The Bulldog, also known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog, is a medium sized breed that began in England. Although, like many pet breeds, the brand "bulldog" was used for a selection of different canine breeds that had related appearance. The term was first used about 1568.

In the 1600s, these "bulldogs" were used for a game called "bullbaiting," as well as "bearbaiting." This was a wagering activity in which trained bulldogs would jump at a bull that was connected to a fixture. The pet would try to latch on to the bull's nose and dare to suffocate it. These canines also contested in other games as well including stamina sports in which they tried to see which hound could walk the furthermost.

Because of the old age of the breed, it is fitting that The Bulldog Club of England is the oldest single breed association in the world, being created in 1875. The participants of this club were noticed to congress at the Blue Post Pub on Oxford Street in London and it was here that the first breed standard was recorded. These earlier hounds were more active and lighter boned; however, it was the heavier set puppy that won the hearts of breeders. There were two variations of Bulldog at this time, the King Orry being the lighter boned hound and the Dockleaf being the heavier set dog. As of late, there have been endeavors at recreating the lighter hound and examples of these canines are the Olde English Bulldogge, the Victorian, the Dorset Old Tyme Bulldog and the Renascence Bulldog. These varieties are not recognized by the AKC.

The Bulldog is well known as a symbol as it is a symbol of tenacity. This breed is the mascot of several United States colleges and universities as well as several high schools. A Bulldog named Chesty is the symbol of the United States Marine Corps. Handsome Dan, the Yale University symbol, is the oldest-running traditional symbol in the U.S. and some version of Handsome Dan has been the Yale symbol for more than a century. Another popular Bulldog is Jack, the mascot of Georgetown University.

The Bulldog is a normally docile and pleasant canine. They are known to be fiercely dependable though, although almost all of the combativeness has been bred out of the pet through dogs training. These hounds tend to love their households and they will seldom wander off without their family. These pets are also known to get along well with other puppys, other family pets and teens. These hounds often live well in apartments, as they tend to not be very lively and they are of a normal size. You should be conscious that Bulldog puppies tend to be somewhat destructive until the reach an older age.

Bulldogs are extraordinarily sensitive to hot temperatures. During hot summers, it is advisable if they can stick inside an air conditioned home or kennel. If they are outside, they should have lots of shade, water and out of the standing heat as much as feasible. These hounds are also sensitive to the cold, but the cold does not have as bad an effect on these puppys as the heat does. They tend to have difficulty breathing in the heat because of their short muzzles. These pets do well indoors not only because of their sensitivity to temperature but because they're energy levels are relatively low.