Suppose you’re researching Bull Terriers. In that case, you’re either thinking about purchasing a Bull Terrier puppy or adopting an adult Bull Terrier from a Bull Terrier rescue center (which we believe is a great idea!)
This is why…
We here at IndulgeYourPet have chosen to write this article so that any “prospective” new owners of a Bull Terrier might get a better idea about what it might be like to own a Bull Terrier as well as gain a little background on how the Bull Terrier breed came to be and what makes Bull Terriers so special to own.
Because after all…
Let’s face it; the Bull Terrier is among the most unique “terriers” out there. After all, you only need to see one Bull Terrier once in your life to know what they look at and that’s not even factoring in that they are the only known dog breed that actually has triangular eyes!
Yep, that’s right!
We said triangular eyes! But that’s not all that is unique about the Bull Terrier. As we’re sure you’re aware, they also have a very muscular build and a genuinely unique “egg-shaped” head. The distinctive skull shape of the Bull Terrier is probably the most noticeable characteristic of the breed, along with its strong jaw, flattened crown and down-turned black nose.
Now…
Suppose one was to simply describe these features to someone who had never seen a Bull Terrier in the flesh. In that case, one might make the mistake of thinking that these guys might be a little on the “ugly side” but we here at IndulgeYourPet think the world of this breed and find them quite handsome!
Combine these good looks with an incredible personality, playful demeanor and devoted loyalty to their owners and then you’ll begin to get an idea about what it’s like to own a Bull Terrier for yourself.
With this in mind…
It’s important to remember that the American, English, Staffordshire and Miniature Bull Terriers all have one thing in common: they’re generally lumped into a broader category of a group of dogs called a “Pit Bull.”
And…
If you’re not aware, this name comes from the fact that these “types” of dogs were once bred for fighting (dog fighting) and bull baiting (which was a practice where a dog was forced to fight a bull), in the dog fighting ring or the ‘pit.’ Because of this, these dogs were specifically bred for their incredible courage and strength which when paired with a horrible owner has the potential for disaster!
This is ironic because even though many people worldwide automatically fear any dog evenly remotely related to the “Pit Bull” Terriers, in most cases, all of these terrier breeds can often make a great family pet and an excellent guard dog.
But please be aware…
The Bull Terrier can be a bit headstrong and stubborn as well. To better understand what it might be like to own a Bull Terrier, it might be a good idea to consider a Bull Terrier like a teenage girl.
She’s likely to be sweet and friendly, but when you ask her to do something, chances are she will first listen to you, then consider her feelings and make an informed decision based on the facts. But that doesn’t mean she will always do as she is told! It just means that they will likely consider all of their options first!
Which is why…
Bull Terriers tend to be better pets for those with prior experience owning a dog or have plenty of patience that will be “tested” during the early training years.
Origin of the Bull Terrier
The Bull Terriers as a whole were created to combine an English Bulldog’s strength with a terrier’s speed and tenacity. And when combined, they made what many might consider a “super” dog known for its speed, power and bravery.
It wasn’t until…
In the middle of the 19th Century a man named James Hinks decided to breed the Bull Terrier with English White Terriers in an attempt to create a more social, companion-style breed that we begin to get our first look at what would one day become the Bull Terrier that we all know and love today.
That said, however, most experts also believe that it wasn’t until folks also began to infuse other dog breeds such as the Dalmatian, the Spanish Pointer, the Greyhound, as well as the Foxhound and Whippet before we arrived at the finished product we know today. So, it’s pretty fair to say that Bull Terriers are a “bit” of a mutt breed if you want to think of them that way.
We are distinguishing features and Coats.
Although most Bull Terriers are now white, they also come in brindle, red, tan, black, or a mixture of all these colors. Their coat is generally short and neat and does not require much effort with brushing, which is excellent news for those who don’t want to spend much time brushing or grooming their dogs.
It’s worth pointing out that these dogs love to exercise and get bored quickly… And we all know what kind of trouble bored dogs can get into! So… if you can’t see yourself spending considerable time with your Bull Terrier daily, you might want to re-think your decision about purchasing a Bull Terrier puppy.
Potential Health Concerns
Even though Bull Terriers have a considerably mixed bloodline, they do tend to have some serious medical issues that can be serious.
Conditions such as:
- Hearing difficulties. Now while numbers will vary depending on where you look, one thing is for sure: many white Bull Terriers tend to have hearing issues and even non-white Bull Terriers will be at an increased risk for hearing problems.
- Craniomandibular Osteopathy.
- Compulsive behaviors.
But overall you’re unlikely to meet a more devoted dog than a Bull Terrier which is why if you are considering purchasing a puppy or adopting an adult Bull Terrier, be sure that you choose to work with a reputable breeder or a quality rescue center so that you don’t end up adopting a pet that is going to require some pretty significant medical care later on.
This brings us to…
Our last point that we want to bring up today is if you are thinking about adopting a new animal soon, in addition to doing plenty of research on what animal will best meet your needs and lifestyle, please take a moment a do a bit of research on purchasing a Pet Insurance Policy.
In many cases a pet insurance policy is a great way to affordably ensure that if your new pet does need to receive expensive medical care in the future, you won’t need to worry about how you will be able to afford the care they need.
For more information about some of the top pet insurance companies, visit our article Best Pet Insurance Companies for 2018.
