Bull Terrier Facts Is it just Bull? Or Is This The Breed For You?

The Reasons, folks are drawn to Bull Terriers are many. The unique head of a Bullie is one reason, another is the fact that they are by far one of the powerhouses of dogdom.  Bullies have the reputation of being a playful clown and once you meet one, you are immediately impressed by the intelligence in their penetrating dark eyes.  Yet, one should not overlook the fact there is a twinkle of mischievousness there as well.  None of these reasons per-say is wrong in one's choice of a Bull Terrier; however, adopting a Bullie for any of these reasons alone would be a grave mistake. Let's take a look at what life is like with a Bull Terrier.  From the moment a Bullie puppy has its feet firmly planted on the ground, they are busy, busy, busy.  The powerhouse that some folks are drawn to begins to emerge at an early age.  Bullies need exercise.  All that energy must go somewhere, and if suitable channels are not provided, the energy will be expended in what one may consider destructive behavior.  Bullie puppies are prone to nipping.  Their philosophy seems to be if it is loose grab it and hang on for dear life.  Keep away is another game puppies love to play.  Anything grab able is fair game, stuffed toys, shoes, cell phones, you name it.  Bullie babies love to rough house.   This may seem cute in a fifteen pound puppy, it is entirely a different matter when the puppy grows to sixty pounds.  Never start what you are not prepared to continue. Bullies tend to become obsessive if they are bored.   All that energy needs to be expended.  This can result in chasing their own tails, becoming over possessive of objects like balls, carrying rocks, or incessant barking.  Since Bullies are prone to intestinal blockages, allowing them to carry rocks is never a good idea.  Also, they should only have toys and balls when you are there to supervise.  Do not believe any advertisement that says a doggy toy is indestructible, it obviously has never  been tested on a Bullie.  Zipper surgery as it is affectionately called in Bullie circles can cost anywhere from $1000.00 to $2000.00.  Never, I repeat, allow a Bullie to play with toys unsupervised. Bullies do very well with children if their owners are consistent with discipline.  Bullies will play for hours and are a great companion for children who are taught to respect animals.  If your children are prone to teasing animals, then you will not want to own a Bull Terrier.  Bullies are strong and have a tendency to use their heads as battering rams.  This can result in bloody noses or worse.  I always advise my clients to never bend over a Bullie as they will often come straight up on their hind legs and knock one for a loop.  (If you have unruly children who argue, scream, etc.  Do not purchase a Bull Terrier.   It will not work!  If you can not discipline a child, you will not be about to handle a Bull Terrier.) Bullies can get along with other dogs, especially if they have been altered.  Having said that, let me emphasise how important it is for the humans in the family to be the pack leader.  Dogs live in a hierarchical arrangement.  There has to be a top dog or bitch.  If you do not assume the position, then the dog has to.  Dogs have an instinctual need to live in an ordered pack.  It is not that they necessarily want to be the leader, but instinct tells them someone must, and if the owner does not step up to the plate, then the dog must.  Dogs look for order.  Their goal is to live together peacefully so as to assure they receive the essentials they need to live; therefore, there has to be a leader to not just discipline, but to set the rules of the pack, provide the food, and give the dog a sense of safety.  Dog fights will naturally occur where the human is not the leader as one of the dogs must assume that position.  If you have mild tempered dogs, this may work itself out with a few snarls, but when you have a powerful breed like a Bull Terrier, who was bred to fight, then the battle for supremacy can be bloody and expensive.  Altering you dog and providing strong leadership is the best prevention measure you can take to assure that this does not happen.  Also, even the mildest dogs can be aggressive at feeding time, so I would advise feeding your dogs separately. With this breed, I prefer male dogs over bitches.   This is the only breed I have lived with that I can say this about.  Some bitches tend to have  "mood swings" at different times in this six month cycles.   Although I have never seen  this result in aggression toward people, I have seen a mild tempered bitch suddenly becoming every intolerant of other dogs, even males.  The answer to this is to spay your bitch at the earliest possible age.  This tendency seems to run in certain lines. Bull Terriers were bred during the Victorian age as a gentleman's companion.  The finest qualities of the Bull Terrier is their love of their people, their playfulness, and their endless curiosity.  However, though many breeders do not like to admit this, Bullies were used by these fine gentlemen to fight other dogs.  That legacy is still there, stronger in some lines than others.  Many Bullies will never start a fight, but if one is forced upon them, they will finish it.   Think deeply about the commitment you will need to make in order to successful live with a Bull Terrier.  Realize that bruises, scraps, scratches, and cracked noggins are par for the course with this very strong breed.  However, if you have the right stuff, the joys of owning a Bullie are immeasurable.