The ovoid shape of its head is striking at first glance. He is small, very stocky and has two large triangular ears at his top. Another originality: the breed standard stipulates that “there is no limit of weight or size”, provided that the animal is “always well proportioned”.

Poil : short and hard to the touch, white, black, brindle, fawn or tricolor.

Size (height at the withers): 50-60 cm. Less than 35 cm for the miniature Bull Terrier.

Weight : 20-35 kg.

Classification FCI : N°11.

The Bull Terrier is the result of the crossing of now extinct breeds of Bulldogs (the Old English Bulldog) and Terriers (the English White Terrier, the Manchester Terrier…). Crossbreeds with other breeds such as the Greyhound Greyhound took place in order to obtain the current egg-shaped head. It was during the first half of the XNUMXth century in England and it was then a question of creating a fighting dog and even the “gladiator of the canine breed”. Eventually, the Bull Terrier was assigned to guarding missions and rat hunting rather than fighting, which were very popular at the time.

The Bull Terrier is a courageous and cheerful animal. But this is not a dog for everyone. The Bull Terrier is not recommended for homes with children, the elderly or other pets. To be balanced, the Bull Terrier must receive a good daily dose of physical and mental exercise. Only then will he be the excellent companion dog he knows how to be: obedient, pleasant, loyal and affectionate. It should be borne in mind that this animal is above all a terrier and therefore needs an occupation.

Half of the 215 Bull Terrier dogs studied by the British Kennel Club had one or more illnesses. (1) The main health issues facing the Bull Terrier breed are diseases of the heart (diseases of the mitral valve and subaortic stenosis), kidneys, skin and neurological disorders.

Pyodermite : the Bull Terrier is very exposed to dermatological problems, such as Pyoderma. This is a common bacterial infection of the skin, most often caused by an outbreak of staphylococci and is combated with antibiotics. (2)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Neurological diseases are one of the main concerns among Bull Terrier breeders. The latter are prone to epilepsy (many dogs of many different breeds are), but they are also, alongside the Doberman, the breed most affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder. This evil, for example, causes a dog to go round in circles after its tail or to bang its head against the walls frantically. This could be due to the bad assimilation of zinc by the body of the Bull Terrier and relate to a hereditary mechanism. The Bull Terrier is sensitive to stress and his master must fight it by offering his dog a life that is as stimulating as it is balanced. (3)

Bull Terrier lethal acrodermatitis: a fatal metabolic disease of genetic origin which is linked to a lack of assimilation of zinc, causing growth retardation, eating difficulties and especially skin, respiratory and digestive lesions. (4) (5)

It is unthinkable to leave him alone locked up all day while the rest of the family is at work, as that would make him destructive. The Bull Terrier is very attached to his master, he must teach him from an early age to manage moments of absence and loneliness. This stubborn and stubborn animal must receive an education without giving up, especially during the first months of its life.