Overview
The Bull Terrier was created in nineteenth-century England from bulldog and terrier crosses, first for fighting and then, by James Hinks of Birmingham, as a fashionable gentleman's companion. The egg-shaped head, small triangular eyes and thick, low-slung body are unique. It comes in white and in coloured varieties.
Temperament is a mix of goofball and stubborn mule. Bull Terriers love people, adore children in most cases, and are fiercely loyal. They also have a will of their own, boundless physical energy and, in some dogs, a dislike of other dogs that needs managing from the start.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour and a quarter a day in two walks, with some play, suits an adult. They are powerful rather than enduring, and they enjoy short bursts of hard play with a ball or tug more than steady mileage.
Avoid exercise in heat; heavy muscle and a short coat mean they overheat quickly. Puppies should not do hard, repetitive exercise while growing.
On the walk
- Pulling: Serious. The breed is low, dense and determined. A front-clip harness or a headcollar the owner has introduced, with a short lead, saves your arms.
- Other dogs: Some are fine, some are not, and it is hard to tell from looks. Take the owner's word, introduce slowly and avoid group walks until proven.
- Stubbornness: A Bull Terrier that stops will not be moved by force. Change the subject with a toy or a treat and keep the mood light.
- Recall: Patchy. Many are too interested in their own plans. Off lead only in enclosed space with a proven dog.
Tips for professional walkers
- Bring a sturdy toy; a game of tug is the best reward and the best distraction this breed knows.
- Keep sessions fun. Bull Terriers respond to play and ignore nagging.
- Watch for skin trouble in white dogs, which can be sensitive to sun and allergens.
- Make sure the dog is not swallowing stones or sticks; many pick things up and some eat them.
What to ask the owner
- How does the dog behave with other dogs, and are there any it should never meet?
- Any skin, kidney or heart history the owner has been told about?
- Does the dog pick up and swallow objects, and what should you do if it does?