![The English Bulldog
If I had to pick an athletic breed of dog it’s fair to say the English Bulldog wouldn’t come to mind. However, a whopping thirty-nine American universities use a Bulldog as their mascot. So what makes the English Bulldog a more popular mascot than the “smarter” and more athletic Border Collie or Golden Retriever? They [...]](http://guymanningham.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/UGA-Bulldogs.jpg "Famous English Bulldog Mascots")
The English Bulldog
If I had to pick an athletic breed of dog it’s fair to say the English Bulldog wouldn’t come to mind. However, a whopping thirty-nine American universities use a Bulldog as their mascot. So what makes the English Bulldog a more popular mascot than the “smarter” and more athletic Border Collie or Golden Retriever? They lack a certain ingredient that makes the Bulldog such an iconic mascot; heart.
Contrary to popular belief, English Bulldogs weren’t bred to guard couches. They actually have a long history in the working dog category. Bulldogs were originally bred - as their name would suggest - to fight bulls. Their purpose was to bait bulls by clamping on to their nose and pulling them to the ground. The object was for the dogs to immobilize the bull. Bulldogs have an extremely powerful jaw and are able to lock onto anything with tenacity.
Another great characteristic of this unassuming underdog would be their stubbornness or relentlessness, depending if you are a glass-half-full kind of guy. Bulldogs are known for their independent can-do attitude. Give them an obstacle and they will chew through it, literally. On top of all this, the ladies seem to love these sour-faced low riders.
Overall, the characteristics of a bulldog have served to make them cherished as a breed and a perfect sports mascot. Below we have compliled the most popular English Bulldog mascots. Tell us your favorite and we will add it to our list.
*Click the thumbnails below to view full images
Please add The Citadel Mascots General and Boo