What was bull terriers bred for

Socialization requires frequent supervised exposure to other people and pets in the neighborhood. With proper socialization and training, Bull Terriers make great family pets. However, they probably are not a good choice for novice dog owners, nor are they generally recommended for households with other pets or irresponsible children.

Bull terriers must be exercised daily in a fenced-in yard or with walks on leash and should not be permitted to run free, even if trained and socialized. Because of their stocky build, care must be taken not to overfeed as they can easily become obese. Bull terriers were developed in England during the 19th century. Around , a cross between the old English terrier and the bulldog produced the Bull Terrier.

Later crosses to the Spanish Pointer; even later, to the white English terrier and Dalmatian, produced a stylish, tough, white dog. In the mid s, the white version of the breed, known as "white cavaliers," became a favorite pet among gentry.

Crosses to the Staffordshire Bull Terrier reintroduced color around Today, Bull Terriers are gentler than their ancestors but are still strong, fearless dogs. They are primarily family pets, but are not suitable for many families. Select Your Region. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram Youtube.

As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool. Belgium - Belgique. Brazil - Brasil. Canada English. Costa Rica. Croatia - Hrvatska. Denmark - Danmark. Finland - Suomi. France - France. Germany - Deutschland. Greater China - Taiwan. Italy - Italia. Latvia - Latvija. Here are just some of the jobs and roles that Bull Terriers served in society post-dog fighting.

Having renounced their fighting days and seen refinement from Hinks, Bull Terriers enjoyed great popularity as the breed of choice for young gentlemen. Their athletic frames were seen as great complements to many a young well-off lad who wanted to add to their masculine image. This sleek yet refined masculinity has had an enduring appeal for the breed. They simply look good and have one of the best temperaments in the canine kingdom.

As a result, their rise to prominence in dog shows also makes sense. As the 20th century came along, breeders began standardizing some aspects of the Bull Terrier. To be specific, much attention was paid to its unique head shape. The abdomen of the breed was also bred to be thicker, creating a heftier dog. However, it was their elongated, egg-shaped head that stood out easily among the competition, and became a key focus for breeders.

Their triangular eyes are also one of their key features seen in Bull Terriers. Like their spirited Terrier ancestors, many Bull Terriers found themselves working as vermin exterminators and ratters.

Using their speedy Terrier side, Bull Terriers served and still serve as highly efficient ratting dogs. And although they can range in size, the smaller Bull Terriers could easily get into small hiding spots of the rats. Rare is the rat that could stand up to this powerhouse of a dog. However, other smaller Terrier breeds still tend to be more popular for these sorts of tasks, such as the Yorkshire Terrier or Rat Terrier. Well, more specifically, we are talking about one Bull Terrier.

Though this is hardly a common reason for breeding Bull Terriers, one once served as the official greeter of Juneau, Alaska. What does that even mean though? After doing this for a while, she was dubbed the official greeter of the wharf. Their sweet-tempered and charming personalities give them a friendly vibe that bodes well with strangers. Bull Terriers might have been bred for fighting, but those days are long behind them.

Now they are mostly bred for their striking appearance and playful demeanor. In other words, they can be anything you want them to be! Though they are often hard of hearing, they can still serve in a variety of tasks.

Or they are suitable as a loyal canine companion. Whether in a single owner home or a large family, Bull Terriers will thrive with proper training and a lot of love.

Whatever the case may be, there is no denying that this breed still holds a strong appeal for owners all around the world. That is, breeding for physical attributes and not for temperament or good health. And while this may seem harmless, it negatively affects future generations of dog breeds. When unethical breeders breed for only desired appearances, they will be neglecting health.

Unfortunately, like many popular dogs, the Bull Terriers were subject to this type of breeding. Crosses to Staffordshire Bull Terriers brought in the various colored markings and brindling that are seen in the Colored Bull Terrier variety today. Patton , owned Bull Terriers. Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side.

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Clubs Offering: Training Classes. Bull Terrier History: Behind the Breed. By Denise Flaim Oct 08, 4 Minutes. Oct 08, 4 Minutes.