Are you considering getting a Bull terrier? Or are you just interested in the breed? Well this is the perfect place to start! This post is a short summary of the Bull terrier breed characteristics from their size to how much exercise they need.
Breed overview
Bull terriers were originally bred for dog fighting in the 19th century by crossing a bulldog and the white English terrier. Since they were bred for fighting the are a medium size but quite stocky standing at 18”-22” to the withers and weighing between 20 and 36 Kg with a lifespan of 10+ years. They have a short coat meaning that they need minimal grooming but will shed lots! The main breed standard colours are black brindle, brindle, white, white with black markings, fawn and tricolour. However, there are many many more breed standard colour combinations.
Grooming
As I mentioned above Bull terriers need very little grooming. So, will need the occasional brush (about once a week) and bath. But they do shed a LOT so it will be beneficial to brush them more during shedding season. Obviously, Bull terriers will also need their nails trimmed and teeth cleaned regularly exactly the same as all other dogs.
Exercise
As Bull terriers are quite high energy considering their build so need a reasonable amount of exercise, ideally 1 hour a day. Not only do they need physical exercise like walking or running but also mental stimulation. This can be done by training, which your Bull terrier will love (even if they are a bit stubborn sometimes) or using puzzle toys.
Health
Generally, Bull terriers are quite a robust breed. However, unfortunately like most purebred dogs they are prone to some health conditions. These include hereditary nephritis, deafness (especially in the full white colour), heart disease, skin problems and lens luxation. However, all good breeders have both parents genetically tested/screened for these problems. This means that when you buy a puppy you know it’s got a much smaller chance of developing these problems when its older.
Temperament
Despite their bad reputation Bull terriers are actually a very good all-round family pet. As they are friendly, always happy to see you and packed full of personality. They are very intelligent, but their independent and sometimes feisty nature can make training a bit more challenging. So, keep training sessions short, fun and engaging! Bull terriers also can be possessive and jealous which can lead to aggression (especially towards other animals). This means they need good consistent training and socialisation from a young age.
So, overall Bull terriers are a medium dog with a giant love for people! They used to be fighting dogs so need good socialisation and training. But they are well worth the effort. As long as you exercise them sufficiently you will have a sweet, loving and loyal friend for life.
P.S. You can shop all of our Bull Terrier products here!
