Bull Terrier, originated in 1835, currently has two varieties, white Bull Terrier and colored Bull Terrier. It is widely believed that its ancestors are the extinct English white terrier. Several years later, in order to achieve the desired appearance, the dog was crossbred with the Spanish pointer, and some features of the pointer can still be found in the dog today.
Bull Terriers are bred for gentlemen, so these gentlemen strongly demand fair competition and refuse to compete with cheaters. Bull Terriers are trained to bravely defend themselves and protect their owners, but they are absolutely not allowed to attempt to challenge others. The white variety is called the "White Knight", which is the honor it has maintained to this day.
Those who are not familiar with the dog may not understand Bull Terriers well. In fact, they are very friendly dogs. They rely on their good temperament to reproduce and thrive, and sometimes they may fight and play. Most people may prefer a well-rounded animal rather than one that is exceptional in certain aspects. However, overall, Bull Terriers have the perfect temperament as fighting dogs. They are lively and alert, and very strong.
They are naturally active and have a high level of excitement. Individual dogs or dogs that have been trained by humans generally have a fighting nature and do not understand retreat in the canine world. On the contrary, they may even be aggressive and harm other dogs. But compared to others, Bull Terriers have a relatively gentle and obedient temperament. They are also very loyal and obedient, especially to their owners. They are very friendly, kind, and patient with children.
The Bull Terrier originated in the United Kingdom and dates back to the 19th century. In the 18th century, people crossed the Bull and Terrier breeds to create a fighting dog known as "bullandterrier." Later, it was bred with English Toy Terriers and Whippets, resulting in a breed with aggressiveness and agility. In 1860, a dog dealer named James Hinks crossed this breed with the English Fox Terrier, the Dalmatian, and the Spanish Pointer. After several improvements, the Bull Terrier was developed. It has a white coat, a unique flat face, a strong body, and short limbs.
In 1920, the white variety inherited the ancestor's hearing defects and other coat colors also appeared. This breed is divided into standard and miniature sizes due to differences in body type.
Although the Bull Terrier originated in England, it does not like cold and damp climates, but prefers to live in warm and dry environments. However, its fur is short and does not offer the same protection as long-haired dogs, so white Bull Terriers should avoid excessive exposure to the sun, as their skin can easily be damaged. In addition, the kennel should be raised off the ground to maintain dryness and prevent the entry of bacteria and pests.
After long-term breeding, the Bull Terrier's original fierce temperament has now become very gentle. They have a strong dominant consciousness and can sometimes be a bit rough, with a high level of destructiveness and aggression. Owners must have patience, determination, and strong will. Therefore, it is not suitable to keep this dog in a household with elderly people and children.
Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot)
Symptoms: The dog frequently licks between the toes, and the area between the toes becomes red and moist. In severe cases, lameness may occur.
Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Instructions: Wear the Elizabethan collar, remove the hair from the foot cleanly, rinse with soapy water or scrub with iodine, then apply erythromycin ointment between the toes after the inflammation area has dried. Once a day, repeat for one week.
Ear Mites
Symptoms: The dog scratches the ears, shakes its head and ears, and the ears have a strong sour odor. Tear stains increase, the ears lose hair, and there is dark brown secretion and earwax.
Preparation: Ear cleaning solution, ear wash
Instructions: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, pour ear wash or Vicks ear wash into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, wait for the dog to shake out the ear wash, use cotton balls to wipe off the secretions and gently clean the ear shell and ear canal.
Skin Disease
Symptoms: The dog feels itchy, the skin becomes red and itchy, the dog scratches randomly, the fur becomes dull and rough, there is more dandruff, and even patches of hair loss occur.
Preparation: Dilute salt water, topical ointment or skin spray, vitamin B
Instructions: Put the Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent the dog from scratching and licking. Trim the problem skin and the surrounding hair of the dog short, then sterilize with salt water, and finally apply ointment or use spray, and use antibiotics and vitamin B as necessary.
Puppy feeding:
1. Don't change the Bull Terrier's diet immediately after bringing it home. Otherwise, it may have difficulty adapting. Changes in diet should be gradual, and it is helpful to establish a regular feeding schedule for the dog. If the dog suddenly loses appetite, it is necessary to find out the reason promptly.
2. Due to the excess energy of the Bull Terrier, it requires more exercise than other pets. It is appropriate to take it on two walks of about 30 minutes each day and engage in some games. It is also best to allow it to play regularly. However, there are some Bull Terriers that are naturally shy and reluctant to go outside. In such cases, there is no need to force them. It is enough to spend more time with them at home.
3. This breed has a particularly short respiratory system. Intense physical activity can cause it to breathe rapidly and suffer from oxygen deficiency. Therefore, it is not suitable for engaging in overly strenuous exercise. It is best to take it for walks in the morning and evening. When going outside, it should be wearing a collar to restrain it and prevent it from running around or engaging in vigorous movements.
4. The nails of a Bull Terrier should be regularly trimmed or filed. If it frequently walks on hard surfaces, its nails may naturally wear down quickly, so there is no need for excessive trimming. On the contrary, regular trimming is necessary.
5. The fur of a Bull Terrier generally does not require special care. During its coat shedding period, it can be brushed or groomed with a glove to remove dead hair. This can also stimulate the secretion of fat, making the fur more shiny.
Bathing precautions:
1. Bull Terriers have many wrinkles on their heads, necks, etc., which easily trap dirt and bacteria. Therefore, cleanliness and hygiene should be particularly emphasized when raising this breed of dog. It is recommended to bathe them once every month, or every 2-3 days in hot weather. Pay special attention to cleaning the folds to prevent skin diseases or scabies.
2. When bathing, it is essential to rinse off all the shampoo with clean water, as remaining shampoo residue can cause allergies in Bull Terriers. It is particularly important to never use human soap, scented soap, or body wash to bathe Bull Terriers. These products are too strong for their delicate skin and can break down the waterproofing oil in their skin's protective layer.
3. After each bath, use a soft brush to brush the dog's fur and use a blow dryer to dry it. During the spring and autumn seasons when the atmospheric pressure is low and the air humidity is high, the dog's wrinkled skin is prone to inflammation and mold growth. It should be moved to a well-ventilated and dry environment. In the sweaty summer season, it is also necessary to wipe the dog's body with a wet towel in the afternoon, especially cleaning the dirt in the folds.
4. Due to the Bull Terrier's short and flat nose, it easily absorbs moisture and becomes damp, which is very conducive to the growth of bacteria and can lead to inflammation and ulcers. In humid air and hot weather, remember to apply some dry borax powder under its nose to keep it dry at all times and prevent the conditions for bacterial growth. Due to its short nasal passage, it may experience difficulty breathing and is even susceptible to heatstroke in hot summer temperatures. Therefore, extra attention should be paid.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing dogs, of course, it should not be too frequent. Whether dogs need to be bathed depends on their hygiene condition. In hot weather, dogs can be bathed more frequently, while in winter, bathing can be reduced. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage their fur and skin!
2. Brush hair frequently
Dogs shed almost every day, especially during spring and autumn, when seasonal shedding is more severe. Brushing hair frequently is an important step for good hair growth. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help dogs clean naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and evening for about five minutes is enough.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making their hair more shiny, letting dogs sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let dogs exercise, which can improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier hair.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and compete for nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Deworming drugs can cause great harm to a dog's stomach and intestines, so it is recommended to feed them with probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
If you want your dog to have a brilliant coat, you must establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed dogs with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable and nutritionally adequate for dogs to meet their needs. On the other hand, you can also feed dogs with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderation.