historians are fairly confident that the old english bulldog is derived from ancient war dogs, such as the old mastiff or the extinct alaunt dog. others believe that the true origin of the breed is not entirely clear. depictions in old prints show that the variety was without doubt a small mastiff with a comparatively long head. the word 'mastiff' was eventually dropped when describing these smaller mastiffs, as the mastiff proper was found too slow for bull-baiting.