Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. Bull Terriers love to eat and put on weight quickly, so watch calorie intake and avoid leaving food out all day or free-feeding.

Feed a measured amount of age-appropriate food twice a day, following the guidance on the food label. Depending on the food and your dog's age and size, the daily total is likely between 1⅝ and 4¼ cups. Your veterinarian can give precise guidance.

Calcium matters for Bull Terriers, especially when young, to support growth and bone development. Some breeders add a little yogurt or whole milk and a calcium-rich food like broccoli during periods of rapid growth. The food alone may supply enough; if not, ask your vet about dog-safe high-calcium foods to add during those stages.

Treats help with training, but too many lead to extra weight, so keep them measured. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not, and check with your vet about any weight or diet concerns. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

The Bull Terrier's short, flat, harsh, glossy coat needs little maintenance. A weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush, hound glove, or rubber grooming mitt removes dirt and loose hair and keeps the dog looking sharp. Bull Terriers shed a fair amount, but a quick weekly once-over usually covers it, and baths are rarely needed.

Trim the nails often, since overly long nails cause pain and can contribute to walking and running problems. Build a routine of at-home teeth brushing to support dental health between professional cleanings. Bull Terrier ears are generally healthy, and regular cleaning with a veterinary-approved ear cleaner is usually all that is needed.

Some Bull Terriers develop itchy skin from allergies, called atopic dermatitis, especially on the feet, belly, skin folds, and ears. Causes range from food to environmental allergens. If you and your veterinarian can identify the cause, start there; more often you treat the symptoms, and your vet might recommend a medicated bath, topical treatment, or oral medication.

Because hereditary deafness is a known issue, puppies, especially white ones, should have a brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) test to check their hearing. Aside from a slight tendency toward dry eye later in life, the breed has no special eye-care needs, but talk to your veterinarian if you notice any changes in your dog's eyes or eyesight.

Bull Terriers benefit from daily, moderate exercise that works both body and mind, such as long walks with the family. The breed was developed for sport and companionship, and it carries real strength and agility. Standard-sized Bull Terriers make good jogging partners, too.

Long neighborhood walks or active games usually do the trick, but this energetic breed may need extra physical and mental work to stay at its best. Canine sports such as obedience, tracking, agility, flyball, rally, and coursing ability tests channel that energy well.

Along with exercise, the Bull Terrier needs plenty of human company. Left alone for hours, they can make quick work of a couch cushion, and they are prone to compulsive behaviors like tail-chasing when they lack attention or stimulation.

Keep climate in mind. Bull Terriers tolerate heat well but not cold, so in a damp or chilly climate, have coats or sweaters on hand.

Remember that this breed carries the tenacity and courage of the Bulldog and is also a terrier. The Bull Terrier is an independent free-thinker with more commitment to fun than to a work ethic: if it is fun, they will do it; if not, why bother. Make training fun and they excel.

Positive reinforcement with food or toys is a strong place to start. Bull Terriers are big eaters, which makes treats a great motivator, just don't give so many that the dog gains weight. This is not the easiest breed to train, but with patience, humor, and consistent sessions starting in puppyhood, they can learn almost anything when properly motivated. Slow learning usually reflects insufficient motivation and a willful nature, not a lack of intelligence.

Early, frequent socialization and gentle but firm training bring out the breed's strongest qualities. The Bull Terrier is inclined to guard, so temper that tendency to keep a safe household. Often described as a three-year-old child in a dog suit, these dogs are loving and affectionate, but they do not save it for family alone and will happily climb onto the lap of anyone offering a treat and a cuddle.

Affectionate with family, including children, they are not always friendly toward other dogs or cats, so early socialization is key. Supervise interactions with small children. They take well to dog sports like agility, flyball, freestyle, weight pull, and carting, and to roles such as search-and-rescue and as service, assistance, health-alert, and therapy dogs.