Bull Terrier
A detailed look at the Bull Terrier, covering its unique egg-shaped head, health risks like deafness, and the history behind its development.
12 years average lifespan, with a distinct risk of deafness in white dogs and a rare genetic disease called lethal acrodermatitis. This breed is defined by its unique egg-shaped head, independent temperament, and a history rooted in 19th-century bloodsports.
The egg-shaped head is the defining feature
The Bull Terrier is instantly recognizable by a head described as 'egg-shaped' when viewed from the front, with a top that is almost flat. The profile curves gently downwards from the skull to a black nose that is bent downwards at the tip, accompanied by well-developed nostrils. Their eyes are unique among dogs, being small, dark, and deep-set in a triangular shape. The body is full and round with strong, muscular shoulders, and the tail is carried horizontally. Coat colors range from white to red, fawn, black, brindle, or combinations of these.
Temperament requires an experienced owner
Bull Terriers are independent and stubborn, making them unsuitable for inexperienced dog owners. While they can be obstinate, they possess an even temperament and are amenable to discipline. The breed is described as particularly good with people, courageous, and full of spirit with a fun-loving attitude. Early socialization is critical to ensure they get along with other dogs and animals. Despite being a target of breed-specific legislation in some places, a 2008 study in Germany found no significant temperament difference between Bull Terriers and Golden Retrievers, yet the breed remains banned from importation in Germany.
White coats carry significant health risks
Deafness is a major concern for white Bull Terriers, occurring in 20.4% of pure white dogs compared to only 1.3% of colored Bull Terriers. There is also a risk of lethal acrodermatitis, a rare genetic disease found exclusively in white Bull Terriers. This condition is characterized by poor growth, immunodeficiency, and skin lesions, and is usually fatal, with most affected puppies dying before the age of two. Unlike similar human conditions, zinc supplements do not improve symptoms, and the disease manifests within the first few weeks of life. Colored Bull Terriers are not susceptible to this specific genetic disorder.
Other medical conditions affect the breed
Recent studies indicate a life expectancy of 12 years for the breed, which is slightly below the average of 12.7 years for purebreds. Bull Terriers have a strong predisposition to neutrophilic cholangitis, being 25.34 times more likely to acquire this condition than other dogs. Skin allergies are also common, with insect bites from fleas, mosquitoes, and mites often triggering generalized allergic responses like hives, rashes, and itching. An earlier survey placed the median lifespan at 10 years, though many dogs live to be 10 to 15 years old.
History involves a mix of breeds and eras
The breed originated in England from the crossing of Old English Bulldogs and Old English Terriers to create a dog suitable for vermin control and bloodsports. In the mid-19th century, James Hinks began breeding bull and terriers with English White Terriers to achieve a cleaner appearance and a better head shape. He used outcrosses including Dalmatians, Spanish Pointers, Whippets, Borzois, and Rough Collies to refine the breed. The first modern Bull Terrier, recognized as Lord Gladiator from 1917, was the first dog with no stop at all in the skull profile. Later, breeders like Ted Lyon introduced color to the breed to avoid medical problems associated with all-white breeding, with colored varieties being recognized as a separate variety in 1936.
Notable figures and pop culture appearances
The breed has a storied presence in history and media. General George S. Patton owned a Bull Terrier named Willie, while Theodore Roosevelt kept a pet named Pete that famously bit a naval clerk and the French ambassador. Patsy Ann, a deaf Bull Terrier in Juneau, Alaska, became a local legend for predicting ship arrivals. In pop culture, the breed has appeared as Muffy in The Incredible Journey, Wildfire in It's a Dog's Life, and the villainous Bullseye in Oliver Twist. More recently, the mascot for Target Corporation is a Miniature Bull Terrier named Bullseye, and the character Grim from Mother Goose and Grimm is a Bull Terrier.