Dog fleas are one of the most irritating aspects of dog ownership. Dog fleas not only annoy your Bull Terrier, but can cause health problems. Fleas feed on your dog's blood and can cause skin irritation, allergies, anemia and even death. Fleas also carry tapeworms and diseases such as Lyme Disease.

Check your dog for fleas every day, especially after going outdoors. Use a flea comb to find fleas. Put a little petroleum jelly on the tines; the fleas will stick to it. Use a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol to disinfect your dog's flea bites. Remember to look for dog fleas between the toes, in and around the ears, in the armpits, on the tail and on the head. Look for flea droppings, which appear as small black specks, in your dog's fur.

Talk to your vet before using a chemical flea remedy on your dog. Over-the-counter flea treatments usually carry some risk of side effects, or they may trigger an allergy in your dog. Your vet can recommend the best flea treatment, and prescription flea treatments are usually more effective than over-the-counter remedies anyway. It's also a good idea to talk to your vet about treatments you can use on your carpets and furniture at home. Fleas love to lay eggs in these places and you may have problems controlling dog fleas if you fail to regularly treat carpets, curtains and upholstered furniture.

To cut your Bull Terriers nails is simple, but it must be done safely. Nail trimming may be done at a veterinary clinic, a pet care salon or simply at home.

Trimming Your Dog's Nails at Home

If you decide on doing it at home, make sure you are all set for the task.

Get the Right Equipment

Have everything you need, especially equipments like dog nail clippers, styptic clippers and paper towels, in the event you clip your dog's nails too short and there is bleeding.

Putting Him at Ease

Find a cozy place and position for you and your dog. You may have him lay down on his side or if he's a small one, you may hold him on your lap. To make it easier for you, you may also have someone hold him.

The Actual Clipping

Gently grasp your dog's paw in one hand and keep it steady. Position the nail clipper under the nail by slipping the opening of the clipper over the tip of the toe nail. Be sure to stay on the white part, the pink part is the quick (where his blood vessels are).

Hold the clipper steady and squeeze firmly to make a 45 degree angle cut. The cut has to be made from the underneath of your dog's claw upwards. Do not twist your wrist. If your dog has dark or black nails, it is difficult to see the quick. It would be best to snip bit by bit until you see a black dot surrounded by white in the center of the nail. The black dot is the quick, so you should stop right there.

Safety Precautions

Bleeding may occur if the nail is cut too short. Keep the paper towel pressed against the nail for a few minutes then apply styptic powder to stop the bleeding should it occur. Your dog's nails tend to be sharp after they have been clipped. If your dog is still lying comfortably you may use a small file to file down jagged edges or you could take the dog on a walk on the pavement.

Some dogs may find clipping their nails a stressful experience and the grooming may cause them to behave differently. You may need to coax them into the grooming by giving them a treat. If your dog is too big and too difficult for you to handle, it might be best to leave the nail clipping to professionals.

 Other Tips

If is best to clip your dog's nails little by little and as often as you can. This will be easier for both you and your dog. He may even see it as a routine and be easier to handle the next time you manicure. The point of clipping is to remove the part of the claw that juts over your dog's pad. When your dog stands, his nails should not be touching the ground. Trim slowly to ensure trimming without bleeding.

Contains Vitamin A which promotes good bone development, healthy growth and strong teeth. With vitamins of the B group to promote a glossy coat and healthy teeth, and to aid digestion. Vitamin D which is essential for normal canine and feline growth and for the development of healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin E will alleviate deficiencies associated with muscle weakness and an impaired immune response.

Dogs need strong teeth, a healthy coat and good digestion. In short, your dog needs everything that makes for peak physical condition. The Bob Martin range, trusted since 1892, offers the most complete solution for healthy pets. During certain life stages and periods, a pet will encounter various ailments which will affect their health. It is therefore recommended that such ailments are treated immediately or advice from a veterinarian be sought.

Zingora Bull Terriers recommends Bob Martin Condition Tablets for your Bull Terrier.

Dog illness can often be the result of infection by parasitical worms. There are several types of parasites that can infect your Bull Terrier. The symptoms of worm infestation are often similar to those of other illnesses. Here are some of the worms that can affect your dog, and their symptoms. 

Roundworms

Are the most common type of dog worm. They infect the intestines and can cause a pot-bellied appearance. Puppies can contract this infection from their mothers, whether though her milk or while still in the womb. Dogs can also catch roundworm by eating an infected animal or by ingesting infected soil; roundworm eggs can live in soil for years. Roundworms can be seen with the naked eye. Their symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, dull coat, weight loss, and the aforementioned pot-bellied appearance.

Hookworms

Also live in the intestines, and they are contagious to humans. Hookworms suck blood from their victims; they can cause intestinal bleeding, anemia and death. Unlike roundworms, hookworms cannot by seen with the naked eye. A dog with hookworm might have bloody stool; he'll experience anemia, weight loss, pale gums, diarrhea and low energy levels.

Tapeworms

Are another common parasite that, like the roundworm, can be seen with the naked eye. They get their name from their long, flat, tape-like appearance; in fact, a tapeworm grows in segments, and these segments break off inside your dog's intestines and can be seen in his stool. Tapeworms are spread by the ingestion of infected fleas. Symptoms include vomiting, nervousness, anal itching, vomiting and weight loss.

Whipworms

Are long, whip-like worms that live in your dog's intestines and are not visible to the naked eye. They attach themselves to the intestinal wall and, like roundworms, feed on your dog's blood. This can cause intestinal bleeding. Other symptoms of whipworm infection can include anemia, weight loss, excessive flatulence, bloody diarrhea and lack of energy.

Heartworms

Infect your dog's heart and lungs and can cause serious dog illness. They are spread by mosquito bites. Heartworm infection can be deady; it's difficult to treat and many dogs succumb to the dangerous complications that come with treatment. Luckily, heartworm infection is easily preventable with a regular dosage of the drug ivermectin.

Heartworm infection occurs most often during the warm months, when mosquitoes are most active. The worms destroy the tissues of your dog's heart, which can lead to congestive heart failure and death. Heartworm symptoms can develop slowly over a long period of time, sometimes years.

The first symptom of heart worm is usually a mild cough. This cough gradually worsens and becomes quite severe. It will be accompanied by fatigue and labored breathing. Heartworms can spread to your dog's liver as well; if this happens, he'll experience jaundice, loss of appetite and collapse. He'll also display other symptoms typical of worm infestation, including a pot-bellied appearance, low energy levels, dull coat and weight loss.

Preventing Dog Worm Infection

You can prevent dog illness caused by worm infestation by seeing your vet regularly. Keep your dog away from feces and avoid exposing him to strays or dead animals. Keep his living area clean, and practice good hygiene yourself by washing your hands after handling your dog.

Rawhide is absolutely one of the most dangerous treats that you can give to your Bull Terrier. Unfortunately, a lot of manufacturers and pet stores still do very well at selling the product. But because there are a lot of uninformed consumers, the sale of rawhide products will likely continue. However, because you are informed of the dangers of rawhide chews, it is best to never allow your pet to eat or chew them.

Once your Bull Terrier ingests the rawhide, not only has he ingested several harmful chemicals, but the rawhide also expands in his stomach. When this happens, it can block major passageways in the digestive tract; which can lead to a fatal situation. In addition, rawhide poses a major choking hazard because as your dog chews it, the pieces break down into shards which can become lodged in the throat.

Healthy dog bones may be fed to your pet and come in many forms, from natural bones to artificial products. It is important to consider the benefits and the risks of the different bone types and choose the right product for your dog.

Bones Are Important for Your Bull Terrier's Health

There are many health benefits that dogs get from chewing bones:

1. The dental health in dogs is maintained by their natural habit of chewing on various hard objects or food.
2. Chewing on a bone will help remove plaque off the teeth.
3. The gums will be healthier due to the removal of bacterial plaque.
4. Many dental problems and visits to the dentist can be avoided by giving a dog something to chew on.
5. Chewing healthy dog bones helps exercise mouth joints and muscles.
6. Chewing bones is a form of entertainment for dogs.
7. A dog that has nothing to chew on can more easily become nervous or bored

 Risks of Bones for Dogs

Chewing is a great pleasure for a dog; however, there are some things you should consider:

Cooked bones should be avoided because they tend to hinder digestion. Never give sawed or cut bones to your dog, as there is a high risk of bone splinters.

More and more dog owners are considering raw diets for their dogs, and bones are often included in this diet. However, you should know that there is a chance of choking on a bone, or a bone fragment can block the dog's intestines or cause organ puncture.

Rawhide bones taste like beef, because they're made of cow skin. As rawhide becomes sticky when chewed, it may become stuck in the dog's intestinal tract, just as chewing gum would. Also, as pieces of the rawhide are torn, they can scratch the dog's oesophagus.  If you decide to give rawhide bones to your dog, you should also check the preservatives used. Compressed rawhide bones are a better option.

Cow hooves can also be dangerous. Because they are very hard, the dog can break a tooth while chewing on them. Small pieces broken from the cow hoof can perforate the bowel walls.

When it comes to pig ears, the first thing you should be aware of is the danger of salmonella. Pig ears can also cause intestinal blockages, just as rawhide.

Recommended Healthy Dog Bones

Artificial bones which are made of nylon eliminate the risk of choking or organ punctures, because only small bits can be broken off these bones. These really small parts travel through the digestive tract and are eliminated without harming the dog. However, your dog might not enjoy them as much, so you will have to observe his reaction and whether he enjoys these bones.

Cornstarch bones are the safest for dogs to chew on, provided that the dog does not have food allergies.

Our recommendation is the raw beef knuckle bones as shown below.

If you would like to know what not to feed dogs, you need to know what is toxic and may possibly create intolerances in dogs. Not all human food is good for dogs. A dog that is fed only table leftovers may get obese, have a poor health and possibly eat food that is toxic.

If you suspect that your dog has eaten something toxic, make him vomit and go to the vet immediately.

Grapes

Grapes shouldn't be fed to dogs. Grapes may poison the dog and lead to kidney failure. A dog may get poisoned by ingesting only 4 to 5 grapes. Raisins are as toxic as grapes.

Onions

Onions may cause the Heinz anemia in dogs. This type of anemia leads to a low red blood cell count and kidney failure. Garlic or chives are also toxic for dogs.

Onions and garlic are the most poisonous when raw, but you should avoid feeding your dog even cooked or fried onion or garlic.

The symptoms of Heinz anemia include pale gums, heart murmur, tiredness, vomiting, diarrhea and blood in the urine.

The pet will need blood transfusions and fluid therapy.

Chocolate

Chocolate is toxic for dogs, as it contains theobromide. Cocoa is also toxic for dogs.

The dose of chocolate that causes poisoning in dogs depends on the type of chocolate. Baking chocolate is the most toxic and 2 ounces may be fatal for your dog.

Coffee

Coffee contains the same toxic chemical as chocolate and cocoa. Make sure your dog also stays away from drinks that contain caffeine such as sodas or black tea.

Alcohol/Ethanol

Dogs may get poisoning from just a few drops of alcohol. Ethanol is contained in all alcoholic beverages and is the ingredient that is toxic for dogs.

Yeast dough may also contain ethanol, so keep your dog away from yeast as well. Also, rotten fruit may also produce ethanol.

Nuts

Nuts, especially macadamia nuts are toxic for pets. Just a few nuts may poison your dog; however just a few nuts are not fatal to dogs.

Fruit Seeds and Pits

Some fruit seeds and pits may contain cyanide:

1. Apple
2. Peach
3. Apricots
4. Plum
5. Cherry

So make sure to remove the seeds and pits when you feed these fruits to your dog.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sweetener that may be present in candy, soda or chewing gum. Xylitol may lead to liver damage. Only 2 pieces of gum may cause hypoglycemia, while 12 pieces cause liver damage.

Symptoms of Poisoning

If a dog ingests a poisonous substance he will display the following symptoms:

1. Vomiting
2. Loss of appetite
3. Diarrhea
4. Abdominal pain
5. Weakness
6. Collapse
7. Seizures

The symptoms may occur 1 to 24 hours after the ingestion of the toxic ingredient. Try to induce vomiting if you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic food. This may prevent the absorption of the toxic ingredient. Go to the vet immediately for a gastric lavage, administration of activated charcoal and further treatment.

Bull Terriers need both physical and mental stimulation provided by their owners by daily exercise. Exercises give a dog a natural outlet for energy. They create strong bodies and good muscle tone for the pet. Lack of sufficient exercise, will result in boredom and behavioral problems. A well-known yard or a house is often boring for a dog. Even if the dog is in a big yard, few exercise on their own, so it will presumably sleep all day without the interaction of exercise by the owner.

Exercising with your dog creates a human-dog bond. It is a great way to show that you care about your dog and make it happy. Tired dogs are the happiest ones.

Once you've been able to housebreak your puppy and identify that you are its pack leader, it is time to start working on more advanced bull terrier training tips. While training your bull terrier, always keep in mind the basics: calmness, patience, endurance, consistency, the use of a crystal clear, strong voice, plus a reward system which is both immediate naturally and not dependent on the particular distribution of foodstuff or treats. The dog wants to learn and also wants to be obedient; most creatures crave reliability and routine - your dog is no exception. Puppies enjoy learning new methods to please their owners, thus teaching them a couple of additional tricks are something that will be enjoyed by both you and your dog.

When commencing any obedience training plan, be sure to follow these bull terrier training tips: first, be patient; no creature learns brand-new behaviours immediately - your terrier dog is no different. Following, make sure you maintain a frequent training schedule - same moment, same place, each day. Your dog will soon learn to associate this time and place, curbing its attempts to convert training time straight into play time. Reward good behaviour immediately, not necessarily with doggy snacks but with affection and praise. Also be sure to respond to all behaviours, positive or negative, so your dog understands that its actions, whether good or bad always generates consequences; this moment is crucial…if you overlook the opportunity to correct as well as reward due to lack of attention, you have skipped a golden opportunity to operate as your dog’s pack leader.

Establish commands that are usually used and employed not only by you but by each member of your family; if everyone uses different verbal directions/commands all you will create will be confusion and consternation, leaving the dog unclear about exactly what is expected from it. Finally, remember that as you need to employ a regular daily training schedule, particularly with the most basic commands for instance “Sit” or “Come.”

Once you’ve mastered the basics regarding bull terrier training tips on housebreaking and also the simpler commands associated with sitting and/or coming whenever called, you are free to move on to more advanced dog training cases. This is not difficult, as the dog craves mental stimulation as much as it demands physical activity. Dogs, just like humans, get bored and complacent when there are no new things to explore and also learn. Therefore you’ll have a willing partner with your obedience training endeavours. There isn’t a magic formula to educating your dog with more advanced hints and behaviours; the recipe for success is following the same steps used in more basic training: calmness, patience, endurance, and consistence, clarity of control, and appropriate praise and punishment pertaining to behaviour. If a dog ceases to learn or be skilled it is not because the dog is actually ignorant; it is the handler who has failed to totally fulfil their dog control responsibilities. In order to ensure you do have a happy, healthy, and also wanted dog, be willing to give the necessary time and energy to that end.   Remember the dog’s failures are generally, unfortunately more an expression of your own failure in appropriate training with clear concise direction.

There are many important things to consider when purchasing a pedigree puppy. Before buying a puppy or a dog, ask yourself:

Can I afford to have a dog, taking into account not only the initial cost of purchasing the dog, but also the ongoing expenses such as food, veterinary fees?

1. Can I make a lifelong commitment to a dog? - A dog’s average life span is 12 years.
2. Is my home big enough to house a dog?
3. Do I really want to exercise a dog every day?
4. Will there be someone at home for a dog? - dogs get lonely just like humans.
5. Will I find time to train, groom and generally care for a dog?
6. Will I be able to answer YES to these questions every day of the year?

If you have answered ‘no’ to any of the above, you should think again before buying a dog. If you have been able to answer ‘yes’ to all the questions we can assist you in finding your perfect companion.

Some Bull Terrier owners battle allergies of some kind on a seasonal basis and the source of various ailments owners say occasionally stem from food.  In the survey, twenty six percent of respondents said “Yes,” that they had good reason to believe their dogs were allergic to some food ingredients, but there was little or no consensus on the root causes.  Fifteen percent of respondents said they didn’t know if they were battling allergic reactions to food, but suspect they are dealing with some sort of food ingredient allergy.Ten respondents said they were not aware of any type of allergy in their dogs.  The survey unfortunately provided very little information on this troubling issue for some owners.

The consensus of opinion across the Bull Terrier suggests that these dogs tend to thrive on a combination of Barf and store-bought ingredients as the basis of their diet.  Most owners surveyed, regardless of feeding Barf or exclusively store-bought, include some type of raw bone, raw vegetables and fruit.  And most use some form of oil and vitamin supplement.

The best diet for your Bull Terrier will inevitably result from experimentation with different foods, raw and store bought, and close monitoring of your dog’s weight, activity levels and especially coat and skin condition.  Symptoms like incessant scratching and itching, especially the paws, can indicate some type of allergic reaction, when in actuality these conditions, dry itchy skin, hair loss and irritated paws, are sometimes caused by nutritional deficiencies.  Diagnosing a problem isn’t always about removing an item from the animal’s diet, but including one that’s missing.

Although this survey produced a great amount of variation in specific ingredients, it’s clear that these dogs live up to their reputation as canine “garbage disposals” and that they eat practically anything, including leaves, broom handles and various types of plastic lawn furniture, toys and what not.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Strongly built, muscular, well balanced and active with a keen, determined and intelligent expression.

CHARACTERISTICS

Courageous, full of spirit, with a fun loving attitude. A unique feature is a downfaced, egg-shaped head. Irrespective of size dogs should look masculine and bitches feminine.

TEMPERAMENT

Of even temperament and amenable to discipline. Although obstinate, is particularly good with people.

HEAD & SKULL

Head long, strong and deep right to end of muzzle, but not coarse. Viewed from front egg-shaped and completely filled, its surface free from hollows or indentations. Top of skull almost flat from ear to ear. Profile curves gently downwards from top of skull to tip of nose which should be black and bent downwards at tip. Nostrils well developed and under-jaw deep and strong.

EYES

Appearing narrow, obliquely placed and triangular, well sunken, black or as dark brown as possible so as to appear almost black, and with a piercing glint. Distance from tip of nose to eyes perceptibly greater than that from eyes to top of skull. Blue or partly blue undesirable.

EARS

Small, thin and placed close together. Dog should be able to hold them stiffly erect, when they point straight upwards.

MOUTH

Teeth sound, clean, strong, of good size, regular with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips clean and tight.

NECK

Very muscular, long, arched, tapering from shoulders to head and free from loose skin.

FOREQUARTERS

Shoulders strong and muscular without loading. Shoulder blades wide, flat and held closely to chest wall and have a very pronounced backward slope of front edge from bottom to top, forming almost a right angle with upper arm. Elbows held straight and strong, pasterns upright. Forelegs have strongest type of round, quality bone, dog should stand solidly upon them and they should be perfectly parallel. In mature dogs length of foreleg should be approximately equal to depth of chest.

BODY

Body well rounded with marked spring of rib and great depth from withers to brisket, so that latter nearer ground than belly. Back short, strong with backline behind withers level, arching or roaching slightly over broad, well muscled loins. Underline from brisket to belly forms a graceful upward curve. Chest broad when viewed from front.

HINDQUARTERS

Hindlegs in parallel when viewed from behind. Thighs muscular and second thighs well developed. Stifle joint well bent and hock well angulated with bone to foot short and strong.

FEET

Round and compact with well arched toes.

TAIL

Short, set on low and carried horizontally; thick at root, it tapers to a fine point.

GAIT / MOVEMENT

When moving appears well knit, smoothly covering ground with free, easy strides and with a typical jaunty air. When trotting, movement parallel, front and back, only converging towards centre line at faster speeds, forelegs reaching out well and hindlegs moving smoothly at hip, flexing well at stifle and hock, with great thrust.

COAT

Short, flat, even and harsh to touch with a fine gloss. Skin fitting dog tightly. A soft textured undercoat may be present in winter.

COLOUR

For white, pure white coat. Skin pigmentation and markings on head not to be penalised. For Coloured, colour predominates; all other things being equal, brindle preferred. Black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolour acceptable. Tick markings in white coat undesirable. Blue and liver highly undesirable.

SIZE

There are neither weight nor height limits, but there should be the impression of maximum substance for size of dog consistent with quality and sex.

FAULTS

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on the health & welfare of the dog.

NOTE

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

BULL TERRIER (MINIATURE)

The Standard of the Bull Terrier (Miniature) is the same as that of the Bull Terrier with the exception of the following :
Size : Height should not exceed 35.5 cm. (14 ins.). There should be an impression of substance to size of dog. There is no weight limit. Dog should, at all times, be balanced

The Bull Terrier's coat is easy to maintain, but grooming can keep it in near-perfect condition. Adding oils to their meals can also vastly improve the quality of their coat.

The Bull Terrier requires a fair amount of exercise, but overworking the dog at a young age will cause strained muscles. Older dogs do require exercise, but in small doses, whereas younger ones will be happy to play for hours on end.

The breed is renowned for being extremely greedy; be sure to maintain a good balance of exercise and food, or the dog can become overweight.

The Afrikaans name for the Bull Terrier is Varkhond (Pig-dog). Many people think it is because of the pig-like appearance of the head and eyes. However, this name is more likely to have arisen as a result of the use in the past of cross-bred bull terriers during bush-pig and warthog hunting in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape.

There is also a miniature version of this breed; this distinct breed is officially known as the Miniature Bull Terrier. Bull Terriers are prominently featured in Jonathan Carroll's 1980 novel The Land of Laughs. A Bull Terrier appears in several scenes of the 1976 film Je t'aime... moi non plus. Not having seen one before, one of the main characters has difficulty determining whether it is a dog or a pig.

Bull Terriers have also featured in television shows such as the 1970s television show Baa Baa Black Sheep, in the opening credits of the British television show Barking Mad, and in the short lived Fox series Keen Eddie.

A Bull Terrier is the main character in a Max Brand novel "The White Wolf".

Spuds Mackenzie, a dog featured in an advertising campaign for Bud Light beer in the late 1980s, was a bull terrier.

American children's writer and illustrator Chris Van Allsburg features a bull terrier named Fritz in at least one scene in every book.

The Bull Terrier's most recognizable feature is its head, described as 'egg shaped' when viewed from the front, almost flat at the top, with a Roman muzzle sloping evenly down to the end of the nose with no stop.

The unique triangle-shaped eyes are small, dark, and deep-set. The body is full and round, while the shoulders are robust and muscular and the tail is carried horizontally.

It walks with a jaunty gait, and is popularly known as the 'gladiator of the canine race'.

There is no designated height or weight for the breed but the average is, Height: 51-61 cm (20-24 inches), Weight: 20-38 kg (44-85 pounds).

The Bull Terrier and the Miniature Bull Terrier are the only recognized breeds that have triangle-shaped eyes.

Head and Skull

Head long, strong and deep right to the end of muzzle, but not coarse. Viewed from front, egg-shaped and completely filled, its surface free from hollows or indentation. Top of skull almost flat from ear to ear. Profile curves gently downwards from top of the skull to tip of nose, which should be black and bent downwards at tip. Nostrils well developed and under-jaw deep and strong

Mouth

Teeth sound, clean, strong, of good size, regular with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Lips clean and tight.

Eyes

Appearing narrow, obliquely placed and triangular, well sunken, black or as dark brown as possible so as to appear almost black, and with a piercing glint. Distance from tip of nose to eyes perceptibly greater than that from eyes to top of skull. Blue or partly blue undesirable.

Forequaters

Shoulders strong and muscular without loading. Shoulder blades wide, flat and held closely to the chest wall and have a very pronounced backward slope of front edge from bottom to top, forming almost a right angle with upper arm. Elbows held straight and strong, pasterns upright. Forelegs have strongest type of round quality bone, dog should stand solidly upon them and they should be perfectly parallel. In mature dogs, length of foreleg should be approximately equal to depth of chest.

Feet

Round and compact with well-arched toes.

Tail

Short, set on low and carried horizontally. Thick at root, it tapers to a fine point.

Gait/Movement

When moving appears well knit, smoothly covering ground with free, easy strides and with a typical jaunty air. When trotting, movement parallel, front and back, only converging towards centre line at faster speeds, forelegs reaching out well and hind legs moving smoothly at hip, flexing well at stifle and hock, with great thrust.

Coat

Short, flat, even and harsh to touch with a fine gloss. Skin fitting dog tightly. A soft textured undercoat may be present in winter.

Colour

For white, pure white coat. Skin pigmentation and markings on head not to be penalised. For coloured, colour predominates; all other things being equal, brindle preferred. Black, brindle, red, fawn and tricolour acceptable. Tick markings in white coat undesirable. Blue and liver highly undesirable.

Because Bull Terriers have a very strong urge to chew, it is important to  provide them appropriate toys such as Nylabones, Plaque Attackers and  Kong toys, with supervision.

Other brands or rawhides and soft toys can  be broken, swallowed or lodged in the throat.

Beware

Bull Terriers will also ingest other "toys" such as socks,underwear,  pieces of blanket, various forms of rubber, plastic, metal screening and  children's toys. Any of these items can cause an obstruction in the  lower intestine. If you notice symptoms such as depression, lethargy,  vomiting, diarrhea or lack of appetite, contact your veterinarian  immediately. Your Bull Terrier may have a blockage.

 Zingora Bull Terriers recommends a Kong Extreme toy for your Bull Terrier.

Early in the mid-1800s the "Bull and Terrier" breeds were developed to satisfy the needs for vermin control and animal-based blood sports. The "Bull and Terriers" were based on the Old English Bulldog (now extinct) and one or more of Old English Terrier and "Black and tan terrier", now known as Manchester Terrier. This new breed combined the speed and dexterity of lightly built terriers with the dour tenacity of the Bulldog, which was a poor performer in most combat situations, having been bred almost exclusively for killing bulls and bears tied to a post. Due to the lack of breed standards—breeding was for performance, not appearance—the "Bull and Terrier" eventually divided into the ancestors of "Bull Terriers" and "Staffordshire Bull Terriers", both smaller and easier to handle than the progenitor.

About 1850, James Hinks started breeding "Bull and Terriers" with "English White Terriers" (now extinct), looking for a cleaner appearance with better legs and nicer head. In 1862, Hinks entered a bitch called "Puss" sired by his white Bulldog called "Madman" into the Bull Terrier Class at the dog show held at the Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea. Originally known as the "Hinks Breed" and "The White Cavalier", these dogs did not yet have the now-familiar "egg face", but kept the stop in the skull profile.

The difference between "Bullies" and "Staffies"

The dog was immediately popular and breeding continued, using Dalmatian, Greyhound, Spanish Pointer, Foxhound and Whippet to increase elegance and agility; and Borzoi and Collie to reduce the stop. Hinks wanted his dogs white, and bred specifically for this. Generally, however, breeding was aimed at increasing sturdiness: three "subtypes" were recognised by judges, Bulldog, Terrier and Dalmatian, each with its specific conformation, and a balance is now sought between the three. The first modern Bull Terrier is now recognised as "Lord Gladiator", from 1917, being the first dog with no stop at all.

Due to medical problems associated with all-white breeding, Ted Lyon among others began introducing colour, using Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the early 20th century. Coloured Bull Terriers were recognised as a separate variety (at least by the AKC) in 1936. Brindle is the preferred colour, but other colours are welcome.

Along with conformation, specific behaviour traits were sought. The epithet "White Cavalier", harking back to an age of chivalry, was bestowed on a breed which while never seeking to start a fight was well able to finish one, while socialising well with its "pack", including children and pups. Hinks himself had always aimed at a "gentleman's companion" dog rather than a pit-fighter—though Bullies were often entered in the pits, with some success. Today the Bullie is valued as a comical, mischievous, imaginative and intelligent (problem-solving) but stubborn house pet suitable for experienced owners.

Bull Terrier puppies are capable  of learning at an early age and, like children,  they form lasting  impressions, tendencies, and habits during this time.  It can be a  make-it or break-it time for your pup when it comes to his  behavior. A  puppy that is exposed to a variety of sights, sounds, and  experiences  during this early period will be more likely to develop  proper  socialization skills and grow into a happy, healthy,  well-behaved older  dog.

Generally, important socialization  skills are learned when a  puppy is between 8 and 16 weeks of age. If  you are not diligent in  exposing your puppy to new people and places  during this time, he is  likely to suffer in the long run. As soon as  your new pup has reached at  least 8 weeks of age and been properly  vaccinated, the socialization  process can begin.

 A simple way to  get started is to take him for  a walk. If your neighborhood is  especially loud or crowded, you may  want to take him to a park instead.  It’s important that the environment  for his first socialization is  fun, safe, and stress-free, so your puppy  feels comfortable smelling,  exploring, and interacting. By taking a  walk together, you can expose  him to a wide variety of people, animals,  and other things at one time.

 When  other people show an interest  in your Bull Terrier, let them pet him so he can  get used to different touches  and smells. It’s also a good idea to  carry extra treats with you so some  of the people you meet can feed  your puppy a snack, which should help  to rid him of any fear of  strangers. When your pup is nose-to-nose with  another dog for the first  time, keep both dogs leashed, and make the  introduction slowly and  carefully. 

During early socialization,  your puppy should also  get a chance to hear different sounds, such as  jingling keys and  clapping hands, and smell different scents, such as  grass, dirt, and  other dogs. He should also be exposed to a variety of  sights, like  people wearing sunglasses or baseball hats, garbage cans,  and moving  cars. All exposure is good for your puppy during this  formative period,  to help alleviate his fears and ensure his comfort in  just about any  situation.

Keep your Bull Terrier puppy on a leash at all times  during the  walk, and during other socialization activities. This will  allow you to  keep him close to you and protect him if necessary, and he  will sense  this protection and feel more safe and secure. However, it’s  also  important not to coddle your dog or reward fearful behavior. If you   notice that he is fearful in a particular situation, modify it until he   feels more confident. For example, if he is fearful when surrounded by a   group of children, try to limit his contact with children to one child   at a time until he is more confident.

Socializing your Bull Terrier puppy  can  be time consuming, but it should be well worth it in the end. With  some  dedication and patience early on, your pup should mature into a   well-rounded, well-behaved older dog.

• Abraxas Aaran, who portrayed Willie, the title character's dog, in the 1970 film Patton.
• Baxter, from the film Baxter - with the tagline, "Méfiez-vous du chien qui pense." ("Beware the dog that thinks.")
• Blue, owned by Canadian hockey commentator Don Cherry, is widely considered to be almost as famous as Cherry himself.
• Bodger, an old white bull terrier, is a major character in the book The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford and the movie. 
• Brut, in the novel, Answers to Brut, by Gillian Rubinstein.In Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist, Bill Sykes owns an English Bull Terrier named Bullseye.
• Bullseye mascot of the Target Corporation.
• Chester, Chad's (Preppy) dog in Rockstar Vancouver's video game Bully.
• Chico, a dog in Next Friday and Friday After Next.
• Creampuff, one of Irish Murphy's pig hunting dogs from the Footrot Flats comic series.
• Kirk Hammett of the thrash metal band Metallica has a bull terrier named Darla.
• Hip-Hop artist Adil Omar has a bull terrier named Diablo.
• Fritz, the black-and-white bull terrier who appears in every Chris Van Allsburg book.
• Fuchsl, Adolf Hitler's dog while he fought in the trenches of World War 1. The dog was reportedly lost, which upset Hitler, however his love for dogs and respect for the breed continued into later life.
• Grimm, of the cartoon series Mother Goose and Grimm.
• Odd's dog, Kiwi, is rumored to be a bull terrier but he looks more like a Whippet.
• Lockjaw, Pepper's companion in Sierra's Pepper's Adventures in Time.
• Meatball, White bull terrier pet of Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington in Baa Baa Black Sheep (TV series).
• Pete, from the Fox-television series "Keen Eddie", 13 episodes, 2003.
• Rex from the film Stealing Harvard. Rex is a mean dog who always agrees with his master. However, his crankyness goes away when he tries to bite a man in the crotch and ends up falling in love and having sex with him.
• Rick Springfield's bull terrier Ronnie appears on the cover of his album Working Class Dog.
• Rude Dog Sam, who accompanied Alby Mangels, Dutch-Australian adventurer, on his world travels.
• Scud, from the Disney/Pixar film Toy Story.
• Sparky, the dog who appears in "Frankenweenie".
• Spuds MacKenzie - "star" of Bud Light beer commercials in the late 1980's.
• Spunky, of Rocko's Modern Life, resembles a Bull Terrier and was also the name of a famous MA Bull Terrier.
• Whiskey, from the Eidos Commandos series.
• Willie, owned by World War II US Army General George S. Patton and named after William the Conqueror.
• Unnamed bull terriers regularly appearing in New Yorker cartoonist George Booth's cartoons. The dog from Angry Kid.