The Bull Terrier was created in 19th century England. He is a cross between
the Bulldog and a now extinct white English terrier. He was used originally
in dog fights.
The Bull Terrier is fearless and energetic. He is well mannered but should
not be kept with other dogs as he can become aggressive. He is also exceedingly
friendly toward people. He has a jaunty attitude.
The Bull Terrier has an oval-shaped head that curve downward from the top
of skull to tip of the nose. He has small, dark eyes. The ears are set at
the corners of the skull and point upward. The body is muscular with a short,
strong back. The legs are straight and of moderate length. The coat is short,
flat and harsh to the touch. There are two types of coat colors that are
acceptable. One is white with the possibility of some red or brindle markings
on the head. The other is brindle or red in body with white on the chest
legs and tip of the tail. The tail is short, set low and carried horizontally.
When in motion, the legs move parallel to each other with easy strides.
The Bull Terrier should range between 21 and 22 inches in height and 52
to 62 pounds in weight.
andrew_rhinehart2001@yahoo.com of Searcy, AR writes:
A very athletic and muscular dog, very pretty.
I love athletic dogs and the Bull Terrier is a perfect athlete and is
very muscular. I like the whole look of the dog. It's a very pretty dog.
I love the breed.
deb.rushing@verizon.net of Washington writes:
Best and dearest friend, but they expect a lot of attention.
Our Bull Terrier is the best dog we've ever had and believe me we've
had so many breeds. This dog is the greatest joy. He is funny, true-blue,
predictable, and makes every day a fun event around him. He loves to be
spoiled and demands a lot of attention every day but he's really worth every
bit. He loves to play games and jump. He hates cats, we have another dog
and he would prefer we didn't. He loves to take walks but is a creature
of habit and likes to choose the same route almost every time. He does suffer
from skin irritations that make me feel sad for him. No vet really knows
how to treat them. He is a jovial little creature with extra sweet character
around humans. He is my friend.
Name withheld by request of UK writes:
Bullies rule!
I am the proud owner of a brindle and white Bullie bitch. Although she
is my first Bull Terrier, I can honestly say that I would never own any
other breed.
It is safe to say that Bull Terriers are not for the fainthearted. Although
they have the ability to amuse with their clownish antics ... could you
really keep smiling after you came home to a house like a demolition site
for the third time in a week? Also, Bullies are not the easiest beasts to
train. I have been lucky because mine is very food motivated and has responded
amazingly to clicker training. However, although she has understood how
to sit for about two years either by verbal command or hand signal, that
does not stop her from using her "selective deafness" to ignore
me when the mood takes her.
One thing is guaranteed, life with a Bull Terrier is never dull ... with
their larger than life personalities and mischievous tendencies you can
be sure that each day is a new adventure!
sjumel@tulane.edu of New Orleans writes:
Good but gassy! Hold off on the chicken skin, folks.
I love my sister's two Bull Terriers that live with us. They are big
foolish couch lumps now, but before the age of two they were hellions. Imagine
a rat terrier on steroids. Upon reaching adulthood they mellow out. I am
only experianced with females, who are less aggressive than males; but I
like them a lot. They are weird dogs with voracious appetites; they seem
not to know certain things are inedible and will have to be surgically removed
if ingested. Take care buying toys, and dispose of anything they find interesting
with great care! They WILL find and eat if if they can.
Now for the main point: If there is any reason these dogs (or Staffordshire
Bull Terriers, who seem to have the same problem) should be eliminated from
the earth it is this p; they have ungodly gas. Now I think you have
to be mean or stupid to have them turn into bad dogs, but the most angelic
Bullie on the planet can take the paint off of a '57 Chevy with its either
end emissions. It is really bad, no lie. They can make an apartment undwellable
in a very short time (while sound asleep or smiling beautifically at you).
Feeding them the same dull dry dog food every day seems to help; canned
food will make the ceiling fall in. We use the expensive stuff and it doesn't
seem to be any better. Oh, and it is silent. Deadly silent, the sound (and
reek) of the grave. You have been warned.
Name withheld by request of Ontario, Canada writes:
Fiercely loyal, loving, may not adapt well to change.
My husband and I researched and met with many breeders before we purchased
our male Bullie eleven years ago. He was quite the comedian and was immensely
loved by everyone who met him. Early socialization and obedience training
are a must with this breed, despite all of our training and love our dog
was still very dog aggressive. He would much rather be around a bunch of
humans, he especially loved to play with my nieces and nephews. When I had
my daughter, Bullie was seven years old. We always included him in all our
outings and still received as much attention as ever. He apperared to be
adjusting well to our new family member. When my daughter learned to walk
you could always find him,right beside her. It was with great shock that
when my daughter was two and one-half years old my dog decided to attack
her. I have heard other people tell similar stories to mine. In my opinion
I would not advise people to bring children into their home with a mature
Bull Terrier, Rather have your children first and then bring your Bullie
up with your children. I would have another one again despite this experience,
I still think about him everyday and miss my little clown.
cbys02190@blueyonder.co.uk of England writes:
My daughter's English Bull Terrier is a perfect family pet.
As a family we have had Bull Terriers and crosses since 1970. The last
one belonged to my eldest daughter and lived for fifteen years. Shortly
after that dog died my youngest daughter married and left home. Following
the birth of her two children, she bought the largest male Bull Terrier
I have EVER seen. I have trouble restraining it. My smallest grandson, four
years old, pulls it around as if it's on wheels, it will lay down and let
the kids warm their feet on it whilst they read p; no problems whatsoever.
Trouble is he will insist on sitting in the windowsill watching for favorite
visitors. On seeing them, a good four or five stone of bone, muscle and
exuberant goodwill, hurtles from the sill, through two doors, round six
bends, without apparantly touching the floor and crashes to a halt a hairsbreadth
from the door. The wise visitor then should open the door and stand to one
side. This seems to be the only way to prevent the clown from trying to
jump on you.
In all my experiences with Bull Terriers I have never known one to be unfriendly
toward any family "pack" member. However I have always insisted
that my children and now grandchildren act to ensure that they maintain
the dog's position in the pack hierarchy.
Bull Terriers have always proved to be loyal, faithful companions for all
my children. Every dog has had its own character and each one proved to
be a comedian in its own right p; "See what I have taught my humans
to do" seems to be a favorite theme!
Be the boss, treat them with respect, ensure they understand the rules p;
result: one brilliant pet.
carolprinz@hotmail.com of Colorado Springs, CO writes on 7/23/00:
It is very energetic and active, and will always be looking for an opportunity
to make us laugh.
This is the best dog that exists (in my opinion). They are very energetic
and strong. They will play and keep up with kids' neverending energy. They
are very loyal and will give their lives up in order to protect their owner.
These dogs are one of the smartest breeds out there, yet if the owner doesn't
train them correctly, they will turn out to be very nasty. They are like
kids, if you don't have the time to care for them, don't get one.
There is also something very peculiar about these dogs. They talk!. Well
they don't really talk, but they mumble and grunt. They are also very funny.
They are little comedians. I guarantee they'll make you laugh!. You can
see them sitting around as if they were thinking, and then all of the sudden,
burst out and start their stand up comedy act. I guarantee they will make
you laugh ( even if you are a bitter person).
At first, they may look a little awkward to you. They are very funny looking,
but when you see them for a while, you realize they are the most beautiful
dogs. They are almost like humans. It is like they wory about their owners,
and even though sometimes you may get home and find what used to be your
shoes in a little waste pile, it is worth getting home to see how excited
your bull terrier will get when he sees you.
This breed requires a firm hand and patience. They will learn but sometimes,
they get a little stubborn. You have to get them socialized with all kinds
of people, and pray that he never sees a cat arround him ( his wild instinct
will show and he will go after the cat ).
bullie@home.com of Canada writes on 3/5/00:
The best.
They are not really dogs - they are kids. They are sweet and are great with
kids. They need love and attention and are big clowns. There is never a
dull moment with a Bullie around. I have had Bull Terriers for over 20 years
and would never consider any other breed.
otr025010@online.be of Gent, Belgium writes on 1/18/00:
Health is a concern.
Bull Terriers,a wonderfull breed,but are they healty? I dont think so. I've
had bulls for the last 20years, and thy are fun and lovely dogs with their
own caracter. For the last 8 years you can't find here in Belgium a healthy
Bull Terrier. You pay 1000 big money and you get a sick dog - renal kidney
deseases, deafness, deformed forquarters (heritage of English Bulldog) match
to heavy, slow,and others.
Name withheld by request of Canada writes on 10/10/99:
A *special needs* dog; limited optimal *market*
Having had this breed for almost two full decades, in multiples and of all
ages, show, breeding, pet and obedience - I can say that on average they
need MORE supervision, more training, more patience and tolerance for their
idosyncracies than any of the breeds my friends raise! If you are the right
owner, you can cope and if you aren't the right owner, it is a very difficult
breed to PROPERLY & ADEQUATELY assimilate into the same social structure
a working breed can handle with a paw tied behind its back <G>. As
a terrier breed, they are typically feisty, determined, obnoxiously pushy,
sometimes same-sex aggressive or animal-aggressive, destructive when bored
& unsupervised, not always able to accept a multiple-pet household,
or be off-leash in parks and on wilderness hikes; it is not a good choice
for weak-willed, inexperienced beginners as even the puppies are adroit
at manipulative & pre-alpha behaviours. With exceptions, the raising
of a calm, obedient, friendly, trust-worthy Bully is an ongoing chore and
breeders should be screening for buyers who understand this and can accomplish
it. This is why I state that the breed has a limited optimum market - too
many Bullies are sold to way too many people who should be steered to a
less difficult type of dog - based on their time, willingness, space, determination
- or lack thereof!
The breed is also prone to heart & joint defects; skin problems; kidney
defects; and deafness. Buyers should ask for and recieve certification that
the parents of the litter are tested and normal regarding these defects
- and that the breeders have a replacement/refund policy to help the buyer
if the puppy inherits one of these defects. A high number of Bullies are
prone to bowel obstruction due to ingesting foreign objects - surgery for
this is very expensive and high risk; bullies who have this habit are usually
repeat offenders!
All in all, a unique-to-look at breed with special limitations that require
serious dedication and knowledge to make the best of them. Be an informed
buyer and buy only from informed breeders - whi have YOUR best interest
at heart, which will then include the dog's best interest.
chinajaz@uk.plackardbell.org of U.K. writes on 10/10/99:
Good all-around family friend
Having had many variuos breeds, it took nearly 10 years to decide, having
heard such bad press about the Bull Terrier, but now not only do I own such
a loyal trust worthy animal - who by the way is called Amy and look after
other Bullies while people go off on holidays. I am extremely proud that
my little lady is expecting and soon to be a proud mum she bring me such
joy and happiness just knowing how ever hard the day at the office has got
she'll be waiting for me with a wag of her tail and a lot of sloppy kisses.