There are more people loving pets than those who treat them negatively. Many dream of having an affectionate and graceful kitty in their house, someone is quite happy with silent, but such beautiful aquarium fish, someone who likes smart, infinitely loyal to the owner of the dog. That's what we are going to talk about today. But not about everyone, but about the representatives of the most ambiguous, fanned mass of rumors and speculation breed - bull terrier.
Angry, aggressive, stubborn with a very unattractive appearance - this is how people characterize these animals who have never communicated with them. Kind and affectionate, intelligent and smart, completely devoid of aggression - this is what the owners of bull terriers say about their pets. What is the reason for such conflicting opinions? Maybe we are talking about different varieties of the breed? In fact, the reason for this difference in grades lies on the surface. The training of the bull terrier in the past (and in the recent past) - for cruel fun - and today - for home maintenance - is different.
The most common characteristic of this breed - unbridled aggression - recognized by dog handlers and the most deceitful. It is difficult to find dogs that are so strongly attached to the owner. Their loyalty knows no bounds, they are ready to defend his interests, even entering into an unequal battle. Undoubtedly, sometimes canine anger takes place, but its manifestations concern only animals not socialized at an early age. Many beginner breeders are interested in the attitude of the bull terrier towards children. We will also talk about this in the article.
Historical reference
The bull terrier dog breed was bred in England. After the ban on bull fighting (1835), people lost an exciting sight. Dog fights began to develop, baiting rats. Such shows, as a rule, were held in small rooms. Bulldogs used in fights were too heavy and clumsy. In this regard, the idea was born to breed more nimble animals. Breeders opted for agile terriers.
The founder of the breed was James Hinks. In 1862, he managed to bring out the ideal bull terrier during the crossing of the bulldog, white English terrier and, presumably, the Dalmatian.
Bull Terrier breed standard
FCI Standard No. 11, registered July 5, 2011, does not limit the weight and height of animals. In this case, the dog should look powerful for its size and match the type and gender. The average weight of females is about 18 kg, males - 36 at a height at the withers of 30 to 61 cm, respectively.
The standard classic English bull terrier is a muscular, medium-sized dog with a strong, athletic body. When moving flexible, lightweight when running. The sternum is deep and wide, with protruding ribs. She is closer to the floor than her stomach. The back is strong and wide. The tail is short, narrowed towards the end. Long head set low. In shape, it resembles an egg.
Narrow triangular eyes set obliquely and deeply. They are removed from the nose a greater distance than from the middle of the top of the head. According to the standard, the bull terrier must have a dark brown eye color. Bright eyes are a disqualifying factor.
Nose slightly down, with open nostrils. White teeth, scissor bite. The lower jaw is especially powerful. Thin little ears set close. The forelimbs are powerful. They are better developed than the rear. Consist of round strong bones. Toes are compact and mobile.
Wool and color
The coat is straight, short and rather hard to the touch, with a noticeable shine. Therefore, the content of the bull terrier in the apartment is allowed. Shedding occurs twice a year, but with proper care (combing) it does not cause the owners too much trouble. In winter, a soft undercoat appears.
The color of the bull terrier can be classic white or color. In white dogs, color pigmentation of the skin is allowed, almost invisible through the coat. In colored animals, the primary color should prevail.
The bull terrier is decorative
The mini-bull terrier looks very much like its “big brother”. However, it is much smaller and endowed with a peculiar character. This is a great companion, which is suitable for keeping even in small apartments. However, it should be remembered that such a doggie loves long walks.
Mini-bull terriers began to be bred in the UK in the 19th century. For this, dwarf puppies were selected that were born from mating standard dogs. They were not raised for dog fighting, but for catching rats, which were abundant in houses and on the streets of old London. In breeding mini-bull terriers, to fix the small size of animals, Jack Russell Terriers and Fox Terriers were used.
The growth of small representatives of the breed does not exceed 35.5 centimeters. There are no restrictions on weight, as in standard animals, but it must correspond to growth. Too thick or excessively thin torso is undesirable.
When the miniature bull terrier is in motion, it is striking how harmoniously and firmly it is complex. These dogs also have a stiff and short coat. The standard allows the following colors: white with spots on the head, red, brindle with predominant black, tricolor, fawn. If you are interested in which dog to choose for the child, then, of course, a mini-bull terrier is suitable.
Character Features
To understand how to raise a puppy of a bull terrier, you should learn more about his character and highlight the following qualities:
- agility of the terrier;
- bulldog grip;
- bravery;
- endurance;
- low pain threshold;
- implicit obedience to the master;
- desire to win;
- intelligence;
- reverent attitude towards children.
The main feature of these dogs, in accordance with the standard, is calm. With proper upbringing, a obedient and disciplined dog grows out of the puppy, although it should be borne in mind that your pet will regularly try to expand the permissible boundaries.
You should refuse to buy a puppy of this breed for people who do not have experience in dog breeding, self-doubt, limited in time. An uncontrollable, angry bull terrier can grow up in people who are nervous, not paying attention to early socialization and raising a puppy.
Bull terrier needs long walks. They should last at least an hour. This will help your pet lose excess energy. Otherwise, negative changes can occur in the character of the dog: it will not respond to the commands so accurately, it will spoil things, show willfulness.
Another feature of the character of the bull terrier, experts call an indefatigable passion for bullying and stalking other dogs, which often happens on walks. Therefore, walking should be carried out on a leash, and by a person who is able to keep an active dog. A child with a bull terrier should not be allowed to go outside: it will be difficult for him to cope with his power and grip.
If other animals live in the house, then it is necessary to accustom the dog to the fact that they occupy a higher position in the family hierarchy. Otherwise, bullying cannot be avoided. In order to grow an obedient and controlled animal, it is necessary to carry out social adaptation as early as possible: your pet should be introduced to new people, other animals, and be in different, including crowded, places.
At the slightest manifestation of aggression, the dog is given to understand that its behavior is unacceptable. At the same time, screaming and physical punishment are excluded. These dogs are smart and smart. Sometimes they show obstinacy, but with proper upbringing they demonstrate unconditional obedience. Bull terriers have a great athletic shape, and therefore become excellent partners in the morning runs.
Someone may be surprised, but powerful and strong bull terriers really need affection and care: they quickly and very strongly become attached to the owner. Its prolonged absence is very difficult to tolerate. Dogs become embittered, nervous, show disobedience and stubbornness. With proper care and upbringing, they become loyal family members and loyal defenders.
Is bull terrier dangerous?
The answer to this question is especially important for people who have a child. Bull terrier, which has an ambiguous reputation in society, is famous for its cheerful and friendly disposition among specialists. Representatives of the breed can endlessly play with children of different ages. Of course, in the game it happens that they inadvertently push their very small masters. But aggression towards people is unusual for them.
Bull Terrier and kids
Despite the frightening appearance, this dog is a wonderful family man. Therefore, if you are interested in which breed of dog to choose for a child, pay attention to the bull terrier. Once in the house, a desperate fighter turns into a plush toy that, comfortably curled up, sleeps under his beloved rug, sweetly sniffing. Judging by the reviews, the bull terrier and the children are an inseparable company that can have fun day and night until the parents disperse the naughty kids.
Interestingly, with small hosts, representatives of this breed often get along better than parents. If you have children and you plan to make such a four-legged friend, you should know that another child will appear in your house. Bull terrier needs to be given a lot of effort and time. Weigh well the pros and cons of such a decision so as not to regret it. The relationship of the bull terrier and the child will be the same as you build them. The dog should be accustomed to the fact that in your "pack" the child takes not the last place. In the last place should be a dog. But this place should not be shown with shouts and kicks, but with proper education. It is equally important to teach the child how to communicate with the animal. It should not be cronyism. Bull Terrier - a dog with a sense of dignity, and therefore requires respect.
Puppy selection
It is very important to know how to choose a bull terrier puppy correctly. This breed is widespread in our country, so there will be no problems with the choice of a nursery or a responsible breeder even in small cities. Buying a baby in the bird market should not be not because you can sell a puppy of a different breed: due to its unusual appearance it is almost impossible to make a mistake. But there is no guarantee that the purchased doggie will be healthy.
When buying a puppy from a breeder or in a kennel, pay attention to the conditions of the animals. The room should be dry, moderately warm, there should be no unpleasant odors. A healthy puppy is cheerful and agile. He enjoys playing with a person and his relatives, is not afraid of harsh sounds.
Parenting
A puppy of this breed bred for dog fights, barely appearing in the house, may try to dominate, establish its own rules. If you do not stop disobedience, then the owner will have to forget about the role of leader in the future forever. A person soft in character, unable to cope with emotions, can not get such a dog. Nervousness, a breakdown, a cry will be a signal to the animal about the owner’s weakness, and he immediately loses his leadership position.
How to train a bull terrier? It is important to be consistent in upbringing, to show patience and perseverance. Rules of conduct must be established once, do not change them and strictly observe. The main ones include:
- Determining a place to sleep, eat and relax. A categorical suppression of the animal’s attempts to sleep in the owner’s bed, since the leader should be the best and most comfortable sleeping place.
- It is forbidden for a puppy to show aggression near its bowl: if at a young age this behavior causes emotion, it is important to remember how this can turn into an adult dog when the child, for example, is next to the bowl.
- When signs of aggression or discontent are manifested, the puppy is strictly reported and pointed to his bed.
- Do not allow the dog to be present at the dinner of the owners, let alone receive food from the table. Feed her last.
- The owner’s property is also the puppy’s toys, determining the time of playing with them is also the prerogative of the owner. The puppy should not react aggressively to trying to pick them up. If the dog is not intended for official purposes, then you cannot drag a toy with it: if the dog does not give it away, shake your pet by the scruff of the neck and report. When the dog spits it out, the animal is led away and only after that they raise the toy. Such a trick is difficult to do with an adult bull terrier. In this case, they resort to using a leash and a strict collar or wait for him to spit out a toy. Then it is lifted and removed forever. Only the owner should determine how much, with what and when his four-legged friend will play.
- The same can be said of affection. If the dog often forces it to be stroked when the owner is busy with something, this indicates an attempt to dominate. In this case, the “Lie down" command is considered the best option. After that, continue to do your own thing.
- To outsiders, bull terriers are calm. If the owner doesn’t set the puppy himself, then usually he shows restrained curiosity. Another thing is if there is a struggle for leadership between the person and the puppy: the animal should be made aware: determining the target for the attack is the right of the owner.
- With inappropriate behavior, the bull terrier is taken to another room. Do not forget about the little things: on a walk and going down the stairs, the dog should walk next to the person, and not in front. In the event of a collision, the dog must retreat.
Training
Dressura begin a little later than education. The animal needs time to adapt in the new house, it needs to learn the rules of behavior in it. How to train a bull terrier? If the dog is not intended for protective or official activities, then it is quite possible to limit oneself to a set of basic commands: “Nearby”, “To me”, “Give”, “It is impossible”, “Sit”. They will make walking easier and safer.
If the dog learns the commands "Place", "Lie", it will be easier to live together in the house or visit friends. Together with the instructor, it is necessary to work out situations where it is forbidden to take food from someone else’s hands, pick up garbage from the ground, and not respond to sudden extraneous noise.
Spend maximum time exercising your pet. With a lack of loads, the bull terriers start looking for a way out of their energy, which can upset the owner. The nature of your pet may go bad. Another extreme is when a pet is lazy, it gains excess weight, which negatively affects the health of the animal.
Bull terriers are trained more thoroughly for exhibitions. They should move quietly during the show and stand, allowed to inspect the teeth. They are accustomed to large crowds and transportation in a cage.
The choice of a muzzle
As a rule, this accessory is made to order or selected individually. This is due to the structural features of the muzzle. We must approach this issue responsibly: there are cases when, during the collision of two bull terriers, one of the dogs was independently released from the muzzle.
It is necessary to teach a pet to this accessory from an early age so that problems with adaptations do not arise in the future. For this, a treat is placed inside the muzzle. Thus, gradually increasing the time spent in the muzzle, the dog is taught to accessory. As the animal grows, it is changed in accordance with the parameters of the animal. It is important to treat people around with understanding, who are wary of a rather large pet that does not have the proper “uniforms”: an outsider cannot know the character of a large dog.
Owner reviews
Most of the owners in whose house the bull terriers live are satisfied with their companions. However, those who are only planning to have such a pet, they are advised to pay great attention to his early socialization and education - the nature of the bull terrier depends on this in the future. If there is a child in your family, then you can not worry about its safety: these dogs are very kind and tender to the kids. True, you should be careful with very young children: a powerful dog can accidentally push a child. Moreover, he will never show aggression towards him. Nevertheless, in this case it is more expedient to start a mini-bull terrier.