Life expectancy: 10-14 years
Size: 20-22-inches (male); 19-21 inches (female)
Coat: Short, flat, harsh and glossy
Temperament: Active, stubborn, keen, affectionate
Exercise needs: Around an hour each day
Origin/native country: England
With their long, egg-shaped head, Bull Terriers definitely have a unique look. But while their faces and build can make them appear intimidating to some (and super-cute to others), the wider perception of this breed doesn’t tend to match the reality.
Provided they’re well looked after from the start, then Bull Terriers will get on really well with people and prove to be wonderful pets. But that doesn’t mean owning one is plain sailing.
Some of the fear around this breed is born from it’s origins – a cross between an English Bulldog and a terrier, bred for pit fighting in England back in the 19th Century. Over time, Bull Terriers became a companion dog but they retained their strength and relative lack of fear despite being more gentle.
Will this breed be suitable for you and your lifestyle? Let’s take a look.
Do Bull Terriers need a lot of exercise?
Since Bull Terriers were originally bred for sport, they are rather energetic and that means you need to ensure they burn off sufficient energy each day.
“It’s important that they have a decent length of walk – 30 minutes or more is ideal,” says expert vet Hannah Godfrey.
This can incorporate brisk walks but you also need to keep their minds active.
“This breed can be prone to boredom, which might lead to destructive behavior in the house,” Dr Godfrey says. “It’s best to keep them occupied with plenty of playtime and mental stimulation.”
Having a secure area for this breed to play off-leash is ideal – they’re escape artists and they also have a strong prey drive. It’s a good idea to try some great brain games for dogs and to invest in the best dog toys as well.
And don’t worry. This isn’t a breed that is going to generally tear around your home.
“Although Bull Terriers are quite a high-energy breed, it’s rare for them to be bounding round and round my consultation room like some other breeds do,” Dr Godfrey says.
Are Bull Terriers easy to train?
If you welcome a Bull Terrier into your home then be prepared for a challenge.
“Bull Terriers aren’t known for their trainability like working dogs are and they tend to be quite independent thinkers,” Dr Godfrey says. “However, that doesn’t mean that your Bull Terrier has to rule the roost, it just means that you’ll need to make training fun and exciting to make sure they’re engaged.”
Training a Bull Terrier entails being firm but fair, offering plenty of positive reinforcement. It’s also important that you socialize a Bull Terrier early and expose them to different situations, people and animals.
With patience and consistency, you will get there but the inherent stubborn nature and high energy levels means it’s not a recommended breed for first time dog owners.
Are Bull Terriers aggressive dogs?
Bull Terriers can look a little scary to some and, if they are not properly trained and socialized then they can become aggressive but that is also true of many breeds.
“Any dog can behave in a way that intentionally causes harm in the moment, perhaps due to fear, illness, pain, or invasion of personal space,” says Dr Godfrey.
“Generally, dogs will give an indication that they are unhappy with the current situation, by changing their body language and giving warning signs. However, these warning signs are often missed or ignored as being funny, cute, or something that needs to be challenged.”
With a bite force of 269 PSI, however, there’s no doubt that bull terriers can hurt and cause damage which, aligned with a muscular build, means you do need to ensure they’re well controlled. Get it right, which many owners do, and you should have no problems. In fact, you’ll find the majority of Bull Terriers are affectionate and endearing.
“I’ve met many English Bull Terriers, and most have been incredibly friendly, with only one or two showing some challenging behavior,” Dr Godfrey says.
Do Bull Terriers make good family pets?
Bull Terriers enjoy the company of children but they do need to be well trained and socialized. They’re not recommended if you have very young children in the house, mainly because they have a lot of energy and can become excitable and boisterous. It’s also important that you never leave them alone with youngsters.
“Like any dog, they should always be supervised when with a child,” Dr Godfrey says.
The main issue is whether they’ll get on well with other pets.
“Bull Terriers are sometimes wary of other dogs,” Dr Godfrey adds. Take care if you’re introducing a bull terrier into a household with cats and small animals due to their high prey drive.
Do Bull Terriers need a lot of grooming?
Since Bull Terriers have short coats, you only need to run one of the best dog brushes over their hair once a week and give them a bath once a month. T
he main issue comes when the breed sheds, mainly during spring and fall but get one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair and that problem is soon tackled.
Other than that, just be sure to keep nails trimmed and ears cleaned while checking the elbows for signs of drying and cracking.
Common health problems in Bull Terriers
Bull Terriers are generally healthy dogs but there are some conditions to watch out for such as deafness and lethal acrodermatitis, a progressive wasting disease which affects the white breed and causes poor growth, immune deficiency and skin lesions.
“Bull Terriers as a breed are also prone to a hereditary condition causing the kidneys to develop abnormally, therefore breeders should screen their dogs for this condition,” Dr Godfrey says. “They can also be affected by heart conditions, including narrowing of the blood vessels as they leave the heart.”
Other than that, however, the conditions tend to be minor and treatable.
“Most Bull Terriers that I see in practice are visiting the vet because they have itchy skin or a rash. This is because they can be affected by allergies,” Dr Godfrey says.
Should I get a Bull Terrier?
Bull Terriers are better suited to experienced owners rather than novices who may struggle with their energy levels and any difficulties encountered during training. Struggles at the beginning can lead to problems later on, so it’s important to consider how well suited you’d be in tackling any problems.
If, however, you’re confident around dogs, are reasonably active, live in an older household with space outside and have sufficient time to spend training bull terriers and keeping them company (they can suffer separation anxiety), then definitely put the breed on your list of possibilities. Bull terriers are loyal, affectionate and generally friendly.
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Dr Hannah Godfrey is a small animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focussed on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
Recent updates
This feature was last updated on March 24, 2025.
