I found some info online that some of you may find pretty interesting. First, a couple of painting taken from etchings made near the end of hte Bull-baiting Era. First "Wasp, Child, and Billy" from 1806, said at the time to be the last of the original Bulldogs. The painting shows almost cropped-looking ears, but in the etching they look Rose.
Also, "Crib and Rosa" from 1817.
Descriptions I've found say the dogs at the time were closer to the 50 pound mark, and that the practice could actually be traced back to the 1200's or earlier. They were purposefully on the small side because they would approach the bull from a low position to avoid the bulls horns. The noses look shorter and a bit bullier, but in general they look similar to a small version of a Johnson AB.
Now, even more interesting was this quote I found online: "In the early 1980's or about J.D. Johnson sent one of his NKC American Bulldog bitches to be out-crossed to a champion English Bulldog. This is a FACT Johnson's Bullmead's Queen was half English Bulldog, her sire was Westchamp's High Hopes." The interesting part is that Bullmead was the name of Dave Leavitts kennel, and that High Hopes was one of his foundation dogs for the OEB!
I know that JDJ Georgia Girl was also one of the foundation dogs that Leavitt used, but I guess I never put 2 and 2 together to realize that JDJ was JD Johnson? Anyone know if Georgia Girl was an AB? In the picture I have she doesn't really look it. Also, now that I know a bit more about them, Westchamps High Hopes was also crossed with Pepper Pot of Alan Scott for the OEB's foundation. Anyone know anything about Pepper Pot?
To all the AB enthusiasts out there, does this sound right?
Oh, and sorry to highjack the thread.