The Bulldog's World Traveling Ancestor

Article Title: The Bulldog's World Traveling Ancestor
Author: Bobby A Callahan

Bulldog information is incomplete without a retelling of its
ties to the ancient world. The Bulldog's sturdy build was
inherited from its ferocious ancestor, the Molossian of Greece.
Kept and bred by the Molossi tribes' people, the huge dog was
valued for its great strength and size. Even though the dog did
not have speed or a sensitive sense of smell, the dog had the
courage to go after prey that would not back down.

Huge dogs, such as the Molossian, were used for hunting large
game in prehistoric Europe, Africa and Asia. Originally from
Epirus, Greece, the Bulldog's ancestor, the Molossian, was kept
for hunting purposes and eventually became a guard dog and
fighting dog. A strong based on mutual need developed between
the dog and its human family. The dog became an indispensable
member of the household and earned a living through the work
that it performed for its human masters.

An interesting tidbit of Bulldog information and mythology
concerns the role of the gods in the Bulldog prehistoric past.
The history of the Molossians has been lost in time although it
is believed that the origin of the breed is associated with
Epirus, Greece. A Greek myth tells of the master forger
Hephaestus who created a Demonesian bronze dog. Hephaestus gave
the bronze dog it's own soul. Zeus received Laeleps as a gift
and through time, the dog had different owners until it turned
to stone. Before Laeleps turned to stone, he fathered many
descendants, of whom the Mollosian were descended.

The Greek Molossi tribes bred dogs known as the Molossians. The
Molossi trained the dogs as guard and war dogs. The early name
of this dog is Canis Molossi. During the ancient Greek era, the
Phoenicians, who were important traders, traded with the Molossi
as a bargaining item. The Phoenicians came to regard the huge
dogs to be a highly valuable commodity for trade. In this way,
the Molossians made their way to Briton about 800 BC.

Historical Bulldog information tells of British tribes people,
including the Celts, breeding the dog for their own purposes.
The Celtic tribes bred the dog so that it could accompany them
on their wild boar and wild cattle hunts. The Celtic and British
tribes trained the dog to participate in war and the dogs had
skill at bringing a horseman down. The Romans called these dogs
by the name Pugnace Britannicii or Canis Pugnax. A later name
used for the dog was the Broad Mouthed Dogs of Briton.

The Pugnace would grab a horse by the nose and by clinging on
the horse would buck its rider off in an attempt to dislodge the
dog. This canine maneuver was a surprise to the Romans when they
first invaded the British homelands. The Romans prized the dog's
ferocious nature and put it in the arena as a combatant. Since
this time, the dog's ferocity has been bred out so that what
remains is a good natured and an even comical companion.

About The Author: Bobby Callahan loves the Bulldog breed and as
an owner of several Bulldogs has extensive experience keeping,
raising and breeding many dogs. The
http://www.officialbulldogguide.com/ Bulldog is known for its
excellent character and is a trusted and beloved friend to its
human family. The ancient history and general
http://www.officialbulldogguide.com/Bulldog.php Bulldog
information can be found in this article.

.

__,_._,___