Bull Terrier
Bulldog Breeds
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier Breed Standard
Bull Terriers are thick-set and muscular with a short, dense coat. Acceptable colours are white, (skin pigmentation and markings on the head are not penalised in the UK show ring), any colour other than white, or any colour with white markings (although Blue and liver highly undesirable).
The American Kennel Club specifies that if all other things are equal, the brindle coat is preferred.[citation needed] (White is preferred in the UK)
The Bull Terrier's most distinctive feature is its head, described as 'egg shaped' when viewed from the front, almost flat at the top, with a Roman muzzle sloping evenly down to the end of the nose with no stop. The unique triangular eyes are small, dark, and closely set. The body is full and round, while the shoulders are robust and muscular and the tail is carried horizontally. It walks with a jaunty gait, and is popularly known as the 'gladiator of the canine race'.[citation needed]
There is no set height or weight of the breed but the average is, Height: 16-22 inches (40-56 cm.), Weight: 35-80 pounds (15-36 kg.)
Sometimes Bull Terriers are mistaken to be American Pit Bull Terriers, but they are separate breeds
Temperament
Bull Terriers are known as friendly and outgoing dogs. Their physical strength is matched by their intelligence, and both body and mind need to be kept active. They can be obstinate or stubborn and are not ideal dogs for the first-time owner. As a breed they are generally placid and will not normally make the first move. They are very affectionate dogs that love human company. Bull Terriers are particularly good with children and can stand a great deal of abuse due to their high pain threshold. They are protective of children in their charge. Younger dogs may regard children as playmates and because of their strength would only cause inadvertent injury.
The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS), a not-for-profit organisation that promotes uniform temperament testing for dog breeds, gives the Bull Terrier a pass rate of 91.5%. The average for all breeds is 81.5%
All puppies should be checked for deafness, as this sometimes occurs (most commonly in pure white dogs) and is difficult to notice, especially in a relatively young puppy. Many Bull Terriers have a tendency to develop skin allergies.[citation needed] Insect bites, such as fleas, and sometimes mosquitoes and mites, can produce a generalized allergic response of hives, rash, and itching. This condition can be stopped by keeping the dog free of contact from these insects, but this is definitely a consideration in climates or circumstances where exposure to these insects is inevitable. Their lifespan is somewhere between 10 and 14 years, although they can live longer - the oldest bitch on record being an Australian housepet dubbed "Puppa Trout" who remained sprightly into her 17th year.[citation needed]
The Bull Terrier's coat is easy to maintain, but grooming can keep it in near-perfect condition. Adding oils to their meals can also vastly improve the quality of their coat.[citation needed] The Bull Terrier requires a fair amount of exercise, but overworking the dog at a young age will cause strained muscles. Older dogs do require exercise, but in small doses, whereas younger ones will be happy to play for hours on end. The breed is renowned for being extremely greedy; be sure to maintain a good balance of exercise and food, or the dog can become overweight. Also, be sure to check ears, eyes, nose and mouth every day for signs of infection.
Common Ailments: Deafness, Umbilical Hernia and Acne.[citation needed] Bull Terriers can also suffer from Obsessive complusive behavior, such as tail chasing, self mutilation, and obsessive licking.[citation needed]
