Bull Terrier: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The bull terrier is a medium-large terrier dog breed from England that has a short, smooth coat and a unique “egg-shaped” head. Its ears are small and pointed, and its eyes also are small with a triangular shape. Overall, these dogs have a solid, muscular build. They tend to be quite entertaining and energetic companions—goofy and stubborn, at times. They’re often called a “kid in a dog suit.”

Characteristics of the Bull Terrier

The bull terrier generally has a friendly and comical personality. It tends to get along with people well but doesn’t always like other dogs. A high energy level and love of playtime also shape the bull terrier’s temperament.

History of the Bull Terrier

Inhumane bloodsports involving animals became popular in Britain around the 13th century. In particular, a sport known as bull-baiting involved a bulldog fighting a tethered bull as people bet on the results. 

Britain banned such bloodsports in the 1800s. But some people took them underground instead. Rather than bull-baiting, which was too conspicuous, they focused on dogfighting. And they wanted more fiery and nimble dogs, so they crossed their bulldogs with various terriers. Several breeds arose from this, including the bull terrier. 

As dogfighting diminished toward the mid-1800s, breeders worked to refine the bull terrier to make it more of a companion dog. They bred for a sweeter temperament and less rugged appearance. It would still take several more decades before the dog acquired its trademark curved head. 

The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1885. And there have been several notable bull terriers throughout history. President Theodore Roosevelt owned a bull terrier. And bull terriers have helped to market both Bud Light beer (Spuds MacKenzie) and Target (Bullseye). 

Bull Terrier Care

Bull terriers should get a fair amount of exercise each day, and they require minimal grooming. It's also important to provide training and socialization starting at a young age.

Exercise

Provide at least one to two hours of exercise per day for your bull terrier to help burn its high levels of mental and physical energy. Multiple walks per day are ideal, along with jogs, hikes, games of fetch, and other play. Puzzle toys can help to challenge your dog mentally as well. Plus, dog sports, such as agility and tracking, can provide both mental and physical stimulation. 

Always keep your bull terrier on a leash or in a securely fenced area when outside, as not all bull terriers will be friendly if they encounter a strange dog. Likewise, the bull terrier's short coat doesn't offer much protection in cold weather. So limit outdoor exercise sessions in the cold, and consider providing your dog with a coat or sweater.

Grooming

The extremely short, smooth coat of the bull terrier requires little maintenance. Only basic grooming is necessary. Plan to brush weekly with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt to remove loose fur and distribute skin oils. Your dog might have higher periods of shedding, often in the spring and fall, during which you’ll have to brush more frequently to keep up with the loose fur. 

Give your dog a bath every month or so, depending on how dirty it gets. And check its nails monthly as well to see whether they need a trim. Also, look in its ears at least every week for wax buildup, debris, and irritation. And aim to brush its teeth every day.

Training

Proper obedience training and socialization are essential to manage your bull terrier. And it’s important to start them young to prevent bad habits from forming. Bull terriers can be stubborn when it comes to training. Always use positive reinforcement methods. They tend to respond best when training sessions feel like a game rather than work. 

Moreover, aim to socialize your dog with different people and other dogs from a young age to boost its comfort and confidence. Positive experiences can go a long way to ensuring that your bull terrier is well-mannered. But some bull terriers have a difficult time being comfortable around other dogs, especially unfamiliar dogs, largely due to the breed's fighting history. And consequently there is the potential for aggression.

Common Health Problems

Bull terriers live generally healthy lives, but they are prone to some hereditary health issues, including: 

• Deafness
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease
• Luxating patella
• Skin and coat problems, including allergies

Diet and Nutrition

Make sure fresh water is always available to your dog. And feed a quality, nutritionally balanced canine diet. In particular, it’s important for bull terriers to receive adequate calcium to support their bone development, especially when they are puppies. It’s common to feed two measured meals per day to prevent overfeeding. But you should always run both the type of diet and the amount by your vet to make sure you’re meeting your dog’s individual needs. 

Where to Adopt or Buy a Bull Terrier

Bull terriers are a fairly popular dog breed. So be sure to check local animal shelters and rescue groups for a dog in need of a home if you’re looking to acquire a bull terrier. If you want a puppy from a reputable breeder, expect to pay around $500 to $3,500, though this can vary widely.

For further information to help you find a bull terrier, check out:

• Bull Terrier Club of America
• Bull Terrier Rescue
  

Bull Terrier Overview

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Before bringing home a bull terrier, do plenty of research to ensure that the breed is right for your lifestyle. Talk to bull terrier owners, rescue groups, reputable breeders, and veterinarians to learn more.

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• American Staffordshire terrier
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• Boston terrier

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there—with a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!