Bull Terrier naughty & lovely dogs

Bull Terrier Dogs
Bull Terriers may look like rugby players, but deep down they are sweet, dependable, gentle and downright silly at times. They have a good-natured tirelessness with kids, and they love to goof around and make people laugh. With the proper love and training, Bull Terriers can be endlessly fun and engaging.

What They Are Like to Live With

Protective and devoted, Bull Terriers can sense a threat to the family a mile away. But they still have a gentle and mannerly way with visitors. Properly trained, they can easily tell the difference between friend and foe. Bullies have a great deal of energy. They appreciate indoor and outdoor games and “tasks” that keep them mentally sharp. They also make excellent hiking companions and jogging partners.

Things You Should Know

Bull Terriers should not be left alone for long periods of time. A neglected Bull Terrier can easily become flustered or depressed. They need lots of one-on-one attention, love, positive feedback and family time.

Luckily for city dwellers, Bull Terriers don’t require loads of exercise. They can easily adjust to apartment living as long as they get nice daily walks through the neighborhood. Remember to always keep them on a leash—they have been known to chase a squirrel or two.

A healthy Bull Terrier can live as long as 12 years. Though quite healthy, some Bullies can be born deaf. They also tend to gain weight easily. Instead of feeding them big meals, try to serve small portions throughout the day. Also keep in mind that Bull Terriers have sensitive joints during puppyhood. It’s important to handle them and play with them delicately as their bodies mature.

The Look of a Bull Terrier

Bull Terriers have thick, sturdy and muscular frames covered in thin, shiny and coarse coats. They can come almost any color—with or without white patches. Their long, oval-shaped heads are unique: flat-topped and sloping down to their black noses. They have dark, small, sunken eyes that are narrowly set. Their ears are thin, open and erect. They have lean, muscular necks, deep chests and big-boned legs. Their short, tapered tails usually point straight out. Overall, they carry themselves in a hardy and alert way.

Overview

If you remember the late 1980s, you probably recall the Budweiser commercials featuring a Bull Terrier named Spuds Mackenzie, whose sly grin and on-screen antics turned the breed into a pop icon. Many people were captivated by the breed's unique head, muscular build, and fun-loving nature. After the ads aired, the Bull Terrier's popularity soared.

Nicknamed "the kid in a dog suit," the Bull Terrier is active and friendly, as well as being one of the clowns of the dog world. He has a larger-than-life personality that ranges from intelligent and innovative — not always the most desirable qualities in a dog — to placid and loyal. He also comes in a smaller version — the Miniature Bull Terrier — who shares the same attributes.

Life with a Bull Terrier is always an experience. He's a "busy" dog from puppyhood well into middle age. The Bull Terrier isn't content to spend long periods alone day after day; he wants to be with his people, doing what they're doing. He does best with an active family who can provide him with plenty of energetic play. He also needs someone who will consistently (but kindly) enforce the house rules. Otherwise, he'll make up rules of his own. For that reason, he's not the best choice for timid owners or people who are new to dogs.

Like most terriers, Bull Terriers (unneutered males in particular) can be aggressive toward other animals, especially other dogs. To be well-behaved around other canines, they need early socialization: positive, supervised exposure to other dogs that begins in early puppyhood and continues throughout life. Cats and other furry animals who enter their territory should beware.

Because they can be rambunctious, Bull Terriers aren't recommended for homes with younger children, but with older kids they're tireless playmates. They enjoy vigorous daily exercise and can be highly destructive if they're bored. Successfully training a Bull Terrier calls for patience, confident leadership, and consistency.

Some cities and states have restrictions on or ban ownership of Bull Terriers, and you should be aware of your local laws before you bring your Bull Terrier home.

If you're ready to take on the challenge of a Bull Terrier, you'll find him to be an affectionate, loyal companion who's always ready to entertain you — he's been known to make even the most serious of people giggle — or go on an adventure. One thing's for sure: life with this breed will never be dull.

Highlights

    Bull Terriers thrive in the company of their people, and should live indoors with their human family. They don't do well when left alone for long periods and will wreak destruction when bored.

    Bull Terriers aren't suited for cold, damp climates. Keep your Bull Terrier warm with a coat or sweater in winter.

    These aren't high maintenance dogs, grooming-wise. A weekly brushing and occasional wipe-down with a damp cloth is usually all it takes to keeps them clean, although they must be brushed more frequently during twice-yearly shedding periods.

    The Bull Terrier needs 30 to 60 minutes of exercise, play, and mental stimulation daily. Ownership of Bull Terriers is restricted or banned in some cities, states, and provinces. Research your local dog laws before you get one; banned dogs may be seized and euthanized.

    The Bull Terrier is strong-willed and can be difficult to train. He's not recommended for timid or first-time dog owners.Without early socialization and training, Bull Terriers can be aggressive toward other dogs, animals, and people he doesn't know.

    Bull Terriers are too rough and rambunctious for homes with young children, but they're tireless playmates for active older kids who've been taught how to interact with dogs.

     

Never buy a Bull Terrier from a puppy mill, a pet store, or a breeder who doesn't provide health clearances or guarantees. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they're free of genetic diseases that they might pass onto the puppies and who breeds for sound temperaments.

Size

Bull Terriers come in a wide range of sizes, ranging from 35 pounds to 75 pounds. Generally, males weigh 55 to 65 pounds and females 45 to 55 pounds. They stand about 21 to 22 inches at the shoulder.

The Miniature Bull Terrier stands 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder, and weighs about 25 to 33 pounds.

Bull Terrier Temperament

The Bull Terrier is known as the "three-year-old child in a dog suit." These dogs are active, happy, clownish, and extremely attached to their owners and family. They love people unconditionally, and are friendly, sweet, and fun-loving. They are cuddly, and will try to curl up in your lap, even though they don't really fit. When you cuddle them, they have a sort of snort-purr that Bull Terrier parents find irresistible. While they are incredibly charming, they are also stubborn and conniving. They certainly think for themselves.

You will need to obedience train your Bull Terrier, because they are a strong dog, both physically and mentally, and you do not want to end up wrestling your Bull Terrier for control. They are very high energy and highly active and they need lots and lots (and lots) of exercise. A bored Bull Terrier will search, chew, and destroy. They can chew through a bulletproof vest. The Bull Terrier can be difficult to housetrain. They love children, but their rough and tumble style of play can easily flatten a young child. They like to join in the family fun and are tireless playmates, chasing balls for hours. They seem to thrive on your laughter and they will certainly get you chuckling with their antics.

When they walk under something that tickles their back, such as a tablecloth, or a bush, their eyes will glaze over and they will slow their walk down, and look like they are sleepwalking. They also practice something called "hucklebutting." The dog will take off at full speed and sprint all over the house, through table legs, around corners, as fast as they possibly can. Sometimes they run into walls, but this doesn't slow them down. They will also play chicken and run right at you as fast as they can, swerving to miss you at the last second. If you lose your nerve and step to the side, you could be seriously injured! They can do well with other animals, but are often aggressive toward same-sex dogs. They also have a prey instinct and often chase small animals. They can also be food aggressive. They make good watch dogs and have natural guard dog instincts. You will need to train a Bull Terrier to ensure that his natural instincts don't turn into aggression.

So, if you like to laugh and are the easy-going type, you are sure to love the independent, energetic, challenging, and sometimes downright silly Bull Terrier. Just be aware that they act like a puppy, with a puppy's energy level, until they're about three years old. And if you put a coat on him in the wintertime, he will probably eat it.

Personality

Never one to take a backseat to anyone or anything, the Bull Terrier is a friendly, feisty extrovert who's always ready for a good time, and always happy to see you. A Bull Terrier who's shy and backs away from people is absolutely not normal.

Bull Terriers and Mini Bull Terriers are described as courageous and full of fire. These are good traits, but they can veer into the disagreeable category if the Bull Terrier is allowed to become possessive or jealous. Without early training and socialization — exposure to dogs and other animals — they can be potentially aggressive toward other animals.

With people, though, they have a sweet disposition. On the downside, they can be chewers, barkers, and tail chasers, and are often difficult to housetrain.

Bull Terrier Training

The Bull Terrier is harder to train than most other dog breeds. He learns new commands more slowly than the majority of other breeds. You will need to be extra patient when Training him.

House Training

Your puppy should live in the house with the family, but should have his own bed in the kitchen, where it is warm and out of draughts. Right from the start, take endless trouble to see he doesn’t make any pools in the house during the day. After each meal and as soon as he wakes after a sleep, or is wandering round looking worried, pop him outside, if possible take him to more or less the same place each time, and when he is clean, praise him, always using the same words. It is too much to expect a very young puppy to be clean all night, so put a thick layer of newspaper near the back door; the puppy will eventually use this. If he has, just pick it all up and ignore it, but if he has been clean, make a lot of fuss of him.

Never scold or punish a puppy for being dirty, it will only worry and confuse him and so make matters worse. Always let him out last thing at night and very first thing in the morning, go and let him out the moment there are movements or sounds to waken him. Don’t let him have the run of the house by himself until he is reliable, but if he does have any accident, disinfect the place really well because if there is the trace of a smell, the pup will more than likely think this is the proper place to make a pool. If you are able to have a really good kennel and run, with heat for winter and shade for the summer, it is ideal for a puppy over four months to spend an hour or two each day in it to enjoy a marrow bone or a peaceful sleep, especially if yours is a busy household. Rest is very important for your puppy.

Teach your puppy to stand quietly on a table to be groomed and examined. This will be a great help if he has to be looked at by a veterinary surgeon, or treated for minor ailments. Let him meet as many people and good-tempered dogs as possible. He should wear a light leather collar for a short time each day; when he is used to this, attach to it a short cord or thin lead and let this trail for a few minutes while you play with him. Some puppies learn to walk on a lead with no trouble at all after one or two lessons, but with others care and patience and a certain amount of firmness are needed.

I think it is important to have a puppy trained to a lead at an early age, because all forms of training should be done on a lead, especially stopping him from jumping up at strangers and generally getting too tough. Don’t let any bad habits start; it is so much easier to train good behaviour than correct bad. Use a double chain, leather or nylon, check collar, the kind that will not pull too tight.

Most Bull Terriers love riding in a car, but until you are sure he is not going to be car-sick, take him for very short rides in company with another dog or passenger, to a wood or a field where he can have a romp. Don’t take him soon after he has been fed. If he is sick, or if you want him to behave well when left alone in your car, let him spend short periods in it at home, where you can watch to see that he is quite happy and not chewing anything. It is a good idea to leave a marrowbone with him if he is inclined to be destructive.

All dogs love to be talked to, so the more the better. But I don’t think a dog understands every word you say to him. They only understand by associations and have fantastic memories. So for actual command use ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘no’, ‘leave’, ‘come’, ‘stay’, heel’, ‘sit’ and ‘down’. Always use the dog’s name before any commands. Use your voice i.e. alter your tone to sound ‘very pleased’, ‘very cross’, firm (long drawn out), urgent (high pitched) but don’t shout unless really urgent.

An excitable puppy needs very slow, quite handling and a quite one the reverse. Serious obedience should not be expected until the pup is about six months, but at four months or a little before, he can be taught to Sit, Down and Stay, as it is much easier to put them into these positions when they are small. 

Get him used to walking on the lead without pulling and gradually take him where there is traffic, but give him plenty of free running in the woods or fields. Only call him when necessary, but each time he comes of his own accord, give lots of praise, a titbit, or a little game (a favourite toy, ball or choc-drop, etc., carried in your pocket can work wonders in keeping your dog’s interest in you when out for a walk). Never chase or grab at him if he won’t come when called, rather run in the opposite direction or hide. Don’t just go on calling, or he will soon completely disregard your voice.

Never punish a dog when he comes to you, however naughty he has been. If you have a dog who is naturally disobedient, you must use a long line so that you can keep control

- See more at: http://www.thebullterrierclub.org


All Bull Terriers should be 100% reliable with their families and friends, but if you already have a dog whose behaviour is unsatisfactory, you will have to be prepared to have lots of patience and understanding.

Some people disagree with me, but I am a great believer in avoiding situations which cause fear, possessiveness or aggression, until I have a dogs affection and confidence, and know I can control him, but on the other hand there is no question of who wins, dog or me, it must always be me.

So I Would Never

1  Drag a nervous or shy one round Woolworth’s, take on a very busy main road, or force him to be handled by strangers.

2 Give a possessive dog a raw bone and immediately go to take it away again (rather give when he goes to bed or in a room or kennel by himself). Neither would I put his bed where people are constantly passing, nor allow him to lie on the furniture or in front of the fire.

3 Take a very excitable dog or a fighter into crowded places, or near other dogs, especially noisy or bad tempered ones, until I knew I had complete control.

If after asking advice from the breeder or seller, you find you just can’t cope, do not let him go to live a life in kennels after being a family companion. Do not pass him on without giving the prospective new owner a complete picture of your difficulties, and only let the dog go with an absolute understanding that if not happy or a success he will be returned to you. Sometimes a dog who is impossible with one family is perfect with another. If you can’t find the ideal home, there is only one thing to do: have him put to sleep by your veterinary surgeon in your own home.

Please do not let a Bull Terrier who fights, run loose where there are other dogs. Either keep him on a lead or line, or take him when and where you are pretty certain you will not meet other dogs.

Training Your Puppy to Show

You can teach your puppy to show from a very early age, providing you always make it fun and don’t do much of it, I think the best Showmen are those who really love it. I don’t care to see one who just stands in a rather wooden way, with his eyes fixed on his handler.

Play with your puppy first, either indoors, or outside, talk to him and get him to look at you whilst standing well, then give him a titbit or ball to play with. Teach him to walk on a loose lead, in a circle and up and down, different distances (you may be judged in a small or large ring). When he will do this at home on his own, make him do it when you have visitors and other distractions. Then outside in a park, recreation ground or a fairly busy place.

Bull Terriers are a wonderful dog breed. However, it’s important that you train them properly; otherwise you may be facing behavioral problems down the road. This breed has lots of energy, and it’s easy for them to get into trouble.

Training your puppy has numerous benefits. Not only will it help the two of you develop a strong bond, but it will ensure that she leads a healthy, happy life as well. Training your puppy should also be a fun and rewarding experience for the two of you, so keep things positive. Bull Terriers are a smart and active breed, and they love to learn new things. Following are 7 helpful tips for Bull Terrier training.

1. Pack Leader:

Bull Terriers are hard-wired to follow a pack leader, so this is the role that you must assume. In order for your puppy to grow into a healthy and well-balanced dog, you must be consistent and demonstrate leadership from the beginning.

2. House Breaking:

7 Critical Steps for Bull Terrier Training 7 Critical Steps for Bull Terrier TrainingMost Bull Terriers are fairly easily house trained within their first few months; however, there are bound to be a few accidents, so be forgiving when this happens and most importantly, stay consistent while training your puppy!

The first thing to do each and every morning after your puppy wakes up is to take her straight from her den to her appropriate area and wait for her to go. This may take a little while – so be patient. After your puppy has success, reward the good behavior with plenty of praise to let her know what a good job she did. Dogs learn very early not to eliminate in their den, so use your puppies crate to your advantage.

Throughout the day, you should take your puppy to her spot every few hours, and every time she has success reward her with lots of praise. Your puppy will respond well to the positive attention.

When your puppy has an accident, don’t punish her or do anything negative. Instead, stay calm and quietly take her to the appropriate area that you want her to use.

3. Direction:

When your dog is doing something that you don’t want her to do, instead of simply telling her “no,” tell her what you want her to do. Dogs are not very good at generalizing, so if you tell them no for jumping on someone to say hello, they may jump higher or do something else. A better alternative is to give her some direction by telling her to “sit” instead.

4. Consistency:

Consistency is the key, so it’s important that everyone in the family is on the same page when it comes to training your puppy. If you tell her not to get on the couch, but another family member allows it, she will never know what you really want.

5. Rewards:

Never reward your puppy for behaving poorly. For example, if she whines and barks to be let out of her den and you give in, she will learn the whining and barking will get her what she wants. Wait until she remains quiet for several minutes before you let her out.

6. Positivity:

Dogs respond very well to positive reinforcement and very poorly to negative. Always give your puppy praise for a job well-done and ignore her mistakes. Things take time to learn, so keep practicing.

7. Freedom:

Allow you new puppy to gradually earn freedom around your home. If she has too much space to roam about, it’s much easier for her to have an accident or get into trouble. So use gates to section off parts of the house and keep doors closed to rooms.

Remember that Bull Terrier training takes patience, so stay consistent, keep things positive, and have fun as your puppy develops into a well-balanced, happy dog.

Grooming

You should groom your dog as often as possible. A brush after exercise is all that is required coat-wise. Grooming helps to remove dust, mud and any loose hair. Even white coats shine with health when regularly brushed or rubbed-down with a soft cloth.

Grooming also provides an opportunity to check nails, ears, eyes and teeth, and to deal with any problems as soon as they appear. It is an advantage to familiarise your puppy to having its nails clipped, so that in later life it does not become a three-man task to clip the nail of a wriggling Bull Terrier.

- See more at: http://www.thebullterrierclub.org

Health

Bull terriers are generally healthy, but like any breed, they can have health issues. Reputable breeders provide health certifications for a puppy's parents.

In Bull Terriers, you should expect to see the results of BAER hearing tests for white Bull Terriers, health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for the heart and thyroid, and UP:UC ratios for kidney function.

Because some health problems don't appear until a dog reaches full maturity, health clearances aren't issued to dogs younger than two years old. Look for a breeder who doesn't breed her dogs until they're two or three years old.

The following problems may occur in the breed:

    Hereditary Nephritis is a severe form of kidney disease found in Bull Terriers, often at an early age. It's caused by small and undeveloped kidneys or a malfunction of the kidney's filters, resulting in high levels of protein in the urine. Bull Terriers with this disease usually die before they're three years old, although some live to be 6 or 8 years old before succumbing to kidney failure. A urine protein/urine creatinine (UP:UC) test is recommended annually, starting when dogs are 18 months old. Bull Terriers with an abnormal UP:UC ratio, meaning there's too much protein in the urine, should not be bred. Bull Terriers can also suffer from renal dysplasia, a congenital disease (meaning the dog is born with it) in which the kidneys don't mature properly, hindering their ability to perform properly.

   


Deafness in one or both ears is common in white dogs, and some colored Bull Terriers can be deaf in one ear. All Bull Terrier puppies should undergo BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) testing to ensure that their hearing is normal. A veterinarian or a Bull Terrier club can help you find the nearest BAER testing facility. Bull Terriers who are deaf in one ear can lead relatively normal lives, but puppies that are deaf in both ears require special training techniques and handling.

    Heart Disease caused by defects in heart structure and function is occasionally found in Bull Terriers. Some cases are more serious than others and usually are indicated by the presence of a heart murmur. In some cases, a cardiac ultrasound (echocardiogram) may be necessary to diagnose the problem. Some Bull Terriers outgrow their murmurs, some live with them for years with no problem, and others develop heart failure. Depending on the condition and the stage at which it's diagnosed, treatment may range from medication to surgery.

    Skin Problems can affect Bull Terriers, especially white ones, who have sensitive skin that can be prone to rashes, sores and irritations. They may also be prone to contact or inhalant allergies, caused by a reaction to substances such as detergents or other chemicals or airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and mildew. Check your Bull Terrier's skin regularly and treat any rashes quickly. Provide soft, clean bedding in crates and other sleeping areas to prevent sores. Sometimes a change to a diet with few or no chemical additives can help. Other Bull Terriers need long-term treatment with antibiotics or steroids to keep skin problems under control.

    Spinning is an obsessive form of tail-chasing that usually begins at approximately six months of age. It can continue for hours and leave the dog with no interest in food or water. Spinning may be a type of seizure and is sometimes successfully treated with medications such as phenobarbitol, anafranil or Prozac. Treatment is often more successful in females than males. Bull Terriers can also develop a milder form of tail chasing that's easily dealt with by eliminating the dog's boredom.

    Lens luxation is when the lens of the eye is displaced when the ligament holding it in place deteriorates. It's sometimes treatable with medication or surgery, but in severe cases the eye may need to be removed.

Care

The Bull Terrier needs someone at home during the day. Leaving a Bull Terrier to entertain himself is about as smart as leaving a creative and intelligent child unsupervised in a room full of explosives. For one thing, they'll eat just about anything, and many die from gastrointestinal blockages that aren't discovered until it's too late. Rawhide toys can be especially problematic. Bull Terrier-proof your home!

A Bull Terrier needs half an hour to an hour of physical and mental exercise daily. He'll enjoy going for walks, chasing a ball, or testing his wits against an interactive toy. He's also capable of competing in agility and obedience trials. Be sure to always walk him on leash so he won't run after other animals or go off exploring on his own.

Bull Terrier puppies are bouncy and into everything. High-impact exercise can damage growing bones, so until your puppy's full grown, at 12 to 18 months of age, beware of bone-jarring activities such as jumping on and off the furniture, playing Frisbee, or running on slick wood or tile floors. These can all stress or injure the still-developing joints and ligaments.

Early and consistent training is essential. You must be able to provide leadership without resorting to physical force or harsh words. A Bull Terrier isn't the easiest breed to train, and you'll be most successful if you appeal to his love of play with positive reinforcement techniques while still remaining firm and consistent in what you expect.

Bull Terriers can be difficult to housetrain. Follow the housetraining program closely; the crate method is best. A crate will also prevent your Bull Terrier from destroying your belongings or otherwise getting into trouble.

Bull Terriers are suspicious of strangers and can be aggressive toward other animals (especially dogs of the same sex) and people. Take him to puppy socialization classes as early as possible, as well as to dog-friendly public places so he can get used to many different situations, people, and dogs. He should also learn to welcome visitors to your home.

Feeding

Recommended daily amount: 1 5/8 to 4 1/4 cups of a high-quality dog food daily, divided into two meals.

How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you'll need to shake into your dog's bowl.

Keep your Bull Terrier in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether he's overweight, give him the eye test and the hands-on test. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise.

For more on feeding your Bull Terrier, see our guidelines for buying the right food, feeding your puppy, and feeding your adult dog.

Coat, Color and Grooming

The Bull Terrier's coat is short, flat, and shiny, with a hard texture. Bull Terriers come in two color varieties: white and colored. White Bull Terriers are solid white, with or without colored markings on the head but nowhere else on the body. Colored Bull Terriers are any color other than white or any color with white markings.

Bull Terriers are easy to groom; they need only weekly brushing with a rubber mitt or curry brush. The exception is during their twice yearly shedding season, when daily brushing will be necessary to keep all the hair under control. Unless they've rolled in something stinky, Bull Terriers don't need frequent bathing and can be washed with a dry shampoo or dusted off with a damp cloth.

Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Brush your Bull Terrier's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the accompanying bacteria. Daily is better. Trim his nails once or twice a month, or as needed. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they're too long. Short nails keep the feet in good condition and don't get caught in the carpet and tear. If the feet need to be tidied up with trimming, the best time to do it is when you are clipping the nails.

Check the ears weekly to make sure there's no debris, redness, or inflammation. Clean them as needed with a cotton ball and a cleanser recommended by your dog's breeder or your veterinarian. Wipe around the outer edge of the ear canal, and don't stick the cotton ball any deeper than the first knuckle of your finger.

Begin getting your Bull Terrier used to being brushed and examined when he's a puppy. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears.

Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you'll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he's an adult.

Children and other pets

Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers are active dogs who can play rough, so they're not recommended for homes with young children. They're great playmates with boundless energy for active older children who understand how to interact with dogs.

Bull Terriers can, however, be aggressive toward kids they don't know, especially if there's a lot of shouting or wrestling going on. They may feel it's their duty to protect "their" children from their friends. Always supervise play; as with any dog, never leave a dog alone with a child, and teach children how to approach and touch dogs.

With the children in their own family, they're highly tolerant, but they don't like being teased. Don't permit your children to play tug-of-war with the dog.

Bull Terriers, especially unneutered males, can be aggressive toward dogs of the same sex, but opposite genders usually get along well. Bull Terriers shouldn't be trusted with cats or other small furry animals.

Description

The Bull Terrier is a strongly built, muscular dog. The body is well rounded with a short, strong back. The head is long and strong, oval-looking in shape, almost flat at the top, sloping evenly down to the nose with no stop. The nose is black. The eyes are almond-shaped, small and deep-set, dark in color. The ears are small, thin and close together. The long neck is very muscular, with robust shoulders. The tail is set low and on the short side, carried horizontally. The coat is dense, short, flat and harsh to the touch. The AKC recognizes two color varieties, the White Bull Terrier and the Colored Bull Terrier. The White Bull Terrier is allowed to have colored markings on the head, but nowhere else on the body. The Colored Bull Terriers may be black, brindle, black-brindle, red, fawn and tricolor with white markings.

Temperament

Though this breed was once a fierce gladiator, he is much gentler now. A Bull Terrier might have a preventive effect and it might defend its owner in a truly critical situation, but it isn't bred to be a guard dog. Courageous, scrappy, fun-loving, active, clownish and fearless, the Bull Terrier is a loyal, polite, and obedient dog. They become very attached to their owners. The Bull Terrier thrives on firm, consistent leadership and affection and makes a fine family pet. Bull Terriers like to be doing something and fit in well with active families where they receive a great deal of companionship and supervision. They do not do well in situations where they are left alone for 8 hours a day. With the right type of owner this breed is a joy to own, but not recommended for most households. 

Fond of both grownups and children, but if they do not get enough physical and mental exercise they may be too energetic for small children. Children should be taught how to display leadership toward the dog. Meek owners will find them to become very protective, willful, possessive and/or jealous. Bull Terriers may try to join into family roughhousing or quarrel. They need very firm training and lots of exercise. Bull Terriers must be given a lot of structure, or they may become destructive. Be sure to socialize them well and remain their pack leader 100% of the time, otherwise, they can be extremely aggressive with other dogs. Unaltered males may not get along with other male dogs. They are not recommended with other non-canine pets such as rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. They make excellent watch dogs. This breed can be somewhat difficult to train.

Height, Weight

Standard Bull Terrier

Height: 20 - 24 inches (51 - 61 cm) Weight: 45 - 80 pounds (20 - 36 kg)

Miniature Bull Terrier

Height: 10 - 14 inches (25 - 33 cm)  Weight: up to 24 - 33 pounds (11 - 15 kg)

Health Problems

Prone to slipped patella (dislocation of the kneecaps), heart defects, kidney failure and skin and flea allergies. Prone to suffer from a zinc deficiency, which can cause death. Gains weight easily. Do not overfeed. White Bull Terriers are prone to deafness.

Living Conditions

                Bull Terriers will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are fairly active indoors and a small yard will do. They prefer warm climates.

Exercise

                This breed needs vigorous daily exercise, which includes a daily, long walk. The Bull Terrier has a tendency to become overweight and lazy if it is not properly exercised.

Life Expectancy

                About 10-12 years

Litter Size

                As little as 1 puppy and as many as 9, average 5

Grooming

The Bull Terrier is easy to groom. An occasional combing and brushing will do. This breed is an average shedder, shedding twice a year. You can remove loose hair by a daily rubdown with a special rubber glove.

Origin

In the early 1800s Bulldogs crossed with terriers were popular. By 1830 combat between Bulldogs and bulls were at the height of their popularity. Lovers of this so-called "sport" decided to create a dog that would attack even more agilely. They crossed the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier, adding in some Spanish Pointer blood; the result was the Bull Terrier breed. They soon found that the Bull Terriers were not the most successful fighters. In 1860 the white-coated variety, which was nicknamed the "White Cavalier" was bred by English dog dealer James Hinks and soon became a fashionable pet for nobles. The colored variety of Bull Terriers was created by back-crossing them with brindle Staffordshires. The breed has been used as a guard, ratter, herder and watchdog. The Miniature was developed to have the same qualities as the Standard Bull Terrier but with a more manageable size. The Standard Bull Terrier was first recognized by the AKC in 1885 and the Miniature Bull Terrier in 1991.

While the AKC sees the Standard Bull Terrier and the Miniature Bull Terrier as separate breeds, the standard requirements are the same except for size. Most other clubs see them as different varieties of the same breed or the same breed without placing a variety label. For example, the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) has both breeds listed under Bull Terrier, separating them by a Standard and Miniature variety. The UCK (United Kennel Club) does not place any height or weight restrictions but does require the dog to be in proportion. The Bull Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1948.

History

The Bull Terrier dates to approximately 1835 and was probably created by crossing a Bulldog with the now-extinct white English Terrier. These "bull and terrier" dogs were later crossed with Spanish Pointers to increase their size. They were known as gladiators for their prowess in the dog-fighting ring.

In 1860, fanciers of the bull and terrier, in particular a man named James Hinks, set about creating an all-white dog. The striking animals became fashionable companions for gentlemen and were nicknamed "White Cavalier" because of their courage in the dog-fighting ring and their courtliness toward people. While they're no longer used for fighting, white Bull Terriers still go by that sobriquet to this day, a tribute to their sweet disposition (which of course is shared by colored Bull Terriers).

The first Bull Terrier registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) was Nellie II in 1885. Twelve years later, in 1897, the Bull Terrier Club of America was formed. The colored Bull Terrier was made a separate variety in 1936, and the Miniature Bull Terrier became a separate breed in 1992.

Well-known fans of Bull Terriers include General George S. Patton, whose white Bull Terrier Willie followed him everywhere; actress Dolores Del Rio; author John Steinbeck; and President Woodrow Wilson. One well-known Bull Terrier is Patsy Ann, who greeted each ship that docked in Juneau, Alaska during the 1930s. Beloved by tourists, she was photographed more often than Rin Tin Tin, and in 1934 she was named the official greeter of Juneau. Today, Patsy Ann's spirit lives on in a bronze statue that was commissioned and placed on the Juneau wharf in 1992.

A Bull Terrier appeared in Sheila Burnford's book "The Incredible Journey," as well as the first film version of it, but that film didn't have the same effect on the breed as Budweiser's 1980-era commercials starring Bull Terrier Spuds Mackenzie. When the ad campaign aired, the breed's popularity soared.

A colored Bull Terrier made history in 2006, when Ch. Rocky Top's Sundance Kid (Rufus to his friends) became the first colored Bull Terrier to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The only white Bull Terrier to win the prestigious event was Ch. Haymarket Faultless in 1918. The breed's appearance has changed quite a bit — for the better, breeders say — since then.

Today, Bull Terriers rank 61st in popularity among the breeds and varieties registered by the American Kennel Club, up from 85th in 1996. Miniature Bull Terriers rank 129th.

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