AKC Dog Breeds: Bull Terrier

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Terrier Group
Height: 20-24 inches   Weight: 45-80  pounds  Color:  brindle fawn, tan w/ white markings, white

Playful and clownish, the Bull Terrier is best described as a three year-old child in a dog suit. Given his muscular build, the Bull Terrier can appear unapproachable, but he is an exceedingly friendly dog, with a sweet and fun-loving disposition and popular in the obedience, agility and show rings. The Bull Terrier can be all white (markings on the head are permissible) or colored. The Bull terrier was originally developed in the early 1800's when bull baiting was considered a sport. The goal of the early breeders was to create the ideal bull baiting dog that would be strong, fearless and brave. They crossed the Old English Terrier with the Bulldog as well as a Spanish Pointer breed. The resulting typically white dog was unique in appearance as well as very strong, but was not ideal in the brutal bull baiting ring.

General Appearance

The Bull terrier has a very distinctive head and is rarely mistaken for any other breed by those that are familiar with their characteristics. The head is almost totally oval in profile from the skull through to the tip of the nose. The shape of the face should be full without any hollow areas or concavity to the profile. The eyes are very small and almond shaped, centered towards the middle of the head for a distinct appearance. The eyes should be located closer to the ears than to the nose, adding to the appearance of length on the face below the eyes. The ears are very pointed and rather thin, placed close together on the top of the skull. They should be relaxed most of the time but can be held absolutely erect with the dog is attending to something. The neck is thick and slightly arching and longer than that of most mastiff or bulldog types. The shoulders are heavy set and well developed with a very deep and wide chest. The front legs are stocky and short, well set to the outside of the deep chest. The coat of the Bull terrier is extremely short, fine and harsh in texture and is very flat against the body.

Temperament
Bull Terriers become very attached to their owners and families and do not thrive when left alone. The breed loves children, but obedience training is necessary and care must be taken that they don’t get over stimulated around younger children. The Bull Terrier is a determined and headstrong creature, with an outgoing personality. This is a breed that needs to be properly socialized early on, as they can otherwise have an aggressive nature. Instinctive fighters, the Bull Terrier is usually aggressive towards other dogs and can be a danger around smaller animals such as cats and rabbits, seeing them as prey. Depending on the personality of the individual dog, strangers may be greeted with a huge welcome by the Bull Terrier, but others may not be quite as welcoming. The Bull Terrier has a dominant personality, and for this reason is best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership. You will need to reinforce your leadership through assertive and confident training and handling. This breed has bags of energy, and likes to be a part of the family action. You should not neglect the Bull Terrier, as he will otherwise become bored and destructive. The Bull Terrier can make an effective watchdog, and will bark to raise the alarm. And when it comes to their food, these dogs can display real possessiveness.

Grooming

The Bull Terrier does not require much grooming, and an occasional brushing with a rubber brush should be sufficient. Hand plucking may be necessary for dead hairs, but is usually cared for with a brush or comb. This breed is an average shedder, shedding only around twice a year. Removing loose hair should be simple when using a special rubber glove designed for such a task. Ear cleaning is necessary to prevent any difficulties in the future.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of the Bull Terrier is around 11-14 years, and there are a number of health problems that are associated with this breed, which include deafness, heart problems, renal cortical hypoplasia, luxating patella, lens luxation, thyroid problems, seizures, allergies, and skin conditions.

Activity Level

The Bull Terrier is a very lively breed. A ball of fire, this dog requires quite a bit of exercise to stay healthy and active. At least a medium sized yard would work best as this breed has almost infinite energy. This breed requires long daily walks, twice a day is best, as they can become destructive if not given the proper stimulation and exercise requirements.








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Bull Terrier profile on dog encyclopedia
Bull Terrier on dog encyclopedia