I don’t think there’s another dog breed on earth that represents a country quite like the English Bulldog represents Britain. The French have the poodle, I suppose, but nobody looks at a poodle and thinks “unwavering determination in the face of adversity.” The Americans have the… what, the golden retriever? That’s just enthusiasm. Which is very American, to be fair, but it’s not the same thing.
The bulldog is different. The bulldog is short, stocky, stubborn, and absolutely refuses to back down even when backing down is clearly the more sensible option. It will stand its ground on principle alone. It will fall asleep in the middle of doing something important and feel no shame about it. It will steal your food and look you dead in the eye while chewing. If that’s not the most British animal alive, I don’t know what is.
Our British & Proud collection started because of this — the idea that the bulldog isn’t just a pet, it’s a national mood. And apparently a lot of you agree, because it’s become one of our most popular ranges.
Where it started
The British & Proud Bulldog Canvas was genuinely one of the first things we ever made. It was a bit of an experiment — a bulldog, the Union Jack, a bit of attitude. We put it up on the site and waited.
It sold three times in the first week. Then someone in Manchester bought one and posted a photo of it hanging in their hallway with the caption “finally, some culture in this house.” Her partner apparently responded with “we have a Banksy in the bedroom” and she said “yes, and the bulldog stays.”
It’s 27x35cm (11x14 inches), it’s £15.99, and it’s been our most consistent seller for over a year. Something about it just works. It’s bold without being aggressive, patriotic without being political, and it makes people smile.
The poster collection
Once we knew the canvas worked, we expanded. Because one bulldog is never enough — much like actual bulldogs.
The British & Proud – Union Jack Poster is the classic. Red, white, blue, and one very determined-looking bulldog. £12.99, A3 size, and it looks brilliant in a dark frame.
The British & Proud – St George’s Cross Poster swaps the Union Jack for England’s own flag. This one tends to sell particularly well around St George’s Day (April 23rd, if you need to plan ahead) and during the football. Nothing says “it’s coming home” quite like a bulldog in front of a red cross. £12.99.
Then there’s We Stand Firm to Protect Our Land. This one’s a bit bolder — the words, the flag, the bulldog standing solid. It’s the one people buy for garages, sheds, and man caves. It’s also the one that gets bought most often as gifts for dads and grandads. £12.99.
We Are Ready completes the range. Available in both A3 (£8.50) and A2 (£9.99) for people who want to go large. And honestly, with this design, going large is the right call. It’s a statement piece. It belongs on a wall where it can be properly appreciated.
The mugs (because Britain runs on tea)
You can’t do a patriotic collection without mugs. It’s practically law.
The Union Jack Bulldog Mug is £5.99 and features the same bulldog design on a classic white ceramic mug. It’s the one you drink your morning brew from while reading the news and shaking your head at the state of things.
The St George’s Cross Bulldog Mug is the same price, same quality, different flag. For the proudly English among us.
And the Patriotic Bulldog Mug features the words “My Home, My Country” alongside the Union Jack and a bulldog who looks like he’s personally defending the realm. It’s £5.99 and it makes a cracking Father’s Day gift.
Who’s buying these?
When we launched the British collection, I assumed the audience would be, well, bulldog owners. And they are — a lot of them. But the range has attracted a much wider group than we expected.
We get orders from veterans and serving military who like the pride without the politics. Football fans who want something for the den. People living abroad who are homesick for Britain (we ship to several countries and get a surprising number of orders from Australia and Canada). Dads and grandads who are impossible to buy for but apparently become very easy to buy for when you put a bulldog on a flag.
And, yes, a lot of actual bulldog owners who just want their living room to reflect the fact that their 25kg lap dog is, in fact, a national icon.
The full British collection is worth browsing if any of that sounds like your kind of thing. We’re adding new designs regularly — including a lion range that’s been getting a lot of interest.