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"    ...is that a Pit Bull?"

"    ...is it some sort of pig?"

"    ...it's the Budweiser dog!"

"    ...is it dangerous?"

The truth about the English Bull Terrier lies neither in a beer commercial, nor any "dangerous dog" list, but in the hearts and minds of anyone who's had the honour of knowing, and therefore almost certainly, loving a Bully.

The public personna of the eccentric and affectionate Bull Terrier walks an often misguided line between fact and fiction. This makes the responsibility of owners and breeders more important than ever. Those considering becoming either, must take the time to find out the facts, evaluate their lifestyle and very importantly their strength of character. The decision to get a dog of any breed should never be made on impulse. The choice to get a Bull Terrier may be a challenging one, but well informed, quite possibly one of the most rewarding choices you may ever make.

It was mid 1800's Victorian England, the end of the industrial revolution, that gave birth to the first "Bull and Terrier" cross breeds. The strength and courage of the Bulldog, the intelligence and dexterity of the Terrier; while not inherently pleasing to the eye it was a union that saw fortune in the task of vermin control and, then legal, gambling sports of badger baiting and pit fighting.
It was these rough and humble beginnings in which Birmingham breeder James Hinks saw greater potential. A well known dog dealer and repository owner, Hinks was a regular attendant in the relatively new world of dog shows. Exhibiting and breeding many different dogs, he attracted attention with his prized white old-fashioned English Bulldog in 1860. It was undoubtedly with the help of this dog, his own examples of the English White Terrier (now extinct), and the Dalmation that he strove to refine the desirable strengths of character developed in the "Bull and Terrier" into a dog with a balance of substance and a gracious appearance. It was May 1862 when Hinks appeared at the Cremorne Show in London with his white bitch named "Puss", widely recognised today as the earliest example of the modern "Bull Terrier".

Old fashioned white Bulldog
English White Terrier (now extinct)

In the years to follow, Hinks and his peers continued to refine their Bull Terrier using crosses of Greyhound, Spanish Pointer and Fox Hound, among suspected others, to straighten the legs, strengthen the jaw structure and deepen the chest. There is also evidence that perhaps the Borzoi or Smooth Coated Collie was used to get length of head and a help define the convex profile and Roman finish unique to the English Bull Terrier. Unlike the old "Bull and Terrier" which continued to champion the pit, (forming the basis of breeds we know today as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier) the English Bull Terrier, while still retaining the strength and courage of its forbears, displayed the nature of Hinks' aesthetic refinements and continues to this day to be primarily bred for show and companionship. Turning heads and capturing hearts from day one the English Bull Terrier's unique disposition saw it quickly bestowed the titles of "Gentleman's Companion" and "White Cavalier".

A fashionable friend... 1920

Records of the English Bull Terrier at show date back to the very foundation of The Kennel Club (UK), the worlds first governing body for the exhibition and breeding of purebred dogs, established in 1873. 14 years later The Bull Terrier Club (UK) was formed, providing a guiding hand and a solid base from which the breed could grow.

With colour and markings initially regarded as undesirable and consciously bred out of the original Bull Terrier, the early 20th century saw the re-introduction of colour, namely brindle, through a selective breeding process inlisting the help of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Coloured Bull Terrier

To compare the form of the present day Bull Terrier with that of the late 19th and early 20th century is to notice a marked development in the appearance of sturdiness, muscle substance and more distinct shape of head, reflected in the progression of the modern breed standard (viewed HERE [USA], HERE [UK] or HERE [NZ]). The earlier specimen were generally finer, higher in the leg than we would consider desirable today with rounder, larger eyes and a degree of "stop" to the head which has now been bred out to accomodate the unique "egg-shaped" head, a defining characteristic of the modern dog.

Early 1900's English Bull Terrier
Modern breed standard

A wonderful photographic collection of the early white Bull Terriers can be seen HERE, introduced with an original statement writen by James Hinks Jr describing his father's vision for the "Gentleman's Companion".

While it may be hard for those who have never known an English Bull Terrier to understand how such a great companion, clownish and loveable pet can have been born of such a turmultuous past, it's important to remember that the history of the breed's forbears is an indictment of the will of Man, not of the Bull Terrier.

The CBTC is here to inform and support those passionate and committed to responsible Bull Terrier ownership at all levels. Whether you're looking for a pet or a show dog, our collective knowledge and years of first hand experience can help advise you of all the advantages, and inevitable disadvantages, of owning a breed with such an indomitable character, physical strength, mental dexterity and unique appearance.

The CBTC strongly recommends buying only from NZKC registered Bull Terrier breeders, not just for your own safety and peace of mind, but for the posterity of the breed in New Zealand. Buying from a registered breeder will not necessarily see you pay more for your puppy, quite often the contrary, and almost certainly will cost you less in the long run. If you buy a registered puppy you should receive your official ownership papers and pedigree from the NZKC within 2-3 weeks of taking ownership of your dog.

While the majority of breeders in New Zealand are honest and responsible, there are always a few in any breed, Bull Terriers no exception, that may not have your best interests, or those of the Bull Terrier at heart. This is where specific breed clubs, like the CBTC (and NIBTC in the North Island), can offer you unbiased and well informed assistance. We can recommend and put you in contact with reputable registered breeders and provide you with all the pertinent information you will need to make sure you are getting a healthy puppy, sound in body and mind.

The breed as a whole is physically sound and relatively free from health concerns, but like all purebreeds there are a few hereditary health issues that you need to be aware are associated with the Bull Terrier. Any good breeder will only breed from animals tested and certified free of Luxating Patella, Heart Disease, Hereditary Nephritis, Polycystic Kidney Disease and Deafness. More information about these these issues and the tests that can be done to screen for them can be found HERE (courtesy of The Bull Terrier Club, UK).

Even if you've owned a dog before, and are familiar with raising and training a puppy, you can be assured that a Bull Terrier will undoubtedly provide you a NEW experience. From day one there is nothing more important to a Bull Terrier than the affection, companionship, very importantly the "audience", but not necessarily the approval, of his loved ones. A rare breed of canine comedian, to the Bully of any age laughter is praise, and a sense of humour, unlike other breeds, is intrinsic. Frequently described as a toddler in a dog suit, many Bullies show an extraordinary approach to learning from a very young age, often experimenting in the field of cause and effect with the suprising efficacy of a child. The first time Bull Terrier owner may initially be suprised...

...to hear the frantic barking for help that indicates it was easier to put your Nike trainer IN the loo than it is to get it back OUT...
...to find that every ball in the house, regardless of size or weight has been arranged strategically in row on the lawn and involved in a staring competition with your Bull Terrier, the first to move is inevitably to be pounced on...
...the last newspaper to be rolled up and collide with your naughty puppy's bottom has miraculously made its way from the kitchen table into the nearest dog water bowl...
...to watch your hearth brush become the latest tool in a game of cricket ball hockey, and your dustpan, the goal...

Almost every Bull Terrier is born with this unique strength of character and personality that will eventually, with the right kind of attention, see them become the heart and soul of the party and the light in your life. However it's this lateral and inquisitive intelligence, boundless spirit and desire for companionship that can make for a destructive combination in a puppy left unattended or a dog left untrained. For this reason it's of utmost importance that anyone considering owning a Bull Terrier has the time, energy, tenacity and lifestyle compatible with the needs of this unique and special breed of dog. An excellent source of information on what it takes to raise and care for an English Bull Terrier can be found HERE (courtesy of The Bull Terrier Club, UK).

Always remember as an owner you are responsible for the actions of your dog, and as a Bull Terrier owner you must except your part, and your dogs, in creating an accurate and positive reputation for the breed as a whole. Together with our Bullies, we can educate and lead by example to secure the future of Bull Terriers in New Zealand, and around the world.

"If you get your Bull Terrier be prepared to find that your life will never be the same again and that no other breed of dog can compare."
The Bull Terrier Club, UK. Est 1886

Click HERE to join the Canterbury Bull Terrier Club.