The objectives of the Bull Terrier Club are to promote responsible dog ownership and to promote our beautiful bullies!
About Bull Terrier
Background
The Bull Terrier is known as the gladiator of the canine race and is one of the oldest terrier breeds indigenous to England. The Bull Terrier was originally bred for combat with dogs and other animals, a sport that was permissable in England in the 1800s. Since the late 1800s the Bull Terrier has been bred as a companion dog.
Average Lifespan
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. Bull Terriers live from between 11 to 13 years of age.
Breed Personality/Characteristics/Temperament
The Bull Terrier is a combination of balanced power, grace and agility. It desires human companionship and its character and individuality win it lifelong friends. It is very devoted to its family. The Bull Terrier has an innate sense of humour, brains, imagination, personality, and to those who love it - beauty. Its appearance, along with its character, is unique in the spectrum of dogs. The character and personality of the Bull Terrier is very complex. A Bull Terrier is very active and much like a 3-year-old child in a dog suit. You must be prepared for anything and you must supervise it. The breed is playful, clownish, witty, silly, humorous, stubborn and conniving. Activity is a common characteristic in nearly every young Bull Terrier. All puppies are extremely busy and many Bull Terreirs remain active and playful until well into middle age (5-6 years). A Bull Terrier likes to be doing something. For this reason it fits well into active families where it receives a great deal of companionship and supervision. A Bull Terrier will not do well in a situation where it is expected to remain alone in the home or yard for long periods of time, or where its physical activity is very restricted.
Compatibility with other pets
Many Bull Terriers can and do enjoy the company of other dogs - with certain exceptions. Male Bull Terriers which have not been desexed do not as a rule get along with other male dogs. A male and female Bull Terrier can live together quite happily, and two females can often share the same home. Again care must be taken that jealousies do not arise. Raised from a puppy with cats and other animlas they can have a companionable co-existence.
Care Requirements
A Bull Terrier sheds its coat twice a year. Loose hair can be removed with a daily rub down using a special glove or brush. Nails and dewclaws should be checked monthly and clipped with dog and nail clippers. Bull Terriers are natural sun-bakers and care should be taken in the hotter months to apply sunscreen. A Bull Terrier requires a securely fenced, average to large sized backyard and it will take exception to being chained or tied up. The breed requires a considerable amount of human companionship.
Please Take Note
Although generally healthy, Bull Terriers can be prone to skin allergies, particularly those caused by insect bites. Pups should be checked for deafness.
Ideal Owner/s
A Bull Terrier can be wonderful with children if handled with common sense. It will tolerate a large range of childrens behavoiur but will not tolerate being teased and can be rough if constantly provoked. Owning a Bull Terrier is a big responsibility and the breed only deserves responsible and caring owners.
In Conclusion
Now you know a little about the Bull Terrier and have decided this is the dog for you or you want more information, make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs.
