“Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.” This idiomatic expression must seem the height of absurdity to a 21st century teenager. Marginally less absurd is one explanation about its origins: In medieval times, people shared scarce bathwater, and by the time the baby was bathed, the water was so murky that the baby was at risk of being thrown out with the water. Ewwwww.

The expression’s real origins date to 1512 when it first appeared in Thomas Murner’s satirical work, “Narrenbeschwörung” (Appeal to Fools), a treatise on fools who, in trying to rid themselves of a bad thing, succeed in destroying whatever good there is, as well.

From our perspective as purebred dog advocates, we don’t believe in eradicating or neglecting a breed because we don’t approve of its historical function. Otters aren’t hunted, anymore, but the Otterhound is a terrific breed. Fox hunts have fallen out of favor, but Foxhounds are terrific dogs. We don’t bait bulls anymore, but the Bulldog is a beloved breed, and the focus of this post.

The Bulldog (along with the Dachshund) is one of the most vivid examples of form following function. The Bulldog’s signature undershot jaw enabled the dog to hang onto a bull with a vise-like grip. The looseness of his skin often served as a deterrent to punctures from the bull’s horns. His low-and-low forefront challenged the bull’s frontal attacks, and short hocks provided excellent stamina. His forehead and facial wrinkles directed the bull’s secretions away from his nose and eyes, and finally, that nose! Broad and deep set between the eyes, and situated as it was, which is to say well laid back, enabled the dog to breathe even as he hung on to the bull.

The various characteristics of this breed as they appear in the standard are referred to as “points,” and in that standard, there is a scale of points, the highest point score being six. Only one attribute is important enough to warrant a six, and that is the nose for the reasons mentioned above.

These are not pleasant things to think about, and one recoils in horror at the plight of bulls all those centuries ago. Most societies mature and find less amusement in the torment of animals than they used to, and mercifully, bull baiting is a thing of the past. From our point of view, the Bulldog is a marvelous companion with a kind and resolute demeanor, and it is well worth the effort to preserve and protect it with mindful breeding practices. We’re glad it didn’t vanish when the ancient “sport” did.

Image: English Bulldog Revamp by Barbara Keith
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