Bull Terrier: Your Complete Guide
The bull terrier belongs to the terrier family of dogs, which is massive. While many of these dogs share similarities, the bull terrier has a more unique appearance with a smooth and rounded snout.
However, many of the personality traits that people love to see in terriers are still around. They’re gentle, kind, loyal, and brave enough to put themselves in danger to save their human companions. This makes bull terriers a great addition to the family if you plan on adopting one or purchasing one from a recognized breeder.
That said, it’s important to learn more about a breed before you consider adopting one. This is because bull terriers can have unique health issues and act stubborn if you don’t approach training right. The good news is that we’re here to help. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the bull terrier breed.
Quick Look at the Bull Terrier
Below is a quick glance at the bull terrier breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 20-24 inches, 45-80 pounds |
| Coat Type | Short, hugs the body, shiny |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Friendly, gentle, curious, stubborn |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10-14 years |
What Is the History of Bull Terriers?
The bull terrier has a long and shared history. This breed shares much of its history with the terrier and bulldogs of the 19th century. These dogs were bred to control vermin like rats, squirrels, and other small animals.
While both breeds worked well for pest control, they were both lacking in some areas. This is how the bull terrier got its start. During the 19th century breeders became curious and started to mix bulldogs with terriers with the result being the bull terrier that we have today. These dogs proved to be stocky but also lean enough to move with agility.
While the breed became popular during this era, not much was done to preserve the dog breed and other breeders began adding other dogs into the mix. Spanish pointers, dalmatians, whippets, and even rough collies were entered into the mix. The goal was to improve their performance and elegance without compromising their health.
Plus, many breeders wanted to eliminate the stop to give them a more egg-like face. We can thank a man named James Hinks for the first modern iteration of the bull terrier. His name was Lord Gladiator and was recognized as the first bull terrier with a smooth, egg-like snout in 1917.
While the first iterations of the bull terrier were mostly white, this led to some health problems that were undesirable. For this reason, Ted Lyon and other breeders started to include color to achieve better health outcomes. The bull terrier was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885, so it’s a regulated and legitimate breed.
What Do Bull Terriers Look Like?
Bull terriers have one of the most unique appearances you can think of when it comes to a dog. While dogs usually have sharp or round facial features, bull terriers have a mix of both. The result is a long, smooth, and rounded snout that almost extends up to their pointy ears. Their eyes are usually small and black and they sit off the side of their snout.
This makes their faces look unnatural compared to some other dogs you may be used to; this is known as their egg-like face due to the unique shape.
The rest of their body is about what you would expect for a terrier. They’re not the biggest dogs but they do have muscle definition. As for their coat color and length, it’s usually a short coat and it can be mixed with any number of colors. Some bull terriers may have solid white coats but this is rare, so expect a pattern or a mix of colors.
It’s also important to note that there can be miniature bull terriers, which are smaller bull terriers. Many of their traits are the same aside from their size.
What Size Is a Bull Terrier?
Bull terriers aren’t the biggest dogs around but they can become stocky and strong. On average, expect bull terriers to weigh 45-80 pounds and stand at about 20-24 inches. Men are usually larger than females and have more muscle definition.
What Is a Bull Terrier’s Coat Type and Length?
Bull terriers have coats that are a cross between the bulldog and terrier, which are two dogs that have similar coats. The main difference in the coat is the color, so expect most bull terriers to have a short coat that hugs their body.
Bull terriers may also have a harsh coat that’s not soft to touch or pet, so keep this in mind; if you were looking for a fluffy dog, the bull terrier might not be your best option.
What Is a Bull Terrier’s Temperament?
Bull terriers are kind, gentle, and loving dogs. While they come from a history of hunting and even fighting, they’re not naturally aggressive. Instead, bull terriers are more likely to cuddle up with you on the couch or in bed instead of being aggressive.
Still, it’s important to note that they can be stubborn and rebellious if training doesn’t go smoothly. Socialization from a young age is also important if you want to prevent stubbornness and promote cohabitation with other animals in your home.
Are Bull Terriers Good With Kids?
Bull terriers are great with kids. They can deal with kids of any age and can handle some light roughhousing without getting aggressive or defensive. Furthermore, their high energy levels can help them keep up with younger children, and they can even tire each other out.
The only thing you have to provide for a fun time is supervision. Always supervise your children when playing with any dog to avoid problems because dogs can always snap or bite if something harms them.
Are Bull Terriers Good With Other Animals?
Bulk terriers are not always the best with other animals. They have a prey drive, so they might end up chasing smaller animals around your yard or tugging you when they’re on the leash.
Bull terriers may also be stubborn and territorial around other dogs and animals in your home. While they can cause some problems, once they become acclimated to your home and family they can adjust well. Therefore, make sure you socialize with them from a young age to avoid any problems.
Are Bull Terriers Aggressive?
Bull terriers are not aggressive. While they can be aggressive with some other animals, this is a behavior that can be trained away. When it comes to strangers and other people, it doesn’t take them long to open up.
However, in the beginning, they may bark at people they don’t know but they won’t usually lash out or harm them. To reduce the risk of any aggressive behaviors, you can socialize them from a young age.
Do Bull Terriers Bark?
Bull terriers don’t bark often. The only time they’ll bark is if something makes them upset or seems wrong.
Some things that may cause a bull terrier to bark include seeing strangers approach your home, and other animals running around outdoors or playing. These behaviors can be trained away with programs that target excessive barking, which is rare in bull terriers anyway.
Are Bull Terriers Affectionate?
Bull terriers are affectionate dogs. While they may be stubborn and standoffish during training sessions, you’ll find that they love to snuggle up after playing. What’s more, once you form a bond with them there’s a good chance you’ll find them in bed with you or following you everywhere around the house.
That said, they can have separation anxiety, so make sure you have time to spend with them to strengthen your bond.
Are Bull Terriers Intelligent?
Bull terriers are smart and clever dogs. They have the mental capacity to learn and understand complex commands. Bull terriers can also be trained to function as watchdogs, service dogs, and other work dogs.
While bull terriers are intelligent, that doesn’t mean they’re always agreeable. They may not take well to training if you don’t use positive reinforcement. Their intelligence can also get them into trouble if they become curious about their surroundings and escape your property.
Are Bull Terriers Energetic?
Bull terriers have a high energy level. They love to play and need exercise or playtime to remain stimulated.
Expect to dedicate an hour or two to playtime each day, which is more than you’ll need for your average dog. While this may be a lot for people who don’t have time to play with them, this makes bull terriers a great choice for people who want a companion for long hikes, runs, or walks.
Additionally, people who have a large backyard may get a break because they can tire themselves out if they have toys to play with. If you don’t play with them enough, expect them to be awake when you want to be sleeping.
Are Bull Terriers Easy to Train?
Bull terriers are not the easiest dogs to train. While you may have some luck training them if you know how to train dogs, if you’re a first-time dog owner you might struggle due to their stubbornness. For this reason, we recommend working with a professional for basic obedience training.
If you do plan on training them yourself, make sure you focus on positive reinforcement training. Being mean or rough with them can make their stubbornness much worse.
Once they understand basic obedience and respect you, training them can become easier, and this is where they shine. Since bull terriers are smart, once you can train them they can handle complex tasks, agility training, and anything else you throw at them.
Are Bull Terriers Good Watchdogs?
Bull terriers can be good watchdogs because they like to bark. This means they can alert you to danger and notify you if someone is approaching your house. However, they’re not the most menacing dogs, and their bark isn’t the loudest, so they might not be the best deterrent.
That said, bull terriers are loyal and brave and will rush into danger to protect their companions. Overall, they’re not bad watchdogs, and you can train them to be even better watchdogs if you’re dedicated and patient with them.
Are Bull Terriers Good Service Dogs?
Bull terriers aren’t the best service dogs. While they can be trained to function as a service dog, they’re one of the more stubborn breeds out there. This means that training them might take longer than some other dogs.
While they’re smart enough to perform complex tasks, this can make it challenging and costly to train them. For this reason, we suggest considering a different breed if you’re looking for a service dog.
While bull terriers aren’t the best service dogs, they do make great emotional support animals if you train them. In fact, they can even be trained to provide deep pressure therapy, which helps with panic attacks and other mental health problems. Therapy work is also possible for bull terriers.
How to Care for a Bull Terrier?
Bull terriers are one of the easier breeds you can care for. Make sure they get enough food, exercise, and socialize them from a young age for the best results.
Do You Need to Groom a Bull Terrier?
Yes, you need to groom a bull terrier. You don’t have to do a lot but you need to clean their teeth with a brush at least twice per week and you should brush them at least every other day. When it comes to professional grooming, you only have to bring them to a professional every 6-8 weeks.
Professionals will check their nails, and teeth, and trim them when necessary. Plus, most groomers give you a cute little bandana when they’re done, so there’s some incentive to bring them down every once in a while.
Do Bull Terriers Shed?
Bull terriers shed seasonally, like most dog breeds, so expect some hair lying around during shedding seasons. These seasons are usually the spring and fall but winter and summer shedding is also possible.
You can brush them to remove some of their loose hair but make sure you use a bristle brush for the best results. It’s also important to note that bull terriers are not hypoallergenic, so people who are allergic to dogs may have some problems.
What Health Problems Do Bull Terriers Have?
Bull terriers have been bred for generations, which means more favorable genes have remained in circulation. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about too many serious health problems. While you don’t have to worry about too many health issues, that doesn’t mean they’re immune to diseases.
Unfortunately, there are also some health conditions that the breed is more prone to than some other breeds. One of the most notable examples is lethal acrodermatitis. This condition only occurs in white bull terriers and can result in skin and growth issues that result in death; this is why color was introduced to the breed.
Some other health conditions to consider include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye problems and degeneration
- Allergies
- Heart disease
- Kidney problems
- Luxating patella
- Hearing loss
Many health conditions are preventable and treatable with diet and exercise. Routine checkups with your vet are crucial in preventing health problems.
How Long Do Bull Terriers Live?
Bull terriers have a long lifespan with most sources claiming that they can make it to 15. That said, expect your average bull terrier to live for 10-14 years on average. Also, white bull terriers may not last as long as other bull terriers due to genetic defects.
What Should a Bull Terrier Eat?
Bull terriers should eat a diet that contains all of the necessary macronutrients with an emphasis on carbohydrates and protein.
Due to their high energy levels, they need carbohydrates because they’ll burn through them fast. Protein supports muscle growth, and you can round out the remainder of their diet with healthy fats. For the best results, look for food from a reputable distributor that’s made for medium-sized, high-energy dogs.
Is a Bull Terrier the Right Dog for Me?
Bull terriers are great companions and can become a welcome addition to any family. However, you have to make sure you have room in your family for an energetic and sometimes stubborn dog like the bull terrier.
People who have single-family homes with a backyard are the best candidates for a bull terrier. You can make it work in an apartment or shared housing but you have to have access to dog parks.
We also only recommend adopting this dog if you have the time to care for them. You have to dedicate a few hours per day to playing, training, and exercise for the best results. Failing to do so can result in health problems and behavioral issues, so keep this in mind before adopting.