Bull Terriers are a dog breed that is recognized by their distinctive egg-shaped head and muscular physique. Bull Terriers were originally bred for dogfighting in England in the nineteenth century, but have since become popular family pets and companions. Bull Terriers, with their playful personalities and affectionate nature, make excellent companions for those who are willing to give them the love and attention they require.
Despite their tough exterior, Bull Terriers have a gentle demeanor and are often referred to as “clowns” due to their silly antics and goofy behavior. In this blog post, we will look at the Bull Terrier breed’s history, temperament, and characteristics, as well as tips for caring for and training these lovable dogs.
[wpdatatable id=87]History of Bull Terrier
Bull Terriers were developed in England in the 19th century. In the year 1835, a hybrid between the old English terrier and the bulldog produced the Bull Terrier. Owners saw bulldogs as being ideal for baiting bulls due to their wide frame, heavy bones, and aggressive jaw.
However, the bulldogs were not renowned for their speed. This is where the terriers were picked as good cross since they were known for their agility and speed. There have been later crosses, too, such as the white English Terrier, the Dalmatian, etc. These crosses produced a dog that was white and, indeed, looking stylish. The Bull Terrier became a breed on its own due to the tireless persistence of a man named James Hinks, who continued to standardize it.
In the middle of the 19th century, the dog became a favorite pet of the gentry. Today’s dogs are gentler than their ancient counterparts, but they still retain their original strength and fearlessness.
Until the middle of the 1800s, the Bull terrier could be found fighting other breeds in arenas across the social spectrum of Britain. Along with the Pitbull and Bulldogs, they were one of the most popular large dogs used for fighting purposes.
More About Bull Terrier
Now that we have introduced the Bull Terrier breed and highlighted some of their unique traits, let’s delve deeper into what makes them such fascinating dogs. In this section, we will explore the various aspects of the Bull Terrier, including their appearance, size, personality and temperament, health, grooming, and care. By understanding the various facets of this breed, we can better appreciate and care for these wonderful dogs. Whether you are a long-time Bull Terrier enthusiast or simply curious about this breed, we hope to provide you with valuable insights and information. So let’s get started and discover more about the charming Bull Terrier!
Appearance
The Bull Terrier is a standard size dog breed with an unique egg-shaped head and muscular body. It has a round, flat top and small, triangular-shaped eyes that are deep-set and dark in color. The breed has small, naturally erect ears as well as a black, prominent nose.
The Bull Terrier’s body is strong and muscular, with a short, shiny coat that comes in white, black, brindle, fawn, and red. It has straight, muscular front legs and powerful, well-developed hindquarters. Because of its long, springy stride, the breed has a distinct gait that has been compared to that of a giraffe.
Size
When considering adopting a Bull Terrier, it is important to understand their size characteristics. As a medium-sized breed, Bull Terriers typically weigh between 50 to 70 pounds and stand 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder. However, it’s worth noting that individual dogs may vary in size depending on factors such as genetics, diet, and exercise.
Bull Terriers are known for their muscular build and athletic abilities, which means they require regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. When caring for a Bull Terrier, it is essential to provide them with a balanced diet and plenty of opportunities for physical activity. By understanding the size and exercise needs of the Bull Terrier, you can ensure that your furry friend stays healthy and thrives in your care.
Personality and Temperament
The Bull Terrier is an affectionate dog that loves having a bit of fun and frolic. It has a strong intrinsic need to please its owner and to provide it with amusement, love, or even protection to their families. The Terrier often behaves in a manner that people describe as goofy, engaging, mischievous, or even droll. While Bull terriers might appear muscular, they are very sweet in their behavior. They are frequently referred to as clowns of the dog world.
Thus, the Bull terrier is friendly and has a good sense of humor. Their physical strength is complemented by their intelligence. Of course, the dog can also tend to require a lot of attention from its family. It can need a lot of activity and mental stimulation to avoid boredom.
Health
You need to ensure that the parents of the bred Bull terrier are medically examined for some of the diseases that they might carry genetically. Breed clubs will be able to give you good guidance on what tests need to be done and where you can get them done. It is more sensible to make sure that the parents get checked beforehand.
Some of the common conditions which the bull terrier is at risk of typically contracting are:
Deafness
Bull terriers frequently have a lot of trouble with their hearing. At one point in time, it was believed that deafness could be bred out of the dog. However, breeders have continued to use the breed nevertheless. A substantial proportion of dogs of this breed suffer from deafness due to hereditary causes.
Lethal Acrodermatitis
This is a fatal disorder in Bull terrier puppies, which is caused due to a deficiency in zinc metabolism. The disease is passed genetically as an autosomal recessive trait. No known treatment exists for this condition.
Kidney problems
Bull Terriers have a probability of suffering from diseases of the kidney. This can be attributed to genetic factors. The development of the kidney is not complete, and hence it slowly loses its function. Renal insufficiency happens because the kidneys are not able to filter blood properly.
The breed may also suffer from polycystic kidney disease. This can result in direct kidney failure. For the detection of these kidney problems, regular urine testing should be done.
Heart problems
Most heart disease in Bull Terriers is caused due to weakening of the valves. The heart valve becomes deformed so that it can no longer close tightly. Dogs with heart valve disease tend to have a heart murmur.
Allergies
In the case of dogs, irritants such as dust, pollen, or mold can make the skin of the dog itchy. This is referred to as atopy, and it is common among Bull Terriers. The worst affected parts of the body are usually the feet, belly, and ears or the places where the skin folds the most. Some of the symptoms are if the dog starts licking the ears or rubbing the paws or if it regularly has ear infections.
Luxating patella’s
The kneecap gets dislocated from the correct position, and hence, the dog is in a lot of pain when it tries to move.
Eye Conditions
Dry eye is a common condition in Bull terriers. The tear glands become dry and do not produce tears to the extent that they should, thus causing the surface of the eye to become sore, which further causes itching and infections. Cataracts also occur in this breed which can result in blindness.
Care
Do not bathe the bull terrier excessively, or you might end up damaging the skin. Ensure that only quality products are used which are specifically meant for washing dogs.
Bull Terriers generally have good teeth, and they may be kept thus by brushing them twice a day. The ears should be cleaned once a week from the time that she is a puppy. Since the dog has a high prey drive, she needs to be kept on a leash.
Feeding and Nutrition
The amount of food that is appropriate for feeding the bull terrier is proportional to its age. Puppies should eat feed designed for them three times a day. They would graduate to adult feed once they were a year old, and they would eat twice a day. Once the Bull Terrier becomes older, it is recommended to move them on to lighter feed for senior dogs.
Bull Terriers are extremely fond of food, and a natural watch should be kept on them since they can tend to put on weight very fast. Also, it is preferable to use dry feed instead of semi-wet or wet foods. This is because the latter has a lot of sugar, which would cause the bull terrier to put on weight.
Coat
The Bull terrier is a short hair breed. It just requires brushing from time to time to remove dead hair and dirt. The bull terrier molts twice a year. During this time, they will require daily brushing to shed the dead hair and help the new coat to grow neatly.
The coat is short, flat, and with a hard texture. They may either be white or colored.
Grooming
Since the dog has a smooth coat, it requires trimming only in those areas where excessive hair growth has to be prevented. Trimming should also be done in the paws, chest, pads, tail, and sanitary areas. While attempting to clip the nail, caution must be exercised. After each nail is clipped, to ensure the dog’s cooperation, it might be given a treat in the form of positive reinforcement.
The dog may be bathed once every three months. It may be washed first from top to bottom to ensure that there is no dead hair or matting. Place the dog in a tub with a rubber mat, and fill it with a few inches of lukewarm water. The dog may be bathed using a spray hose and then massaged using pet shampoo. Rinse thoroughly, starting from the head, and prevent soap from getting into the eyes.
Children and Other Pets
Although it is not always true, they might make good pets if they have been socialized properly. The pit bull terrier should be adopted only in a family household that has an older child. The point is that the older child will be able to handle the dog maturely. The younger kids might not be able to recognize signs of the bull terrier getting frustrated and might be at the receiving end of their bites.
Terriers generally do not get along well with other dogs at the outset; consequently, a slow introduction is required. Bull terriers usually tend to be aggressive with other animals, including cats and other small animals. They should never be left alone with other breeds or other animals. They usually behave better with members of the other sex from their breed.
Training
Bull Terriers are highly energetic dogs and should certainly not be confined to smaller spaces. They should be given rigorous exercise frequently to keep them fit. Running and exercising should be done daily. It is observed that Bull Terriers can be slightly difficult to train. The possible antidote is first to cause the dog to relax a bit by taking it on a very long walk. Once it starts to tire, you can then start your training activity.
It should be known that obsessive-compulsive disorder is common among these canines. Bull terriers are much more likely to chase their tails than other breeds. In case you find these behaviors worrying, you need to keep your dog engaged. The Bull Terrier can tend to be obstinate, and hence, it needs an owner who has experience with raising dogs. It can tend to be bossy and overprotective if it is not socialized properly.
Exercise
Bull Terriers have a very active disposition. Consequently, it needs to be taken out frequently. Additionally, the owner also needs to spend time playing with it and running alongside it. This is extremely useful for the Bull Terrier, for it helps it to release pent-up energy. Consequently, you may be assured that it will not end up overturning objects that it finds inside the home.
It may also be remembered that the bull terrier is a breed that tends to put on weight. Hence, keeping it occupied with exercise will also help prevent health issues later.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed all the aspects of the pitbull Terrier. The fighter breed turned into a jovial companion and is indeed a good companion to have around you!
FAQs
The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test sends auditory stimuli to the dog’s brain, and the machine evaluates the brain’s response to the stimuli. This test can also be used to test the severity of deafness.
As the name suggests, this breed was named after a cross between bulldogs and different terriers.
As mentioned above, the bull terrier would keep chasing its tail. Some other symptoms would include the dog frequently chasing shadows around and incessant pacing.
It is technically a different breed as compared to the original. They shed much less as compared to the original breed, and also they grow up to a maximum of 14 inches tall, while the main breeds can grow up to 21 inches tall.
Bull terriers can become obese if they are given a lot of food and there is not ample exercise to balance it out. Some of the symptoms of obesity are excess body fat, abdominal sagging, lethargy, and unwillingness to exercise.
Hi, I’m Walter,
I live in Oklahoma City, USA, and have extensive dog caring and grooming expertise. In addition, I provide dog training tips and tricks through my blogs in Canine Weekly. I have a Dog Behavior and Training diploma and have previously worked as a Dog Trainer at ROC Animal Training and Behavior and Tip Top K9 of OKC Dog Training.
Apart from writing on Canine Weekly, I share my views on Twitter and Linkedin.