Dog Breeds: Bull dogs and bull terriers

• Dog breed books: Terriers
• Dog breed books: Hounds
• Dog breed books: Gundogs
• Dog breed books: Herding dogs
• Dog breed books: Spitz dogs
• Dog breed books: Small companion dogs
• Dog breed books: Giant breeds
• Dog breed books: 'Other' breeds
• Dog breed books: "Designer" breeds

• Dogs in recent history and different cultures 
• Books on origins, canine evolution and wolves
• Behaviour (canine ethology and behavioural problems) 
• Puppy and manners training
• Breeding, grooming and kennel management
• Fiction dealing with dogs
• Skill training: Agility and training games
• Skill training: Sheepdog, gundog and scent work

General overview

Bull Dogs and Bull Terriers, including Boxers and all breeds with bulldog-like ancestry in common. Old-style Bulldogs were bred for bull baiting, with a mix of mastiff and terrier, so they were courageous and tenacious dogs, with powerful jaws. Modern Bulldogs (also called English Bulldogs) are less aggressive than their ancestors, and also have more health problems. Modern Bull dogs have broad heads and squashed noses (they are 'brachycephalic') which means that they may suffer breathing problems because their nasal passages are relatively foreshortened. Bull dogs can also suffer from extremes of cold and heat, and especial care should be taken in summer to ensure they are not affected by heat stroke. Bulldogs may also have to give birth via caesarian operations because of their broad heads, so this breed is not well designed for survival! Boxers, too, are prone to a whole host of health problems, from incontinence to cancer, and anyone buying a boxer pup should ask searching questions of the breeder about the longevity and health of the pup's ancestors. White English Bull Terriers are also prone to inherited ailments, though Staffordshire bull terriers tend to be relatively healthy.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are especially popular in the UK. They are similar to pit bulls, and regularly appear in news reports of serious dog bites, yet they are also nicknamed 'The Nanny Dog', because they can get on so well with children. Few breed types raise so much passion, both among their supporters and their detractors. So what is the truth about Bull Dogs and Bull Terriers?

Training and supervision are very important for all breeds, but this is especially true for Bull Dogs and Bull Terriers. They are muscly, powerful dogs, which tend to like rough play, and act with a puppyish exuberance all their lives. Owners and dogs benefit if bully breeds start training as soon as possible. These breeds can pull hard if not taught how to walk nicely. They also need to learn to drop objects on command, and to 'leave' other dogs and forbidden objects. Owners still need to watch interactions with other dogs, because 'leave' may not be enough if a bully breed dog has decided to fight, and once a fight has started, dogs tend not to hear their owners. Training recall is important, so that owners can prevent trouble by calling the dog to them. Any owner who neglects to train a bully breed is asking for trouble. Owners also sometimes think it fun to encourage their dogs to hang on to objects, while neglecting to teach them the 'drop' command. Bad move! You do not want a strong jawed dog who has been taught that not letting go is a good thing. Do teach them tug, by all means, but as a way of teaching 'drop', and as soon as you say 'drop', the dog should let go of the tug. Patience, firmness and consistency are important with bully breeds, as with all breeds. Being firm means setting rules from when the dogs are pups, and making sure the dog understands them. Bully breeds can be both sensitive and stubborn, so clumsy attempts to 'show them who's boss' can be counter-productive. Boxers can be especially sensitive, and stop listening if they are roughly treated or confused about what they are meant to be doing. It's more helpful to persuade bully breed dogs that your way is the best way. As they tend to be affectionate dogs, and love to be with people, very short time-outs can be very effective to show them you disapprove of some behaviour.

Good manners are best taught from puppyhood, because it's easier, but adult rescue dogs can still learn fast. The best time to teach good manners to a rescue dog is as soon as the dog arrives. That is when the dog is watching you to learn what the rules are. It's tempting to spoil the dog a bit, because you feel sorry for him or her. But it's kinder in the long run to let the dog know gently and firmly what you consider to be appropriate behaviour. Rescue centres usually have their own behaviourists and provide ongoing help for adopters. Gwen Bailey's 'The Rescue Dog' is also full of good advice. Pups of bully breeds chew, as all pups do, only bully breeds can cause more damage, so you do need to puppy proof your home extra carefully, and provide a lot of legitimate chewing objects.

Bully breeds can be dog-aggressive, if not socialised properly, and even well-socialised dogs may suddenly decide on adolescence that the best way to deal with other dogs is to fight them. Bully breeds are not quick to take offence, but if they do get into a fight, they tend not to give up, and their powerful jaws can do a lot of damage. They benefit from puppy socialisation classes, and being matched with dogs that can teach them appropriate play styles and good canine manners. Other dogs often have trouble in 'reading' the relatively impassive faces of bully breeds, and may provoke them beyond their trigger point without realising it. Owners of other dogs may also have trouble understanding your dog's body language, and be convinced that your dog really wants to be friendly with their dog, when you know that this is far from the case! A wagging tail does not always mean benevolent intentions, especially if the dog has stiffened, and the tail is wagging slowly.

Bully breeds can get on well with other dogs in the same household, so long as the dogs are well matched, and introductions are carried out carefully. This means allowing the dogs to meet first on neutral ground, and making sure that the two dogs can be given time out in separate rooms if necessary. Bringing in a pushy adult dog into a home with an unsocialized bully breed dog used to being an only dog is asking for trouble, especially if the two are forced to interact by being shut together in a small room, whatever their feelings for each other. It's easier to bring in a bully breed as a pup, and have the existing adult socialise the dog. They are best matched with the more robust and calmer breeds, which can handle rough play, while toning down the bully exuberance. More than one bully breed dog can be kept in the same household, though this does need skill on the part of the owner, and dog-bitch combinations tend to work better than two dogs of the same sex.

What about children? This depends a lot on the dog and the children. A well-trained bully breed can be marvellous with children, so long as the kids know how to behave with dogs, and don't let them get too excited. Small children and dogs should always be supervised, and neighbouring children who come to play in your house also need to know that dogs should be respected. It's important to 'proof' your bully breed pup against shouting, running children, and kids on bikes, so that they do not act as a trigger for overexuberance and even aggression when the pup becomes an adult. Untrained bully breeds together with untrained kids are a recipe for disaster, something that is true for any breed, but especially for energetic dogs that can knock kids over, and which have strong jaws. However, trained bully breed dogs and sensible children can get on wonderfully well, since bully breeds are generally very tolerant dogs, robust enough not to worry about children, and with enough energy to keep up with them.

Breed Profiles