Berries to Bulldogs: Our Evolution /

The transition from 'Berries' to 'Bulldogs' in 1978 was simply a case of necessity. Canterbury was the only club without an animal for its emblem. Even the relatively new clubs (at the time), Cronulla and Penrith were known respectively as the Sharks and the Panthers.

To determine the emblem, the club went to its supporters and undertook their own market test. The most popular name without question was 'The Bulldogs'. From the start of 1978, the 'Berries' were dead and buried.

In the Club's early days, references in Rugby League programs and newspapers were many and varied. 

On May 6, 1935, the Rugby League News headed its story: "St George v See-Bees".

The story explained: "Some of the Hillites have already shortened Canterbury-Bankstown to club's title to the more easy to handle one of 'See-Bees'."

On May 11, there was reference int he same program to the 'Berries'. Canterbury were also called the 'C-Bs', and the 'Cantabs', the latter reference coming from the club itself in its chatter column in Rugby League news.

Even in 1942, the club persisted with the title, again in their weekly chatter column.

'Cantabs are all gleeful at the fact that they have won their second premiership in eight years as a district club, which is a fine achievement," said the report.

In 1936, however, the club earned the somewhat derisive title of 'country bumpkins' because of their buying spree in the country at the start of the season. The game had rarely seen such n intense buying drive, and it took Canterbury to the semi-finals.

But it was obvious in 1940, as the 'country bumpkin' title wore thin and became outdated that Canterbury was still searching for an identity. In the midst of references such as 'Cantabs', 'Berries' and 'See-Bees' came a new one, 'Canter-Banks'.

It wasn't until the club moved well into the 1940s that Canterbury began to be known more and more as the Berries, derived so obviously from the name of the club Canter(bury).

One can imagine how difficult it would have been to come to grips with 'Buries'. The spelling was simply poetic license. It had nothing to do with stoneless fruit, or the like.

But 'Berries' ran off the tongue easily and it was a recognisable catch cry at matches. By the end of 1977, however, the modern game, with its ripe marketing opportunities for licensed characters and merchandising virtually insisted on a link with an animal.

The Bulldog seemed the perfect solution. Like Manly in the late 1960s when they changed their emblem from the seagull to the more aggressive sea eagle, the switch was to coincide with premiership victories for both clubs.

The first instance of the 'Bulldog' can be traced back to August 30, 1975 in Rugby League Week via Geoff Prenter:

Canterbury Bulldogs?

Why don't Canterbury change their nickname from Berries to Bulldogs?

The name Berries hardly typifies a team of tough first grade footballers. Bulldogs would be more like it. 

I ask you, does Bill Noonan of Phil Charlton look like a Berry? Bulldog, yes!

The Canterbury Bulldogs would also give the media better means of publicising Canterbury. 

Cartoonists find it almost impossible to draw a Berry and link it with a football team. 

But a bulldog gives them dozens of ways of depicting Canterbury as a rugged tear 'em at the trousers team. 

You can crush a berry but try crushing a bulldog.

I have seldom heard a crowd of Canterbury fans, cheering for the Berries, shout: "Come on Berries?" 

Doesn't sound inspiring, does it?

But how about "Go bulldogs, go!" 

That's more encouraging.

You don't hear Balmain fans chanting for 'the Mains'. 

But you hear plenty of them yelling for the Tigers.

So let's hear about the Belmore Bulldogs.

Ironically, according to the article, Canterbury officials at the time put in complaints claiming the magazine had no right to suggest the change, citing 'Berries' as a traditional name, while several fans lodged protests.

For Canterbury, there is no longer confusion over their emblem. That proud bulldog peering out from all pieces of Canterbury merchandise will last forever.

However, in the first issue of Rugby League Week on March 26, 1977, the Club had officially changed the name ahead of the season kick-off courtesy of The Sun Herald:

BITE IN THE BERRIES' NEW MASCOT 

by Gary Lester

Canterbury Bankstown Rugby League club have adopted the Bulldogs as their mascot. 

They will no longer be known as the Berries. 

"We are the bulldogs now" said club secretary Peter Moore today.

"We've been wanting a mascot for some time now and we felt it was time this year." 

Facing? Sunday's match against Cronulla at Belmore, six champion bulldogs will be paraded.

The players will be led out by Rocky, considered the finest bulldog import in Australia. 

Rugby League Week doubled down with another short column, stating:

More on the Canterbury Bulldogs. It had to happen. 

Canterbury fans soon adopted the bulldogs as their mascot at Belmore on Sunday.

Gone was the time-honoured "Berries" chant, and "Bulldogs, bow-wow-wow" was the new cry.

When Cronulla took a 7-5 lead a wit from Canterbury despairingly yelled "Who stole the Pal?"

In 1978 following a competition-wide logo rebranding, the famous Bulldogs logo was born and adorned onto the jersey.

It proved to be one of the most popular amongst fans and supporters - one that would be synonymous with the greatest period in Club history; featuring in nine Grand Finals and four Premierships. 

With the Club's decision to join the Super League in 1997, all clubs in the competition went without logos due to copyright claims, with the Bulldogs releasing a slicker, simpler design the following season, known purely as 'Bulldogs' and dropping Canterbury-Bankstown from the official name. 

Under the new leadership of CEO Todd Greenberg, the Club returned to its roots in 2010, with the return of Canterbury-Bankstown and releasing a new logo to go alongside it.

In 2025, a new logo  tying together three of the most iconic logos of the past was made to commemorate our 90th year in the top grade, adorned on all Club merchandise and apparel as we both celebrate our past and enter a new era.