The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family. They are known for their large, egg-shaped head, small triangular eyes, and "jaunty gait." Their temperament has been described as generally fun-loving, active and clownish. Bull terriers have appeared as characters in many cartoons, books, movies, and advertisements.
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| A red and white Bull Terrier |
Other names : English Bull Terrier, Bully, Gladiator
Country of Origin : England
Country of Origin : England
Weight : Male (22 - 38kg) or (50 - 85lbs)
Height : Male (45 - 55cm) or (12 - 18inch)
Coat : Short, Dense
Color : White, Any colour except blue and liver
Litter size : up to 12
Life span : 9-12 years
Description
Appearance
The Bull Terrier's most recognizable feature is its head, described as 'egg shaped' when viewed from the front, almost flat at the top, with a Roman muzzle sloping evenly down to the end of the nose with no stop. The unique triangle-shaped eyes are small, dark, and deep-set. The body is full and round, while the shoulders are robust and very muscular and the tail is carried horizontally. It walks with a jaunty gait, and is popularly known as the 'gladiator of the canine race'.There is no designated height or weight for the breed, but the average is, Height: 52–61 cm (21-24 inches), Weight: 22–38 kg (50-85 pounds) The Bull Terrier is the only recognized breed that has triangle-shaped eyes.
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| A white bull terrier showing triangular eyes |
Temperament
Although there is much discussion regarding the safety of owning a Bull Terrier, the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS), which performs temperament tests in an effort to weed out potentially dangerous dogs from breeding programmes and to educate dog owners, reports consistently high pass rates, around 90%, for Bull Terriers. Generally, Bull Terriers are no more or less aggressive towards people than any other dog. A Washington Animal Foundation human fatalities survey in 2001 found none caused by Bull Terriers.The Bull Terrier is a fun, comical, people-loving dog. They are known to be courageous, scrappy, fun-loving, active, clownish and fearless. They enjoy being around people, sometimes a little too much, and can prove positively dangerous to people of a delicate nature, not through malicious intent, but rather through their exuberance; as such the Bull Terrier is not recommended for households with small children, or the elderly and infirm. Bull Terriers can be both independent and stubborn and for this reason is not considered suitable for an inexperienced dog owner. A firm hand and an assertive demeanour are essential if the Bull Terrier is not to run riot. They are also fiercely protective and make superb watchdogs, although comprehensive socialisation at an early age will prevent them becoming over-protective and neurotic.When it comes to other animals, caution should be the byword. Bull Terriers have a strong prey instinct and can cause injury or death to other animals, especially cats. That said, puppies brought up or socialised with cats and other animals can get on well with the animals they know; they can never be completely trusted with other animals. With other dogs, unaltered males may not get along with other male dogs. Males and females can live together happily, and two females can also be a good combination with care and supervision. Introducing a Bull Terrier of the same gender as the dog in residence is considered unwise, and some Bull Terriers won't countenance any other dogs, of either gender.
Health
All puppies should be checked for deafness, which occurs in 20% of pure white dogs and 1.3% of colored dogs and is difficult to notice, especially in a relatively young puppy. Many Bull Terriers have a tendency to develop skin allergies. Insect bites, such as those from fleas, and sometimes mosquitoes and mites, can produce a generalized allergic response of hives, rash, and itching. This problem can be stopped by keeping the dog free of contact from these insects, but this is definitely a consideration in climates or circumstances where exposure to these insects is inevitable. Their average lifespan is around 9–12 years, although they may live longer - a male bull terrier house pet in South Wales, UK by the name of "Buller" lived to the age of 18 years. The oldest female Bull Terrier on record is an Australian house pet dubbed "Puppa Trout" who remained sprightly into her 17th year.The Bull Terrier's coat is easy to maintain, but grooming can keep it in near-perfect condition. Adding oils to their meals can also vastly improve the quality of their coat. English Bull Terriers have thin, fine hair that requires minimal grooming. They are known to have light shedding patterns. Another important issue is that any whiteness around the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, stomach or hindquarters with a short and sparse haired breed such as this must be protected against the sun with a gentle but high SPF factored sunscreen to prevent sunburn and subsequent cancer. The Bull Terrier requires a fair amount of exercise.
Other common ailments: Umbilical Hernia and Acne. Bull Terriers can also suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, such as tail sucking, self mutilation, and obsessive licking.
History
Early in the mid-19th century the "Bull and Terrier" breeds were developed to satisfy the needs for vermin control and animal-based blood sports. The "Bull and Terriers" were based on the Old English Bulldog (now extinct) and one or more of Old English Terrier and "Black and tan terrier", now known as Manchester Terrier. This new breed combined the speed and dexterity of lightly built terriers with the dour tenacity of the Bulldog, which was a poor performer in most combat situations, having been bred almost exclusively for killing bulls and bears tied to a post. Many breeders began to breed bulldogs with terriers, arguing that such a mixture enhances the quality of fighting. Despite the fact that a cross between a bulldog and a terrier was of high value, very little or nothing was done to preserve the breed in its original form. Fortunately Bulldog managed to survive. Due to the lack of breed standards—breeding was for performance, not appearance—the "Bull and Terrier" eventually divided into the ancestors of "Bull Terriers" and "Staffordshire Bull Terriers", both smaller and easier to handle than the progenitor.
About 1850, James Hinks started breeding "Bull and Terriers" with "English White Terriers" (now extinct), looking for a cleaner appearance with better legs and nicer head. In 1862, Hinks entered a bitch called "Puss" sired by his white Bulldog called "Madman" into the Bull Terrier Class at the dog show held at the Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea. Originally known as the "Hinks Breed" and "The White Cavalier", these dogs did not yet have the now-familiar "egg face", but kept the stop in the skull profile.
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| Bull Terrier circa 1915. |
Due to medical problems associated with all-white breeding, Ted Lyon among others began introducing colour, using Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the early 20th century. Coloured Bull Terriers were recognised as a separate variety (at least by the AKC) in 1936. Brindle is the preferred colour, but other colours are welcome.
Along with conformation, specific behaviour traits were sought. The epithet "White Cavalier", harking back to an age of chivalry, was bestowed on a breed which while never seeking to start a fight was well able to finish one, while socialising well with its "pack", including children and pups. Hinks himself had always aimed at a "gentleman's companion" dog rather than a pit-fighter—though Bullies were often entered in the pits, with some success. Today the Bullie is valued as a comical, mischievous, imaginative and intelligent (problem-solving) but stubborn house pet suitable for experienced owners.
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| The difference between "Bullies" and "Staffies" |
CLASSIFICATION AND STANDARDS
GENERAL APPEARANCE : Strongly built, muscular, well balanced and active with a keen, determined and intelligent expression. Courageous, full of spirit, with a fun loving attitude. A unique feature is a downfaced, eggshaped head. Irrespective of size dogs should look masculine and bitches feminine.
BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT : Of even temperament and amenable to discipline. Although obstinate is particularly good with people.
HEAD : Long, strong and deep right to end of muzzle, but not coarse. Viewed from front eggshaped and completely filled, its surface free from hollows or indentations. Profile curves gently downwards from top of skull to tip of nose.
(CRANIAL REGION) :
Skull : Top of skull almost flat from ear to ear.
(FACIAL REGION) :
Nose : Should be black. Bent downwards at tip. Nostrils well developed.
Lips : Clean and tight.
Jaws/Teeth : Under-jaw deep and strong. Teeth sound, clean, strong, of good size, regular with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i. e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes : Appearing narrow, obliquely placed and triangular, well sunken, black or as dark brown as possible so as to appear almost black and with a piercing glint. Distance from tip of nose to eyes perceptibly greater than that from eyes to top of skull. Blue or partly blue undesirable.
Ears : Small, thin and placed close together. Dog should be able to hold them stiffly erect, when they point straight upwards.
(NECK) :
Very muscular, long, arched, tapering from shoulders to head and free from loose skin.
(BODY) :
Well rounded with marked spring of rib and great depth from withers to brisket, so that latter nearer ground than belly.
Back : Short, strong, with backline behind withers level, arching or roaching slightly over loins.
Loins : Broad, well muscled.
Chest : Broad when viewed from front.
Underline : From brisket to belly forms a graceful upward curve.
(TAIL) :
Short, set on low and carried horizontally. Thick at root, it tapers to a fine point.
(LIMBS)
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs have strongest type of round, quality bone ; dog should stand solidly upon them and they should be perfectly parallel. In mature dogs length of forelegs should be approximately equal to depth of chest.
Shoulders : Strong and muscular without loading. Shoulderblades wide, flat and held closely to chest wall and have a very pronounced backward slope of front edge from bottom to top, forming almost a right angle with upper arm.
Elbows: Held straight and strong.
Pasterns : Upright.
HINDQUARTERS : Hind legs parallel when viewed from behind.
Thighs : Muscular.
Stifle : Joint well bent.
Second thighs : Well developed.
Hock : Well angulated.
Metatarsus : With bone to foot short and strong.
(FEET) :
Round and compact with well arched toes.
(GAIT / MOVEMENT) :
When moving appears well knit, smoothly covering ground with free, easy strides and with a typical jaunty air. When trotting, movement parallel, front and back, only converging towards centre line at faster speeds, forelegs reaching out well and hind legs moving smoothly at hip, flexing well at stifle and hock, with great thrust.
(SKIN) :
Fitting dog tightly.
(COAT)
HAIR : Short, flat, even and harsh to touch with a fine gloss. A soft textured undercoat may be present in winter.
COLOUR : For White, pure white coat. Skin pigmentation and markings on head not to be penalised. For Coloured, colour predominates ; all other things being equal, brindle preferred. Black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolour acceptable. Tick markings in white coat undesirable. Blue and liver highly undesirable.
SIZE : There are neither weight nor height limits, but there should be the impression of maximum substance for size of dog consistent with quality and sex.
FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
BULL TERRIER MINIATURE
The Standard of the Bull Terrier Miniature is the same as that of the Bull Terrier with the exception of the following :
SIZE : Height should not exceed 35,5 cms (14 ins.). There should be an impression of substance to size of dog. There is no weight limit. Dog should at all times be balanced.
