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Bull Terrier

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Bull Terrier
A coloured Bull Terrier
OriginEngland
Kennel club standards
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Bull Terrier or English Bull Terrier is a breed of dog in the terrier family.

Appearance

A white bull terrier with an exemplary 'egg shaped' head

Bull Terriers are thick-set and muscular with a short, dense coat. Acceptable colours are white, (skin pigmentation and markings on the head are not penalised in the UK show ring), any colour other than white, or any colour with white markings (although Blue and liver highly undesirable).

In The American Kennel Club there are two different varieties of Bull Terriers: white and coloured. [1] The breed standard is the exact same for both varieties, except that in the white Bull terrier coloured markings are only permitted on the head; any markings elsewhere on the coat are to be severely faulted. Conversely, in the coloured variety any colour other then white or any colour with white markings is permissible; predominantly white dogs are disqualified. If all other things are equal, the brindle colour is preferred. [2]

The Bull Terrier's most distinctive feature is its head, described as 'egg shaped' when viewed from the front, almost flat at the top, with a Roman muzzle sloping evenly down to the end of the nose with no stop. The unique triangular eyes are small, dark, and closely set. The body is full and round, while the shoulders are robust and muscular and the tail is carried horizontally. It walks with a jaunty gait, and is popularly known as the 'gladiator of the canine race'.[citation needed] There is no set height or weight of the breed but the average is, Height: 16-22 inches (40-56 cm.), Weight: 35-80 pounds (15-36 kg.)

Sometimes Bull Terriers are mistaken to be American Pit Bull Terriers, but they are separate breeds.

Temperament

A Bull Terrier doing dog agility

Bull Terriers are known as friendly and outgoing dogs. Their physical strength is matched by their intelligence, and both body and mind need to be kept active. They can be obstinate or stubborn and are not ideal dogs for the first-time owner. As a breed they are generally placid and will not normally make the first move. They are very affectionate dogs that love human company. Bull Terriers are particularly good with children and can stand a great deal of abuse due to their high pain threshold. They are protective of children in their charge. Younger dogs may regard children as playmates and because of their strength would only cause inadvertent injury.
The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS), a not-for-profit organisation that promotes uniform temperament testing for dog breeds, gives the Bull Terrier a pass rate of 91.5%. The average for all breeds is 81.5%.

Health

All puppies should be checked for deafness, as this sometimes occurs (most commonly in pure white dogs) and is difficult to notice, especially in a relatively young puppy. Many Bull Terriers have a tendency to develop skin allergies.[citation needed] Insect bites, such as fleas, and sometimes mosquitoes and mites, can produce a generalized allergic response of hives, rash, and itching. This condition can be stopped by keeping the dog free of contact from these insects, but this is definitely a consideration in climates or circumstances where exposure to these insects is inevitable. Their lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 14 years, although they can live longer - the oldest bitch on record being an Australian housepet dubbed "Puppa Trout" who remained sprightly into her 17th year.[citation needed]

The Bull Terrier's coat is easy to maintain, but grooming can keep it in near-perfect condition. Adding oils to their meals can also vastly improve the quality of their coat.[citation needed] The Bull Terrier requires a fair amount of exercise, but overworking the dog at a young age will cause strained muscles. Older dogs do require exercise, but in small doses, whereas younger ones will be happy to play for hours on end. The breed is renowned for being extremely greedy; be sure to maintain a good balance of exercise and food, or the dog can become overweight. Also, be sure to check ears, eyes, nose and mouth every day for signs of infection.

Common Ailments: Deafness, Umbilical Hernia and Acne.[citation needed] Bull Terriers can also suffer from Obsessive complusive behavior, such as tail chasing, self mutilation, and obsessive licking.[citation needed]

History

The now extinct breeds Old English Bulldog and Old English Terrier were crossed to form a new breed of dog called the Bull and Terrier. Around 1860 , the Bull and Terrier breed split into two branches, the pure white Bull Terrier and the coloured forms.

Pedigrees of Bull Terriers date from the period during which the English Stud books were first written (circa 1874-6). Although the breed was developed from fighting dogs, the Bull Terrier was intended to be a showdog and companion.

The Bull Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1948.

Miscellaneous

Rick Springfield's dog Ronnie, a bull terrier/Great Dane mix appeared on several of his album covers.
  • The Afrikaans name for the Bull Terrier is Varkhond (Pig-dog), because of the pig-like appearance of the head and eyes.
  • Although the name causes confusion, Bull Terriers are not directly related to American Pit Bull Terriers. Both breeds do, however, descend from the same ancestors.
  • There is also a miniature version of this breed; this distinct breed is officially known as the Bull Terrier (Miniature).

Famous Bull Terriers

See also

External links

  1. ^ http://www.akc.org/breeds/bull_terrier/index.cfm
  2. ^ http://www.akc.org/breeds/bull_terrier/index.cfm
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