Yes, "Bull Dogs" Fought Bulls
“Bull dogs” actually got their breed name because they would willingly fight bulls—and sometimes win. Despite the bull being over TEN TIMES heavier and with HORNS. The 80-pound dog could bring down a bull weighing almost a ton by corkscrewing its body around the bull’s neck. The dog would also grab the bull’s nose, which I don’t imagine was as successful.
That’s how brave these dogs are. Of course, bull baiting was out-lawed in 1835 (after 350 years of the “sport”), many dogs died, but it speaks to the breed’s bravery and loyalty to its owner. The dog loved its owner, was bred for aggression, and followed orders. True friends are scarce, and, personally, if someone loved me so much they were willing to face a torturous death on my order, I’d do everything I could to keep them out of harm’s way. Clearly the dog was a better friend than its owner.
Bull baiting peaked in the 1800’s, just prior to being outlawed in the U.K. I’m surprised this wasn’t mentioned in the article below of the Texas Longhorns mascot bull (Bevo) charging the University of Georgia’s bulldog mascot (Uga) since the origins of the “bull dog’s” name is from its previous history with the bull. Neither mascot was hurt, and Bevo’s handler assures us that the Longhorn is as sweet as a lamb.