The BCA was established in 1890 and incorporated under the laws of the State of New York on February 29, 1904. The purposes for which the club was formed were well stated by the framers of its constitution. Specifically:

• To maintain a standard of excellence for the guidance of breeders, owners and judges.
• To improve the breed through encouragement of effort directed toward approach to, or attainment of, the degree of excellence set forth in the standard of the bulldog breed.
• To stimulate interest in competitive public showings of bulldogs.
• To further the interests of the Breed. To work for the general good of breeders, owners and exhibitors of bulldogs.