Bull Terrier

Coat & Grooming:

The short, hard coat of the Bull Terrier is a piece of cake to maintain. A wipe-down with a damp cloth and the odd brushing is enough grooming to keep your Bully looking great. Be sure you stay on top of brushing their teeth and cleaning out their ears.

Shedding:

Bull Terriers are one of the easiest breeds to maintain and groom. At most, weekly brushing with a grooming glove or a dog brush is plenty to keep them looking good. They don’t need frequent bathing – a damp cloth or dry shampoo is sufficient on a monthly schedule. Bull Terrier shed twice a year, and it’s worth doing daily brushing during this time to keep the dog hair under control.

Training:

Since they are strong-willed and often stubborn in the face of timid people, Bull Terriers can be difficult to train without the right approach. Early socialization and exposure to different people and places are crucial steps to develop the right habits in a Bull Terrier. Without proper training, they can develop independence and disrespect for authority.

Barking:

If you hear a Bull Terrier bark, you ought to pay attention. They rarely use it, and it’s often to announce something (or someone) that seems out of place to them. These dogs are courageous and vivacious, but they can also develop a stubborn streak without proper training and socialization. If you are a novice dog owner or a timid person in general, a Bull Terrier might not be the best choice for you.

Personality:

Bull Terriers are very social and love to spend time around their human family. People often refer to this breed as “a kid in a dog suit” because they are so goofy and playful. Bull Terriers are loving and devoted companions. Without proper early socialization, they can develop aggressiveness towards other dogs, but this can be avoided with the right training regime.

Temperament & Behavior:

Bull Terriers are social butterflies and happy to share their enthusiasm for life with their family and friends. Shyness and timidity are very rare. This breed needs a lot of stimulation and loves to play games. Early socialization and exposure to different people/environments are crucial to develop a confident and well-mannered companion. Obedience classes are a must to help them learn proper habits and respect for authority. If you are a timid person, your Bully may decide they are in charge. Generally, they are sweet and gentle with everyone they meet, although they can be suspicious and standoffish with other dogs and smaller pets. Generally, they don’t like cats.

Behavior with Kids:

Bull Terriers are a great choice for families, but they are a bit rough at play for very small children. They are protective of their family, so they may decide to intervene if the play gets too rough with children outside of their family. Always keep a close eye on your dog with any unfamiliar kids or people who aren’t used to handling dogs.

Protection:

Bull Terriers are very protective of their family, and they are always ready to jump into the fray. Sometimes, they overreact around rough-housing children, so it’s important to supervise your companion at all times. A timid and shy Bull Terrier is very rare, and it’s up to you to develop proper habits to help you control your pet.

Life span:

On average, Bull Terriers live to be 11-13 years old.

Inherited Health Issues:

Many conditions have been identified in Bull Terriers that either occur at increased frequency or are inherited. These conditions include, but are not limited to: aortic stenosis, mitral valve dysplasia, atopic dermatitis, solar dermatitis, Zinc responsive dermatosis, Osteochondritis dissecans, compulsive tail chasing behavior, congenital deafness, mast cell tumor, cutaneous histiocytoma, congenital cataracts and polycystic kidney disease.

Preventive Care:

One of the most important aspects of keeping your Bull Terrier as healthy as possible is assuring that your dog stays at a healthy body weight by closely controlling food portions and making certain that these energetic dogs receive plenty of exercise. Regular veterinary care is necessary even when your Bull Terrier appears to be healthy. Your veterinarian will be able to closely evaluate your dog for even the subtlest changes. It is always better to identify a little problem before it becomes a big and more significant problem. Close home monitoring, particularly for changes in skin conditions or lumps and bumps are beneficial.

Bull Terriers are active dogs and require a balanced diet to provide them with plenty of energy. Portion controlled feeding is crucial to maintaining a healthy body weight. In dogs with food allergies triggering atopic dermatitis, prescription hydrolyzed protein diets or novel protein diets may be necessary.

Daily Consumption:

Average daily consumption for an adult Bull Terrier is 1.5 - 2.5 cups

Energy Level:

Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Habits and Exercise:

Bull Terriers love to play and run around with their family. They have a big gas tank, so it’s up to you to provide sufficient exercise to maintain a sound body and mind. If you can’t commit to 30-60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day, it’s a good idea to hire a dog-walker to help you with your dog’s exercise needs.

Climate:

Bull Terriers can survive happily in almost all warm climates, but their fur doesn’t offer much protection from cold, damp conditions. Invest in a warm coat if you live in a cool climate with damp weather conditions. Always monitor your companion for signs of distress in extreme weather conditions including very hot or cold days.