Chapter One:  Development

"The result gave the young bucks what they required; a dog that was at once a determined vermin killer and an intrepid fighter, upon whose skill in the pit wagers might with confidence be laid. The animal, however, was neither a true terrier nor a true Bulldog, but an uncompromising mongrel; albeit he served his immediate purpose, and was highly valued for his pertinacity, if not for his appearance."Excerpt from Robert Leighton's section on the history of Bullterriers, (The complete Book of the Dog, London, 1922)

As the popularity of bull baiting, as well as bear and badger baiting to name a few, was fading the idea of pitting one dog against another grew . This was popularized in urban areas where the required space to conduct such activities was limited to the back room of a pub or perhaps a small barn located nearby.

At this time the qualities of a perfect fighting dog did not exist in any one particular breed. It was thought that if a person crossed the gameness, or will to fight, of a Terrier with the size, strength, and tenacity of the Bulldog one could create a dog that possessed all it needed to become invincible in the pit. Hence the birth of the Bull and Terrier breeds.

The Bulldog of the mid to late 1700s is today nonexistent. The sketches and etchings of the time indicate a much leggier and agile dog with a well developed muzzle as compared to the Bulldog of today. Still it possessed the courage and strength, both of will and body, to compliment the desired result.

The exact breed of terrier used in the initial cross is the subject of much debate. While most of the documentation of the period supports the fact that either the Black and Tan or the White English terrier, perhaps both, were used in the cross other sources indicate the use of the Fox Terriers. Indeed many factors lead one to believe that whatever terrier possessing the gameness required to fight to the death despite grievous injury was the dog of choice.

While sources of the time conflict to some degree it is apparent that, rather than line breeding the progeny of early litters, breeders of the period chose to go back to the original cross. It is safe to say that between 1820 and 1860 standardization of the Bull and Terrier began to be observed and line breeding became a common practice among breeders.

However controversial the development of the breed, there is no disputing the purpose for which they were developed. The cruelties that these dogs were subjected to at the hands of men are a dark shadow on the history of this, my beloved breed.