Dudley Terrier

Descended from the old Irish Bulldog, from which it inherited its trademark red nose, the Dudley Terrier was developed as a separate strain of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed. This prized fighting dog was created in the 19th century in England's Black Country region by "sport" enthusiasts of the time. Taller and leaner than a standard Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the tenacious Dudley Bulldogge was very popular and is believed to be one of the most influential bloodlines in the creation of early Irish and American pit fighters. Even today, certain red-nosed strains of the American Pit Bull Terrier seem to be highly valued among the breed's fanciers and the term "Dudley Nose" is still commonly used to describe dogs of poor pigmentation.

The Black Country Bulldogge might be extinct and forgotten, but its blood remains present in many modern bully breeds, most notably the Irish Staffordshire Bullterrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier, as well as the breeds they've influenced worldwide.

The Dudley Terrier was athletic, muscular and short-coated, always fawn, tan or red in colour, with or without white markings on the chest and feet. Average height is around 20 inches.