All about bull terriers

Bull terriers are dogs to which the ambiguous relation has formed. Most people consider these dogs dangerous and unbalanced, and their opinion is based on stories of attacks on people, as well as on the appearance of the dog. We will try to figure out in our material whether bull terriers are as terrible as they are described, and what needs to be done to avoid unreasonable dog aggression.

The history of bull terriers begins in the Middle Ages, famous for its cruelty and fanaticism in relation not only to people, but also to animals. Dogs were then bred exclusively for fighting, where the dogs had to fight with other animals for the fun of a crowd excited from blood. Considerable money was paid for the winners, and therefore literally there was no end to those who wished to make bets.

Especially popular at that time was bullying bulls, the first such performance was shown to the public at the beginning of the XIII century. The organizers of such shows quickly realized that size in this case does not play a big role, agility and bloodthirstiness are much more important. Chunky and low dogs instantly bypassed the bull from the side and pinched its nose in powerful jaws - the animal’s weak and vulnerable spot. Moreover, the bull, even furious and scampering around the arena, could not make the dog open its mouth.

Years passed, nightmare entertainment continued to gain momentum. Now only the strongest and most ferocious dogs participated in the battles, paying no attention to their own pain.Peculiar arenas for fights appeared in every village, and sometimes the entire population of the surrounding area gathered for bloody performances. And this is not surprising, because one victory of the selected dog allowed it to exist comfortably for several months.

Everything changed in 1835, when the government finally banned sophisticated forms of entertainment. The arenas were to be closed, and the animals could no longer be used to drive the next bull or bear. But people who were accustomed to easy money were not so easy to make obey. Taking advantage of the fact that the law prohibited only cattle, the dogs were forced to fight with each other. At the same time, the need arose to breed a new breed, faster and easier.

To get her out Old English bulldog was crossed with a terrier. This made it possible to get a completely new look, which was called "bull-and-terriers", which in English means "bull and terrier." Bred dogs began to be used in illegal battles and quickly made a means of easy money. However, there was still a man who broke the established system, realizing that underground battles did not exist forever. His name was James Hinks, and, gathering several enthusiasts around him, the breeder set to work. Several breeds were selected for crossbreeding, including even Dalmatians and collies.

As a result of long and painstaking work, the breeder managed to get a dog that had a snow-white color and had a more elegant appearance than dogs from the pits. They called the new breed the bull terrier, and, despite the sarcasm and ridicule of the adherents of the fighting, the species quickly spread throughout England.

In 1885, the breed was recognized in America, they even began to create special clubs where you could buy a puppy. And in 1917, a new variety was recognized around the world, releasing a certain standard of the species.

Nevertheless, the breeder breeders could not wait for a quiet life. For example, in the late 80s, a project was adopted to ban ear cropping, and breeders had to use selection again to solve this problem. A bit later, dog handlers intended to ban the crossing of boules with amstaffs, arguing that the bull terrier should be exclusively white. The event received a resonance, and thanks to him the whole breed was on the verge of extinction.

The fact is that boules allowed for breeding could not have ancestors with any color impregnations in their pedigree. Only white was allowed. However, in the modern world, any breeder of cats or dogs knows that it is pure-white animals that are most often affected by deafness and hereditary diseases. This happened with the boules. Thanks to this selection, many of them were not only deaf, but also could not have offspring. The situation began to get out of control, and the color dogs were finally recognized.

As for Russia, the bull terriers were brought here around the 70s. The breed began to gain popularity, many wanted to have such dogs. Unfortunately, this led to the fact that dogs were acquired by inexperienced breeders who could raise a collie or spaniel to the maximum.

A dog like a bull terrier has an approximately equal number of advantages and disadvantages. This is a kind of breed, which is not suitable for everyone, therefore, before choosing it, you should study all the features of the animal. Let's start with the pros.

• Bull terrier is an ideal bodyguard. He almost does not feel pain, is physically strong and hardy. Such a dog will protect you in any situation.
• Dogs are distinguished by great devotion to their owners, they will not be left in trouble.
• Caring for a dog will not take much time and effort.
• If the animal is properly raised, it will not show aggression to others. The bul is also good for children.
• The dog can live in an apartment.

Of course, there are no fewer minuses, and almost all of them are quite significant.

• Be prepared for the fact that other "dog lovers" will not particularly strive for your company. Few of them will want to find out if your dog is raised or not.
• Bull terrier should be educated and socialized from a very early age, to accustom an adult dog to normal behavior will not work. The owner of a boule can only be a strong, mature person, preferably a man. In addition, dogs are stubborn; it is difficult to make them obey.
• This dog will require constant and prolonged physical activity. If you constantly keep it at home, the animal will become embittered.
• Forget about buying another pet. Bull terriers do not tolerate competition.
• Dogs are prone to allergies, especially white ones.

In total, three types of bull terriers stand out: English, Staffordshire and dwarf.

• The English bull terrier is most often white, this dog is light, mobile. She was received as a result of crossing a Dalmatian, a terrier and a bulldog.
• The Staffordshire breed is more sedate and slow, the muzzle resembles a bulldog. It was bred due to the crossing of a bulldog and a terrier. It can have different types of color, tiger, brown and red colors are very common.
• Dwarf Bull Terriers is a mini version of English dogs. Here, the standard allows several types of color: white, tricolor or tan. Toddlers are no more than 35.5 cm tall.

Now consider in more detail the description and characteristics of the breed itself.

• It is immediately worth noting that the breed standard is rather ambiguous, since boules are completely different in size, and somehow it is difficult to predict. Weight ranges from 18–36 kg (for both females and males). As for growth, it will be 30-60 cm.
• The head of the dog is elongated. Many people notice that the muzzle is like a rat, especially strong associations are caused by such a character as the Rat King from The Nutcracker. Other owners claim that the dog has a Roman profile.
• The nose is large, inclined, black. Lips tightly close to the jaw.
• The eyes of a rat-like dog should be dark brown, almost black. Any other color is prohibited.
• The teeth are strong, even. Scissor bite, fully compliant. The lower jaw of a dog is always better developed.
• The ears are medium, located close to each other, have the shape of a triangle. The position is upright.
• The neck is long, from the head gradually expands. There are no folds, the scruff is clearly visible.
• The body is strong and compact, the chest is wide. The back is straight, with pronounced muscles, the abdomen does not hang down, the tail is short, horizontal.
• The forelimbs are better developed than the hind limbs, but the hind limbs are more flexible. The muscles of the paws are clear, the fingers are very mobile.
• The coat of the bull terrier is short; in cold weather the undercoat appears. It has a soft texture to the touch, glistens in the sun.
• The color of the bull terrier is usually standard white. In addition, dogs can be tri-color, red, red, brown or black.

Bull terriers live about the same as other dogs - 12-13 years old. However, this period is not approved, it can easily be extended if the animal is properly maintained. We will consider the features of care a little later, but for now we list the diseases that this breed mainly suffers from.

• Dislocations of the knees and elbows. When the dog dislocated the joint, it begins to limp, in this case you will have to go to the veterinarian. Also, dislocations may be due to a genetic predisposition. Such dogs need to be careful in offering physical activity.
• Deafness. Deafness is a “scourge” of white dogs; it occurs more often than not. Deafness can be unilateral or bilateral. Puppies completely devoid of hearing are discarded.
• Kidney problems. A dog with kidney failure looks dull, hair is dull, falls out, the animal loses weight, has poor appetite. Only a veterinarian can help; in an already neglected case, the dog will usually die.
• Lens dislocations. With such an ailment, the lens “floats” in the pupil. If the disease is ignored, it will develop into glaucoma, and then into blindness.
• Problems with heart. Dwarf bull terriers are more prone to such misfortunes, but in any case, the dog, which is planned to be bred or allowed to exhibit, is examined as soon as it turns one year old.
• Allergies. Boules, especially whites, are very susceptible to allergies. Choose food carefully and do not let your pet grab foreign objects from the ground. In addition, the dog should not spend too much time outdoors during hours of strong solar activity: this is fraught with burns.

In general, a well-trained bull terrier is a good-natured dog, infinitely devoted to its owner. Unfortunately, many people, believing that the bul by nature is simply obliged to be an evil guard, deliberately arouse aggression in it. In no case can this be done, because the dog understands everything perfectly, it has high intelligence and excellent mental abilities. Sooner or later, it may happen that aggression turns against the owner himself, and there have been such cases.

A well-bred dog will be a model of cheerfulness and obedience. If the owner immediately shows who is in charge, the dog will obey and carry out the owner’s commands. Animals love to play, this should be considered before buying a pet. And you will have to provide games if you don’t want to find gnawed shoes, springs pulled out of the couch or slobbery wires every day. The best places for walking with a bull are open parks and forest land where the dog can easily run around enough.

In addition, bull terriers are very dependent on their owner and can not stand when he leaves. If you spend a lot of time at work, it is better not to start such a dog.

However, you cannot solve the problem by buying a companion dog. The animal will instantly change its tactics, and the showdown will begin, accompanied by violent fights and endless injuries. It’s not even a question of cats - the bull will immediately drive this animal. Even worse would be the idea of ​​acquiring a rodent or bird.

A bull terrier is an animal that will always protect the owner. Noh, there are no guards from these dogs. Contrary to stereotypes, the bul will not bark menacingly, block the way for guests and try to bite them to death. No, in most cases the dogs are very friendly towards visits, but if the owner starts to threaten something, then the dog will immediately have reflexes: he will not warn by barking - he will immediately pounce.

It is worth noting that boules love children. Since the dog needs games, they don’t find a companion better. With children, the dog will feel great, support any initiative. But do not forget that the dog really does not like to be teased. Also, she will not like it if the baby begins to rob her of a toy. therefore the process of communication between the animal and the child should always be under the control of adults.

The age of the puppy to be purchased should be in the range of 2 to 3 months, children younger or older will not fit. Contact only well-established breeders who have officially registered nurseries with all the necessary documents and permission for breeding. You cannot take puppies anywhere in the zoo: this is fraught with huge and unpleasant consequences. Of course, you may be lucky and you will get a purebred dog for little money, but there are very few such cases. Most traders sell rejected individuals with physical or mental impairments.

Arriving at the kennel, look at the conditions in which the bitch with the puppies is kept. In winter, the room must be flooded, there can be no drafts, it should be clean in the nursery. The main indicator of the breeder's attention is the correct behavior of animals. Bitches allow you to examine the puppies, do not growl, and the puppies themselves are active and curious. The breeder is obliged to provide all the necessary documents at your first request.

The appearance of the baby is no less important than behavior. The puppy should have a shiny healthy coat, clean eyes and ears, no bad breath should come from the mouth. Healthy kids are chubby, they are happy to run to the proposed treat. There is one more thing - checking the dog for deafness. This must be done before buying a puppy. Shake the keys in front of the puppy or drop a heavy object - if the baby has not reacted, it is better to choose another puppy.

Pet prices depend on the purpose for which you are buying a pet. For example, the kids of the pet class, intended exclusively for home maintenance, will be sold to you for 15-25 thousand rubles. Brid puppies will cost a little more - about 40 thousand.

Oddly enough, but bull terriers are best kept in the apartment. There are several explanations for this. The first is that dogs negatively relate to active sunlight and frost, because they have short hair. Burns and freezing should not be allowed. The second point is poor security. For protection, the dog must be with its owner, accompany him. Of course, if you provoke the dog, he will defend the property of the owner, but there is hardly a person who will consciously climb into the yard when he sees a bull terrier sitting there.

Buli is absolutely not suitable for keeping on a circuit or in an aviary. They can live in a private house, but only in the house, in the yard the dog will just walk. In addition, the animal is not suitable for domestic maintenance also because it always needs the attention and support of the owner. Only in this way will it be possible to raise an obedient and sensible dog.

With apartment maintenance, the dog should be provided with all the necessary loads. You need to walk at least twice a day. On dog walks, you can lower the dog off the leash so that the pet can frolic. But at the same time, it is important that the dog is socialized, raised and does not rush at other animals. Otherwise better to get a muzzle, which will not allow the dog to injure neighboring dogs.

Bull terrier diets can be of two types: feeding with dry food or natural food. The first option is good because the owner will not need to clearly think through a feeding plan and select the right ingredients. You do not need to buy additional vitamins for harmonious development. But it is worth noting that dogs can be fed only first-class feeds, cheap formulations will lead to many health problems.

The advantage of natural food is that it is much more diverse and, of course, tastier. But here you will have to competently and clearly draw up a diet so that everything that the dog needs for growth and health is present in it. An important step will be the acquisition of vitamins. They will be advised by a veterinarian in accordance with the age, weight and characteristics of the boule.

The dog's menu should include a number of important components.

• Low-fat meat is better if it is a bird. Meat can be boiled, and also given raw. If you give the dog raw meat, for sanitary purposes it is best to keep it in the freezer for 24 hours. This will kill the worm larvae and other bacteria. Before serving, the meat is poured with boiling water. This food should be half the daily diet.
• If the meat was not at hand, it’s okay if the dog eats offal. Choose beef or chicken. In addition, the dog can offer sea fish. Before serving, it is boiled well and rid of bones.
• Of the cereal bull terriers, buckwheat and rice groats will be enjoyed. In the finished porridge, be sure to add a tablespoon of sunflower oil.
• Fermented milk products are designed to relieve the intestines of the dog. Low-fat cottage cheese or kefir will improve digestion. Once a week you can offer a quail egg.
• The source of vitamins will be vegetables. They are washed well, poured with boiling water and put in a bowl to the dog. Occasionally you can give fruits, but not citrus fruits.

As for products under the ban, it is especially worth noting fatty meat, fried and salty foods, food with lots of spices. Raw river fish and sweets should not be given to bull terriers, but the same applies to baking. Dogs are fed twice a day: morning and evening. If you have a puppy, then at first, food is served 5-6 times a day, then the intervals are reduced.

The dog is fed strictly according to the schedule, the mode for boules is very important. Also, the dog should not overeat. If the boule has not eaten its portion for 10-15 minutes, the food is removed, and the next time a smaller portion is put.

Bull terriers have a short coat, so they do not need daily care for it. The dead hairs are combed out three times a week, while a brush with stiff bristles is used. When the pet will molt, and this is the autumn and spring periods, experts recommend buying a special mitten for trimming. It should also be remembered that boules are very susceptible to allergies, so for the summer, stock up on products that will protect the pet’s hair from ticks and other parasites. A good solution is to constantly wear an antiparasitic collar.

Bathing dogs is almost unnecessary. They only wash the boolean when the coat is too dirty, for example, if the dog had the idea of ​​splashing around in a puddle or running along a dirt country road. At the same time they use soft “dog” shampoos, you can’t buy a cheap product. If the coat is not too dirty, you can simply wipe the dog with a sponge or a damp towel. Also, experts advise sometimes to walk along the woolen coat of suede: this will give the coat a beautiful shine.

Paws, on the contrary, need to be washed regularly, after each walk, or also wipe them with a wet cloth. Dogs in the city also need to lubricate the pads with oil, especially in winter, when there is a lot of salt on the roads. You can also lubricate the pads with baby moisturizer.

In order to recognize the approach of diseases in time, pay attention to the eyes and ears. In the corners of the eyes, accumulations can be accumulated that need to be removed. For this, a weak, cool tea is suitable, as well as special eye care products that a veterinarian will prescribe or a consultant at a pet store will advise. Ears in dogs are almost never dirty, so it’s enough to simply wipe them with a damp cotton swab about once a week.

As for the claws, their dogs, as a rule, actively grind themselves. If in single cases the claws have grown and become uncomfortable, they can be cut with a claw cutter.

Care for the bull terrier's oral cavity will also fall on the owner's shoulders. You can take a regular brush, but you should buy a paste "dog", find such a tool is not difficult. They clean their fangs weekly, and if the animal for some reason dislikes the brush, there are finger tips in the assortment of pet stores.

Raising a bull terrier is not a one day process. You will need to apply all endurance and composure to deal with such a dog. If before that you didn’t have dogs, or if you had more peaceful, non-combatant breeds, it is not recommended to take a bulya, because the dog is complex and willful, and if not approached correctly, it is also dangerous. If you nevertheless decided to choose the bull terrier, we immediately outline a few rules that will help to slightly reduce the dog’s ardor.

• This is a dog that can and should be loved. A bull should always feel your care and support. Do not be afraid that the abundance of love will spoil the dog, on the contrary, the more it is, the less the animal will be dirty in the apartment in the absence of the owner.
• Do not leave the dog alone for a long time. If you work 12 hours a day, and the dog is closed indoors at that time, she will begin to have mental disorders, which can lead to trouble.
• Do not be aggressive. A bull terrier is a breed that looks dangerous and is dangerous. You can’t use aggression to such dogs: raise your voice, beat, close in separate rooms for punishment. It is very important to correctly convey information to children.

You need to train a bull puppy literally from the date of purchase. Such dogs should be socialized as early as possible: this will avoid problems in the future. You can’t keep the dog indoors around the clock, while the animal is small, it is important to familiarize yourself with new tastes, smells, and decor. Invite guests more often - communication with strangers will benefit the dog.

In order for the bul to grow up educated and obedient, he must clearly understand that you are the main one. The dog has a developed intellect, and she perfectly understands what is stronger and more powerful than you. Therefore, having established the rules, it is impossible to allow the pet to violate them. The same should be said of other family members. If at least one of them pampers the dog, allowing him what others do not allow, the dog will immediately understand the frivolity of what is happening and stop listening.

The guilty animal is reported in a strict tone, but it is important to be confident in your words. If you are by nature a gentle person and can hardly squeeze out a strict and false tone, the dog will understand this.

Be prepared for what it will take a long time to train the bull terrier. Start with easy, well-known teams. Encourage any success with a treat. It is also advisable to conduct training in a playful way, since dogs do not differ in patience and perseverance. In addition, classes should be short but capacious. If you see that the dog is constantly distracted, looking for something, losing interest, offer him a treat “outside the program”. This will help the dog return to class.

Recall once again that the bull terrier is an animal that not everyone can train. If you don’t feel the strength in yourself, you have a soft, calm character, not accepting rigor, then choose another breed.

Choosing a nickname for a dog, the owners are based on many parameters: the appearance of the dog, its birth season, color, habits. Let's look at the list of beautiful and unusual nicknames that will suit these strong and unusual dogs.

The appearance of a boule is the first thing that attention is paid to. The strength and ferocity of the dog are known to everyone, and therefore the nickname can be chosen so as to reflect external differences:

• Ivanhoe;
• Atlant
• Viking
• Goliath;
• Granite;
• Space;
• Sheriff.

As for the nature and individual characteristics of the dog, there are beautiful names here:

• Buyan;
• Right;
• Proud;
• Joker;
• Napoleon;
• Perseus;
• Tristan;
• Triumph;
• Caesar;
• Champion;
• Nimble;
• Humor.

England is the historical homeland of the bull terrier, it has many proud geographical names and names that may well become your pet's nickname:

• Watson;
• Gloucester
• Eton;
• York
• Christopher;
• Lincoln;
• London;
• William;
• Chester
• Sherlock

Unlike boys, females are advised by experts to select more tender nicknames, because these are still girls, albeit large, strong.

For example, you can name a pet with the following beautiful names:

• Squirrel;
• Venus;
• Haze;
• Star;
• Spark;
• Caramel;
• Cameo;
• Lady;
• Naiad;
• Night
• Clear

Characteristics of the female can be emphasized with other nicknames:

• Storm;
• Winter storm;
• Fun;
• Yoke;
• Joy;
• Thing.

As in the case of boys, nicknames associated with England are suitable for pets:

• Valerie;
• Dorothy;
• Elizabeth;
• Christie;
• Katie;
• Lucinda;
• Melissa;
• Nicole
• Rosie
• Flora;
• Holly
• Chloe
• Esther.

In addition, a dog of any gender can always be called in accordance with the color of its coat:

• the black: Blackberry, Raven, Onyx, Midnight, Pirate, Knox, Panther, Corner;
• spotted: Freckle, Domino, Dots, Marble, Spot, Spotty;
• white: Arctic, Snow White, Diamond, Marshmallows, Frost, Ghost, Snowflake;
• brown: Brownie, Chestnut, Coconut, Mocha, Snickers;
• redhead: Pomegranate, Brick, Carrot, Lava, Twinkle, Scarlett;
• grey: Ashes, Grayson, Pebbles, Serebryanka, Smokey, Smoke, Silver.

Many owners adore their dogs and are always ready to defend this breed. So, the owners note the kindness and devotion of the bull terriers, their high mental qualities, the ability to find a way out of any, even the most complicated situation. Well-bred dogs do not have aggression, and breeders assure that such animals can be trusted even to sit with a small child temporarily. In addition, the owner of the dog will not have to provide complex care, which takes a lot of time. Breeders say that dogs are cheerful, they like to follow the owner everywhere, they perceive games positively.

Along with this, boules are difficult to educate and train. Some simply cannot bring up the dog correctly, which is fraught with many consequences. The minus will be that the dogs do not tolerate other animals in the house, so if you want to get a boule, it should be alone. Dog owners also say that they sometimes have a difficult time because of their attitude to the bull terriers of others. For example, many other “dog lovers” do not like it if they let the bull off the leash in the presence of their dogs, people on the streets, if the dog tried to sniff them, begin to shrink and change their faces, wave their hands, thereby provoking the animal. Nevertheless, despite all the disadvantages, many people are happy that they chose this breed as their companions.

In the next video you will find interesting facts about the breed of dogs bull terrier.