TerrierEngland

Bull Terrier

A three-year-old in a dog suit.

Weight: 50–70 lbs
Height: 21–22 in
Lifespan: 12–13 yrs

In short

The Bull Terrier is an English terrier created in the 1860s from bulldog and terrier crosses, famous for its egg-shaped head. Adults weigh 50–70 lbs and live 12–13 years. They are comic, stubborn and very physical, and white dogs should have their hearing tested, since deafness is a known risk.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a funny, physical, people-focused dog
enjoy short, playful training sessions
can give daily active play

Think twice if you…

want a dog-park socializer
have toddlers and no time to supervise
want a laid-back, obedient dog

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 120–150 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner6.0/10

EnergyAthlete9.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Egg-shaped head
A long head with no stop between skull and muzzle, unique to the breed and packed with jaw muscle.
02
Small triangular eyes
Deep-set, dark, triangular eyes are a breed hallmark and give the famous impish look.
03
Dense, muscular body
Heavy for its height and strong for its size, so leash manners matter from day one.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	55–70 lbs	50–60 lbs
Height	21–22 in	21–22 in
Lifespan	12–13 yrs
Coat	Short, flat, harsh single coat

Side profile 21–22 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Bull Terriers stay playful clowns well into adulthood and want a part in everything, often pushily. Their strength surprises people. Some develop compulsive habits like tail chasing or spinning when bored or stressed, so catch it early.

With kids

Fond of people and often good with older kids, but rough, bouncy play can overwhelm toddlers.

With other pets

Can be intolerant of other dogs, especially same-sex, and may chase cats. Socialize early and supervise.

With strangers

Usually outgoing and friendly with people; most are poor guard dogs.

Alone time

Dislikes long periods alone; boredom shows up as destructive chewing or compulsive spinning.

Training

Bull Terriers learn quickly but ask 'what's in it for me?' Keep sessions playful and varied, and stop before they decide to stop.

How often

2–3 sessions of 5–10 minutes spread through the day.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

In 8–16 weeks, give them many calm, positive meetings with well-mannered dogs, since dog intolerance often appears at maturity. Add handling of paws, ears and mouth.
Self-control

Teach a solid 'drop it' and 'leave it', because they swallow things they shouldn't. Interrupt tail chasing or spinning with a cue and redirect to a chew or task.
What it works for

Most love food and toy play. Use small, high-value pieces for new skills and a short tug game as a reward. Keep treats within 10% of daily calories.

Exercise

Bull Terriers need daily walks plus hard, varied play that works the body and the brain. Boredom, not lack of mileage, is what drives their worst habits.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Brisk walks
Tug and flirt-pole play
Fenced-area sprints

Brain work

Puzzle toys
Trick training
Nose work

Best home

House with a yard is best; apartments work with committed daily exercise.

Watch for Heavy, muscular build overheats quickly in hot weather, so exercise during cool hours.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Bull Terrier (50–70 lbs) lands around 1,175–1,500 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,450–1,875 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 145–190 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–9 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,175–1,500 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 120–150 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–8 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,600–2,050 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 160–205 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–10 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,025–1,300 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 105–130 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–7 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,450–1,875 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	145–190 kcal	7–9 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,175–1,500 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	120–150 kcal	6–8 pieces
Active / Working	1,600–2,050 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	160–205 kcal	8–10 pieces
Senior	1,025–1,300 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	105–130 kcal	5–7 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Bull Terriers can inherit deafness, kidney disease, heart disease and kneecap problems. Choose a breeder who tests hearing, heart and kidneys.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Congenital deafness	BAER hearing test	Once, ideally as a puppy
Hereditary kidney disease	Urine protein:creatinine ratio (UPC)	Yearly in breeding dogs
Heart disease	Cardiac exam by a veterinary cardiologist	Before breeding; ask the breeder
Luxating patella	OFA patella evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results)
Lethal Acrodermatitis	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Bull Terrier breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Kneecap (patella) check
Heart exam
Hearing test (BAER)
Kidney Disease
Lethal Acrodermatitis

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Low to moderate; heavier seasonal sheds

Brush weekly with a rubber curry or soft brush. Bathe only as needed. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly, brush teeth several times a week and watch for skin redness or itching.

History

Early 1800s

Bull-and-terrier crosses

English breeders crossed bulldogs with terriers, producing tough, agile dogs.
1860s

James Hinks

Birmingham breeder James Hinks refined an elegant, all-white Bull Terrier that became a gentleman's companion.
1900s–1936

Colored dogs

Breeders crossed in Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the early 1900s to add color, partly to move away from the deafness tied to all-white dogs. The AKC recognized the colored variety in 1936.

Questions owners ask

Are Bull Terriers easy to train?

Not usually. They are smart but stubborn and easily bored, so short, varied sessions rewarded with food or a tug game work best.

Are Bull Terriers good with kids and other pets?

Often good with older kids, but they can be too rough for toddlers. Many are intolerant of other dogs and may chase cats, so supervise.

How much exercise does a Bull Terrier need?

About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, active play and mental games. Exercise in cool hours.

Do Bull Terriers shed?

Yes, lightly year-round and more seasonally. A weekly brush keeps it under control.

What health problems do Bull Terriers have, and how long do they live?

Most live 12–13 years. Watch for deafness, kidney disease, heart disease, luxating patellas and compulsive behaviors.

Is a Bull Terrier good for apartments or first-time owners?

Usually not ideal. They are strong, stubborn and energetic, and do best with experienced owners and a yard.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Bull Terrier needs only 6–8 pieces a day, well inside the 120–150 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Bull Terrier ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.