The Bulldog was originally thought to be a butcher's
dog, used to subdue an animal for slaughter. It was
then bred to participate in the "sport" of
bullbaiting, an extremely cruel activity. The
original Bulldog had to be courageous, very ferocious
and savage. It also had to be almost insensitive to
pain. Many of the features in the current bulldog
standard are derived from the physical requirements
needed by these dogs.
When bullbaiting was outlawed in England in 1835, the Bulldog, as it then existed, had outlived its purpose and would no longer exist as a breed. However, there was a group of dog lovers who felt that the Bulldog breed should not be allowed to disappear and decided to preserve it. In order to preserve the breed, they had to remove its undesirable fierce characteristics, while preserving and accentuating its finer qualities. Within a few generations the Bulldog became one of the finest physical specimens of dogdom without the viciousness they previously exhibited. The people who saved the breed formed an organization that eventually became The Bulldog Club, Inc. - the "mother" club of the breed worldwide.
When the English immigrated to America thereafter, their Bulldog came with them. A few dedicated bulldog fanciers formed the Bulldog Club of America in 1890. The BCA was one of the first breed clubs to become a member of the new regulatory registry and show-approval organization, The American Kennel Club. Although BCA was originally composed of a small group of men in the northeastern United States, membership in the group began to spread across the country and the structure of the Club was reshaped in 1950 to recognize that fact. At that time, the two-tiered structure of the club - sectional groups united in a strong national organization to serve the best interest of the breed - was adopted.
Since one major goal of BCA's reorganization was to guarantee representation in all areas of the country, the club structure was organized in a form similar to our national government - a National organization composed of Divisions comprising groups of states. Although the National organization sets policy and governs the organization, each of the Divisions is responsible for BCA activities with the states included within the Division's territory.
National Officers are elected by all members of BCA biennially for two-year terms and are the Executive branch of BCA's government. The National Officers are elected from the Divisions in successive numerical order.
A Council, composed of representatives (Councilors) elected by the members of the respective Divisions, is the Legislative branch. All rules of the club and, with one exception, changes to the governing documents of the Club are initiated by the Council.
Each Division is governed by a Board made up of Division Officers and Governors, elected by members of that Division to carry out the work of BCA within the Division's geographical boundaries. The Councilors elected by each Division are available to advise the Division Board of National issues relevant to the activities of the Division.
You join the Bulldog Club of America through the Division in which you live. BCA has delegated to the Divisions the authority to make all decisions for membership applicants in their territory.
When bullbaiting was outlawed in England in 1835, the Bulldog, as it then existed, had outlived its purpose and would no longer exist as a breed. However, there was a group of dog lovers who felt that the Bulldog breed should not be allowed to disappear and decided to preserve it. In order to preserve the breed, they had to remove its undesirable fierce characteristics, while preserving and accentuating its finer qualities. Within a few generations the Bulldog became one of the finest physical specimens of dogdom without the viciousness they previously exhibited. The people who saved the breed formed an organization that eventually became The Bulldog Club, Inc. - the "mother" club of the breed worldwide.
When the English immigrated to America thereafter, their Bulldog came with them. A few dedicated bulldog fanciers formed the Bulldog Club of America in 1890. The BCA was one of the first breed clubs to become a member of the new regulatory registry and show-approval organization, The American Kennel Club. Although BCA was originally composed of a small group of men in the northeastern United States, membership in the group began to spread across the country and the structure of the Club was reshaped in 1950 to recognize that fact. At that time, the two-tiered structure of the club - sectional groups united in a strong national organization to serve the best interest of the breed - was adopted.
Since one major goal of BCA's reorganization was to guarantee representation in all areas of the country, the club structure was organized in a form similar to our national government - a National organization composed of Divisions comprising groups of states. Although the National organization sets policy and governs the organization, each of the Divisions is responsible for BCA activities with the states included within the Division's territory.
National Officers are elected by all members of BCA biennially for two-year terms and are the Executive branch of BCA's government. The National Officers are elected from the Divisions in successive numerical order.
A Council, composed of representatives (Councilors) elected by the members of the respective Divisions, is the Legislative branch. All rules of the club and, with one exception, changes to the governing documents of the Club are initiated by the Council.
Each Division is governed by a Board made up of Division Officers and Governors, elected by members of that Division to carry out the work of BCA within the Division's geographical boundaries. The Councilors elected by each Division are available to advise the Division Board of National issues relevant to the activities of the Division.
You join the Bulldog Club of America through the Division in which you live. BCA has delegated to the Divisions the authority to make all decisions for membership applicants in their territory.