Roll up, roll up, it’s time for the Bull Terrier show. These clownish dogs are some of the funniest and most affectionate pups you’ll ever meet. Playful and charming, these unique dogs are utterly devoted to their families and will happily spend hours playing and performing for you, in the aims of making you laugh. From chasing their tail to zooming through your home, this is one high energy dog. Provided they’ve been properly socialised and trained from an early age and have a daily outlet for their heaps of energy, you won’t find a more cheerful, loyal and affectionate canine companion.
Bull Terrier Facts
Bull Terriers were first bred in Britain in the 1800s for the gruesome sport of dog fighting. They combine the power of a Bulldog with the feistiness of a Terrier, making them a top fighting dog. Once dog fighting was banned, Bull Terriers quickly became adopted as the companion of choice for upper class young men where they charmed and delighted everyone they met.
- Breed Group: Terrier
- Height: 53-55cm
- Weight: 22-31kg
- Life Span: 12-13 years
- Coat: Smooth, short
- Colour: White or any other colour
What Does a Bull Terrier Look Like?
A cross between a Bulldog and a Terrier, a Bull Terrier is a unique looking dog which matches their unique clown-like temperament. This is due in part to their long, egg-shaped head that’s topped with tall, pointy ears. Bull Terriers have small, dark, triangular shaped eyes that give them an alert, inquisitive look. Their small button noses are usually dark and point downwards.
Strong and robust, Bull Terriers move surprisingly jauntily - they’re both agile and powerful. Their coat is short and smooth, although it can feel rough when you touch it. A Bull Terrier’s coat comes in 2 types: white, or any other colour. Their coat can be solid or have white markings.
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier Temperament: Class Clown
If you’re after a dog with plenty of personality, you’ll love the Bull Terrier. To get the best out of them they need 4 things: early and proper socialisation with people and pups; firm yet loving training; enough exercise to keep them out of trouble; and lots (and lots) of family time. Give a Bull Terrier these and you won’t find a more entertaining, loyal and lovable dog.
Not enough training, attention and exercise? Expect a bored or lonely Bull Terrier to let their displeasure be known through being destructive. Sure, they’re independent and strong-willed, but they need human company to be happy.
Thriving on play and adventure, a Bull Terrier wants to be the centre of attention, always. This means they don’t always play nicely with other pets (especially cats) or children, unless they’ve been socialised from an early age. Bull Terriers need a confident, experienced pup parent who can help them learn their place in the family.
But a well trained and socialised Bull Terrier is a sheer delight of a dog who will play and entertain you for hours before snuggling up in your lap and showering you with love. Outgoing, they love to meet new people, although they’re not as naturally friendly as other dog breeds so make sure introductions are handled properly.
Keeping Bull Terriers Healthy: 5 Issues to Watch Out For
Bull Terriers can live up to 13 years. Preventative care, like regular vet checks and daily tooth brushing, can help them to live a long and happy life.
Hearing Problems
It’s really common for Bull Terriers to be deaf in one or both of their ears. If they don’t respond when you call, they could be ignoring you, or it could be a sign of deafness. All puppies should be screened for hearing issues so ask your breeder for a copy of their results.
Spinning
Although it’s normal for sprightly, fun-loving Bull Terriers to chase their tail for a bit, if it goes on too long, it can be a sign of something else. Compulsively spinning for hours at a time could be an obsessive behaviour or a symptom of a seizure or other illness. Take them to the vet to have these medical issues ruled out. Compulsive spinning / tail chasing can be treated with medication and behavioural management.
Allergies and Skin Problems
Your Bull Terrier’s coat is short and smooth, but they can still experience allergies which cause rashes when they’re exposed to common irritants, like washing liquid, dust or mildew. If you notice red, sore patches of skin or your Bull Terrier scratching, take them to the vet. They’ll be able to help you manage their irritated skin through things like diet changes and medication.
Kidney Disease
Bull Terriers are at risk of developing the kidney disease hereditary nephritis. Although some Bull Terriers can be born with it, it normally develops when they’re young. Sadly, there’s currently no cure or treatment and it’s normally fatal within 3 to 8 years. Your vet can run yearly checks to monitor the protein levels in their urine.
Heart Disease
It’s not uncommon for Bull Terriers to develop heart murmurs and heart disease. Although some Bull Terriers might outgrow them, medication or surgery can also help. Again, yearly check ups where your vet can listen to their heart and perform a scan, if needed, can help keep an eye on any developing heart problems.
Caring for Your Bull Terrier Dog
With their short, smooth, low-shedding coats, caring for your Bull Terrier is less grooming and more training and exercising.
Grooming
All a Bull Terrier needs to keep looking their best is a weekly brush to remove dirt, debris and loose hair. Baths can be done as needed, like when they’ve been playing in muddy puddles. Other grooming chores include trimming or clipping their nails - overly long nails can get in the way of playtime.
Finally, brush their teeth everyday to help ward off plaque and tartar build-up for a healthy mouth and gums.
Nutrition
Bull Terriers do well on a diet of quality commercial dog food that suits their life stage - puppy, adult or senior. Because they’re such big boned, robust dogs, Bull Terriers need a little extra calcium. This is especially true when they’re young and their bones are developing. You could try a little yogurt or whole milk in the morning or evening, add foods that are naurally high in calcium, like broccoli, to their diet when they’re rapidly growing, or try a food health supplement with their meals. For advice about adding calcium to your Bull Terrier’s diet, speak to your vet.
Although Bull Terriers are active dogs with plenty of energy to burn, remember that treat calories count towards their daily calorie intake. Given you’ll be training them on a daily basis, treats could form a big part of their reward. Keep an eye on how many calories they’re eating each day and mix up training rewards by offering special toys or praise instead.
Exercise
With a heritage as a sporting dog and a gentleman’s companion, Bull Terriers are strong, agile dogs that need daily exercise for their mental and physical health. Expect to spend at least 1 hour every day exercising your Bull Terrier. As well as long walks with their family, they absolutely love playtime and games, especially fetch.
If a Bull Terrier doesn’t get enough exercise, they’re at risk of becoming overweight which can lead to a range of health issues. Not only that, but they’ll use their smarts to find other ways to release that pent-up energy. Think barrelling through your home, furniture, and kids.
Exercising their mind is as important as exercising their body - these are busy, fun-loving pups. Stock up on puzzle toys for their next play session.
Training Your Bull Terrier
Unlike some breeds, Bull Terriers aren’t about the working life. These dogs are all about the fun and games - if it’s not fun, they won’t do it. Combine that with the courage and fearlessness of the Bulldog and the feisty independence of a Terrier, and you’ve got an independent, free-thinking dog and somewhat of a training challenge.
Luckily, it’s fairly straightforward to train a Bull Terrier - it just has to be fun. Positive reinforcement, that rewards them with treats, toys and praise, is the way to go. Training needs to be firm, consistent yet loving. A Bull Terrier needs to know that you’re in charge, otherwise they’ll try to rule the roost.
With their clownish and curious natures, Bull Terriers are naturally suited to training. Plus, their stamina and energy means they won’t get tired of training quickly (as long as it’s fun, that is). Bull Terriers can excel at any type of training or task you set them, including dog sports. Check out what’s available in your local area.
The key to a well-mannered family friendly Bull Terrier is early socialisation with other people and pets. When they’re still a puppy, enrol them at puppy school with a professional trainer so they can experience a lot of different things in a controlled environment. Inviting over other friendly pups and neighbourhood strolls where they can sniff and safely explore their surroundings are good ideas too.