Y’all, I met the prettiest Bull Terrier this week! She comes with a story, which I will tell tomorrow (subscribe to the blog if you think you’ll forget to come back – this story is worth hearing). Let’s get a good look at the pretty girl:
Reba, a handsome specimen, bounced around like a rabbit. Oh my dog, y’all. I don’t think I’d ever seen a Bull Terrier in person, live and playing with kids. I met her in order to give her a Jampacked Jawzer, but wound up giving it to the owner to give her later. That’s part of tomorrow’s story.
Isn’t she gorgeous?! I was bowled over by her beauty and good humor. If it weren’t for the story I’ll be telling y’all tomorrow, I might have started searching online for Bull Terriers in my area. Seriously.
Let’s talk more about this breed, before I get too carried away. Here’s what the AKC breed page has to say about Reba’s kin:
[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]Playful and clownish, the Bull Terrier is best described as a three year-old child in a dog suit. Given his muscular build, the Bull Terrier can appear unapproachable, but he is an exceedingly friendly dog, with a sweet and fun-loving disposition and popular in the obedience, agility and show rings. The Bull Terrier can be all white (markings on the head are permissible) or colored.[/quote]
Yes, Reba is kinda scary looking, being a very muscular, medium sized dog. I think, too, that we’ve been trained to be nervous around this breed. But she jumped and played like one of the kids. It was the funniest thing to watch. I would have loved on her more, but she was too busy playing. And she had no aggression toward me. I think, in large part, because her owner brought her out to meet me, rather than sending her out to meet me. She is a well trained dog.
Once upon a time, Bull Terriers were bred to be ferocious defenders of home and family. This dog has earned respect. Nowadays, however, the Bull Terrier is a family dog, loyal and fun-loving. Don’t let that lull you, as owner, into a false sense of security, though. The breed still needs plenty of socialization and a firm pack leader, or it will be too loyal and protective.
Not only does the Bull Terrier need good socialization, it needs people. This is not a dog which can be left home all day while its owner goes to work. Bull Terriers need plenty of physical and mental exercise, as well as an owner who can be home with it, or take it to work daily.
Children in a home with a Bull Terrier need to learn to be pack leaders, not timid. I’ve known plenty of little kids who are pack leaders, so don’t let this be a deterrent. Kids come by bossiness naturally. Just know that it’s an imperative if you wish to have a Bull Terrier with your kids.
Pros:
- Adorably fun to watch and play with – this clown will make you laugh constantly at its cute antics
- Good guard dog – as a watch dog, the Bull Terrier will protect its home and family
- Easy care – not a lot of grooming required for this short haired moderate shedder (YAY)
- The Bull Terrier will keep its owner in great shape – this breed requires a lot of exercise, so you’ll be taking long walks at least once a day
Cons:
- I’m reading that the Bull Terrier is difficult to train – they’re obedient dogs, but tough to train – I’m going to ask a Bull Terrier owner to weigh in here if they would, please
- Quite a few health concerns, including heart murmurs (bad breeders), flea allergies, and a tendency to gain too much weight
- Not recommended to be kept with non-dog pets – they will probably eat your hamster, is what I’m saying, which also means I can’t have one with my cat or chickens 🙁
- Face Time – the Bull Terrier needs its people – you can’t get one of these and just leave it for your nine to five job every day, or it will become destructive and over protective
The Bull Terrier is not a breed for all people. It’s not a breed for families with small children who are easily bowled over and stepped on, as the dog is exuberant. It’s not a malicious thing, but a bouncy, playful thing. I watched Reba take out a three year old who was between her and the tennis ball being thrown. And I laughed and laughed. My own dogs have done that with my kids when they were little.
I hope if you are considering a Bull Terrier for your family that this helps. If you are timid, reluctant, retiring, this is not the dog for you.
Just a glimpse into tomorrow’s story? Reba’s buddy, Frankie, was given a Jones Hoof. He’s a spunky little fellow and a cute example of his breed.
Also, Petey has become very bitey. It hurts. I think it’s a young male thing with ducks. His father, Jimmy, was hurtful when he was this age. Now Jim nibbles my hands without hurting me, but Petey tries to take flesh when he bites. This is what I do to make him stop.
Y’all have a great wordy Wednesday!
Until I write again …
Flea
