The Bull Terrier is a fighting breed of dog. Where is the danger hiding?

Dog breeds

English Bull Terriers are athletic, energetic, muscular and strong dogs. In the past they were used as fighting dogs, nowadays they are companion dogs.

Country of origin : UK
Height at withers : standard: 53-56 cm; miniature: 25-35-5 cm
Weight : standard: 24-28 kg; miniature: 11-15 kg
Lifespan : 14-16 years
Use : Companion Dog
Other names : boules

History of the breed

In the 19th century, the most common form of entertainment was dog fighting. But in 1835 they were banned by law. The ban did not stop many and they began to breed small breeds of dogs that could be hidden from the authorities. James Hinks became so enterprising, and thanks to him, the English Bull Terrier appeared. James Hinks argued that English Bull Terriers could only be white. He crossed blood individuals with each other. The dogs gained popularity and many owners praised the dog for its calm and balanced character, loyalty and good manners. However, this was followed by genetic diseases: deafness, heart disease and other chronic diseases. People of color were not recognized for a very long time and there was a struggle with the “whites”. It was only in 1950 that the breed standard became what it is now.

In higher education institutions in Great Britain, it was prestigious to own white bull terriers, for which they received the nickname “white gentlemen.”

The miniature (or, as it is also called, dwarf) bull terrier appeared in 1930. They were bred from ordinary small bull terriers. They have the same standard as the Bull Terrier except for height (maximum height 35.5 cm).

Among bull terriers there are many heroes who saved lives not only of their owners, but while serving in the police.

Protective and guard qualities

Bull Terriers are true guards. They are instantly able to assess the situation and act in case of danger. The dog protects its family and its home. Bitches have a greater predisposition to protection.

Any of the representatives of this specific breed captures facial expressions, movements, intonation with lightning speed and great accuracy; they are excellent psychologists.

Bull Terrier dog - characteristics of the breed, black and white color

English Bull Terrier: features of the breed

Active walks . These are energetic and active dogs that need long walks and physical activity.
Mandatory training required . It is necessary to study with them and pass the OKD under the supervision of an experienced specialist.
Suitable for keeping in an apartment . Bull Terriers are not picky and can do well in an apartment.
They don't like loneliness . Today, these are sociable companion dogs that need communication from their owner.
For experienced owners . Lack of upbringing can make an English Bull Terrier socially dangerous to others and the owner himself.
Can't stand cold . Bull Terriers do not tolerate cold well and being outside during the cold season is unacceptable for them.
Early socialization . If you want to raise a dog that is socially educated and safe, then it must be taken to crowded places every day from a very early age.

Character traits

Experienced dog breeders describe Bull Terriers as cheerful and loyal dogs, despite their negative reputation in society. These pets do not tolerate loneliness well, they are always happy to play with children of any age, and treat them very kindly and carefully. The character of a Bull Terrier can be described by the presence of the following qualities:

Endurance.
Bravery.
Determination.
Obedience.

The intelligence and intelligence of bull terriers can be the envy of many breeds. But they also have a significant amount of stubbornness, which can be eradicated with the help of proper education.

A dog of this breed is perfect as a best friend for active people. She will be happy to accompany you on your run. Such dogs need to devote a significant amount of time to physical activity and walks. This is how they spend energy, preventing it from transforming into aggression.

Care and maintenance

The Bull Terrier does not require special care.
Brush the coat daily with a glove or soft brush. The procedure takes a little time.
Wash when dirty.
In cool weather, wear overalls for walks.

Dental care. It is enough to examine the English Bull Terrier's teeth and oral cavity once a week. As for the care itself, during a thorough examination you should pay attention to: The condition of the gums - if they are red and inflamed, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian who will recommend special medications or remedies;
Teeth color – ideally, it should remain normal, without plaque (you can clean it yourself) and purulent formations. To maintain teeth in good condition, special bones and toothpastes for dogs can be very useful;
Dental health – check for loose or broken teeth. Between them there should also be no food residues, the accumulation of which causes the animal to develop an unpleasant odor from the mouth and subsequently rot;
The presence of tartar - in this case, it is impossible to do without the intervention of a veterinarian and its removal. It should also be noted that an important factor for the health of the English Bull Terrier - and in particular teeth - is proper balanced nutrition.

Grooming. If fleas are found in the fur of an English Bull Terrier, it is important to immediately take the necessary measures to get rid of them as quickly as possible. In order to get rid of them you just need to buy the drug at a pet store. After a couple of weeks, repeat this procedure. However, hair care itself may not be enough if fleas are present. It is also necessary to carry out a general cleaning of the house and, if necessary, use a special anti-flea product: that is, first of all, wipe the pet’s habitat, as well as carpets, floors, baseboards, and wash the bed.

Ear care. The ears of the English Bull Terrier are also the object of close attention - dust always accumulates in them, and during walks they can become clogged with dirt. Subsequently, their contamination can contribute to the appearance of diseases such as fungus. As a rule, caring for the ears of an English Bull Terrier involves a thorough examination of the ears, cleaning them with cotton swabs or wet wipes, as well as using special liquids or other products sold in pet stores if necessary.

Eye care. The English Bull Terrier's eyes can also become dirty with dust or secretions after sleeping. All this can serve as a source of infectious inflammation, redness and a number of other problems. Therefore, check your pet's eyes every day.

Paw care. English Bull Terrier paw care includes washing and brushing them after walks, trimming hair between the nails, and removing foreign objects or debris. You should also pay attention to the inner surface (cushions) and treat it with a special “vacuum wax” in the winter, when the asphalt is sprinkled with reagents.

Claw care. If the English Bull Terrier does not wear down its nails naturally, then it is necessary to trim them once a month. But here everything is not so simple - inside the claw there is a pulp where the blood functions. Therefore, it is important to cut them not too short and correctly so that the animal does not get hurt.

Remember that all dog grooming procedures help to establish a relationship with the dog and train him to be disciplined. Regular checking of an English Bull Terrier puppy will develop into a kind of mandatory and pleasant communication procedure. If you notice any changes in behavior or find any unexplained sores or redness, contact your veterinarian.

Coat and color standards for the white bull terrier

The first representatives of the breed had a white color, which was initially recognized as the standard color. Beautiful dogs are depicted in many paintings of the 19th century, since keeping such pets in the house was considered an expression of the good taste and wealth of the owners. Over time, dogs lost their purpose: they practically did not take part in battles and were not hunting dogs.

The FCI adopted standards for the white bull terrier regarding coat and color:

coat: the pile is short, hard, close to the body, shiny;
The color is white (the nose and eyes are always black).

White bull terriers are allowed to have dark spots, but not more than two and not located below the neck. Most often they are black and are found in the area of the animal’s eyes, which is explained not by genetic abnormalities of the breed, but by pigmentation characteristics.

Preference is given to dogs with a solid white color. A defect in the breed is considered to have wavy coat.

Health

Bull Terriers have excellent health. Congenital diseases are extremely rare, but are present:

deafness;
tracheal collapse;
heart diseases;
discospondyloarthrosis;
pylorospasm;
dislocation of the kneecap;
congenital nephropathy.

Diseases that are acquired:

dermatitis of various etiologies;
musculoskeletal injuries;
chronic kidney disease;
oncological diseases.

Preventive measures to protect your English Bull Terrier puppy

To keep your English Bull Terrier puppy completely safe, you first need to minimize his contact with unfamiliar dogs, especially strays. Therefore, you should not let your dog off the leash, as in this case it will become impossible to control its behavior and communication with other dogs. Since a dog can easily become infected with distemper from simply touching the nose of a sick animal. This disease can be transmitted to a dog through sniffing. Your dog can become infected with trichophytosis from contact with the lichen-affected fur of a sick dog. Naturally, it is impossible to completely exclude a dog’s communication with other dogs, since it must be socialized. Therefore, try to find friends with dog lovers who look after their animals. By adhering to this rule, you can eliminate the risk of pathogen transmission by 80%.
You should walk your dog in places where there are no landfills. Since garbage very often attracts rodents, which in turn are very often carriers of various infections. Gray rats are especially dangerous because they carry such a serious disease as leptospirosis.
You should not allow your dog to sniff other people's feces, as they are a source of worms.
Monitor the well-being of your English Bull Terrier. Pay attention to even the most minor changes in his behavior. For example, your dog may appear lethargic, lose his appetite, or have a dry nose. Or you may notice that the dog begins to shed, and this has nothing to do with seasonal shedding. If hair loss becomes excessive, this is the first symptom indicating health problems in your pet. And only you can help him. Therefore, it is important to take the dog to the veterinary clinic in time, where the disease can be overcome for sure. In no case should you ignore the symptoms, since advanced infections are much more difficult to treat, and sometimes even impossible. If you start treating your dog, the disease can lead to his death or he will develop serious complications that will affect his hearing, vision, limbs and much more.

Why is a dog considered evil?

However, why are people sure that representatives of this breed are incredibly aggressive and strong? It is worth noting that although in the photo the black bull terrier looks quite serious and even threatening, it does not pose any danger to humans.

Nevertheless, we should not forget that the blood of a real fighting dog flows in him. Like many other representatives of four-legged animals, representatives of this breed enjoy hunting cats. Perhaps this is what served as the basis for the first legends about the aggressiveness and ruthlessness of these animals.

On the other hand, it should be noted that for many years the bull terrier was bred exclusively as a fighting dog. It was never used for protection or service, exclusively for competitions. That is why this animal has such a compact body and large muscle mass.

A white or black bull terrier does have a steel jaw and reduced sensitivity to pain. All these qualities make the animal a real fighter. That is why for a very long time it was used exclusively for the amusement of people who gladly bet on the bloody fights of four-legged animals. Perhaps, over many years of such entertainment, a clear opinion has formed that this animal is extremely aggressive and furious.

Indeed, dogs of this breed show very serious aggression towards their rivals. However, if we talk about how animals treat humans, then in this case a black and white bull terrier or a pet of a different color shows exceptional friendliness and obedience.

Training and education

It is imperative to take a training course . They are poorly trained due to their stubbornness. When training, you should never hit or punish the dog, as it may become withdrawn and start snapping. It is best to contact specialists who will help you with raising your pet. When training, you need to be patient, persistent and not give up. It can be trained through play and treats. If you do everything right, you will get an obedient dog who will be loyal to you for the rest of his life.

Submitting a dog doesn't always work. The principle of complete submission of the English Bull Terrier to the owner is an outdated method. This theory was formulated based on observations of packs of wild wolves, but they were kept in captivity and, of course, experienced stress. The stress condition forced wolves to show aggression towards each other, but in the wild they do not show aggression to each other - they live together and interact with each other. You need to perceive yourself as the more experienced and mature member of the pack, who is responsible for guiding the new member (English Bull Terrier puppy) and teaching him good behavior, as well as correcting him if necessary. It is important to remember that English Bull Terrier puppies learn a lot on their own. They are very inquisitive, love to explore new territories and, of course, experiment. Puppies tend to repeat actions they enjoy (like playing with a toy). They do not repeat actions that cause them pain (for example, destroying a nest and getting bitten). If your English Bull Terrier puppy misbehaves, ignore him and praise him when he does the right thing. Reward your puppy for following commands and good behavior. Do not neglect these tips. After all, constantly hearing “you can’t” all day long is unbearable. This is a small child who wants to know everything and get his portion of treats as a reward for not eating your favorite rug, going to the toilet outside, bringing you a ball, and so on.

Set rules and monitor their implementation

It is worth enrolling your English Bull Terrier puppy in obedience training classes. These classes will allow you to understand exactly what actions will allow you to control your dog’s behavior. You will be able to spend more time with your puppy, establish contact and socialize around other dogs.

Adviсe

Training an English Bull Terrier puppy should be done with the help of positive motivation; watch carefully special films about this technique. The Canine Translator film series from National Geographic is suitable.
If you need to leave your puppy at home alone for 2 hours or more, then ask someone to come to him.
Be sure to schedule your English Bull Terrier puppy an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible. The doctor will carefully examine him and give him vaccinations that will protect him from dangerous diseases.

Learning ability

The adaptation of bull terriers is quite developed. This plays an important role in education. Dogs are able to determine a person’s mood; by the smallest changes in a person’s voice, they determine the situation and possible action.

The breed has a peculiarity: they obey one owner. They love all members of the household, but are especially devoted to only one, whom they independently choose in childhood.

If a dog is a fighting breed, this does not mean that force and shouting should be used when training and raising it. The dog will show aggression if he sees that aggression is being shown towards him. In this matter you need to be patient and stubborn. And in the first months of the animal’s life, you need to devote as much time as possible to it, since the dog becomes attached to people, it cannot stand loneliness and must constantly participate in the life of the household. And the owner must pay enough attention to the pet, be kind, but strict. The sooner the dog is shown that it must obey, the more obedient it will be.

Attitude towards children and pets

If you raise your dog correctly, it will live quite calmly with children and pets. In the wrong hands, a dog can behave aggressively.

If you are not confident in your abilities, do not get this breed of dog. Let's not forget the fact that the dog is highly aggressive. The jaws of a bull terrier can only be opened with a special tool or by putting ammonia under the nose.

If you decide to get a dog, especially a puppy, then get ready for the following: you will often have to clean up little mistakes after the puppy; investments will be required in annual vaccinations, feeding, toys, ammunition, etc.; Any animal requires attention and communication, so if you don’t have time, then there will be no mutual understanding with your English Bull Terrier puppy. Big changes are coming in your life. If you can handle this, you will find a loyal friend for life.

How to choose a bull terrier puppy

When buying a puppy, it is better to contact specialized nurseries or trusted breeders. Bull Terrier puppies bought secondhand may not be purebred or have congenital diseases.

Along with your pet, you should be given documents with information about vaccinations done. It is better to buy a puppy at the age of two months. He must be mobile and well-fed.

The cost of a purebred dog in a specialized nursery varies from 15 to 25 thousand rubles (2017). The same puppies can be purchased from a private breeder a little cheaper, their price starts from 8 thousand rubles. Prices for high-quality representatives of the breed can reach 50 thousand or more.

PS If you did not find the necessary information about the Bull Terrier breed or you are interested in a specific question, write about it in the comments.