| It is widely thought that English Bull Terriers were | | | | Over exercising young ones is to be avoided as it |
| bred to fight to the death in the bloody sport of bull | | | | can strain muscles but as they grow they will play for |
| baiting. As the name suggests the breed was created | | | | hours on end. The breed is known for being |
| by crossing two now extinct breeds, the Old English | | | | particularly greedy so this exercise is necessary along |
| Bulldog with the Old English Terrier. In around 1860 | | | | with a balanced diet to avoid allowing the dog to |
| the Bull Terrier breed split into two branches, the | | | | become overweight. The English Bull Terriers coat is |
| white terrier and the coloured forms. In 1939 the | | | | short and easy to maintain, grooming and adding oils |
| miniature variant of the breed was registered as a | | | | to their food will keep it in near perfect condition. |
| separate breed by the British kennel club. Today they | | | | The most usual colour is white with a coloured |
| are one of the most popular dogs in Britain and are | | | | marking on the head or back, but they can also be |
| proven excellent guard dogs. Although the names are | | | | black, red, brindle, fawn or tricolour. |
| similar they are not directly related to American Pit | | | | As with most predominantly white dogs deafness |
| Bull Terriers but they are descended from the same | | | | sometime occurs and puppies should be checked |
| ancestors. | | | | carefully as it can be difficult to notice in the young. |
| English Bull Terriers are friendly and have a sense of | | | | They can also suffer from skin allergies and have |
| humour, but they can be stubborn and are not ideal | | | | reactions to bites from fleas, mites and mosquitoes. |
| for the first time owner. They are very intelligent and | | | | Bull Terriers should be kept clear of these insects as |
| learn quickly and their mind as well as their body | | | | much as possible and special care should be taken in |
| needs to be kept active. A firm hand is required | | | | climates where the insects are common. Other |
| when training as they are generally placid but were | | | | ailments can include umbilical hernia, acne and |
| originally bred as fighting dogs and will react if | | | | obsessive compulsive behavior such as tail chasing |
| challenged. They love company and affection and do | | | | and self-mutilation. The average lifespan of a bull |
| not react well to be left alone for long periods and | | | | terrier is around 10 to 14 years although they can live |
| can cause damage if they get bored. | | | | longer. |