Bull Terrier

AKC Group: Terrier

Club: Bull Terrier Club of America

Corresponding Secretary : Marilyn Sibley
Address: 5240 Northaven Rd, Dallas, TX , 75229-3031
Website: www.btca.com
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

The Bull Terrier must be strongly built, muscular, symmetrical and active, with a keen determined and intelligent expression, full of fire but of sweet disposition and amenable to discipline.

Coat:

Should be short, flat, harsh to the touch and with a fine gloss. The dog's skin should fit tightly.

History:

There are two varieties of the Bull Terrier breed, the white and the colored. The breed dates back to about 1835. It is almost unanimously believed that it was established by mating a Bulldog to the now extinct white English Terrier. The results were known as the "bull and terrier." Some few years later, to gain size, this dog was crossed with the Spanish Pointer, and even to this day evidence of Pointer inheritance is seen occasionally.

Then about the year 1860 fanciers decided that an entirely white dog would be more attractive, so James Hinks produced an all white one which was taken up enthusiastically by young bloods of the day as the most fashionable dog.

It was a dog for sportsmen in times when life in general was more strenuous and of rougher, coarser fiber - when dog fights were allowed and well attended. As fighting dog or "gladiator" of the canine world, such a dog had to be of great strength, agility, and courage. Withal, he was bred by gentlemen for gentlemen, for those who had a great sense of fair play, and who scorned the liar and the deceiver in any game. The dog was taught to defend himself and his master courageously, yet he was to seek or provoke a fight - and so the white variety became known as "the white cavalier," a title which he bears with distinction to this day

Contrary to the opinion of those who do not know him, the Bull Terrier is an exceedingly friendly dog; he thrives on affection, yet is always ready for a fight and a frolic. The preference in this country is for a well-balanced animal, not freaky in any particular, but well put together, active, and agile - a gladiator of perfect form.

There is also the Colored Bull Terrier which, in accordance with its standard, must be any color other than white, or any color with white just so long as the white does not predominate. The "Colored" was voted a separate variety of Bull Terrier in 1936.

Fun Facts:

• The Birmingham fighting dog breeder, James Hinks crossed the existing Bull-and-Terrier with the White English Terrier, which has since died out as a breed. After many years of careful experimentation, he managed to create a new white coated Bull-and-terrier breed, which was smaller and more elegant, which he named the Bull Terrier.
  
  
• Bull Terriers arose from a family called "bull and terrier" dogs during the 19th century.
  
  
• The Bull Terrier comes in two varieties, the colored and the solid white.
  
  
• Their coat is short and glossy and requires very little grooming.
  
  
• The Bull Terrier loves games with a ball or other toys and all sorts of outdoor activities.
  
  
• Bull Terriers do not bark unless there is a good reason. When a Bull Terrier is barking, pay attention.