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SO YOU THINK YOU WANT A
BULL TERRIER?
Written by: Debra A.
Gilpin on behalf of the Central Indiana Bull Terrier Club.
With a face like that
what’s not to love? Beneath that unique egg-shaped noggin lies a
self-serving brain
and behind
those devilish eyes and Bully smile is quite frankly, a three year old child
in a dog suit! The
decision to bring a Bull
Terrier into your life is not a decision to be taken lightly without plenty of
thought
and serious
consideration.
Like any breed of
purebred dog, Bull Terriers are not for everyone. The owner of this Breed must
be a
fully committed and
responsible owner providing quality nutrition (preferably w/o wheat, corn or
soy),
veterinary care, basic
obedience training and proper socialization with strangers, children and other
animals. Training a Bull
Terrier is not an option is it a must!
Do your homework in
advance and research the breed. Visit the AKC website at AKC.org or the Bull
Terrier Club of America
at BTCA.com. Attend local dog shows in your area and get first hand advice
straight from the
exhibitors themselves. This is also a superb environment to meet with
reputable breeders
as well.
The Bull Terrier
typically enjoys good health throughout its life expectancy of 10-12 years but
can be
predisposed to genetic
disease which have afflicted the breed in the past. However with thorough
health
testing of breeding
stock, and careful breeding practices, reputable breeders have been able to
reduce the
incidence of health
related concerns including deafness in whites, luxating patellas (slipping
knee caps),
heart defects, kidney
disease, skin disorders and allergies.
Bull Terriers are very
social dogs who enjoy the company of their masters and family members. They do
not tolerate heat or
cold so they are right at home on the sofa watching TV with the rest of the
family.
Some are couch potatoes
but others quite the opposite. Most Bull Terriers are quite active and busy
and at
times exhibiting short
bursts of thunderous energy. A busy Bull Terrier is a happy BT!
A crate of adequate size
is crucial, for Bull Terriers must be supervised at all times, indoors as well
as
outdoors. A four to six
foot high fence is required for containment whenever outdoors. As with any
breed of
dog, never leave a
Bull Terrier unsupervised in the presence of small children or other animals.
This is a
very strong and powerful
breed that doesn’t seem to realize its own strength and in gentle play could
easily
bowl a young child clean
off its feet! Even though your pets may have always gotten along beautifully
together in the past,
that can change in an instant! A scrap could begin over a toy, or some other
prized
possession and could
result in injury to one of your beloved pets or even death.
Some Bull Terriers may
exhibit signs of obsessive compulsive disorders such as spinning (tail
chasing)
which sometimes may be
improved by the use of prescribed medication but not always a successful
remedy
for the problem. The OCD
can be so debilitating in some case that the affected dog must be euthanized!
Bull Terriers are
somewhat “goat like” in nature as they tend to want to swallow foreign
objects in turn
causing an obstruction
in the digestive tract requiring immediate emergency surgery and unfortunately
the
surgery is not always
successful. Some commonly swallowed items can be batteries, bottle caps,
coins,
buttons, safety pins,
socks, underwear, stuffed animals, just to name a few. They are also notorious
for
eating their bedding and
blankets. Only durable chew toys designed specifically for powerful chewers
may
be offered under
supervision and with caution.
Dog parks are out of the
question. Why borrow trouble? Your Bull Terrier may be highly socialized but
suppose another “off
leash” dog present is not? Instead, take your dog to a family park and enjoy
your
walks together “on
lead”.
The rearing and
ownership of a Bull Terrier is a tremendous undertaking involving an enormous
amount of
time and energy and
commitment. Regional Clubs across the U.S. rescue countless Bull Terriers
annually
from very well
intentioned owners who realized that they bit off more than they could chew.
If you still strongly
believe that this is the breed for you and all members of your family then I
am sure that
you will find your
decision to be one of your most rewarding and enjoyable decisions of a
lifetime.
Upon obtaining a Bull
Terrier, be sure to ask you Breeder for information regarding joining a
Regional
Club in your area in
which Bull Terrier owners alike attend functions and fun activities and enjoy
the
company of fellow
fanciers and their dogs.
As an owner of a Bull
Terrier always strive to set a positive example and be a good Ambassador for
the
breed and put your best
paw forward.
Some recommended reading
materials include:
Bull Terriers Today –
Author David Harris – Howell Book House
A New Owners Guide to
Bull Terriers- Author: Betty Desmond - T. F. H. Publications, Inc.
Bull Terriers –
Author: Martin Weil – T.F. H. Publications, Inc.
The New Bull Terrier –
Author: John H. Remer Jr. – Howell Book House
A Kennel Club Book –
Author: Bethany Gibson – Kennel Club Books
Bully Breeds – Popular
Dogs Series – from the editors of Dog Fancy Magazine – Popular Dog Series
Training Secrets for
Bully Breeds – from the editors of Dog Fancy Magazine - Popular Dog Series.
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BULL TERRIER CLUB OF AMERICA, INC.