I guess I'll answer my own question, since no one else seems to want to.
"
In 1835 the British Parliament outlawed bull baiting, a sadistic gambling game in which bulldogs were used to attack and harass bulls brought to market with the dubious intention of tenderizing the meat. The dog would assault the bull, avoid the stomping hooves and slashing horns, grab a tender nose or ear, and hang on until the bull collapsed. Commoners and royalty alike sought diversion from the violence and diseases of their day by attending these bloody spectacles until a public outcry forced Parliament to take a stand.
Once bull baiting was banned, dog breeders who appreciated the fierceness, courage, and tenacity of the bull dogs turned their attentions to breeding dogs for dog fighting. They began with the bull dog, mixed in some terrier blood, and produced the Bull and Terrier, a dog that met all of their expectations. The Bull and Terrier was bred for aggression to other dogs, unrelenting bravery, a high pain threshold, a willingness to fight to the end, and an affection for people."
As an aside, when I informed my insurance man that I had a large dog (Briard), he told me not to tell him that!
Correct. Momma was turned down (by one insurance company) for insurance because she had the Rottweiler. They never heard of a Kangal, so that was OK.....the most aggressive dog of the two is the Kangal....so much for informed decisions, heh?
>I had a large dog (Briard), he told me not to tell him that!<
I'm glad you don't live near me! The Briards I know are nasty, snappish dog-aggressive animals.