NO ONE COULD MISTAKE A BULL Terrier for anything else. He stands on firm, powerful legs, staring straight at you, built on lines reminiscent of the bull from which his name is partly derived. But for all his somewhat forbidding presence, he is in fact a kindly chap, loving the human race, even if he is none too sure about his attitude to the dog next door. Handled properly he will live in peace with his neighbour but he does need a firm hand if he is to fit effectively into modern civilisation.

It was a certain James Hinks who first standardised the breed type in the 1850s, selecting the egg-shaped head. The breed was first shown in its present form at Birmingham in 1862. The Bull Terrier Club was formed in 1887.

Most people would regard him as being basically white all over, with an occasional piratical patch over one eye, but he does come in other hues, including brindle, red, fawn and tricolour.

The truly interesting thing about him is that his standard says quite deliberately, ‘There are neither weight nor height limits, but there should be the impression of maximum substance for size of dog consistent with quality and sex.

Breed description courtesy of

English Bull Terrier Montage

by Vic Granger

Click image for details

English Bull Terriers

by Vic Granger

Click image for details