Information on Bull Terriers

The bull terrier is a dog breed that originated in the United Kingdom. As a result, the breed is also often referred to as the "English bull terrier." Bull terriers are common pets due to their good-natured and pleasant temperaments. For those who are considering acquiring a bull terrier as a pet, it can be helpful to learn more about the breed before adding one to your family.

  1. History

    • The story of the bull terrier began in 1800s England. Bull terriers first appeared as hybrids of bulldogs and terriers and were bred to serve as sporting dogs, which are active dogs that are highly capable for hunting and field activities. A dog breeder by the name of James Hinks established completely white bull terriers in 1860 (by breeding bull terriers with other breeds such as Spanish pointers and Old English terriers), and the breed was initially called "white cavaliers." More colorful versions of the terrier came about due to mixing with Staffordshire bull terriers.

    Appearance

    • Bull terriers are muscular and compact dogs that generally reach heights of between 21 and 22 inches tall (from the shoulder). Bull terriers usually weigh somewhere between 50 and 70 lbs. In terms of color options, colored and fully white bull terriers both exist. The colored bull terrier is a mixture of brindle, black, fawn, red and blackish-brindle. The dogs have very dark and sunken eyes with black noses and small, slender ears.

    Temperament

    • Bull terriers can make loving and friendly pets. The general temperament of the bull terrier can be described as vivacious, independent, courageous, funny and obedient. Bull terriers interact well with children. However, it is also important to ensure that the dogs receive sufficient training before being around children. This dog breed can be territorial and, as a result, can function well as a watchdog. Bull terriers sometimes exhibit impatient behaviors when irked.

    Grooming

    • Bull terriers are short-haired dogs, and because of this, do not require rigorous grooming. To keep a bull terrier well-groomed, casual brushing once a month or so should suffice. However, this dog breed does shed, so in order to eliminate any loose hairs, owners may need to brush the coat more frequently, perhaps a couple of times a week.

    Health

    • Bull terriers are generally expected to reach between 10 and 12 years of age. Some common health issues that bull terriers often experience include kidney failure, heart problems, epilepsy (with seizures), serious skin conditions, excessive tail chasing (also known as "spinning"), insufficient zinc levels and deafness. The breed also tends to easily pack on weight, so obesity can be problematic.

    Fitness

    • Bull terriers can be bundles of excess energy and vitality. To keep a bull terrier healthy and happy, daily exercise is absolutely crucial. Long outdoor walks once a day can help keep this dog at a healthy weight.

    Training

    • Bull terriers can lean toward the stubborn and independent side, and they are sometimes harder to train than some other dog breeds because of that. To properly train a bull terrier, it can help to begin with obedience from early on in the puppy stages. Owners of bull terriers need to maintain consistent and firm demeanor when training their dogs, as these dogs can sometimes act out with dominance and aggression issues.