Dog Breeds <Back to Breed Profiles

		Select the dog breed you are interested in from the list below. Alphabetical Search: A - E F - J K - O P - T U - Z or Select A Breed

Bull Terrier

General
Other Names
Dog Group Kennel Club		Terrier
Breed Classification		The bull terrier is a member of the terrier group. They were originally bred for dog fighting and as companions; today they are companion dogs.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		Bull Terriers like their food so their food intake should be monitored closely as they do have a tendency to put on weight.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The average purchase price of a puppy is £700.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years The average lifespan of a Bull Terrier is 10 - 12 years.
Average Litter Size		5 The average litter size is 5 but there can be as little as 1 or as many as 9.
General Physical Description		The Bull Terrier is a strongly built, deep chested muscular dog. The shape of the head differs from that of other terriers. They have a long, strong egg shaped head with a Roman nose. Their eyes are triangular in shape and deep set.
Height Min Max Bitch 45cm (18") 45cm (18") Dog 45cm (18") 45cm (18") Weight Min Max Bitch 33kg (73lbs) 33kg (73lbs) Dog 33kg (73lbs) 33kg (73lbs)
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		There is no height or weight restrictions given for this breed, however they should be balanced. A guide of height is 45cms to the withers and a weight of 33kg. There will be variations on these measurements but they give a rough idea of the size of this breed.
Ailments		Deafness appears to be a problem in the white Bull Terriers but breeders are screening breeding stock in order to reduce this problem. It is advisable to keep an eye on their weight and remember these dogs are chewers and often eat things they shouldn’t.
Common Ailments		Deafness Umbilical Hernia Acne
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		Bred by crossing a Bulldog with a terrier, this dog was produced to fight to the death in the bloody sport of bull baiting. They are now one of the most popular dogs in Britain, and have proved to be an impeccable guard dog. The Miniature has existed for as long as the standard, and was recognised as a separate breed by the British Kennel Club in 1939.
Intelligence		Bull Terriers are intelligent and do learn reasonably quickly. However as a breed they can be stubborn and have a will of their own so a firm hand is needed with training.
Show Characteristics		The Bull Terrier should have a long, strong and egg shaped head. The top of the head is almost flat between the ears. The nose should be black with well developed nostrils. The bottom jaws should be strong and deep with a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be triangular shaped, slanting, deep set and black or dark brown in colour. The ears should be small, thin and close together. The neck should be long, muscular, arched and taper from the shoulders to the head. They should have a short, strong and level back. They chest should be broad. The front legs should be strong and straight; the back legs should be strong and have a well developed second thigh. The feet should have well arched toes and be round and compact. The tail should be low set, short and carried horizontally. The preferred colours for the show ring are white, black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolour. They cover the ground with easy strides and in a carefree manner.
Country Of Origin		Great Britian
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		100 - 120 minutes per day. Bull Terriers are an active breed that require a fair amount of exercise, both free running and roadwork.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		High
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		High
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Medium
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		Bull Terriers are friendly dogs with a wonderful sense of humour. Their physical strength is matched by their supreme intelligence, and both body and mind need to be kept active. They can be obstinate and are not ideal dogs for the first-time owner. As a breed they are generally placid but it has to be remembered that they were originally bred as fighting dogs therefore they will react if challenged but they will not normally make the first move.They are very affectionate dogs and love company so it is not a good idea to leave them alone for long periods of time as with their strong jaws they can cause lots of damage if bored.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Smooth
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		The Bull Terrier is an easy breed to groom. Their shorthaired coats can be groomed using a rubber-grooming mitt once of twice a week.
Colour		The most usual colour for this breed is white with about 70% of which have a coloured marking on the head or sometimes on the back. They can also be black, brindle, red, fawn or tricolour.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

Breed results: A-E

Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute American Cocker Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Dog Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Dog Australian Silky Terrier Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Bleu de Gascogne Basset Fauve de Bretagne Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand) Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit) Basset Hound Bavarian Mountain Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael Belgian Shepherd Dog Laekenois Belgian Shepherd Dog Malinois Belgian Shepherd Dog Tervueren Bergamasco Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Bloodhound Boerboel Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer

Bracco Italiano Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bull Terrier Miniature Bulldog Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cesky Terrier Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua (Long Coat) Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) Chinese Crested Chow Chow (Rough) Chow Chow (Smooth) Clumber Spaniel Coton De Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund (Long-Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Long Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Wire Haired) Dachshund (Smooth Haired) Dachshund (Wire Haired) Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Deerhound Dobermann Dogue de Bordeaux Elkhound English Cocker Spaniel English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Eskimo Dog Estrela Mountain Dog