With its characteristic egg-shaped head and brave, joyful nature, the Bull Terrier is a popular companion dog. Originally bred in the early 19th century from a cross between the English Bulldog and various terriers, this breed served as a bull and badger baiter and was sometimes used in dogfighting. Although its use as a fighting dog was banned as early as 1835, the Bull Terrier still struggles with the image of being a fighting breed. However, contrary to common belief, the Bull Terrier evolved into a beloved family dog of the English middle class during the 19th century. The resilient and friendly Bully lived closely with large families and served as a watchdog and vermin hunter.

History of the Bull Terrier

In 1850, the animal dealer James Hinks played a role in the official recognition of the breed. By the end of the 19th century, white-coated Bull Terriers became a status symbol among the English nobility for a time. Dalmatians and pointers were crossed to give them a more elegant appearance and a less fiery character. Only after the end of World War II did the British again breed Bull Terriers in different colors. From the beginning, the breed was bred in various sizes, and today, the Standard and Miniature Bull Terrier are recognized as separate breeds. Recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, the Bull Terrier belongs to FCI Group 3, the Terrier group, and is classified under Section 3, the bull-type terriers. The Bull Terrier was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1885.

Character and Temperament

The Bull Terrier is a courageous and self-confident dog that remains unruffled by anything. With consistent training and a strong bond with a caregiver, it integrates harmoniously into the family. A particularly loving interaction with children is one of its great strengths. In general, the Bully is playful in its interactions with people and prefers to always be near its family. The dog is always up for fun and knows how to entertain the whole family. While it can sometimes be a bit boisterous, it never behaves maliciously or aggressively. With good socialization, it gets along easily with other dogs and pets. Occasionally, it can be a bit stubborn but is quickly swayed. Nervousness and aggression are absolutely undesirable traits in the breeding of Bull Terriers.

Acquisition of a Bull Terrier

What should I consider when purchasing?

Before bringing a Bully home, you should know that the housing conditions for Bull Terriers have been heavily regulated throughout the United States and Europe since the 1990s. Importation into Germany is completely banned. Due to its poor reputation, it is listed as a dangerous breed in some countries. The Bull Terrier may evoke fearful reactions from people and may not be warmly welcomed by everyone. However, if you still want to have a Bully, you should strive to improve the image of the breed through good training and proper care. Studies have shown that the breed is no more aggressive than other dog breeds and resolves conflict situations peacefully.

Finding the right breeder can often be a challenging task. It’s best to choose a breeder registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club), who takes good care of the health of their puppies. For a purebred puppy, you can expect to pay up to $1500. When it comes to Bull Terrier puppies, you have a choice of coat colors including solid white, brindle, black, red, fawn, and tricolor.

Development and Training of the Puppy

As an owner of a Bull Terrier, you should have good nerves and plenty of patience, as this clever dog can sometimes be very stubborn. It is by no means suitable for beginners, as at the first sign of uncertainty, it will try to take on the role of the pack leader itself. It responds to harsh training with stubbornness and is best trained with praise and tasty rewards. Training this breed requires a lot of consistency and a firm hand. During upbringing, it’s also important to pay particular attention to good socialization, as the dog can otherwise react very aggressively towards other animals. Visiting a puppy and dog school is recommended for this purpose.

How to Care for a Bull Terrier?

Activities with the Bull Terrier:

The Bull Terrier is an agile and playful dog that loves long walks. You don’t need to worry about the dog running away, as it has no interest in hunting and voluntarily stays close to humans. Due to its fearless and confident nature and strong protective instinct, the Bully also makes a good watchdog. These athletic dogs need plenty of exercise, but you don’t have to constantly keep them busy. If you notice that the dog is under-stimulated, you can engage it in dog sports such as agility. However, it also enjoys simple outdoor games, bike rides, or jogging.

Dog Food Recommendations

Health and Grooming

Since Bull Terriers are also bred in solid white, you should pay particular attention to whether the puppy is genetically deaf. You can request a hearing test from the breeder. The short and smooth coat requires no elaborate grooming. Simply brushing it occasionally to remove dirt and loose hair is sufficient. If your Bully doesn’t get enough exercise and good food, it can quickly become overweight. Therefore, you should strive for a good balance between exercise and food from the start. Depending on the severity of the characteristic “downface,” some dogs may experience breathing problems, so you should avoid endurance sports with heavily overbred dogs.

Product Recommendations

Interesting and Noteworthy

The Bull Terrier is not only a popular dog among celebrities but is also frequently featured in many commercials in the USA. In the 1980s, the female dog “Honey Tree Evil Eye” was seen in many advertisements as the brand ambassador for “Budweiser Light” beer. The supermarket chain Target also advertises with a Bull Terrier named Bullseye, who always had a red bullseye painted on its eye. There are even plush toys and other merchandise available.

Stars like Taylor Swift and Eric Clapton also have a representative of the breed at home. In Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, one of the main characters, Bill Sikes, has a male Bull Terrier named Bullseye. And even in the animated film Toy Story, there is a Bull Terrier named Scud.

Do you have a Bull Terrier or plan to get one soon? Share more with me in the comments!