The Bulldog, also known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog, is a medium sized breed that began in England. Although, like a lot of puppy breeds, the title "bulldog" was used for a range of different dog breeds that had comparable appearance. The term was first used roughly 1568.

In the 1600s, these "bulldogs" were used for a activity called "bullbaiting," as well as "bearbaiting." This was a wagering sport in which trained bulldogs would jump at a bull that was connected to a post. The puppy would seek to latch on to the bull's nose and endeavor to suffocate it. These hounds also contested in other activitys as well including stamina contests in which they tried to see which canine could walk the farthest off.

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 fashioned in 1875. The subscribers of this association were known to congress at the Blue Post Pub on Oxford Street in London and it was here that the first breed standard was jotted down. These earlier hounds were more acrobatic and lighter boned; however, it was the heavier set pet that won the hearts of breeders. There were two varieties of Bulldog at this time, the King Orry being the lighter boned puppy and the Dockleaf being the heavier set hound. As of late, there have been efforts at recreating the lighter hound and examples of these hounds 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 mascot 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 mascot of the United States Marine Corps. Handsome Dan, the Yale University mascot, is the oldest-running traditional mascot 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 symbol of Georgetown University.

The Bulldog is a often docile and well-meaning puppy. They are known to be fiercely loyal though, although almost all of the belligerence has been bred out of the hound through dogs training. These dogs tend to love their properties and they will seldom wander off without their family. These dogs are also known to get along well with other canines, other family pets and children. These canines often live well in apartments, as they tend to not be very lively and they are of a medium size. You should be aware that Bulldog puppies tend to be somewhat destructive until the reach an older age.

Bulldogs are incredibly 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 loads of shade, water and out of the standing heat as much as feasible. These canines are also sensitive to the cold, but the cold does not have as terrible an effect on these hounds 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.