Bull Terrier: Dog Breed Information, Lifespan and Facts

bull terrierBull Terrier are generally friendly dogs. Their physical strength is comparable to their intelligence, and both body and mind must remain active. They need time to run and exercise regularly.
They can be very stubborn, which is why they are not very suitable for beginner dog owners, since you have to dedicate a lot of time to training. They might try to establish leadership over the owner, especially the Males, although the females also have this tendency. They are very affectionate dogs and love company, so it is not a good idea to leave them alone for a long time, since with their powerful jaws can cause damage in the house if they are bored. They are fairly good with small children despite being a mischievous breed.

Bull Terrier Origins

The current Bull Terrier has nothing to do with the first Bull Terrier of the last century. The Bull Terrier is based on prey and fight sports, which were banned from England during the nineteenth century.
The origins of the Bull Terrier can be related to James Hinks, who, after several years of experience introduced the breed. Hinks spent several years crossing the English White Terrier with bulldogs in an attempt to create a dog that could fight, as well as have a beautiful appearance. After some time and possibly through the crossing with the Spanish Pointer, a beautiful and impressive fighting dog was made.

The Bull Terrier was also good at hunting rats, another very popular sport in Europe. The Bull Terrier had the best abilities of all the breeds in this unique sport. Although people were very proud of the success of the breed, beauty events were beginning to become more common than fighting.

Bull Terrier Appearance

It is a muscular dog of good proportions. It’s very active and has a lively, determined and intelligent demeanor. A unique feature is that his head lacks frontal nasal depression and has the shape of an egg.

Temperament and behavior: Has a balanced and obedient temperament. Although sometimes stubborn, it’s particularly friendly.

Head: Long, strong and deep to the tip of the muzzle. Front view should have the shape of an egg and be completely full; Its surface free of bumps and crevices. Viewed from the side, it curves gently down from the top of the skull to the tip of the nose.

Skull: The upper part of the skull should be almost flat between the ears.

Lips: Well defined and puffy

Bite and Teeth: Solid and vigorous lower jaw. Teeth healthy, strong, clean, good size, perfectly regular with a full scissor bite, for example the inner face of the upper incisors is in close contact with the outer side of the lower incisors.

Eyes: They should be narrow, triangular and well placed in the sockets, back or as dark brown as possible. The distance from the tip of the nose to the eyes should be greater than that from the eyes to the mouth.

Ears: Small, thin and placed close together. The dog should be able to keep them erect and with the tips straight up.

Neck: Very muscular, long, arched, thinning gradually from the shoulders to the head and without any jowls.

Body: Well rounded, with well-arched ribs, and deep from the region of the cross to the chest, so that the latter comes closer to the ground than the abdomen.

Back: Short and strong. The dorsal line behind the cross is horizontal and arches slightly towards the back.

Loin: Broad and well muscled.

Chest: Seen from the front, the chest is wide.

Bottom line: The thorax to the abdomen should form an elegant upward curve.

Tail: Cut, low set and carried horizontally. Thick at the base and thinning towards the end.

Hindquarters: Viewed from behind the hind limbs are parallel.

Muscle: Muscular.

Knee: With good angulation.

Leg: Well developed.

Skin: Bonded to the body.

Hair: Short, tight, rough to the touch and with a fine sheen. In the winter it can grow a layer of soft textured undercoat.

Color: White specimens: Pure white . The pigmentation of the skin and the spots on the head are not desirable.

Size: There are no limits with weight or height, but the dog must give the impression of high strength, consistent with its distinctive features and gender.