this basic theme.

Other American bulldog history links:

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