Are Bull
Terriers Clean Dogs?
You are thinking this
is a dumb question, but it is one I really think needs to be put out
on the table for you. You cannot have
a very
clean home with a Bully. Sunny is like a big dirt ball and he only goes
out to pee. I don’t know if it is the dense coat or what, but Sunny
is always dirty. He even gets a bath every week. I clean my house twice
a week, so I really don’t know how it gets on him. I think the
little Dirt Fairy visits him at night and sprinkles it all over him.
They are also dust magnets. If you run your hand over him you can see
tons of dust and stuff flying off. I never thought about that before
I got a Bully, but I think it is something very important. Also, Bullies
are also not the freshest of dogs. Sunny’s feet smell like corn
chips, his breath smells like a dead hippo carcass, and his fur, well,
let’s just not go there.
Do Bull Terriers Drool A Lot?
Yes, mine sure does. If Sunny is panting he has a constant
drip rolling off his tongue. Also, Sunny's saliva stains. It is a red
color and it
stains the furniture and carpet and you can’t get it out. Now,
if you are eating something then you better pack up and jump onto Noah's
ark because it’s about to come a flood. If you don’t want
a dog to drool all over you or your house then a Bully is not for you.
They don’t drool as bad as a St. Bernard, but a lot more than any
small dog: Lab, Goldie, you get the point.
Where
Can I Buy a Bull Terrier?
Bull Terriers are not the easiest dogs to acquire. This is a very good thing!
Most breeders of Bull Terriers are very picky about their dogs and want to
make sure they end up in the right forever home! They don’t want to see
their dogs end up in rescue or worse yet a shelter. Search around online, join
a Bull Terrier list, and talk to different breeders before you make a decision.
Never buy a Bull Terrier from a pet shop or backyard breeder! These dogs are
notorious for having numerous physical and mental health problems.
What Is the Price Range?
A reputable breeder will charge somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000-$1500
dollars. The price should also include a guarantee on the pup for 1-5 years.
If you went to a pet shop, you would end up paying at least twice that much.
Also when you buy from a breeder, you have someone to talk to if something
does happen to go bad with your Bully. If you buy from a pet shop, you don’t
have anyone to turn to if a problem arises.
What Are Some Common Health Problems?
The most common health problems would be deafness, skin allergies, and mental
disorders. Please visit my health page for
a more indepth look at these problems.
What Is the Average Size for a Bull Terrier?
Generally females weigh between 45-60lbs and males between 50-70lbs. But there
is no weight standard. I have seen Bullies that weigh 35lbs full grown,
and I have seen one as large as 85lbs.
How Long Do They Live?
The life span for a Bull Terrier is between 10-12 years. They have been known
to live well into the teens. I have known of Bullies that were 15 years
old, but this is not common.
How Hard Is It to Raise a Bull Terrier?
Raising a Bull Terrier is not an easy task. I have heard of people referring
to Bullies as Rat Terriers on steroids or two year olds in dog suits. A
Bully pup can play hard for eight hours and never be tired. Pups have to
be watched constantly. They want to put everything in their mouths and can
be very nippy at this age. They are always on the go, and you have to always
be one step behind them. Generally Bullies will settle down somewhere after
their second birthday, but some don’t until they are 5-6 years old.
How Much Exercise Do They Need Daily?
A Bull Terrier is not a lap dog. They need to be in a family that is extremely
active and willing to provide them with at least two hours of hard, exciting
play everyday. A lot of Bullies can develop nasty habits and become destructive
if they are bored.
Are They Good with Other Pets and Kids?
As a rule unaltered male Bull Terriers do not get along with other male dogs.
Bull Terriers can generally get along with other pets, provided they are
raised together. Some Bullies can have a very high prey drive and for this
reason should not live with other small animals or dogs. They are usually
very good with children, but sometimes they do not understand how strong
they are and can easily injure a child. Most Bullies love children and if
raised together, they can be the best of friends.
Do Bullies Shed?
Does the pope wear a beanie? Yes, Bullies shed and they shed a lot. Our carpets
have to be vacuumed every couple of days because they are covered in Sunny
fur. Also, it has a nice way of flying through the air and landing on everything!
When Sunny gets off the couch, it is always covered in fur where he was lying.
If you are looking for a low shed doggy then this is not the one for you.
They don’t shed as much as a German Shepard, but maybe a bit more than
a Labrador.
What Toys Are OK for a Bull Terrier?
A Bully should never be left alone with any toy. They have extremely strong
jaws and can demolish any toy in a matter of seconds. Usually toys like kongs
and nylabones are safe. But they can still be eaten. If these toys are eaten,
it can result in an intestinal blockage.
Can I Leave
my BT Unattended in the House or Yard?
The simplest answer to this is NO. Many times as a Bully enters older age,
they can be trusted to remain in the house unattended. Leaving a BT in the
house unattended while you work would be the same as leaving a human baby alone.
You will come home to an eaten house. The yard is not usually safe either.
A lot of Bullies are stolen, and they are escape artists. You may come home
to find your beloved Bull Terrier gone. If you have to leave your Bully unattended,
please make sure he is crated until you are positive he can be trusted alone
Why Does my Bully Need a Crate?
Bull Terriers eat everything! They get into things we don’t fathom possible.
If you can’t watch your Bully, then he needs to be put in his crate.
A crate is not a cage and if used from puppyhood, it becomes a den for your
dog. Most Bullies will get into their crate on their own when it is time for
bed. It is the only place your dog is truly safe. Use caution with bedding
as some Bullies will eat this, too. Fleece blankets are usually safe. Never
get a crate pad with a zipper. Bullies have been known to eat these and die
from zinc poisoning.
Are They Good Watch Dogs?
Bull Terriers are known for their friendliness and are usually stolen for this
reason. Your Bully will most likely protect you if the need arises but would
probably not be a good watch dog.
How Easy Is It to Train a Bull Terrier?
Bull Terriers as a rule are not easy to train. They are extremely stubborn
and only want to please themselves. If you make the training fun, it can
be appealing to a Bully. Once you have learned how to train a Bully, it
can be quite easy. They respond very well to positive training. If it is
in the Bully's best interest to do something, he will do it; otherwise he
usually will not even look at you!
Are Bull Terriers the Same as Pit Bulls?
No. Other than the fact that they are both Terriers, they have nothing in common.
They don’t even look alike.
What Is the AKC Breed Standard?
To read what the standard is for the Bull Terrier, please go to the Bull Terrier
breed section at the AKC website here.
