Few groups of dogs generate as much debate, affection, fear and misunderstanding as the bull breeds. In Britain, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been a much-loved family dog for generations. The Bulldog has become something of a national symbol. French Bulldogs are now seen everywhere from city centres to country villages, while Bull Terriers, Bullmastiffs, Boxers and American Bulldogs all have their own devoted following.

We often hear certain dogs described as “ancient breeds.” The Basenji, Saluki, Akita, Shiba Inu, Chow Chow, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed and Afghan Hound are just some of the dogs regularly given this label. They are often described as being thousands of years old, genetically closer to the wolf and fundamentally different from the modern breeds we live with today.