Bull Terrier
- Related Topics:
- pit bull
- terrier
- dogfighting
What is a bull terrier?
Should bull terriers be included in breed-specific legislation ("pit bull bans")?
Bull Terrier, breed of dog developed in 19th-century England from the Bulldog, the White English Terrier (a breed now extinct), and the Dalmatian; other breeds including the Spanish pointer, foxhound, and Greyhound may also have been incorporated.
- Also called: Egghead, Wedgehead, Bully
- Area of origin: England
- Breed group: Terrier
- Height at withers:21–22 inches (53–56 cm)
- Weight: 50–70 pounds (23–32 kg)
- Life span: 12-13 years
- Did you know?: Bull Terriers have frequently served as corporate mascots. In the late 1980s “Spuds MacKenzie,” portrayed by a female Bull Terrier named Honey Tree Evil Eye, began starring in TV commercials and advertisements for Bud Light beer. According to The New York Times, Spuds helped increase sales by 20 percent between 1987 and 1988; the dog-based campaign ended in 1989. Ten years later “Bullseye,” a white Bull Terrier, became the popular mascot for Target. The company emblazoned its logo, a red circle around a dot, surrounding the dog’s left eye, but it did so with a nontoxic vegetable-based paint that was easily removable.
The Bull Terrier was developed for dogfighting pits as a courageous fighter but not as an aggressive fight provoker. It is a muscular dog and has a short coat; a tapering tail; erect ears; small triangular deep-set eyes; and a distinctive egg-shaped, or convex, head. The miniature Bull Terrier, recognized as a separate breed, stands only 10 to 14 inches (25 to 35 cm) and weighs 24 to 33 pounds (11 to 15 kg). In both sizes the coat may be colored (i.e., any color but white, including brindle) or white (i.e., all white or white with darker head markings). The Bull Terrier is active, loyal, and playful—even clownish—and is considered for its weight as one of the strongest of all dogs.
Care and upkeep
The Bull Terrier needs a secure fenced yard in which to exercise. The breed requires a great deal of human interaction in the form of games, training, and leashed walks. It is generally not a good candidate for dog parks, because it can be aggressive with unfamiliar animals. Bull Terriers enjoy many dog sports, including agility, obedience, and scent work as well as coursing, flyball, and weight pulling. They do not like extreme cold nor heat. Coat care is minimal, consisting of occasional bathing and brushing.
The breed is generally healthy, though common ailments include patellar luxation (dislocated kneecap) and mild heart issues. Kidney failure is also a concern. In addition, Bull Terriers are susceptible to hearing problems, and the white-coated variety is especially prone to deafness. In colored Bull Terriers, deafness is typically limited to one ear. It should be determined if a puppy has hearing issues before labeling it as disobedient.
Temperament
Although the Bull Terrier was originally bred for pit fighting, in the late 1800s breeders began to focus on traits that transformed the dog into a gentleman’s fashionable companion. Thus, the breed today is generally sweet and good-natured, though it still may be aggressive around other dogs. Generally described as energetic, huggable, and exuberant, Bull Terriers can also be comical, mischievous, and stubborn. The breed is especially well suited for active people. The Bull Terrier can be a good watchdog but is only fair at protection.
These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.