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Breeds 101: Meet the Bull Terrier

By Clare Browning

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Bullseye, an English Bull Terrier and a mascot for Target, visits the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on the morning of November 28, 2014 in New York City. The Friday after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, traditionally marks the beginning of the Holiday season. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Bullseye, an English Bull Terrier and a mascot for Target, visits the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on the morning of November 28, 2014 in New York City. The Friday after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, traditionally marks the beginning of the Holiday season. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) /
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In today’s “Breeds 101” we are focusing on the personality filled Bull Terrier. Easily recognizable by their long egg-shaped head and erect ears, these dogs have been a staple since the 1800s.

Descendants of bulldogs that were once used for bull-baiting and dog fights, the Bull Terrier was born out of a cross of bulldogs and terriers for a more animated, yet powerful dog. After their fighting career came to an end in the mid-1800s, the Bull Terrier found a new life as a companion dog. Today the Bull Terrier remains a fairly popular breed ranking at 64 out of 195, according to the most popular breeds list by the American Kennel Club.

According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, the Bull Terrier is “strongly built, muscular, symmetrical and active, with a keen determined and intelligent expression, full of fire but of sweet disposition and amenable to discipline.” Bull Terriers stand 21-22 inches and weigh 50-70 pounds with a typical lifespan of 12-13 years.

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The Bull Terrier comes in either an all white variety or a colored variety. The accepted colors are: black & tan, black brindle, black brindle & white, black tan & white, brindle, brindle & white, red, red & white, white & black brindle, white & brindle, white & red, and white black & tan.

Easily recognized by its egg shaped head, the Bull Terrier has been a popular pup for years thanks to its athleticism, versatility, and playful personality.

A well rounded diet for the Bull Terrier includes natural sources of calcium, this focus is particularly important during puppyhood and during growth spurts. Generally a very healthy dog overall, The Bull Terrier Club of America recommends testing for heart murmurs, protein in the kidneys, deafness, and chronic patella luxation.

Grooming requirements are minimal for the Bull Terrier due to their short, harsh coat. Exercise requirements are not quite so minimal, since they were bred for high levels of activity they require both physical and mental stimulation to satisfy them.

These personable pups can have some stubborn streaks to them when it comes to training. They are very motivated to do things that seem fun but less so for activities that feel like work. These members of the Terrier Group can excel in many canine sports and jobs.

Next. Breeds 101: Meet the Cane Corso. dark

Bullseye, the mascot for Target, has become an easily recognizable Bull Terrier in everyday life. This famous pup first made his appearance in 1999, when a single marketing campaign turned into a hit, Bullseye became a permanent staple for the brand.

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