Items filtered by date: February 2011

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.