Marilyn Drewes selected her first Bull Terrier, Nippy, in May, 1966, from a litter bred by Al Bibby of Holcroft Kennels. Nippy became the foundation bitch for Nippy’s Bull Terriers and is behind every Bull Terrier ever bred under the Nippy’s prefix.

Ms. Drewes has been very active in several dog clubs. For many years she held various offices on the Board of Directors of the ADC. For twenty-fife years, she wrote the BTCA column for the ADC magazine Pure-bred Dogs/American Kennel Gazette. Recently she was given life memberships in both the Bull Terrier Club of New England and the BTCA. She was one of the founding members of the New England Terrier Club.

In the mid-1980s, Ms. Drewes became very interested in Miniature Bull Terriers, and served as breed registrar until the breed was recognized by the ADC and added to the Terrier Group in 1991. She then served on the MBTCA Board of Directors and chaired the breed Health Committee until 2003.

Ms. Drewes received her ADC judge’s license for Bull Terriers in 1971 and eventually was licensed to judge the entire Terrier Group. At the end of the year 2000, she retired "emeritus" as an ADC judge.

A retired science teacher, Ms. Drewes lives of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with one Bull Terrier, Pooky, and two Miniature Bull Terriers, Tyke and Wimpy.

PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCING THE BULL TERRIER 
Appearance •  Coat and Color  •  Bull Terrier Body Types  •  Other Bull and Terrier Breeds 
THE BULL TERRIER STANDARD
Purpose of the Breed Standard  •  Standard for the White Variety  •  Standard for the Colored Variety
PERSONALITY AND TEMPERAMENT
Typical Bull Terrier Temperament  •  Endearing Traits  •  Peculiar Behaviors  •  Problem Temperament  •  Bull Terrier Brain Power  •  Smart Bullies  •  Male or Female?  •  Males (Dogs)  •  Females (Bitches)  •  Bull Terriers with Other Animals  •  Cats  •  Other Dogs  •  The Successful Family Pet
HISTORY OF THE BULL TERRIER AND RELATED BREEDS
English Origins  •  The Bull and Terrier  •  Developing the White Bull Terrier •  Colored Bull Terriers  •  Bull Terriers in America  •  Beginnings in the United States  •  Breed Improvement Through the Silverwood Competition  •  Distant Relatives of the Bull Terrier
•  The Staffordshire Bull Terrier  • The American Pit Bull Terrier  •  The American Staffordshire Terrier  •  The Boston Terrier
CHOOSING YOUR BULL TERRIER PUPPY
Buying Directly from a Breeder  •  Locating a Breeder  •  Visiting the Breeder  •  Is the Time Right for You?  •  A Bull Terrier Readiness Review Acceptable and Unacceptable Alternatives  •  Picking Your Puppy  •  Doing the Paperwork  •  Registration Papers  •  Pedigree  •  Health Papers  • Sales Contract  •  Other Contracts
YOUR PUPPY AT HOME
The Crate: Your Puppy's Den  •  Your Puppy Arrives  •  Arrival by Air  •  Driving Your Puppy Home  • Settling In  •  The First Few Days  •  Puppy Hazards  •  The First Veterinary Visit  •  Concerns with Teething and Ears  •  Bringing out the Best in Your Pup
BULL TERRIERS AT WORK AND PLAY
Athletic Ability  •  Obedience Trials  •  Agility  •  Showing Your Dog  •  Types of Dog Shows  •  The Silverwood Weekend  •  Therapy Work
KEEPING BULL TERRIERS HEALTHY
Health Basics  •  Record Keeping  •  Your Dog's Veterinarian  •  Permanent Identification  •  Feeding  •  Toys and Foreign Objects  •  Exercise  •  Grooming  •  Grooming for a Dog Show   •  Health Problems in Bull Terriers  •  Gastrointestinal Blockage  •  Kidney Disease  •  Acrodermatitis  •  Skin Disease  •  Neurological Problems  •  Heart Disease   •  Hereditary Deafness  •  Joint Problems  •  Hypothyroidism  •  Cancer
MEET THE MINI BULL
Background of the Mini  •  Early History  •  Minis in America  •  Back in Britain   •  The American Scene  •  Renewed Interest in Minatures   •  The Miniature Bull Terrier Today  •  Colors   •  Size  •  Heads   •  The Miniature Bull Terrier Standard 
LIVING WITH A MINI BULL
The Appeal of the Mini  •  Size   •  Personality   •  Mini Bull Activities  •  Matters of Health  •  Heart Problems  •  Kidney Disease  •  Eye Problems   •  Hereditary Deafness  •  Acrodermatitis   •  Skin Problems   •  Neurological  •  Gastrointestinal Blockage

 EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

Although each Bull Terrier is very much an individual, there are certain behavioral characteristics that are typical of the breed. Behavior is largely determined by the dog’s temperament, personality, and intelligence. For many years, scientists have conducted studies on the relative importance of heredity and environment in the development of mental qualities. Both factors undoubtedly interact in the formation of each unique personality. However, those qualities that we associate with "typical" Bull Terriers must be largely hereditary because they are so specifically characteristic of these dogs. The owner provides the environment that helps determine to what extent the inborn potential of each dog develops.

TYPICAL BULL TERRRIER TEMPERAMENT

The importance of correct temperament cannot be overemphasized. In drawing up the breed standard, the breed founders thought temperament so important that they described it in the opening paragraph: "full of fire but of sweet disposition and amenable to discipline." The most beautiful dog with near perfect conformation is a travesty of a Bull Terrier if he has a poor temperament. On the other hand, a rather plain-looking dog that might never earn a point at a show but that has the wonderful temperament expected in the breed will provide many years of fun and companionship for his human family.

Endearing Traits

Bull Terriers love to be with their people—the nearer the better. Puppies tend to sit on your feet as soon as you stand still for a few minutes. Almost all Bull Terriers are lapdogs, even when they mature to fifty or sixty pounds! Settle in a chair to read or watch TV, and there he is, chin on your knee if he’s polite. If young and exuberant, he’ll probably just jump up uninvited. Actually, Bullies prefer sofas to chairs, and your bed best of all. They also tend to follow their owners into the bathroom and have to be shooed away or they’ll join you in the shower or tub. This breed demands a lot of shared, quality time. They want to be with people, for they are very affectionate and sensitive, and thrive on love, attention, and praise. Anyone unwilling or unable to invest a lot of time, energy, and affection in his Bull Terrier should not own one.

Many Bull Terriers love to play ball and will retrieve a ball over and over. Some prefer toys like Kongs, which bounce in unpredictable directions. Others are wild about large balls like beachballs and basketballs. Turn a Bull Terrier loose in an enclosed yard with one of these and he’ll tear around pushing the ball with his nose. Often he will manage to get a tooth or two into the ball and deflate it, at which point it has to be taken away before it’s reduced to bits and swallowed. Some Bullies learn to catch Frisbees, a feat requiring much agility and coordination. Some like tug toys or knotted rope toys for tug games or for being swung around in the air. When a Bull Terrier gets a grip on one of these toys or on a stick, you can lift him right off the ground and he’ll hang on. Just a few words of caution: Some people think that too much of this playful tugging contributes to undershot bites. Also, Bull Terriers are easily excited, especially during roughhouse-type play. If the dog seems to be getting overexcited, stop the game and switch to a more quiet activity.

Bull Terriers have such expressive faces! Some, but not all, Bullies "speak" a peculiar rumbling sort of language, usually accompanied by a furiously thumping tail, flattened ears, and a silly puffing out of the lips. They often "speak" when they are greeting someone, seeking attention, looking for something like a treat, or just feeling a desire to communicate. They are not growling, although it may be hard to convince someone of that who doesn’t know the breed.

Among other lovable traits are the Bull Terrier’s poses when he is sleeping (which is usually in a comfy chair). He will curl up to make himself as small as possible, rest his head on one paw, and then safely tuck his long muzzle and nose under the other paw. If you speak to him, he will probably open one slanty little eye to let you know he’s not missing anything. These dogs also have a humorous way of rolling an eye so that they can look at you sideways without turning their heads.

Bull Terriers often enjoy sleeping on their backs with four paws in the air. They may dream during deep sleep, making strange little yelping noises while moving their legs and paws. Perhaps they are chasing something in their dreams.

Peculiar Behaviors

There are a few activities which seem peculiar to Bull Terriers and which are in and of themselves "peculiar."

The first of these is the "bully run." This is a mindless racing about either in the house or outside. Inside, the dog will suddenly take off like a streak, running through several rooms or just around in one room. Nippy, my first Bull Terrier, usually ended her runs by racing into the kitchen and skidding into the refrigerator. Outdoors, she was a terror. Her favorite trick was to run full tilt in a wide circle, come up behind me, hit the back of my knees, and knock me flat. If I was out in the open, my best defense was to lie down. If there were trees or anything else to get behind, that helped. Nippy thought it was great fun!

Pooky usually ended her runs in the living room, where she would leap to the back of a couch that was against the wall. She would then push herself off the wall, sail through the air halfway across the room, and jump over the back of a recliner.

Bully runs usually last less than a minute. I have never figured out what triggers them. Outdoor bully runs may be brought on by simple exuberance and the joy of being alive. Perhaps the indoor variety results from boredom. Whatever the cause, just keep in mind that a very sturdy animal is moving very fast. Don’t try to stop him—just keep out of his way!

Another odd behavior is "trancing." The dog appears to go into a trance-like state, usually with his head and back under something like a bush, tree branch, or large house plant. I’ve seen dogs trance under curtains, overdrapes, and even the overhanging edge of a tablecloth. It seems to be important that the dog feel the plant or cloth on his head or back. He may stand still as though in a daze, or he may move very, very slowly along, under whatever the object may be. The trance may last several minutes, after which the dog returns to normal.

This behavior is not as common as the bully run, but most people with Bull Terriers have observed it at some time or another. I think some dogs inherit a tendency to trance while others do not. I once had a totally deaf dog named Bunny, and she loved to trance. She always had her half sister Peg with her as a "hearing ear" companion. I thought that Peg would learn trancing from Bunny, but she never did.

Some Bull Terriers chase their tails. This behavior should be discouraged since it may end with the dog’s becoming a compulsive tail chaser called a "spinner." Spinning will be discussed in the chapter on health. If you see your puppy eyeing his tail and turning in circles trying to grab it, stop him by diverting his attention to something more interesting, like a game. Try to determine when and why he chases his tail. Perhaps he’s not getting enough exercise or attention. Perhaps he’s spending too much time in his crate. I once had a dog that chased his tail if he was out in a kennel run. Once I brought him into the house and made him a house dog, his tail-chasing ceased. It may be that he felt stressed in the kennel and was more relaxed in the house. Try to find the cause of your dog’s tail chasing and remedy the situation.

Problem Temperament

People who purchase a Bull Terrier expect him to be good-natured, friendly, and fun loving. He should be mischievous but never mean. With children he should be patient and reliable, unless the children have never been taught to treat their puppy gently and to respect his need to rest and to eat in peace.

Most Bull Terriers today do have the correct breed temperament. If breeders place their puppies carefully so that they go to loving homes and sensible owners, few puppies will develop problem temperaments. However, the sweetest puppy can be ruined by harsh treatment. A puppy with dominant tendencies can become unmanageable if he is not taught basic obedience and is allowed to have his own way. The breeder must be available to advise new owners who are having problems with a puppy.

Among Bull Terriers, then, poor temperaments are the exception. In some cases, there may be a hereditary tendency toward dominance, shyness, or aggression toward other animals. Animals with questionable temperaments should never be used for breeding since temperament faults may be passed on to the puppies just like any other fault. Of course, correct temperaments are genetic also.

A more likely cause of problem temperaments is mismanagement of the puppy and young adult. Harsh corrections and discipline can turn a tail-wagging extrovert into a cowed fear-biter. Never forget that these dogs are extremely sensitive. They thrive on love, attention, and praise, which are just as important to full mental development as correct nutrients are to proper physical growth. You simply cannot shut away a Bull Terrier in the basement, banish him to an outdoor kennel twenty-four hours a day, or (heaven forfend!) chain him in the backyard without adversely affecting his disposition. Never put a Bull Terrier out on a chain or attached to an overhead trolley arrangement. This is inviting a whole series of potential calamities. Securely fence the entire yard, fence a smaller area as a dog run, or walk the dog on a lead. Just don’t leave him tied up!

And while on the topic of fencing, make certain that your fence is strong enough and high enough to keep your dog inside. If you use chain link, you must have a bottom rail as well as a top rail to discourage digging. Height should be at least five feet. I’ve had good luck with heavy-gauge, two-by-four-inch galvanized fencing supported by sturdy three-by-five-inch landscape timbers set about eight feet apart. Presently, I have a smaller yard with six-foot stockade fencing. I do not recommend electronic fencing for Bull Terriers. I’m not convinced that fear of an electric shock would deter a Bull Terrier that really wants to get out. Perhaps even more important, this sort of fencing lets all other animals or humans in!

Although it’s hard to believe, there seem to be some people who get a boost to their egos by owning a vicious or aggressive dog. They encourage their dogs to attack other dogs or cats. These people actually reinforce the dominant behavior that should be discouraged. There’s a very good chance that a dog handled like this will eventually bite one or more people, including his owner. The irony here is that the owner will then blame the dog!

I dislike dwelling on bad temperaments because most Bull Terriers are such friendly characters. But here is one final thought on the subject. A bad-tempered dog of any breed is unpleasant. A bad-tempered Bull Terrier, because of his size and strength, is dangerous. Many apparently bad-tempered dogs, when placed in loving homes with sensible owners, respond wonderfully to socialization and kindness. What happens if no such home is available or if the dog doesn’t respond to attempts at rehabilitation?

It is very difficult to find homes or even temporary foster homes for dogs with problem temperaments. A large percentage of dogs taken in by Bull Terrier rescue groups are animal-aggressive males. Owners of these dogs live in fear that their dogs will injure a neighbor’s pet. Simply taking the dog for a walk can be worrisome and stressful. Dogs that have bitten people may bite someone else. Most rescue groups of most breeds will not try to place people-aggressive dogs. The risk is just too great. It is unethical to knowingly give or sell a dangerous dog to someone, and a lawsuit could result if the dog injures a person or attacks somebody’s pet. Sadly, then, there are some instances where is it best to euthanize the dog. It would be incredibly cruel to just turn the dog out to become a stray or to be picked up by dog fighters, fates far worse than euthanasia.

BULL TERRIER BRAIN POWER

On the canine I.Q. scale, most Bull Terriers would qualify as "superior." Some are no doubt more gifted with gray matter than are others, while a few might be considered a bit dim. The extent to which their innate abilities develop is, I think, directly proportional to the amount of attention and companionship received from the human members of the household. A dog that is played with regularly, taken for walks, auto trips, and other excursions to interesting places, and treated like a member of the family will amaze you with how much he understands. On those occasions where he acts somewhat dull-witted, it is probably in a situation where he knows perfectly well what he should do but simply prefers not to do it! Bull Terriers are often stubborn—they are seldom stupid.

Smart Bullies

If you have read Sheila Burnford’s book The Incredible Journey, you may recall the episode where Peter decides to train his Bull Terrier, Bodger, as a retriever. At first, Bodger responds with enthusiasm, retrieving an old glove thrown into the woods. Soon, however, he gets tired of the glove game, and his retrieves become slower and less enthusiastic. Finally, he fails to return, and Peter finds him in the woods burying the glove in a freshly dug hole!

Many accounts are on record where a Bull Terrier recognized a dangerous situation in time to rescue a person from traffic, drowning, or other hazard. Take the case of Kit, a six-year-old tricolor that lives in rural New Hampshire. Kit’s owner frequently cares for her two-year-old grandson. Kit loves this toddler and follows him everywhere. One evening, hours after the child had been put to bed for the night, his grandmother was letting several other Bull Terriers out for their late evening romp when she heard the youngster’s voice saying, "No, Kit! No!" The sound was coming from the direction of the front porch. Sure enough, the little boy had climbed out of his crib, made his way down the stairs, and was poised to go down the front steps, which led to the road and the woods. Kit knew the child shouldn’t be there, so she took a firm grip on the seat of his pajamas and wouldn’t let him move another step. That dog is what good Bull Terriers are all about and why their owners treasure them.

Bull Terriers have also been known to help various animals in need. In England, a Bull Terrier received an award from the RSPCA for finding a lost calf. When the dog saw that the calf had fallen into a water-filled ditch, he knew enough to run for human help to rescue the animal.

Get Bull Terrier fanciers talking about their dogs, and you’ll hear many accounts of all the clever things their Bullies do!

MALE OR FEMALE?

Throughout this book Bull Terriers are generally referred to as "he" simply to avoid using the awkward "he or she" or "he/she." The dogs do, of course, come in two genders. Newcomers to the breed often ask about personality differences between the males (known as "dogs") and the females (known as "bitches"), and which sex makes the better pet. Some fanciers in the breed have definite preferences. I think that either sex can make a wonderful pet; it all depends on the individual animal, since there is a lot of variation in everything from size to temperament even within the same sex.

Males (Dogs)

Males are usually larger and more active than their sisters. For this reason, many men prefer a dog. They want a pal who is big, muscular, and athletic. But if the dog is to be a family pet, he must also have those essentials of temperament that will make him amenable to discipline and keep him calm among children and other animals. Such paragons do exist!

Although all Bull Terrier puppies need basic training just to learn good manners, this is absolutely essential with males, which are more likely to try to show dominance behavior as they reach puberty at around seven or eight months of age. Since they are all individuals, some dogs never do exhibit any dominance or even a hint of aggressive behavior. But training certainly won’t do a pup any harm, and if the dog does begin to "feel his oats," you have already established yourself as the pack leader. Reviewing basic obedience rules with an unruly teenager should be enough to remind him that no nonsense will be tolerated.

Unless the dog is going to be shown and later possibly used for breeding, adolescence is an excellent time to have him neutered. A neutered male has the same personality that he had before neutering; he simply does not have as many male hormones circulating. He will not be frantic if an unspayed neighborhood female comes in heat, and if he had any tendencies toward dominance or aggression, these should be greatly decreased.

Please don’t think that Bull Terrier males are all aggressive and dominant! Some can be, but most are not. I kept a male from my Nippy’s first litter. His name was Steven the Sea Dog (his sire’s call name was Steve and the book that first got me interested in Bull Terriers was The Sea Dog, by Arthur Bartlett). My Steven was a fifty-eight pound white dog with tiny eyes and the varminty expression typical of the breed. A fantastic watchdog, his raised hackles and loud bark would intimidate all but the foolhardy. Yet after proper introductions, he was extremely friendly to visitors and ready to entice a new friend into playing his favorite ball game. This game consisted in his getting up on the couch and nudging the ball over the edge with his nose. He would then retrieve the ball and repeat the performance over and over until the ball rolled under the couch. Then he would crouch down to peer under the couch waiting for the ball to reappear. Eventually he had me trained so that when I no longer heard the ball dropping off the couch, I would investigate. Sometimes he would simply have fallen asleep with his ball on the couch. More often, he was waiting hopefully for me to reach under the couch with an old walking cane in order to snag the ball.

Steven was very affectionate and loving. When told what a lovely, clever boy he was, he would flatten his ears, grin foolishly, and make happy rumbling noises. He always thought he was a lap dog. When there were puppies in the house, Steven was fascinated with them. He would lie in their midst while the pups crawled all over him, chewing his ears and lips or pulling on his tail. At times he would seem to pin a puppy under a large paw or gnaw on a puppy leg, but the puppies never complained and kept coming back for more, seemingly very fond of their "Uncle Steven."

In the show ring, he was very well behaved and would stand like the sphinx even if other dogs in the ring were barking or growling at each other. He did, however, loathe Smokey, the Weimaraner next door. This dog teased Steven by running along outside the fence while the frustrated Steven tried in vain to reach him. One day I had taken Steven in the car on a short errand; he loved to ride and sit in the front seat like a co-pilot. As we returned and pulled into the driveway, we saw Smokey waiting. I wrapped Steven’s lead tightly around my hand, planning to shoo Smokey away and then quickly get Steven into the house. But as soon as I opened the car door, silly Smokey poked his head in, and this was too much for my boy! The next thing I knew, I was on my skinned knees in the driveway still clutching the lead, while Steven, gripping his neighbor by the loose skin at the side of his neck, was giving him a good shaking. I feared that would be the end of Smokey, but suddenly Steven let go and Smokey scooted home with no visible injury except to his pride.

Steven was everything a Bull Terrier should be. He was with me for fifteen wonderful years.

The next male I kept was Woody, a solid brindle that, as a puppy, looked more like a baby woodchuck than a Bull Terrier. He, too, was a very sweet and gentle dog. He loved all the other dogs, loved meeting people, and won many friends for the breed.

The third male in residence was Woody’s nephew Joker, born on April Fools’ Day. A handsome white puppy with two large brindle eye patches, he loved being held in someone’s lap, lying on his back with his four feet in the air. Joker was obsessed with his Kong toy. He loved to chase and retrieve his beloved Kongs. He was, I am reluctant to say, a bit dim! When the dogs came in from playing outside, they usually lined up to get a small biscuit as a treat. Joker would wait for his treat with his Kong still in his mouth. You could almost see the wheels turning (very slowly!) in his brain as he tried to figure out what he had to do to be able to eat his biscuit. He never did learn!

Woody at at age thirteen and Joker at age ten were put to sleep on the same day. Each had a different type of incurable cancer. Each was a sweet and lovable male Bull Terrier.

In reading this over, I realize that I’ve left out Simon. His many friends will complain bitterly unless I tell you a bit about him. As a young pup, Simon was shipped to Florida but soon returned because his new owners thought he was deaf. I found it hard to believe that I’d missed a deaf puppy! On the way home from picking him up at the airport, when he became quite excited as a fire truck went by with its siren wailing, I decided that Simon wasn’t deaf after all. My Dad became very fond of this comical looking puppy, so we kept Simon until he died at age twelve. He was one of those Bull Terriers with so much personality that he made many friends for the breed. People who came to the house to look at puppies fell in love with Simon. Years later, they still inquired about him. He developed into a good-looking dog and sired some nice puppies, all with lovely temperaments like their dad. None of his pups had a hearing problem. Simon lived before the era of the electronic hearing tests routinely done today. It’s possible he was deaf in one ear. He definitely could hear, but sometimes he seemed to have trouble telling the direction of the sound.

Females (Bitches)

My first Bull Terrier was a white female who was quickly named Nippy after she put a puppy canine through my mother’s ear lobe! Like many people, I thought a female would be easier to train and manage than a male. For the most part, I think this is true. Females tend to be a little calmer and more tractable. They also house train easily and do not lift a leg on the furniture! As adults, they are usually smaller and lighter than a male.

However, as with the males, there is a lot of variation in temperaments. Some bitches are active and athletic, some are laid-back couch potatoes, and some are feisty with other dogs. In the over thirty-eight years that I have owned Bull Terriers, the few dog fights among my dogs have almost always been between two females. On the whole, though, they are less likely to develop dominance or aggression problems.

Bitches are often excellent watchdogs. They are also very affectionate. Because they tend to be more easily trained, less rambunctious, and smaller, they are often the best choice for the first time Bull Terrier owner. This is certainly not a hard and fast rule, however.

Unless a female pup is going to be shown and possibly bred, she should be spayed before her first heat, which usually occurs somewhere between seven and nine months of age. Most veterinarians spay female puppies at about six months. There is no good reason to wait until the female’s second heat cycle, since there is always the chance of an accidental breeding with a neighbor’s dog and then an unwanted and unplanned litter. Typically, a Bull Terrier bitch is in season or heat for three weeks, but some go for an extra week or two. During this time, it will be your grave responsibility to be sure that she does not escape from the house or yard and that a neighborhood dog doesn’t leap the fence into your yard—not always easy tasks. So if you are going to spay her, do it at six months.

Over the years, most of my Bull Terriers have been females. At this time I have three of them. Each has been a character in her own right, and it would take a separate book to write a story about the special qualities and the endearing, quirky little tricks I remember about each dog. Since my girls live in the house with me, over the years I have tended to select those with very sweet and tractable personalities. It just makes life a lot easier. These bitches have tended to produce sweet and tractable puppies with lots of that unique Bull Terrier personality so desirable in a great pet.

BULL TERRIERS WITH OTHER ANIMALS

Bull Terriers that are raised with other dogs and even with cats usually live peacefully with their housemates. Multi-animal households that include one or more Bull Terriers can be harmonious if the people in the home are sensible and if the other animals have agreeable temperaments.

Cats

Some Bull Terriers detest cats and will kill them if given the opportunity. If the dog is correctly managed, the only way he’ll ever get near a cat is if one climbs the fence into his yard. With luck, the cat will escape.

This same dog may get along very well with cats he knows. Bull Terriers seem to distinguish between "their own cats" and "other cats." Some years ago I placed a three-year-old brindle male with a retired gentleman who owned a cat. He was concerned about how the dog would react with the resident feline. I told him that Ferdie, the dog, didn’t know much about cats but was a calm, friendly soul, and there shouldn’t be any problem. A week or so later, I received a photo of the cat and Ferdie curled up together asleep on the sofa.

I would be cautious when bringing a kitten into a home where there was already one or more adult Bull Terriers. Introduce the kitten gradually so that the dogs have time to get accustomed to him as a new member of the family.

Other Dogs

Lots of Bull Terriers live companionably with other breeds or with other Bull Terriers. It is important that some person in the house assume the role of pack leader so that the dogs know who is in authority. There are probably homes where a male Bull Terrier lives with another male dog, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. A male Bull Terrier with several females will most likely work fine. Naturally, life is easier for everyone if all the dogs are spayed or neutered, but it’s not a requirement.

Each dog should have his own space, such as a crate. If you feed your dogs in their crates, there is no chance of any squabbles over food and you know that each dog is getting the correct amount, not losing some to a greedy bully.

There are some Bull Terriers, females as well as males, that are very dominant and territorial. These dogs can make excellent pets, but usually have to be the only dogs in the house. They simply will not tolerate another dog in their home.

Some dogs are more excitable than others. Usually they are fine with other dogs, but when excited they may snap at or go after their pals. Use common sense and try to avoid trouble before it starts. When the doorbell rings, put the potential troublemakers in their crates and leave them there until all is calm.

One final word of advice concerning multiple dogs. Never leave all of the dogs loose in the house when you are not there. You can leave one loose as the watchdog, but crate the others or put them in other rooms. Ninety-nine percent of the time, the dogs will be all right. But you should never take the chance that some unforeseen event will cause them to go after one or several of their housemates. Bull Terriers are easily excited. Something as simple as a salesperson at the door or a strange dog walking down the street could trigger a reaction. A group of friends will turn on each other if a strange dog challenges them on the other side of their fence. The Bull Terriers become very excited, and when they can’t reach the strange dog, they often snap at each other. If something like this happens in the house and no one is there, in a matter of minutes one or more dogs can be badly—or even fatally—injured.

A disaster of this sort occurred to someone I know, who returned from work one day to find that her other dogs had attacked and badly injured her elderly male. She had been leaving them alone for years, and they had all seemed to be very companionable. It is hard to understand what happened on the fateful day. The old dog eventually died from his injuries. He had been my friend’s first Bull Terrier, which made him very special to her and his loss that much harder to bear.

If you have been leaving your dogs alone together for years and nothing has ever happened, you have been very lucky. Don’t wait for your luck to run out!

THE SUCCESSFUL FAMILY PET

One of the things I enjoy most about the Christmas season is opening cards from people who have one or more of my dogs. There’s often a photo enclosed and a few words about the dog. Today, as I was typing the last of this chapter, a card arrived from a family who got their first Bull Terrier not quite two years ago. They had been looking for several months, trying to find a pet for their two little girls aged approximately eight and ten. Cody has apparently inherited at least one of her mother Pooky’s traits, the bully run!

Cody has grown into a wonderful part of our family. She is the gentlest, most good-natured dog! She loves everybody and everybody loves her in return. She’s great with people and even with other dogs. Never a problem. Even all the people at the vet love to see her. It’s funny because everyone told us once you have a Bully you’ll always have one. Now I can see why. They have a personality unlike any other dog. She still has her little fits where she runs around like a maniac and we all just laugh! She’s been crate-trained since she was a pup and she’s so smart!