The English Bull Terrier was originally bred for fighting bulls but these days they are mostly just for show. The breed has a very muscular build and a strange-looking head and is available in brindle (brown) and white as well as a combination of the two colours. English Bull Terriers like being with people but enjoy attacking other dogs so if you decide to get one you will need to be careful in the park and always keep your dog on a lead. Some owners use muzzles to avoid embarrassing situations; if you cannot afford a muzzle some Sellotape or an old shoelace tied around the jaws can be used to great effect.
Because the fear gene is removed during the breeding process these dogs are not afraid of anything; English Bull Terriers are always up for a fight and can be aggressive towards animals much larger than themselves (e.g. bulls). Having said that, in the film Oliver! (based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens), Bill Sikes’ loyal English Bull Terrier, Bull’s Eye, eventually deserts his owner after Sikes brutally murders his prostitute girlfriend, Nancy. This shows that, despite its aggressive nature, the English Bull Terrier has a kind heart and will not put up with people who treat others badly.
Some think that the English Bull Terrier will eat anything but this is not true. Generally, it is recommended that you feed them meat and biscuits like most other dogs. English Bull Terriers are always born in the spring – late March or April – meaning they are Arians. They like to drink Budweiser.
The 1963 Disney film The Incredible Journey featured an English Bull Terrier called Bodger who went on a 2000 mile trip with his friends (a Siamese cat and a Labrador Retriever) across the Canadian wilderness in search of Edward, a kind of dog guru. When they couldn’t find Edward, the owner of the three pets picked them up in his station wagon and took them home. Whilst The Incredible Journey is a great movie it is also a little unrealistic: if the trip had been real it would not have lasted very long as the English Bull Terrier would have killed and eaten his companions!
There have been many famous owners of English Bull Terriers but perhaps none more famous than Adolf Hitler.
Posted by darren on May 1, 2011 at 03:09
Good info but just one problem Hitlers dog was an jack russell terrier not a english bull terrier-see here-http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2007/06/hilters-stolen-jack-russell.html
Posted by markuspretzel on May 3, 2011 at 00:12
Yes, thank you for your comment, Darren. However, you really shouldn’t believe everything you read on the Big Brain. Here at Dog Breeds of the World we have to be extra careful as the purpose of our site is to educate people; you can rest assured all our information is exhaustively researched and we only use reputable sources like Wikipedia. Thanks again, my friend; enjoy your life as it is the only one you will ever have! (Unless reincarnation is real.)
Posted by darren on January 13, 2012 at 10:28
Not been on here for a while but thanks for your daft reply, it’s just like your silly description of the bull terrier, it allways makes me laugh though!
The “shoelace/sellotape, born in spring, drink bud i.e. Spuds McKenzie, eat his companions” etc are all sarcastically funny even though there is a bit of truth in what you are trying to say……
Posted by Susan on May 6, 2011 at 15:43
I will second that these are very aggressive dogs. As a charlotte dog aggression specialist I see owners all time with English bulldog terriers that wonder why their pet is being so aggressive. Hopefully more owners will start doing research on dog breeds before purchasing.
Posted by lynda on May 24, 2012 at 14:31
i have 3 im no specialist but a responsible experienced owner … sorry to disagree with the specialist but its the aggressive or bad owners that give dogs in general a bad name .. mine have been attacked by yorkshire terriers , a labrador and many more breeds whilst they’v been walking in the park (on leads) these other dogs have not been attacked by my dogs infact they socialise very well thank you .. you will not get a more loyal loveable breed .. if you put the time and effort in you will also get a well trained dog
Posted by john nicklin on September 7, 2011 at 23:51
i do not agree for a start there is no such breed as an “english bulldog terrier” english bull terriers are no more aggressive than any other breed yes if you are thinking of a owning a bullie you need to do your homework and only buy from a reputable breeder then this dog must be socialised and properly trained at an early age it is not an ideal breed for the inexpierienced owner everyone is entitled to an opinion but i feel very strongly about some peoples views on these wonderfull dogs
Posted by Jon on November 4, 2011 at 13:25
Well said!!
Posted by lynda on May 24, 2012 at 14:32
here here !!!
Posted by john nicklin on September 8, 2011 at 00:07
great pic though is this “credata”
Posted by markuspretzel on September 15, 2011 at 11:57
Dear John, I am not sure who ‘credata’ is – is that the name of your dog? The dog of a friend? It is a good name, I think, as it rhymes with ‘predator’. Kind regards, Markus x
Posted by JABULANI on September 12, 2011 at 09:42
I THINK THESE DOGS ARE THE BEST DOGS IN THE WORLD I WOULD LIKE TO
CONGRAYULATE THE CROSS BRITHERS YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB
THANK YOU NO MATTER WHAT PEOPLE MAY SAY YOU ARE THE BEST.
ATHER PEOPLE DONT NKOW WHAT DOGS ARE IM A BLACK MAN I LOVE DOGS
MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF I WISH I COULD HAVE ONE OF THOSE BUT ONE DAY
I WILL IF I CAN AFFORD TO HAVE MONEY COZ THEY ARE EXPENCIVE IN BUYING
CHEAP TO FEED I HAVE NO PROBLEM IN FEEDING.
THE ATHER THING ITS THAT ITS THE WAY YOU TREAT YOUR YOUR PET TO RESPECT IF YOU HAVE A BOOLY HEART YOUR PET WILL HAVE NO HEART FOR SPER. PLZ ANY BODY WHO HAS A HEART PLZ I NEED A PUPPY I CAN NOT AFFORD ONE ITS COMMING TO THE HANDS OF AN ANIMAL LOVER I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR SUTCH A FRIEND INDEED.
Posted by markuspretzel on September 15, 2011 at 12:00
I wish you all the luck in the world, my friend. God bless you, Markus x
Posted by Just What Puppy Class Needed « Spot Check on October 4, 2011 at 04:00
[...] Still, I’m oddly drawn to the little mutants, possibly the result of watching the dark French comedy Baxter one too many times. Or from reading this breed description. [...]
Posted by steve green on October 6, 2011 at 18:22
jabulani
if you want one re home one that really needs a good home and a loving companian.
there is loads out there just make phone call. GOOGLE
Posted by Brian@Dog Training on October 14, 2011 at 05:30
I think this dog will provide security for the home .These dogs are also used for special purposes in the different organizations.These dog are trained by the dog training professionals.They can train it properly and change the behavior .Also the home made raw foods is preferred for the health condition of this type of dog.
Posted by Jon on November 4, 2011 at 13:24
I own an english bull terrier and I have to say you are all completely wrong! My dog has been attacked by everything from Yorkshire terriers to boxers and border collies and he has never retaliated even when injured. He is a loving dog that enjoys the company of people and dogs and if treated right make a good sturdy pet.
Posted by Ann on April 21, 2012 at 09:16
i agree totally with you, our english bull terrier has also been attacked by all sorts of small dogs even a 3 legged yorkshire terrier. They are very soft natured and love attention they are like all other dogs what the owners make them. Unfortunately our dog had to be put to sleep a few weeks ago due to a ruptured intestine. In time we will hopefully get anyone of these dogs but for now we are grieving.
Posted by lynda on May 24, 2012 at 14:40
sorry for your loss .. i agree with you ann and jan .. these people need to go on bully sites with real people and real animals displayed and proudly talked about with wonderful stories ..
Posted by Rayman on January 13, 2012 at 09:30
Good articel about English Bull Terrier,
thanks for sharing,
schody
Posted by steve on April 21, 2012 at 12:55
What an absolutely ridiculous generalised description of an English bull terrier, I own an ebt and know others who own them, your description is totally inaccurate and reads like it is written by a biased uneducated idiot.
Posted by Norbert Kucsera on May 11, 2012 at 14:13
I can say, bullterrier is absolutely not an agressive dog, and do not atacking any outher dogs without reason. Of course your bullterrier wil be friendly only if you are the packleader, and you are most powerfull like the dog! i have an 4 year old bullterrier female, and she is absolute not agressive with any dogs or people. I`m proud of she!
Posted by lynda on May 24, 2012 at 14:34
well said i have 3 lovable non aggressive bullies .. x