Evolution is probably the right word to use when talking about the Club's mascot, colours and nicknames; with a wide variety used over our 90 years in the competition.
Why Blue and White?
While the popular colours of Blue and White have generally been accepted for the duration of the Club's proud 90-Year History, there has been some variance.
A clear explanation in the Club's 'Dogs of War' book states:
“The selected colours, blue and white, are linked to the NSW Labor Party, for the simple reason that all pioneering officials were Labor people, and when it came to selecting the club’s colours, for them, it was obvious – blue and white.”
The only major change in colours came during a three-year period during 1943-1945 in the midst of World War II, a drastic change of the Club's jersey due to rationing of dyes and materials.
Across the NSWRFL, clubs had changed their designs to assist in the wartime effort, with many moving from stripes to a chevron design, while foregoing colours such as white and blue.
Because of this, Canterbury made the bold decision to run out in jerseys with a maroon base and sky blue chevron, one that was met with very little fanfare and success, which was then reverted back to the original Blue and White in 1946.
Over the years other colours have been fleetingly used in alternate jersey designs including silver, black and purple (in conjunction with Women in League Round), however the famous Blue and White remain as a staple of the Bulldogs' identity.
The Early Days; See-Bees, Cantabs, Berries
In the Club's early days, references in Rugby League programs and newspapers were many and varied in regards to their name.
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 in the 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.
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 an 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 well into the 1940s that the Club began to be known more and more as the Berries, derived so obviously from the name of Canterbury.
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.
Becoming Bulldogs
The transition from 'Berries' to 'Bulldogs' in 1977 was simply a case of necessity. Canterbury was the only Club without a mascot 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 1977, the 'Berries' were dead and buried.
By the end of 1978, however, the modern game, with its ripe marketing opportunities for licensed characters and merchandising virtually insisted on a link with a mascot.
The Bulldog seemed the perfect solution and coincided with Premiership success soon after.
The first instance of the 'Bulldog' being suggested can be traced back to August 30, 1975 in Rugby League Week, argued by Geoff Prenter:
Canterbury Bulldogs?
By Geoff Prenter
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, Club officials at the time claimed the magazine had no right to suggest the change, citing 'Berries' as a traditional name, while several fans lodged protests.
But now, there is no longer confusion over our emblem. The proud Bulldog on all pieces of merchandise will last forever.
Just two years later, 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. We've been wanting a mascot for some time now and we felt it was time this year.
Secretary Peter Moore In early 1977
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.
The Bulldogs chant developed into an institution which would spur players on from the grandstand - it was time for them to dig deep and take control of the game.
A Modern Approach
The Super League War in the mid-1990s saw a number of clubs broaden their horizons, opting for some 'new age' approaches to their branding and naming conventions.
The Bulldogs were no different; famously lifting the trophy in 1995 as the 'Sydney Bulldogs' before reverting back to Canterbury-Bankstown the following year.
With the Club's decision to join the Super League in 1997, all clubs in the competition went without logos due to copyright claims.
But with the National Rugby League forming in 1998, the Club opted to change their logo to present a new modern image moving forward, with two major reasons forcing the decision;
- The Bulldog logo was claimed to be the intellectual property of the ARL
- The demands of meeting the NRL Rationalisation Criteria before the year 2000 meant that the Club needed to be pro-active in making sure that all marketing opportunities were realised.
In the year 2000, the name officially changed simply to 'Bulldogs' in an attempt to broaden its supporter base.
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90-Year Anniversary Logo Release
Coming Full Circle
The Club returned to its roots in 2010, going back to Canterbury-Bankstown and releasing a new logo to go alongside it that featured the original 'CB' insignia.
It was a refreshing move that brought in a unique new look while acknowledging the Club's traditions and district, with the logo being present for the best part of fifteen years, including two Grand Finals and a Minor Premiership.
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.
The newest look represents not only the Bulldogs' rich history and tradition, but all eras of players, staff, Members and supporters both young and old.
