The Bull Terrier is often referred to as charming and goofy. This dog breed is playful and outgoing but also quite stubborn. They are easily recognizable because of the unique shape of the head – they have an egg-shaped head. You can’t miss them in the dog park, not just because they look so different but also because of their liveliness and boldness. They want to be in the center of things, and they love it. 

1. Size

Both males and females can be of the same weight and height, but males are usually larger than females. The Royal Kennel Club states that no matter the size, male dogs should be masculine and female dogs feminine. 

• The standard breed height is from 21 to 22 inches (53 to 55 cm)
• The standard breed weight is from 50 to 70 pounds (22 to 32 kg)

The Bull Terrier is a muscular dog, strongly built. They have a keen and intelligent expression and give a sense of an overall strong and active dog, no matter the generally smaller size.

2. Color

In the beginning, when the breed was first developed, the Bull Terriers were white. They were, sadly, used for dog blood sports (dog fighting) and were bred from crossing the Bulldog and the White English Terrier. Later, in the 1920s, Bull Terriers with other coat colors started to appear. Today, there are numerous coat color variations. Some are:

• White
• Red
• Brindle
• Black brindle
• White Black and Tan
• Fawn, etc.

There are no breed-standard markings. However, some markings or skin pigmentations on the head are acceptable. If you plan on showing your dog, then you should know that tick markings in white coats are undesirable, as well as blue and liver coat colors.

3. Social Traits

The Bull Terrier is not a dog for those who want a jolly dog who’s friends with everyone. They are people-oriented, but they are not too open to other dogs. Bull Terriers can be quite jealous. Of course, good socialization can help, with lots of patience of course. However, keep in mind they are also very dominant by nature. It’s their feisty terrier blood. They want to be in charge. 

Most rescue centers or breeders will tell you it is best for a Bull Terrier to be alone or, if possible, raised together with the other dog. You can have more than 1 dog, of course, but it will take much more work and patience. 

It is better to have one dog household, just a Bull Terrier, if you are new to having dogs

Bull Terriers are affectionate and loyal to family members, and that includes kids as well. But they are bullies, which means they are strong and play rough. This can lead to some accidental injuries or children getting scared. Not to mention the needler-sharp teeth of puppies, and puppies like to nip. All of this means they are good with children, but we have to teach them how to play with children, and we need to teach children what to expect from dogs. Once again, socialization is the key, together with lots of care, planning, and supervision! Don’t leave any dog alone with small children, no matter how friendly a dog is. It’s not because of aggression but because of those accidental injuries that can happen in the blink of an eye.

Bull Terriers can go well with other animals, such as cats, but it needs lots of work, habituation, and socialization. It works best if you have a puppy dog and a cat rather than bringing a kitten to an adult dog. Bull Terriers are strong dogs with a strong prey drive, and things can change in a second. If your dog didn’t grow up with an animal (a cat, a rabbit, etc.), don’t leave them alone unsupervised. 

Good with children: yes, needs socialization

Good with other dogs: no, need socialization

Good with other animals: no

4. Trainability

Bull Terrier is a stubborn dog. According to Stanley Coren’s intelligence test he conducted on 80 dog breeds, Bull Terrier is at the 66th place. That doesn’t sound promising. Joke aside, the test doesn’t mean a dog is stupid, but how well it obeys all and any commands, no matter how repetitive they are. Bull Terriers don’t like boring, repetitive tasks. If it’s not fun, they don’t want to do it. 

Make training fun to keep your Bull Terrier engaged

From that point of view, yes, Bull Terriers are hard to train. They need someone who’s just as stubborn and consistent. They also need someone who can make the training fun! Use games, rewards, toys, or anything else your Bull Terrier finds interesting. 

Trainability: 2 out of 5 

Struggle with: Recall, Resource Guarding 

5. Activity Needs

Bull Terriers don’t need a lot of daily exercise. Generally speaking, an adult Bull Terrier needs around 1 hour of daily exercise. The important thing is to keep them both physically and mentally stimulated. Give them things to do, not just a quick walk to the park. There are numerous reasons why walking a dog is important beyond potty needs. A Bull Terrier is no different. 

A Bull Terrier who is well taken care of is the one who had a fun day. Give him toys or play indoor games with your dog if you can’t go outside. A dog that doesn’t have a lot of activities will quickly become bored. A bored dog will turn boredom into misbehavior, such as chewing, urinating inside, and so on.

Activity needs: up to 1 hour (suited for either country or town)

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Bull Terrier needs from 2 to 3 cups of kibble every day. It is best to divide this into two meals, one in the morning and the other one in the evening. You can also add some healthy snacks in between, such as fruits. 

Every dog is unique, and the amount of food a dog needs daily varies and depends on various factors. The most important factors are health, age, and activity levels. If you are in doubt, the best option is to consult a vet.

An adult Bull Terrier needs around 2 to 3 cups of kibble food a day divided into two meals

7. Grooming

Bull Terrier has a short and smooth coat type. They shed, in normal amounts – not too much, not too little. The good thing is that they are easy to groom. Brushing is needed once a week. You can use a bristle brush or a hound glove. They also require regular nail trimming and an occasional bath. 

Don’t forget to use the grooming time to examine your pet. Look for any injuries or changes. And, also, grooming is another great way to further bond with your dog.

Shedding: Normal

Brushing: Once a week

8. Possible Problems

While Bull Terriers do have some health issues, they are generally considered a healthy dog breed. A lot of it depends on the breeder. Any responsible breeder should screen-test their breeding dogs and remove them from the breeding program if they come up positive for some hereditary diseases.

Some possible problems a Bull Terrier can have include:

• Luxating Patella
• Atopy 
• Deafness
• Heart problems
• Kidney problems 

BAER testing is recommended for Bull Terrier to ensure a puppy doesn’t have hearing problems. If you are buying a dog from a breeder, ask for a BAER certificate.

Life expectancy: around 13 years

Final Thoughts

Bull Terrier is definitely an interesting dog breed with lots of personality. They are unique-looking, goofy, and affectionate with family, but also stubborn and in need of lots of proper socialization from an early age. They like to be in charge, so making sure they behave nicely with other dogs is crucial. While they go great with children and love to play with them, they are very sturdy and strong dogs, which can lead to some accidental injuries if they play with children that are too young. They also like to nip and jump and are too excited. They are terriers, after all.

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Cover photo by Sven Lachmann