Bull Terrier
A muscular, comical terrier with a unique egg-shaped head that loves people, play and being the centre of attention.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 53–60 cm · Females 50–56 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–32 kg · Females 20–28 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- White, Brindle, Red, Fawn, Black, Tricolour
- Bred for
- Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 3, no. 11 · Terriers
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a fun, affectionate and robust companion
- are at home much of the day
- enjoy daily play and training
Think twice if you …
- have other dogs or cats that may clash with it
- are a first-time owner
- want a dog that is easily managed on the lead
Care
Temperament
Playful, affectionate and full of character, with a clownish streak. It is courageous and determined, and can be headstrong.
Exercise
About an hour or more of daily exercise, including walks and energetic play, plus puzzle toys and training games for its mind.
Grooming
The short coat needs only a weekly brush, with moderate seasonal shedding.
Training
Needs patient, consistent and upbeat training from an early age. It responds poorly to harsh handling.
Health
Deafness (especially in white dogs), heart valve disease, kidney disease and skin allergies are seen in the breed, and some dogs develop compulsive behaviours such as tail chasing. Ask the breeder for hearing, heart and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hearing (BAER)
- Heart
DNA tests
- Lethal acrodermatitis (LAD)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Bull Terrier was created in nineteenth-century England, when James Hinks and others refined crosses between bulldog and terrier types into a cleaner, more elegant dog. White dogs were the early ideal, and coloured varieties were accepted later.
Living with one is lively and often funny. It is physically strong, very people-oriented and keen on games, but it can be stubborn and sometimes intolerant of other dogs. It needs owners who will provide exercise, steady training and company, as a bored Bull Terrier often finds its own entertainment, not always the kind you would choose.
Did you know?
General George S. Patton owned a Bull Terrier named Willie, who accompanied him during the Second World War.