Bull Terrier: temperament, size, care and health

About the Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier is unmistakable. Its head is long, arched, and egg-shaped, with no visible stop between forehead and nose, and small, triangular eyes set at a slant. The body is powerful and rounded, standing about 21 to 22 inches tall, and it moves with a springy, jaunty gait. Coats are white or colored; white dogs are the more familiar.

The breed was shaped in the nineteenth century into a companion and a fighter, and the muscle, the strong jaws, and a high pain threshold remain. Owners describe a dog with a wicked sense of humor who wants to be in the middle of every household activity.

Temperament and family life

A Bull Terrier is affectionate and people-seeking, often a physical dog that leans, wriggles, and plays hard. It can be good with children it knows, but the strength and clumsy enthusiasm are a risk for small ones, and the breed does not tolerate rough handling well. Constant supervision and training for young dogs matter.

Strangers are usually met with interest. The real management issue is other animals: many Bull Terriers have a low tolerance for other dogs and a high prey drive, and a squabble can escalate quickly. Cats and small pets are at risk. A bored or lonely Bull Terrier may chew, spin, or develop compulsive behaviors.

Exercise and training

Expect an hour of vigorous daily exercise, with games that let the dog use its body. Long walks on a sturdy leash, tugging, and fetch are favorites. Mental tasks help too, since a Bull Terrier left idle tends to find destructive work.

Training demands patience. The breed can understand a request but see no particular reason to comply, and it is strong enough to make leash pulling a real problem. Early socialization, a gentle but firm approach, and short, rewarding sessions are the foundation. Harsh methods tend to backfire. A secure yard and sturdy toys are practical needs.

Grooming and shedding

The short coat needs a weekly rub with a firm brush. It sheds a moderate amount, more in spring and fall, and short white hairs show up everywhere. Baths are occasional.

Look after the skin. White dogs can sunburn and often have allergies or irritations, and these may need regular attention. Keep nails trimmed and clean the ears. Because the coat is thin, the dog needs a coat in cold weather and shade in hot.

Health

Deafness occurs, especially in white dogs, and breeders can test hearing in puppies. The breed is also prone to hereditary kidney disease, heart disease (including mitral valve disorders), and skin allergies. A rare inherited skin and growth disorder called lethal acrodermatitis occurs in some lines. Compulsive tail chasing and spinning are behavior concerns linked to stress and genetics. Responsible breeders screen hearing, hearts, and kidneys.

What is written here is general, so questions about an individual Bull Terrier belong with a veterinarian.

History

The Bull Terrier is generally traced to the work of James Hinks in nineteenth-century Birmingham, England, who crossed Bulldog-type dogs with the old English White Terrier and later added other breeds to produce a cleaner, white version. It was called the white cavalier for its looks and manners. Colored dogs were added in the early twentieth century. The breed was being shown by the 1860s.

Is the Bull Terrier right for you?

A Bull Terrier suits experienced, physically capable owners who want a funny, devoted dog and can manage its strength and its sometimes difficult attitude toward other animals. It is not a choice for first-time owners, for people who want an obedient dog, or for homes with many small pets.

The Miniature Bull Terrier shares the shape in a smaller body, while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is usually easier with people and children. For a calmer, short-coated guardian look at the Boxer.