A brief guide for

the prospective owner

The Bull Terrier The Bull Terrier is the gladiator of the canine race and must be strongly built, muscular, symmetrical and active, with a keen determined and intelligent expression, full of fire and courageous, but of even temperament and amenable to discipline, irrespective of size, dogs should look masculine and bitches feminine.

Origin Bull Terriers have a sporting past, developed from the needs and fashion of bygone days. They are known as the Gladiator of the canine race, and are one of the oldest terrier breeds indigenous to England. They are a man-made breed concocted from a mixture of the old fashioned Bulldog and Black and Tan Terrier (the Bull and Terrier) and were bred for fighting other dogs in pits, badger and bull baiting, as well as ratting. How big do they get? Bull Terriers come in all sizes. As an indication, an average male would weigh between 25 – 30 kg and an average female between 20 – 25 kg. The Bull Terrier (Miniature) has a height limit of 35 cms and their weight should be in proportion to their height. How much exercise do they need? A Bull Terrier does not require a large area to run in. But to have a happy and healthy dog, the owner must be prepared to spend time exercising and playing with it. It is an offence to allow a dog to roam the streets unrestrained, and it is your responsibility to keep your dog on a lead at all times outside your property. Can I keep him with other animals? Bull Terriers usually get along well with other dogs of the opposite sex and, if raised from puppyhood, with cats and other animals. A male will often get on with a female but not another male. Should I get a Bull Terrier? The Bull Terrier does not fit into every home and only you can answer this question. The Bull Terrier is a delightful dog, but one that requires restraint. Like all dogs, they demand a fair share of your time and attention. They should not be chained up, and your yard must be securely fenced. Do not think about having a Bull Terrier if you cannot provide these requirements. Good Points affectionate hardy faithful easy to groom and care for But: a powerful dog that requires firm discipline can be stubborn caution required around other dogs Health problems The Member Clubs of the NBTC(A) have designated the following as known hereditary problems in Bull Terriers: Polycystic Kidney Disease Hereditary Nephritis HereditaryHeart Disease Deafness Patella Luxation, and Primary Lens Luxation – Bull Terriers (Miniature) only Testing by qualified veterinarians can identify these problems. Prospective owners can ask to see the certificates of the parents and that of the puppy. What colour is a Bull Terrier? A Bull Terrier can be pure white, white with markings on the head, red and white, brindle and white, black, black and white or tri-colour which is black, red and white. Do they have a good temperament? Bull Terriers are great family pets and are extremely tolerant with children; however, exuberant puppies may play rough and unintentionally hurt the child. Note: No child should be left to play unsupervised with any breed of dog. Bullies can become protective of their family and surroundings. At times they are stubborn, so maintain positive discipline strategies from a young age. Do not let a puppy develop habits that you don’t wish them to have as an adult. Are they easily trained? Whilst Bull Terriers have performed successfully in obedience and agility, they do have a stubborn nature like most Terriers, making them a little harder to train than other breeds. However, with time, patience and affection, a Bull Terrier can achieve a satisfactory level of obedience. Although the Bull Terrier is no longer the ‘fighting machine’ he was bred for, he still retains some of those characteristics and will rarely back away from a fight.