Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier: BREED BOX Country: England Size: 50-70lb(23-32kg), 22in (56cm) Temperament: Courageous, clownish, fearless, loyal Grooming: Little Recognition: AKC, CKC, UKC, NZKC, FCI

The Bull Terrier can often appear forbidding because of his tough guy, muscular build, but these dogs are really playful clowns. They are sweet and fun-loving and devoted to their families. They love children and make a great family dog.

Breed History

The British began crossing Bulldogs and Terriers in the early 1800s for dogfighting purposes. However, dogfighting was on its way out and was outlawed. There were plenty of people who loved the dogs and wanted to preserve them, minus their former aggression. By 1860 the dog we know today as the Bull Terrier began to be established with an all-white coat. At that time they were known as White Cavaliers.

A man named James Hinks, who was a dog dealer in Birmingham, England, developed the Bull Terrier by breeding the Bulldog Terrier dogs of that time with his own white Bulldog and a White English Terrier (now extinct). He may have also added in some Dalmatian and Greyhound to produce the Bull Terrier. These dogs were bred with the idea of showing them in dog shows, as well as making them a good companion dog.

These “White Cavaliers,” or Bull Terriers, became very popular and were brought to the United states. The Bull Terrier Club of America was established in 1897.

Later, in the early 1900s, Bull Terriers were crossed with brindle Staffordshire Bull Terriers to produce a colored variety of dog. The colored dogs were recognized as a separate variety in 1936. Today’s white Bull Terrier often has a colored patch on his head.

The Bull Terrier, both white and colored varieties, has appeared in countless cartoons, books, movies and ads.

Appearance

The Bull Terrier is a strongly-built dog. They are muscular and active. The dogs have a keen, determined and intelligent expression. The breed’s head is one of their defining characteristics and it is shaped something like an egg in profile. The full face should be oval in outline and completely full. The underjaw should be deep and well-defined. The ears should be small, thin and relatively close together. They may be held stiffly erect and point upwards. The dog’s eyes should be sunken and as dark as possible, with a piercing glint. They are triangular in shape. The body is well-rounded. The tail should be short and set on low. The dog has a short, flat, harsh coat with a fine gloss. The skin should fit tightly. Bull Terriers are white but markings on the head are allowed.

Colored Bull Terriers look the same as the Bull Terrier except colors are allowed, with brindle being preferred.

The Bull Terrier weighs between 50 and 70 pounds and they stand between 21 and 22 inches tall at the shoulder.

In The Home

In the home the Bull Terrier is a devoted and loving dog. They become very attached to their owners. They are very clownish and playful dogs. According to one source they are like three year-old children in a dog suit. They are very friendly dogs with a sweet disposition.

Bull Terriers don’t like to be left alone and they can have issues if they’re left alone too much. These dogs typically love children and get along well with them. However, since they are very playful, you should be careful that they don’t become over-stimulated and play too roughly around small children. They are rather large dogs and they could accidentally hurt a small child.

Bull Terriers are intelligent and they do well in obedience, agility and other dog activities. They respond well to positive reinforcement — training with praise and rewards. They like to please people and they will try very hard to make you happy with any kind of training.

Given their size and strength, it’s a good idea to start basic obedience training with a Bull Terrier puppy when he is young. They can learn fast and training at a young age will ensure that your puppy is well-behaved when he becomes an adult.

Good socialization is also recommended for your Bull Terrier puppy. Take him places with you and let him see new things and new places. Encourage friendly strangers to pet him and give him treats. Allow him to meet other friendly dogs on leashes. The more socialization you do with your puppy when he’s young, the more well-adjusted your dog will be as an adult. Good socialization can help your dog avoid dog behavior problems such as separation anxiety, nuisance barking and destructive chewing when he’s an adult.

Bull Terriers can be very enthusiastic, gung-ho dogs and they may be too much for some first-time pet owners. They make great pets but they may do best with an experienced dog owner. If you are a laid back, timid person, then the Bull Terrier may be too assertive for you.

Bull Terriers don’t always get along well with other pets, especially smaller animals such as cats and hamsters. If you plan to have more than one Bull Terrier it’s usually best to have a male and a female. Males don’t always get along with other males; and females don’t always get along with other females. The same is true if you have a Bull Terrier and another dog of any breed. They do best with dogs of the opposite sex.

Care

The Bull Terrier requires minimal grooming. With a short, flat coat, you will need to brush your Bull Terrier about once a week to avoid excess shedding. You will also need to clean his ears regularly and trim his nails regularly.

Like other dogs, the Bull Terrier is prone to some health problems. If you are interested in a Bull Terrier you should talk to a breeder about possible health problems in the breed. Ask about health testing. Health testing can often prevent health problems from being passed along to a dog’s offspring.

Some of the health problems which can appear in the Bull Terrier include deafness, which can be tested for in puppies by a BAER test; skin allergies, umbilical hernias and acne. Some Bull Terriers are said to be prone to obsessive compulsive disorder but there are no studies to support this claim.

Bull Terriers typically live to be 10-12 years old.

Where to Find a Bull Terrier

There is much confusion in the U.S. and elsewhere about Bull Terriers and other bully breeds. Many people confuse these sweet, playful dogs, which are not aggressive and which are not used for dog fighting, with pit bulls and other bully breeds. Consequently, if you try to find a Bull Terrier you may have problems finding just what you’re looking for. The AKC parent breed club in the United States is the Bull Terrier Club of America. You can contact them for information about Bull Terrier breeders. They also have a very active rescue network, including a rescue hotline, to help people rescue and adopt Bull Terriers.

Naturally, you can also visit your local animal shelter to see if they have a Bull Terrier. It’s likely that they will have many bully breed dogs. They may or may not have any Bull Terriers. Before getting a rescued bully breed dog it’s a good idea to talk to people who rescue these dogs to make sure that they are the right breed for you.

• Ideal Owners: The Bull Terrier requires an owner that can give it ample human companion. They make great family dogs as they are wonderful with children if handled with common sense.
• Other Names: English Bull Terrier
• Coat Color: White, Fawn, Red, Tricolor, Black-Brindle
• Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

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