Bulldogs in their purest form existed in the States as far back as the 17th Century and were used for bull-baiting and as fighting dogs
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The bulldog in his pure form was in America as early as the 17th century. In colonial America, bulldogs were used by butchers and even engaged in baiting contests with bulls, bears, and buffaloes. The modern American Bulldog can trace it’s rooted to remnants of the original Bulldog that managed to survive as farmers’ catch-dogs in isolated pockets of the Southeastern United States. Its original purpose on these Southern plantations and ranches was personal and property protection and as an aid in handling (catching) large animals such as cattle and hogs.
All modern American Bulldogs can trace their roots to four strains (Williamson, Scott, Bailey & Johnson.) from the Alabama/Georgia area.
The breed was not known by its modern name until the 1980s. The breed we know as the American Bulldog was originally known by many different names before the name American Bulldog became the standard. In different parts of the South, he was known as the “English White” or “White English” because he was a primarily white dog. He was also called the “Alabama” or “Southern Bulldog” but most commonly just “bulldog.” The breed was not called a bulldog because of a certain look, but because they did real bulldog work. They could and did catch and hold for their owners’ rough cattle including bad Brahma bulls, and did double duty as a farm protector against feral dogs and two-legged bad guys.
The American Bulldog became noticed by the public in the late 1980s and began to increase in popularity. A good all-around family pet and guard dog was a thing to be desired.