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About Bull Terrier Dogs
The bull terrier is a breed of terrier in Great
Britain. In the early- to mid-19th century, bulldogs
and terriers were mixed to create a dog that could
control vermin and meet the demand for fighting
dogs. These "bull and terrier" dogs were bred
solely for performance until, in the mid-19th
century, James Hinks bred this mix with English
white terriers, which no longer exist, to create
a more desirable appearance. The result of Hinks'
breeding was the ancestor of the bull terrier.
Many breeds were mixed with Hinks' dogs to shape
further the appearance and abilities of the dog,
until, in 1917, the first true modern bull terrier
was bred. The line Hinks began remained all white
in color into the early 20th century, until medical
problems associated with breeding for all-white
dogs caused others to add color to the line.
The most distinct characteristic of the bull
terrier is the shape of its head, which is long
and oval-shaped and features a convex muzzle with
no stop and a flat skull at the top of its head.
The shape of its muzzle gives the dog's head an
egg-like appearance when seen from the front.
Its small eyes, which may be somewhat triangular
in shape, are also characteristic.
The bull terrier is a medium- to large-sized
dog; on average, it measures between 20 and 24
inches in height and weighs 45 to 80 pounds. It
has a full, muscular, and compact body, with especially
muscular shoulders. The bull terrier walks with
a cheerful gait and carries its tail parallel
to the ground.
The most common coat color in bull terriers is
white, though many other colors are possible.
The AKC recognizes white bull terriers and colored
bull terriers separately. Under their standards,
white bull terriers may have colored markings
on the head only, while colored bull terriers
may be brindle, black, fawn, red, or tri-color.
The bull terrier's coat is short and lies flat
on the skin, and is dense and coarse in texture.
While the bull terrier was once bred to be aggressive,
today's bull terriers are much gentler. The bull
terrier remains independent, brave, and stubborn,
but can be obedient with proper training, handling,
and socialization. It tends to become very attached
to its owner, and requires attention and stimulation
throughout the day. The bull terrier is very loyal
to its owner and family, and is willing to protect
them, but must be socialized properly to ensure
that it does not become overprotective. For these
reasons, the bull terrier is both a wonderful
pet, and a poor choice for inexperienced owners.
The bull terrier requires intense daily exercise
as well as a long, daily walk. Because it is relatively
active indoors, it can fare well with a minimum
of only a small yard and can be happy living in
an apartment, as long as care is taken that it
exercises enough.
The bull terrier does not have extensive grooming
requirements, needing only to be brushed occasionally.
It sheds an average amount two times each year.
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