Bull Terrier – Full Dog Breed Information

The bull terrier is a dog breed that was developed i the 19th century and it was originally made to be a fighting dog. Later, it became a fashionable companion for gentlemen but fast forward to the 20th century; they are now a family companion and a show dog. The Bull Terrier is a dog breed that is distinguished by their long and egg-shaped head.

Even though this breed is a pure breed, some of them may still end up in shelters or rescues. This dog now is a lover and not a fighter anymore, they are even known for being affectionate to all the member of the household they stay in especially children. They are very friendly and have enough love to give people but they should not be left alone for long.

History of the Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier dates back to 1835 and this breed was probably created by crossing a bulldog with the white English terrier which is now extinct. These bull and terriers were then crossed with the Spanish pointers to increase their size. These dogs were known then as gladiators because of their prowess in the dog-fighting ring.

In 1860, people who fancied the bull and terrier particularly a man named James Hinks who wanted an all-white dog so he set out to create one. They became fashionable companions for gentlemen and they got the nickname “White Cavaliers” because of the courage they possess in the fighting ring and also their courtliness towards people. Although they are no longer used for fighting, they are still referred to that way till this day which is a tribute to their disposition.

Nellie II was the first bull terrier to be registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and it was in the year 1885. 12 years later in 1897, the Bull Terrier Club of America was founded. Around 1936 the colored bull terrier was made a separate variety and the miniature bull terrier became a separate breed in 1992.
General George S. Patton was a well-known fan of bull terriers and he has a white bull terrier called Willie who always followed him everywhere.

Other people who owned bull terriers were actress Dolores Del Rio, author John Steinbeck and President Woodrow Wilson. A well-known bull terrier is Pasty Ann who greeted each ship that docked in Juneau, Alaska around the 1930s. This dog is loved by tourists and she was photographed more than Rin Tin Tin and by 1934 she was named the official greeter of Juneau. Today there is a bronze statue for Pasty Ann which was commissioned and placed on the Juneau wharf in 1992.

There was a bull terrier that appeared in Sheila Burnford’s book “The Incredible Journey” as well as the first film version of it. The movie did not have the same effect on the breed as the Budweiser’s 1980-era commercials which starred Bull Terrier Spuds Mackenzie. When this ad campaign aired, the breed’s popularity spiked up as well.

The colored bull terrier made history in 2006 when Ch. Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid became the first colored Bull Terrier to win Best in show at Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The only white bull terrier to have won the prestigious event was Ch. Haymarket Faultless in 1918. Since then the breed’s appearance has changed a bit and most breeders say it is for the better.

Today the Bull Terrier is ranked 61 in popularity among the breeds registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) which was an increase from 85th in 1996. Miniature Bull Terrier is 129th in rankings according to the American Kennel Club.

Appearance and size

The Bull Terriers come in different sizes; they also weigh between 35 to 75 pounds. Generally, male bull terriers weigh between 55 to 65 pounds and females weigh between 45 to 55 pounds. They also have a height ranging from 12 to 22 inches at the shoulder.

The Miniature Bull Terrier stands at about 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder and they weigh about 25 to 32 pounds. They have a short coat that is flat and shiny with a very hard texture. They also come in 2 varieties; white and colored. The white bull terriers are solid white, some with and some without colored markings on the head but not anywhere else on the body. The colored Bull Terriers come in any color but not white.

Grooming

The Bull Terrier is very easy to groom because they only need to be brushed weekly. There is an exception which is during their twice-yearly shedding season when daily brushing would be necessary to keep all the hair under control. They also do not need frequent bathing except they’ve got themselves caught up with some dirt.

Bull Terriers also need good dental hygiene and nail care. You should brush their teeth at least 2 to 3 times a week to prevent the buildup of tartar and any accompanying bacteria. For better results, you can just brush their tooth daily. You should trim his nails once or maybe two times a month and once you hear their nails clicking on the floor it means they are too long. Short nails would keep their feet in good condition and they would not get caught up in the carpet and tear them. You can take care of their nails with a good.

You should also ensure that you check their ears weekly and make sure there is no debris, redness or any form of inflammation. You should clean them when needed with a cotton ball and a cleanser that is recommended by your breeder or your vet. You should wipe around the outer edge of the ear canal and you should not stick the cotton ball any deeper than the first knuckle of your finger.

Make sure you let grooming be a positive filled experience filled with praise and rewards and you will lay the groundwork when he is being handled by a vet when he reaches adulthood.

Temperament

The Bull Terrier is a very friendly dog. They are also extroverts and always ready to have a good time. They are always happy to see their owners and would always want to be around them. It is very rare for you to see a Bull Terrier that is shy and backs away from people.

Both the Bull terrier and Mini Bull Terriers are described as courageous and full of fire. The Bull Terrier has some good traits but they can also develop bad habits if they are allowed to become possessive or jealous. If they are not trained early enough and also not socialized properly at an early age, they can be aggressive towards other animals.

They are very good with people but they can also be chewers and tail chasers. In most cases, the Bull Terrier can be very difficult to housetrain.

Health

Generally, the Bull Terriers are healthy but like any other breed, they can have health issues. You should make sure your breeder provides the health certificates of the puppy’s parents before you get them.

When it comes to Bull Terriers, you should expect to see the results of BAER hearing tests for white Bull Terriers and you should also get the health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for the heart and thyroid.

Some health problems do not appear until a dog reaches full maturity and because of that dogs younger than 2 years are not issued health clearances. Make sure you look for a breeder that does not breed their dog until there are 2 or 3 years.

The following are also health conditions Bull Terriers may face:

Hereditary Nephritis: is an extreme type of kidney illness found in Bull Terriers, regularly at an early age. It’s brought about by little and underdeveloped kidneys or a malfunction of the kidney’s channels, bringing about significant levels of protein in the pee. Bull Terriers with this sickness generally bite the dust(die) before they’re three years of age, although some live to be 6 or 8 years of age prior to they succumb to kidney failure.

A pee protein/pee creatinine (UP:UC) test is suggested yearly, beginning when dogs are year and a half old. Bull Terriers with a strange UP:UC proportion, which means there’s an excess of protein in the pee, ought not be bred. Bull Terriers can likewise experience the ill effects of renal dysplasia, an intrinsic illness (which means the dog is given birth to with it) wherein the kidneys don’t develop appropriately, obstructing their capacity to perform appropriately.

Deafness: in one or the two ears is basic in white dogs, and some shaded Bull Terriers can be deaf in one ear. All Bull Terrier little dogs ought to go through BAER (brainstem hear-able evoked reaction) testing to guarantee that their hearing is ordinary.

A veterinarian or a Bull Terrier club can assist you with finding the closest BAER testing office. Bull Terriers who can’t hear from one ear can lead moderately ordinary lives, however young doggies that are hard of hearing in the two ears require special training strategies and handling.

Heart disease: brought about by defects in heart structure and capacity is at times found in Bull Terriers. A few cases are more genuine than others and normally are shown by the presence of a heart murmur.

Now and again, a heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) might be important to analyze the issue. Some Bull Terriers grow out of their mumbles, some live with them for quite a long time with no issue, and others create cardiovascular breakdown. But depending on the condition and the stage at which it’s analyzed, treatment may go from drug to a medical procedure.

Skin Problems: can influence Bull Terriers, particularly white ones, who have delicate skin that can be inclined to rashes, bruises and even irritations. They may likewise be inclined to contact or inhalant sensitivities, brought about by a response to substances, for example, cleansers or different synthetic compounds or airborne allergens, for example, dust, residue, and mold. Check your Bull Terrier’s skin consistently and treat any rashes rapidly.

Give delicate, clean sheet material in containers and other resting territories to forestall wounds. At times a change to an eating routine with few or no synthetic added substances can help. Other Bull Terriers need long haul treatment with anti-toxins or steroids to monitor skin issues.

Spinning: is a fanatical type of tail-pursuing that typically starts at around a half year old enough. It can proceed for quite a long time and leave the dog with no interest in food or water. Turning might be a sort of seizure and is some of the time effectively treated with drugs, for example, phenobarbitol, anafranil or Prozac. Treatment is frequently more effective in females than guys. Bull Terriers can likewise build up a milder type of tail pursuing that is effortlessly managed by dispensing with the dog’s fatigue.

Lens luxation: is the point at which the focal point of the eye is uprooted when the tendon holding it set up decays. It’s occasionally treatable with drug or medical procedure, yet in extreme cases the eye may should be taken out.