Should you get a Bull Terrier?
The Bull Terrier is a unique dog breed that is often misunderstood. They are known for their playful and loving nature, but there is much more to these dogs than meets the eye. Here are 14 interesting facts about the Bull Terrier.
The Modern Bull Terrier
first appeared in England in 1862. It was during this time that a man named James Hinks showcased them in a dog show. He is often credited as being the founder of the original Bull Terrier. Hinks played a crucial role in refining the breed’s appearance and temperament, creating the distinct look and characteristics that we recognize today.
While Other Breeds may have
been used, it is believed that the Bulldog, the English White Terrier, and the Dalmatian were involved in the development of the Bull Terrier. They were originally bred for blood sports, bull-baiting and dog fighting, in England during the 19th century. However, over time, their aggressive tendencies were bred out and they became more known for their friendly and playful nature.
In the Early Days
of the breed, all Bull Terriers were white dogs. However, in the early 1900s, the first colored Bull Terriers started appearing. This change was met with resistance from some who believed that introducing colors and patterns would dilute the breed. It wasn’t until the 1950s that colored dogs were finally accepted within the bull terrier community. Despite this initial resistance, today’s Bull Terriers come in a wide range of colors and patterns.
In Landmark Research on Modern Dog Breed
development, the Bull Terrier has been shown to share the most DNA with an ancestor of the following breeds:
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Glen of Imal Terrier
Bull Terriers are affectionately
known as “The Jolly Boys” and have a reputation for being the class clowns of the dog world, and while they’re not jolly all the time, they are high energy and love to play. They even became circus performers due to their amazing agility and determination
According to FCI Breed Standard
the Bull Terrier can reach up to 22 inches in height and up to 70 pounds in weight. Accepted coat colors are:
“Pure white, Black brindle, red, fawn and tricolour acceptable. Tick markings in white coat undesirable. Blue and liver highly undesirable.”
Bull Terriers are OCD.
Studies have shown that Bull terriers and German shepherds are much more likely to compulsively chase their tails than any other breed. They also may chase shadows. It was found that dogs who received a nutritional supplement with their food chased their tails less, but the reasons for this are not known.
Growing Up Bull Terrier
Get a FREE Video of your dog HERE!
How Fast Can a Bull Terrier Run?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) Conducts Dog Racing Trials each December in Orlando, FL. called the Fast CAT Invitational. This is a 100 yard race where dogs run individually chasing a lure. The average running speed by Bull Terrier’s is almost 23 mph. The fastest recorded speed by a Bull Terrier was by a dog named Dogmore At Twilight O’Malvern at 26.11 mph!
They exist in miniature.
The Miniature Bull Terrier is considered a separate breed. They stand 10-14 inches tall and weigh 18-28 pounds. Their coat colors are the same as the standard Bull terrier.
Bull Terrier Temperament & Personality
The CBARQ Dog Temperament Research study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, is a giant study of over 300 dog breeds and 60,000 individual dogs. In this study, the Bull Terrier ranks 8 out of 124 breeds in aggression towards other UNFAMILIAR dogs. When an unfamiliar canine enters their territory, they are likely to react by growling, bearing of teeth or in extreme cases lunging or biting.
In this Same Research
the Bull terrier ranks 15 our of 124 breeds in showing aggression towards their owners. This is measured by a dog’s reaction when an owner approaches the dog’s food, favorite toy, bone, bed etc. and the dog grows, bears their teeth or displays other hostile behavior.
Bull terrier Humor!
In the Landmark Book
entitled, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, professor Stanley Coren researched and documented the intelligence of over 130 different dog breeds. In his book, the Bull Terrier ranks 49th out of 138 breeds in working/obedience intelligence. Essentially this means they will learn new commands in 25 to 40 repetitions and obey first commands more than 50% of the time. This puts them in the “average working and obedience intelligence” category. In contrast, the most intelligent breeds will learn the same command in 5 repetitions or less!
They will Chew on Everything.
While some will chew more than others, Bull terriers are known to chew, and sometimes, ingest items that should not be eaten. Many times this will require surgery for there removal. Your cell phone, remote, sunglasses, shoes etc. should be kept in a safe place!
Bull Terrier’s Have an Average
lifespan of 12-13 years. One of the oldest Bull terrier’s on record is from Australia named Pappu Trout at 17 years old. They are a robust breed, but there are some health issues to be aware of :
Patellar Luxation
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Pulmonic Stenosis
Check Your Bull Terrier Facts and Take a Fun Bull Terrier Quiz!
Quick Facts About the Bull Terrier Infographic
Facts About Bull Terriers-Final Thoughts
Bull Terriers are unique and fascinating dogs that require special care and attention. Their distinctive appearance, with their triangular eyes and muscular build, makes them stand out in a crowd. These active and energetic dogs and need enough exercise, both physical and mental, to keep them happy and healthy. Daily walks and consistent training are a must for these strong-willed pups. It is a good idea to start obedience training at an early age. Bull Terriers have a strong prey drive that may make them prone to chasing smaller pets. It’s important to provide them with plenty of mental exercise as well, to keep their intelligent minds stimulated. They may not be the best choice for first time pet parents or families with young children. While they can be challenging at times, especially during their adolescent to middle age years, the love and companionship they provide make it all worthwhile.
