The WEB and BB in the 1870s

Buffalo vs. Bulldog by: Frederick Remington

The following articles document the existence of the White English Bulldog and Brindle Bulldog in the 1870's. In 1970, the breed American Bulldog was concocted from these and other breeds. There is no evidence the WEB nor BB was ever used to hunt wild boar before the 1970's, no paintings, drawings, photos or written documentation of any kind. Guarding and controlling unruly livestock is what bulldogs have always done, and therefore have always been 'working dogs'. PP/Sch did not exist in the 1870's and was never required in the WEB or BB, nor is it today or should it ever be. The WEBPS is dedicated to preserving the original type bulldogs used on the frontier, beginning with the first Spanish settlers. 

"Bulldog vs. Buffalo" - As it originally appeared in Outing Magazine in October of 1887.

"Among the many stories about dogs bothering buffalo, probably the best was told by R. G. Carter, an Army officer at Fort Concho in West Texas. The post was one of the newest and most remote military establishments then on the western frontier. Vast numbers of buffalo could be found near the post. On March 25,1871, as Ranald S. Mackenzie, and five companies of the Fourth Cavalry were ordered to proceed to Fort Richardson, about 230 miles northeast, and relieve the Sixth Cavalry, then under marching orders forKansas. The troopers set out. By March 31 the column moved from a high mesa to a vast area of plains. As the soldiers emerged, they saw an almost ending prairie covered by buffalo. For a time the column pushed along beside them, but soon there were too many buffalo that the march was halted. What happened next is told in Carter's own words:

'Mackenzie, becoming a little impatient at the blockade, seized a rifle from one of the men, and dismounting, attempted, by firing at the heads of the herds, to swerve the immense throng, which were now so crowding upon the advanced company as to become positively dangerous, the horses showing great fear and becoming almost unmanageable.
He fired several shots. The nearest herd swerved; but, contrary to their instincts, came roaring down beside and parallel to our mounted troopers. This was a little too much, even for well-trained, disciplined cavalry soldiers, and the men, in their intense excitement, forgetful of orders, commenced a rattling fusillade from their saddles. The buffalo veered off, but not before several were wounded. The firing was sternly ordered to cease.

One gigantic bull, a leader, was nearest; he was badly wounded. As was the case on nearly all marches of troops changing station on the frontier, many dogs of all ages, sizes and degrees, had, under protest, accompanied the column to the Colorado River; here many of the worthless curs were left or drowned while fording; but there were several remaining, and it was these that had turned the buffalo down the column. There was among them a large, white English bulldog, belonging to the regimental band. He was a powerful brute, and had been trained to pull down beeves at the slaughter corral at Fort Concho. He was, withal, a prime favorite with the soldiers, not withstanding his ferocity. The pack of dogs were in full cry after the stampeding herds of bellowing beasts as they rushed and tore along the column with their peculiar, rolling gait. But "King," the bulldog, singled out the immense wounded leader, who had now slackened his speed and was faltering in his tracks. He sprang at his throat with great courage,
fastening upon him, and the battle commenced, with the column as silent spectators. It was a novel spectacle.

The bronzed troopers, the great, shaggy beasts thundering by; the white-topped wagon train closed up and halted; the fleeting shadows, and the almost limitless stretch of surrounding prairie and vast solitude. The bull went down on his knees, but so great was his strength that he quickly arose and whirled the dog in great circles above his head. "King" had been taught to never let go. The entire command now watched with breathless attention the apparently unequal struggle, expecting every moment to see the dog crushed to death. Down went the bull again on his knees, this time not from any weakness, but to gore the dog; rising, he would stamp his feet in rage, then shaking his a while, he would resume swinging and snapping him like a whip cord through the air. The foam, now bloody, flecked the long, tawny beard of the bison bull. His eyes, nearly concealed in the long, matted hair that covered his shaggy head, flashed fire, and his rage knew no bounds. The dog, which had commenced the fight a pure white, now turned to a spotted crimson from blood which had flowed from the buffalo's wounds, and still his brute instincts, tenacious courage and training led him to hold on. Had he let go for a moment, the crazed bull would have gored him to death before he could have retreated. The bull grew perceptibly weaker; he rose to his feet less often. He could no longer throw the dog in circles above his head.

The blood stained "King" to a more vivid red, and begrimed with dirt, he had lost all semblance to his former self. All were anxiously looking for the struggle to end. Impatience was already displayed upon the men's faces, when suddenly General Mackenzie shouted, "Kill the animal and put him out of his misery!" It was a merciful command. Two men stepped forward to the enormous beast, now on his knees and rocking to and fro, the dog still holding on--and placing their carbines behind the left shoulder, to reach a vital point, fired. He gave one great quiver, one last spasmodic rocking, and spread himself upon the vast prairie dead. Not till then did "King" let go!

So great had been the courage of this favorite dog in his fearful struggle, that months after when and order had been issued for all cur dogs--always an accumulative nuisance at a frontier post-- to be exterminated, "King," the white bulldog belonging to the Fourth Cavalry band, was exempted by a special order.' "

The Buffalo Book by David A. Dary

"Jack, the Brindle Bulldog"

Jack took his role as protector very seriously, which sometimes was more of a hindrance than a help, particularly in Indian Territory. Pa had to keep Jack tied up to prevent him from biting the Indians who sometimes visited the Ingalls home and causing trouble for the settlers. He proved his worth, however, when he saved the family's lives.

When the family contracted fever 'n' ague (malaria) on the Kansas prairie, they were all too sick to go for help. It is likely they would have died before anyone realized their predicament. However, Jack saved their lives by running to meet Dr. Tann as he rode down the trail past the house, begging him to come in.

While the stories told about Jack in Little House on the Prairie are true, in real life, Jack's adventures with the Ingalls family ended as they returned to the Big Woods. Jack liked to spend his time with the ponies, Pet and Patty, and when Pa traded them for horses, Jack wanted to stay with them, so Pa let him go.

After returning to the Big Woods, the family got another dog, this time a black and white spotted puppy which they named Wolf. Wolf was probably left behind when the family left the Big Woods the second time, for the family did not have a dog when they lived on Plum Creek. There was no need for a dog there, because it was settled country. Because the children loved Jack so, Laura continued to include him in her stories in On the Banks of Plum Creek.

When she began writing By the Shores of Silver Lake, however, Laura decided that Jack must no longer continue to be part of the story. She used this opportunity to help make the transition from the child Laura of the previous books to the young lady Laura she has now become.

http://www.liwfrontiergirl.com

Many conflicting stories surround the foundation American Bulldog JDJ's Dick the Bruiser. The following is a photo of the first Boxer Club in 1896 compared to a well known photo of the foundation American Bulldog JDJ's Dick the Bruiser. Below these we have yet another very early Boxer again beside JDJ's DTB. 

Some claim the American Bulldog was developed from the Colby APBT, however, we beg to differ.