Bull terriers are firm , robustious , and endear companions . This playful breed can also be a spot mischievous and certainly draws attention with their singular chassis .

Looks can be cozen , and this was never more unfeigned than with the fuzz terrier . Presumed by many to be offish dogs thanks to their muscular build , the warm strapper terrier actually fly high while spending time with ( and pose pat and scritches from ) bind humans .

" Bull terrier are cute clown dogs , " tell Pam Nichols , DVM , chairwoman of theAmerican Animal Hospital Association . " They have a funny sentiency of humor , but are also very [ willful ] . They are n’t extremely interested in please their parent , although they are very sweet dogs . "

bull terrier running in grass to orange ball

feeferlump / Adobe Stock

While they are scummy maintenance on thegroomingside , they are quite the handfulwhen it occur to trainingand supervision . Bull terrier are busy dogs from the clip they are puppies until midway years , bring in the nickname " the youngster in a dog wooing . " They love company and are very playful , but can also be mischievous , especially when left to their own twist . strapper terrier always keep life interesting for their owners .

Appearance

The papal bull terrier has a grimace like no other . Their heads are long and egg - form , swill down into a Romanist olfactory organ and topped by pointed ear . Fun fact : they ’re also the only registered breed to have triangle - forge eyes .

When it comes to their size , bull terrier can really deviate . Some can be on the smaller side at just 35 pounds , but strapping male person can bulge all the way up to be 75 - Ezra Pound bullies . There are alsominiature bull terriers , who were recognized as a disjoined breed in the nineties and weigh less than 30 Ezra Loomis Pound .

Big - grind away dogs , their pace record off their strength and lightsomeness . Their coat are made up of short , flat hairs that appear glistening and feel backbreaking to the jot . Bull terriers can either be white-hot — even strong white — or colorise with various marking , with more than 20 different combination .

brown and white bull terrier sitting on sidewalk

Temperament

While bull terrier may seem baffling and restrain thanks to their unparalleled tone , they are a sweet and gentle breed . Bull terrier are goofballs , the social class goof of the dog world , and owners transport in their funny personalities . They bonk to act and get into problem in equal measure . These extroverted pups are always felicitous to see you and meet other multitude , often spunky and frantic in their greetings .

" Taurus terrier are playful , intrepid , energetic , loving , and societal , " suppose Sarah Wooten , DVM , veterinary expert forPumpkin Pet Insurance . " These dogs can be real comedian . "

They decidedly have some personality quirkiness . Because they are full of flaming and tinder , their prevailing personality can be a handful . They might become easily jealous if you ’re paying more attention to another animal ( or even a human ! ) , and develop compulsive behaviour , Nichols says , including pacing or obsessively chasing their tush or shadow . Talk to your veterinarian if you notice any of these behaviors becoming rife .

bull terrier looking at camera closeup

If yousocialize your bull’s eye terrier puppywhen they ’re untried , provideloving and consistent breeding , and make certain he arrive lots ofphysical and genial exercise , you wo n’t discover a more loyal or entertaining puppy . These hot dog benefit from spending as much time as potential with you so they can thrive and might do best withan experienced frankfurter possessor . Their love of people even protract to strangers .

" Well - socialized bull terrier are social dogs , " Wooten say . " They enjoy meeting newfangled people and giving them lots of love . "

Living Needs

If you bring a dogshit terrier home , plan to spend pot of sentence with him . They arevery alive dogsand need companionship all sidereal day long . leave a bullshit terrier on their own is a recipe for calamity — he can easily grow separation anxiety , leave in unsuitable behaviors .

One thing to experience about bull terrier : they consume anything . So your home should be bull terrier - trial impression to keep him from snacking on thing he should n’t and avoid emergency veterinary operating room .

These energetic click can act rocky , so adding a bull terrier to a family with shaver needs to be turn over cautiously .

bull terrier with general patton

Keystone / Getty

" Bull terriers are excellent kinfolk dogs for families with older children , " Wooten says . " Bull terriers are up-and-coming goose and are n’t the best option for families with young children , as they can accidentally pink them down . " old tyke whoknow how to interact with the roughneck — never pester them or rend their tail assembly — can definitely aid bull’s eye terrier combust off their energy .

fuzz terriers will prosper as an only fur child , but Wooten says they can live well with other firedog , particularly if inclose during puppyhood . " cop terriers do have astrong prey drive , " she says . " Which means they care to chase small animals . Theycan be secure with catsif they are socialise with them at a young geezerhood . "

Care

Because the bull terrier ’s pelage is short and sheeny , it requires small dressing . Brushing once a weekwith a soft - bristle brushwood helps to take away grime and informal hairs . Those touch capitulum do demand to beregularly checked and cleanedas demand . Bull terriernails should be kept shortso they are n’t uncomfortable when walk . They do n’t needfrequent bathing — unless they ’ve gotten into a stinky mess — and can be wash out with either dry shampoo or wiped with a damp textile .

Keep in mind : their coat does n’t keep them warm in cold conditions , but they do n’t bear in mind donning incisive sweater or coatwhen the weather ’s a bite chilly . They will be more comfortable in warmer weather condition , but never pass on them outside unsupervised for lengthened periods of time . Like all dogs , bull terriers do n’t sweatlike humans do and need plenty of pee , shady spots , and AC to keep coolheaded . But you canskip the ice cubes !

Because they were breed for both sport and fellowship , it ’s idealistic to take your horseshit terriers on adaily 30–60 - minute - foresighted walk . Their strength and dexterity think they are also skilled at obeisance training , tracking , and lightness line — which are all great room to challenge their Department of Energy . But go easy with puppies who are especially bouncy ; gamey - shock activities — such as pass over on furniture , farseeing trot , or playing Frisbee — can damage their formulate roast . They necessitate to exercise their psyche along with their eubstance , and love the challenge ofinteractive toy dog .

" Bull terriers are equallyhappy in apartmentsand home base with yards as long as they get enough exercise , " Wooten tell . " If they do n’t get enough exercise , they can get bored and uneasy and develop behavioural job such as masticate , barking , ordigging . "

Be patient and be unforced to express mirth through the bull terrier training process . Because of their terrier ' tude , they put a bigger accent on swordplay than crop ethic . So when it comes meter for any training , ensure it ’s fun for your yobbo . They reply well topositive reinforcement , sobring on the treatsand toy !

Independent thinkers that they are , Wooten say bull terrier can be a challenge to cultivate , so be consistent — especially when house - education . Bull terriers do well withcrate training , which helps keep them out of hassle when you ca n’t be home with them .

Health

The distinctive bull terrier life is 12–14 years , and , as with all dog breeds , there are a few wellness issue they can spring up , according to theBull Terrier Club of America .

Hereditary nephritisis a stark form of kidney disease that can be found in bull terrier even from an early eld . The disease have the kidneys to malfunction , and often a wienerwurst hurt from this affliction will not live to be Old than three .

Because they have apiebald coat , bull terrier can have hearing issues ranging frompartial to amount hearing loss . They can still lead relatively normal life-time withspecial training and handling . Their unique coat , especially for all - white Taurus terriers , can alsolead to contact allergiesand other pelt issue such as rashes , sores , and provocation .

Bull terriers may alsosuffer from spirit disease , which is typically indicated by a heart murmur . Their distinctive eyes are also prostrate tolens luxation , which may be treatable with medication or operating theatre , but may also top to eye removal .

As mentioned , bull terrier are potential to deal withobsessive compulsive behaviorsthat manifest as spinning , tempo , or chasing their tail for hr on end if left unbridled . It may betreatable with medicationssuch as phenobarbitol , anafranil , or Prozac for uttermost casing — or , for milder cases , by simply rule out boredom .

" To ensure a puppy is free of genetic problem , ask the stock breeder if they test their training animals for genetic disorders and … ask to see the results of those exam , " Wooten read . " to boot , ask for a wellness warrantee . "

History

Bull terriers were first bred in the 1830s as fighting dogs , likely by cross abulldogwith the now - extinct lily-white English terrier and theDalmatianto increase their size , accord toThe Bull Terrier Club . They were regard gladiators in the hotdog - fighting ring , prized for their strength and tenaciousness .

In the 1860s , as frump fighting was criminalise and finally lost popularity , bull terrier were bred to be all blanched as a fashionable fellow traveller for valet de chambre . The " New Bull Terrier " first appear at a dog show in 1862 and was demonstrate by James Hinks , who is credited as the original pig terrier breeder . They earned the nickname " White Cavalier " thanks to their courageousness , their courtliness towards people , and their sweet disposition .

The first bull terrier was registered by the American Kennel Club in 1885 , and theBull Terrier Club of Americawas formed in 1897 . The miniature bull terrier became a disjoined breed in 1992 .

There are many notable bull terrier owners , include General George S. Patton , actress Dolores Del Rio , author John Steinbeck , and President Woodrow Wilson . Perhaps the most famous bullshit terrier isPatsy Ann , the prescribed welcomer of Juneau , Alaska . Patsy Ann sat on the sorrel in Juneau during the 1930s salutation navy man and taking photos with holidaymaker . Her liveliness survive on in Juneau thanks to a commemorating statue commission in 1992 .

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