Apologies to all the beautiful varieties of Bulldogs in South Florida for this regal holiday was overlooked.  Yesterday, April 21 was “National Bulldog Day”.  Bulldogs, beautiful? Well, yes! French, American, or English — bulldogs portray glamour in their own special way.

They started popping up as furry companions in historical literature about five centuries ago. Today this sweet sidekick continually ranks as one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. French bulldogs currently sit fourth on the American Kennel Club’s list. Bulldogs, technically a separate breed, are fifth.

Bulldogs were bred originally to help butchers in controlling livestock. The history of bulldog’s traces back to 5th century England, to a breed called the Alaunt. In the 15th century, the Alaunt were bred for catching cattle and horses on farms. They were bred to be aggressive. A dog weighing 80 pounds could easily toss a bull weighing a ton down to the ground by corkscrewing its own body around its neck.

The modern-day bulldog is gentle, affectionate, and stable both in terms of temperament and appearance. They may be small but are capable of great power!  They are super-loyal and brave when it comes to their human companions, especially children.