When considering getting -any- dog, it is highly advisable, practically a necessity, to read up on the breed. No dog is perfect and different breeds have typical traits that ought to be known.
So, if you think YOU want a Bull Terrier in your future - here’s what you gotta know!
The Bull Terrier, as it is known today, was developed in the early 1860s by James Hinks. Hinks lived in Birmingham, UK and his plan was to develop a ‘gentlemans dog’ to be used in the show ring as well as a wonderful companion. His Bull Terrier was more refined and less varied than the earlier ‘Bull-and-Terrier’, and became known as the White Cavalier for their gorgeous white coats. It was not until 1900s that the colored variation came into the breed.
Typically, the Bull Terrier is believed to have, primarily, in it’s ancestry - the old fashioned Bulldog (for strength & tenacity), the now extinct English White Terrier (for improved agility), and the Dalmatian (for elegance & grace). Thus, the Bull Terrier still has characteristics of these breeds today such as perserverance and high prey drive.
The Bull Terrier is commonly referred to as the clown of the dog world, and a 3-year-old in a dog suit - both of these things must be held in the forefront of your mind. To be owned by a Bull Terrier, you must have a strong sense of humor and endless patience. They have a tendency of stubbornness, a strongwilled nature, and many are independent thinkers with a desire to please THEMSELVES, rather than their people. Because of these reasons, the Bull Terrier can be exceptionally difficult to train but learn best with positive reinforcement & motivation. They are exceptionally curious and explore the world with their mouths, often swallowing things they should not and requiring surgery. Bull Terriers typically remain “busy”, active, energetic and playful until they are 5 - 6 years old. This is not a breed that “calms down” early on.
They do not do well when left outside, or when left alone for long periods of time. They become destructive when bored and can develop unpleasant habits, such as incessant barking. And while they may not be biddable, the Bull Terrier becomes very attached to it’s family, and as such, may be a good natural guard dog. However, it is unadvisable to train them as guard dogs, with the risk that they develop possessiveness or jealousy, or are unable to determine a well-natured stranger from a malevolent one.
Unique dogs, Bull Terriers are typically very difficult to handle and require a special sort of person and much understanding. Additionally, while generally healthy, they do have some health issues one ought to be aware of - skin problems, allergies and inherited deafness in the white variation. Recommended health tests for the Bull Terrier are hearing, kidneys, heart and patella luxation.
In conclusion, the best way to find out if a Bull Terrier would fit in your life is to MEET ONE and see what they’re like. They are wonderful, loving companions that require a lot of attention and exercise. ”They can give tremendous joy or wreak havoc, depending on the time and effort spent by their owners to control and develop their special character.”
Also, I recommend you read the two stories on (this page). As well as (this material) from the Bull Terrier Club of America.
