Bull Terrier
History of the breed
The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family.
The Bull Terrier was developed in England during the 1860s and 1870s. During 1860s and 1870s a breeder crossed the English White Terrier with the New English Bulldog to create the Bull Terrier.
Colored Bull Terriers are due to Bull Terrier breeders crossing their dogs with Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the 1900s.
With the Original Bull and Terrier blood, combined with an injection of an original strain of Bull and Terrier blood from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in the early 1900s, the Bull Terrier still remains a formidable sporting Terrier.
Appearance of the breed
Bull Terriers are thick-set and muscular with a short, dense coat. Acceptable colors for show dogs are white, any color other than white, or any color with white markings (although blue and liver are highly undesirable).
The Bull Terrier's most recognizable feature is its head, described as 'egg shaped' when viewed from the front, almost flat at the top, with a Roman muzzle sloping evenly down to the end of the nose with no stop. The Bull Terrier's unique triangle-shaped eyes are small, dark, and closely set. The Bull Terrier's body is full and round, while the shoulders are robust and muscular and the tail is carried horizontally. It walks with a jaunty gait, and is popularly known as the 'gladiator of the canine race'.
There is no designated height or weight for the Bull Terrier's but the average is, Height: 20-24 inches, Weight: 45-86 pounds
The Bull Terrier and the Miniature Bull Terrier are the only recognized breeds that have triangle-shaped eyes.
The Bull Terrier's coat is easy to maintain, but grooming can keep it in near-perfect condition. The Bull Terrier requires a fair amount of exercise, but overworking the dog at a young age will cause strained muscles. Older dogs do require exercise, but in small doses, whereas younger ones will be happy to play for hours on end. The breed is renowned for being extremely greedy; be sure to maintain a good balance of exercise and food, or the dog can become overweight. Also, be sure to check ears, eyes, nose and mouth every day for signs of infection.
Temperament of the breed
Bull Terriers were originally bred for hunting and attacking animals much larger than it. Thus, it was extremely aggressive and dangerous, and generally wasn't kept a family pet. However, after those days were over, bull terriers gained popularity and people started to breed out the aggressiveness of th breed. Unfortunately however, bull terriers still retain a very bad name today, and many parents are loath to buy this breed or even let their children associate with other bull terriers, even though most nowadays are loyal and friendly specimens. The majority of them are great with children, however as always, people should be wary, as the hunting blood is still in them, and many children do not know how they may be provoking the dog.
Also, The Bull Terrier's depends on how it has been bred and raised: if from a professional breeder, they are generally calm and friendly in temperament; but if not, they can be very fierce. It is not advisable to buy any dog that was previously bred for hunting/fighting from pet stores. Though they are not ideal for a first-time dog owner, because of their power and temperament, their physical strength is matched by their intelligence, and both body and mind need to be kept active. They can be fun and playful (if properly trained). They are typically very affectionate dogs that love human company. Bull Terriers are particularly good with children, and usually have a high pain threshold, which reduces the risk of injury from a defensive bite. Younger dogs, however, may regard children as playmates and because of their strength could cause inadvertent injury. The Bull Terrier's are protective of children in their charge, and the females are especially noted for this. Bull Terriers make formidable guard dogs while their owners are away.
Health Concerns of the breed
All puppies should be checked for deafness, as this sometimes occurs (most commonly in pure white dogs) and is difficult to notice, especially in a relatively young puppy. Many Bull Terriers have a tendency to develop skin allergies. Insect bites, such as fleas, and sometimes mosquitoes and mites, can produce a generalized allergic response of hives, rash, and itching. This condition can be stopped by keeping the dog free of contact from these insects, but this is definitely a consideration in climates or circumstances where exposure to these insects is inevitable.
Their lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 14 years.
Common Ailments: Deafness, Umbilical Hernia and Acne, Bull Terriers can also suffer from obsessive complusive disorder, such as tail chasing, self mutilation, and obsessive licking.
Litter size: 5
Life span: 10-12 years
