Breed Group: Terrier
Height: 21 to 22 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 50 to 70 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
This larger-than-life clown is an extroverted guy. Sweet as pie with people, he needs to be socialized early to prevent dog aggression and needs a firm hand in general. He’d prefer an active family who likes his ebullient energy. Wherever the action is, that’s where you’ll find him. His short coat is easy to groom.
Did You Know is Sometimes Considered One of the Breeds Known as Pitbulls?
Because of his fun-loving, mischievous personality, the Bull Terrier is sometimes referred to as “the kid in a dog suit.”
There’s no mistaking the Bull Terrier for any other breed. With his football-shaped head, muscular body and unmatched swagger, this is a dog that commands attention anywhere he goes. He’s an icon, seen at the side of owners from General Patton to Princess Anne, and in advertising campaigns for beer — the famous Spuds McKenzie — and department stores. He’s a high-energy tough guy with a soft heart, crazy about kids and strongly attached to his family.
The Bull Terrier is sometimes considered one of the breeds known as a ” pit bull.” Before getting one of these dogs, it is important to realize that there is much misinformation around the natures of pit bulls and there are campaigns to out-law the dogs. Check into local ordinances carefully to be sure that you can legally own one of these dogs in your town. Also do your own research so you can help educate friends and neighbors about the merits of this breed.
On the plus side, grooming is a breeze with a Bull Terrier; just brush him a couple of times a week to keep shedding to a minimum, and make sure his nails are trimmed and his ears are clean.
The Bull Terrier is an indoor dog. Besides having a short coat unsuited to cold or wet weather, he’s the kind of dog who thrives on companionship and needs to be with his family when they are home.
Other Quick Facts About the Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier comes in two varieties: white and colored. They are exhibited in separate classes at dog shows but are otherwise the same breed. A colored Bull Terrier named Rufus (Ch. Rocky Top’s Sundance Kid) won Best In Show at Westminster in 2006, the first of his variety to do so.
When you look at a Bull Terrier, you see a strong, muscular dog with a long oval head that resembles an egg (especially in the white variety). Small thin ears point upward, and small dark eyes with a piercing glint are sunken into the head. A short tail, thick at the root and tapering to a fine point, is carried horizontally
Bull Terriers have appeared in hundreds of films, ranging from “101 Dalmatians” and “Best in Show” to “The Mask” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
The only currently recognized breed with triangular eyes is the Bull Terrier.
