With a long and lean build and jaunty stride, Bull Terriers are known for having an egg-shaped head that adds to their swagger. With a gregarious and dynamic nature, these dogs are tough yet can be greatly attached to their families. Bull Terriers are often referred to as “the kid in a dog suit.” This is because they have the ability to be playful and mischievous while also having a sweet disposition. Seen on the side of owners like General Patton and Princess Anne, these dogs definitely are icons.
If you’re planning on getting one or simply inquisitive, read further to know the Top 10 most amazing Bull Terrier facts.
1. Bull Terriers Were Bred to Fight:
The horrendous pastime of bull-baiting was outlawed in the 1830s but this didn’t stop some people with the taste of a gruesome presentation. To avoid getting caught, some people drilled a way to elude the law. Bull-baiting had been illegal for a while, so dog fighting became the choice of blood sport.
Bulldogs proved too slow to provide much entertainment in the gruesome affairs so breeders thought that the tenacious spirit and agility of the terrier mixed with the brute force of a bulldog would create the ultimate fighting pit dog. As suggested by their name, Bull Terriers are a cross between bulldogs and terriers to produce a fighter with great tenacity.
Not long after this, dogfighting and other blood sports were outlawed in England. Suddenly, the unemployed Bull Terrier became fashionable among young gentlemen of the mid-1800s. In the early 1860s, Englishman James Hinks took an old fighting breed, a Bulldog-terrier cross called the Bull-and-Terrier, and refined and standardized it as the modern Bull Terrier.
Bull Terriers got recognized in the AKC in 1885 and became American favorites ever since. The Bull Terriers we see today are much gentler than their ancestors but are still powerful dogs.
2. Bull Terriers Are Well-Known for Their Egg Shaped Head:
Bull Terriers are famous for their very peculiar appearances. Their most recognizable feature is their head, described as ‘egg-shaped’. Their lower jaw is deep and strong. They’re the only registered breed with triangle-shaped, sunken, and piercing eyes. Their ears are pointy.
Their body is full of muscular shoulders and their back is short and strong. The tail is short, thick at the root, tapering to a fine point, and is carried horizontally. Their coat comes in a variety of colors like white, red, fawn, black, brindle, or a combination of these. The standard version reaches about 22 inches in height and a maximum of about 60 pounds.
3. Bull Terriers Are Courageous, Full of Spirit, with a Fun-Loving Attitude:
Bull Terriers are friendly, feisty extroverts that can be both independent and stubborn and for this reason are not considered suitable for an inexperienced dog owner. They have an even temperament and are amenable to discipline.
Despite being obstinate, they are particularly good with people. Their personality is described as courageous, full of spirit, with a fun-loving attitude. These are good traits, but they can veer into the disagreeable category if they become possessive or jealous. If not given enough exercise and attention from the owner, these animals can create havoc.
Bull terriers are affectionate and playful with family members. They also are loyal pets that will guard the family. They’ll be protective of their family and their things. They can also be territorial; they’ll protect that space, their toys, and what they eat. Early correction is necessary to prevent serious behavior problems; don’t encourage aggressive behavior.
4. You Can Get A Miniature Version of Bull Terriers:
There is a smaller version of bull terriers that only grow to be about 14 inches tall and can weigh between 24 to 34 pounds.
Although technically a distinct breed, the only difference between mini and bull terriers is their size. These dogs shed much less than their larger counterparts and are hypoallergenic.
5. Bull Terriers Are Very Active:
Bull Terriers are active dogs that like to play rough. They were bred originally as fighting dogs, so they’re not suited for homes with young children. They are high-energy dogs and love getting absorbed in the activities engaging body and mind. These guys are highly attached to their families and don’t prefer being alone.
Whenever you are in public, it is imperative that you keep a close watch on them as they tend to chase every dog, cat, and squirrel that their eyes fall on.
6. Make Sure to Train Your Bull Terrier from An Early Age:
Bull terriers exhibit the tenacity and courage of the Bulldog but are also a member of the Terrier Group. They are independent free-thinkers and love to have fun. They tend to operate on the principle that if it is fun, they will do it. So their training should be fun. They aren’t the easiest breed to train, and you’ll be most successful if you appeal to their love of play with positive reinforcement with food and toys while remaining firm and consistent.
Early training is important. You must be able to provide leadership without resorting to physical force or harsh words. If trained properly in a positive manner with patience and humor, they can excel in various activities like agility, freestyle, weight pull, carting as well as in roles such as bomb detection, search-and-rescue, service, and even therapy dogs.
7. Bull Terrier Has Low Grooming Needs:
Grooming a Bull terrier is an easy task and can be done by anyone. They are naturally clean with little doggie odor. A bath every three months in a mild shampoo is a good idea. Their sleek coat only needs weekly brushing with a rubber mitt or curry brush. The exception is during their twice-yearly shedding season when daily brushing will be necessary to keep all the hair under control. Their ears need to be checked every week and cleaned with a cleanser recommended by your dog’s breeder or your veterinarian. Trimming toenails once a month is enough.
Introduce grooming to your Bull Terrier when they are very young so they learn to accept the handling and fuss patiently. Grooming should be a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams.
8. Bull Terriers Make Good Canine Delegates:
Bull terriers are no strangers to the limelight. Spuds Mackenzie was a well-known bull terrier that worked as the mascot of Bud Light. Similarly, another laid-back bull terrier in the business was Bullseye, the Target dog that made an appearance in commercials since 1999.
Likewise, Patsy Ann was a bull terrier that had an uncanny ability to tell when and where ships were coming in to dock despite being deaf. These are just examples, yet Bull terriers are very popular and are owned by celebrities like Taylor Swift.
9. Bull Terriers Are Common to OCD:
Seeing a dog chasing their tail may seem cute, but it’s also possibly a sign they have an obsessive personality disorder. Studies have shown that bull terriers are much more likely to compulsively chase their tails than any other breed. Other signs of the disorder include frequent chasing of shadows and compulsive pacing. Manifestations of obsessive-compulsiveness may also include self-mutilation and self-licking. If you’re concerned about your dog’s behavior, consult with your vet.
10. Bull Terrier Is A Generally Healthy Breed:
Bull terriers are fairly healthy with an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years but they may be prone to some genetic health problems. Other health problems include heart disease, deafness, and eye disorders. Bull terriers are one of the breeds of dogs with piebald coats. They can experience hearing loss, just like Dalmatians. Some breeders continued to use deaf dogs despite the belief that they could be bred out of the gene pool.
If you’ve taken a puppy into your home, you should protect them from one of the most common health problems; obesity. Bull Terriers are big eaters so it’s important to keep an eye on their weight. Keeping a Bull Terrier at a healthy weight is one of the best ways to extend their life. It’s a good idea to consult with a vet if any problems arise.
This is a matter of opinion and to some; Bull Terriers may seem like Pitbulls. Before getting one of these dogs, it is important to realize that there is much misinformation around the natures of pit bulls and there are campaigns to out-law the dogs. So they may be banned in some jurisdictions for safety reasons.
Make sure to check with your local government before adopting one to be sure you can.
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