Description of the Bull Terrier dog breed: pet’s character traits and the basics of proper care + reviews from owners

The Bull Terrier is a dog breed shrouded in many myths and prejudices.

Some of them are due to the past of these animals, some due to their unusual appearance.

However, not everything you hear about representatives of this breed is true.

And many character traits and characteristics are completely different from common rumors.

Dogs with the most developed muscles

Representatives of which breed have a developed muscular corset? German boxers are among the most muscular animals. They are easy to train, balanced, and can be used as guide dogs. Boxers are true defenders of their owners; they are wary of strangers, but in the family circle they are playful and obedient if they have received the right upbringing. Dogs with developed muscles also include representatives of the following breeds:

South African Boerboel

• Boerboel. African breed, banned in many countries due to increased aggressiveness. The height at the withers reaches 70 cm. The dog must be trained from an early age, but even this is not a guarantee of obedience and compliance with commands. No matter how much time it takes to train a Boerboel, it can still attack a person in a fit of aggression.
• Bull Terrier. One of the strongest breeds of medium-sized dogs with a pronounced hunting instinct. Bull Terriers are sociable, agile, and easily adapt to new conditions. The Bull Terrier has developed body and jaw muscles.

Irish Wolfhound

• Irish Wolfhound. The oldest breed, representatives of which grow up to 79 cm and can weigh about 55 kg. The dogs are used in the regiments of the Northern Irish Army, as well as to guard Buckingham Palace.
• Staffordshire Terrier. A fighting dog with large jaws, a broad chest, and strong muscles. Initially it was used for hunting large wild animals.
• German dog. A large breed of dog with developed muscles, height at the withers is at least 90 cm. There are representatives of the breed that exceed standard sizes. Thus, the Great Danes George and Zeus had a height at the withers of 110 and 111 cm, respectively.

Wendy

Big Wendy, one of the English greyhounds, is recognized as the most muscular dog in the world. Due to a genetic mutation, her muscles are hypertrophied. Since birth, Wendy has had a disruption in the production of myostatin, a protein that controls muscle growth. Despite her menacing appearance, Big Wendy has a good disposition and is devoid of aggression.

Origin history and interesting facts

Bull Terriers are the result of the work of English breeders . After the ban on bullfighting was introduced in 1835, people began to need powerful, strong, fearless and hardy fighting dogs.

Bulldogs were too clumsy, so it was decided to breed new, more compact, agile and agile dogs with the strength and ferocity of bulldogs.

To achieve this, Old English Bulldogs were crossed with Terriers. This is how a new breed appeared - bull and terriers.

Since 1850, D. Hinks began improving the new breed, whose goal was to improve its exterior . To do this, he crossed Bull and Terriers with white Old English Terriers, Bulldogs, Greyhounds, Dalmatians and Scottish Collies.

The breeder presented the result of his work in 1862 at an exhibition in Birmingham - the snow-white dog had not only the best fighting qualities, but also an aristocratic appearance. To avoid confusion, Hinks named the new breed the Bull Terrier.

The new dogs captivated the British and soon became popular all over the world . In 1885, bull terriers were recognized by the American canine organization, and in 1898, a club of fans of this breed was created in the United States.

Description and standard

Bull Terriers are energetic, medium-sized dogs with a strong, dry constitution and an almost square body . They move confidently, smoothly and easily.

Representatives of this breed have pronounced sexual demorphism - males are larger, more powerful and more massive than females.

Breed standard:

• the head is ovoid, elongated, the lower jaw is clearly defined;
• the skull is rounded, sloping, the upper part between the ears is flat;
• the nose is large, the nostrils are developed, the earlobe is black;
• lips are dry and fit tightly to the jaws;
• scissor bite;
• the eyes are small, triangular, set obliquely and deeply, the iris is dark brown;
• the ears are small, V-shaped, erect, thin, set close to each other;
• the neck is strong, with well-developed muscles, long, arched, tapering from the shoulders to the head;
• the chest is wide;
• the back is short, strong, wide, straight;
• The loin is wide, slightly convex, muscular;
• tucked stomach;
• the tail is of medium length, thick at the base and slightly tapering towards the end, set low;
• the front legs are strong, even, the length is almost equal to the depth of the chest;
• The hind legs are set parallel, the thighs are well muscled.

The standard does not regulate the weight and height of bull terriers, but these dogs must be as powerful as possible for their size.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier breed standard

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a smooth-haired, stocky, stocky dog ​​with a wide chest and an intelligent, scanning gaze. You don’t need to be a super cynologist to note the external resemblance of representatives of this family to pit bulls and amstaffs. At the same time, it is impossible to call English staffies an exact copy of their overseas “colleagues”. The breed has quite a few distinctive features, so if you see a Staff Bull at least once and talk to it for half an hour, you are unlikely to confuse it with someone else in the future. In particular, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is much more smiling than the same Amstaffs and Pit Bulls (developed cheek muscles + a wide skull). He is also significantly inferior to them in height.

Head

The animal's skull gives the impression of being compact and wide, the feet are clearly drawn. The Staffy Bull's muzzle is noticeably shorter than its head.

Jaws and teeth

The strong, well-developed jaws of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier have an outstanding grip. The dog's teeth are white and very large. The bite is correct and complete.

Nose

The lobe is of normal size, colored in a rich black shade.

Eyes

Ideally, the animal's eyes should be round, straight-set, and as dark as possible. But in reality, individuals with a lighter iris shade that harmonizes with the coat color are not so rare.

Ears

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier's small, semi-erect ears are shaped like a flower petal.

Neck

One of the distinctive features of the breed is its short, dense neck, which makes the dog’s silhouette even more solid and squat.

Frame

The Staffbull's body is somewhat elongated and tightly knit. The back is perfectly straight, the chest is deep, greatly expanding in width.

Limbs

The front legs are slender, with shoulder blades laid back, strong wrists and outward-facing paws. The dog's hind legs are more muscular, with noticeably sloping shins and low-set hocks.

Tail

The tail of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is relatively short, not curled, and set low.

Wool

The coat is glossy, very dense and short.

Color

• Solid black or combined with white.
• Red: solid or with white spots.
• Solid fawn or diluted with white.
• Solid blue or combined with white.
• Brindle or brindle and white.
• White: solid, as well as with black, red, fawn, blue spots and brindle spots.

Defects and vices of the breed

Often among Staffordshire Bull Terriers you can find such external defects as a flat chest, too light eyes, dewlap in the neck, slight clubfoot or size of the limbs, and drooping ears. Depending on the severity, the listed defects may become a reason for reducing the animal’s score at an exhibition or a reason for a ban on participation in it. At the same time, the main disqualifying defects for Staffies remain cryptorchidism, malocclusion defects (underbite, underbite, misalignment of the lower jaw), liver and black and tan colors, as well as ambling.

Features of choosing a really strong dog

When a dog is taken into a home, the owners decide on the purpose: whether it will be a decorative lap dog, or a guard and assistant. For the role of “security”, breeds with developed muscles, a strong grip of teeth and the habits of a protector are chosen.

Owners take into account the following parameters of a potential pet:

• Height. The dog at the withers should be at least 60 cm. Massiveness frightens trespassers. Broad bones, a mountain of muscles, a swift throw - such a dog is better than a security alarm.
• Weight. Large animal heavier than 50 kg.
• Character. Before purchasing a pet, determine the behavior inherent in the breed. It is better to choose an animal that can be trained. The owner must know that his commands will be carried out. Rottweilers and Dobermans provide such confidence. You always have to be on your guard with Huskies.

The gender of the friend is also important. Girls are more suitable for indoor living. Males live in enclosures and kennels outside the home.

If you are interested in the bite, the force of compression of the jaws of dogs, the table by breed will give a comprehensive answer:

Breed name	Force of jaw compression in atm.
Dutch Shepherd	52
American pit bull	55,5
German Shepherd	56
Doberman	58
American Bulldog	72
Hyena dog	75
Rottweiler	77
Wolfhound	96
English Mastiff	131
Kangal	176

The Turkish Kangal has the strongest bite. So far he has no equal in physical strength, endurance and jaw bite. This representative is the strongest among his brothers.

There are more than 400 dog breeds in the world - from pocket-sized specimens to huge animals with incredible power. Guards are selected from fighting dogs with great teeth clenching force. But this is a relative concept. The parameter depends on the height, weight and age of the dog.

Strong jaws are necessary for predators to hold, kill and tear apart prey; a powerful bite provides superiority in a fight with a strong opponent. But all this is important for wild animals, so why do some breeds of domestic dogs also have a “death grip”? The reason is genetics and long-term selection work. Dogs with the strongest bites are considered fighting dogs, that is, they have specially fixed features that turn the dog into a living weapon.

Training

It’s worth signing up for courses with an experienced dog handler and being prepared that all responsibility and results will depend only on the efforts made.

It is not necessary to train a bull terrier according to the general course. All you need to do is learn the commands:

• "to me";
• "near";
• "ugh";
• "place";
• "sit";
• "lie";
• "fetch";
• "give".

Rules:

1. Systematic training should begin at 6-8 months.
2. The sequence from simple to complex is important. When learning one command, you need to achieve good execution of it and reward the puppy for this with a treat. Do not move on to another lesson if there is no good result from the previous one.
3. An excellent time to train is in the morning before meals or 1.5-2 hours after meals.
4. It is advisable to alternate training with rest.
5. Commands must be pronounced clearly, confidently, without changing or adding unnecessary words.

Character traits

There is a firmly entrenched stereotype in society that bull terriers are angry, unbalanced dogs prone to aggressive behavior.

However, despite their fighting past, they are cheerful, affectionate, playful and friendly animals, distinguished by their devotion and ability to find a common language with all family members.

Representatives of this breed are not characterized by aggression towards people . Such behavior has always been considered a serious fault and individuals in which it was observed were rejected.

Bull Terriers are smart and quick-witted dogs . They are highly trainable, but can sometimes be stubborn. Therefore, it is important to raise your pet correctly from an early age.

These dogs do not tolerate loneliness well. Out of boredom and idleness, he begins to look for a way out of his irrepressible energy through damage to property.

They need physical activity, regular active walks, including elements of training, running and other activities that allow them to get rid of energy and stay fit.

Character of the Bull Terrier and its training

From their warlike ancestors, modern boules have inherited boundless courage, determination, energy, endurance and devotion.

Many books have been written and films have been made about bull terriers. A figurine on the guitar strap of the poet and musician A.Ya. Rosenbaum is a tribute to his bull terrier Lucky, about whom the poet says: Never promise me anything - I won’t trust anyone anyway. Only in death in war, and in the firebird's feather, Only in the rain that pours gray from the clouds... And of those who drink the same oxygen with me, I trust only my bull terrier...

The Bull Terrier was bred as a fighting dog. Therefore, despite its menacing appearance and impressive set of teeth, its aggression is directed not at humans, but at its own kind.

Photo: iv4ni This breed was also used as rat hunters, which were a real disaster at that time. In this hunt, bulls had no equal, and mini-bull terriers often became the absolute champions (champion Tiny Mite weighed only 3 pounds - 1.5 kg, champion Nelson - less than 7 kg). These facts suggest that from childhood a bull terrier should be taught to coexist peacefully with other animals, restraining its impulses. And owners should be on alert when cats, dogs and other animals appear. The Bull Terrier's instinct and tenacity can lead to difficult situations. If a dog is not raised correctly, taking into account the breed characteristics, it will become dangerous.

Features of temperament

During the formation of the breed, animals with a balanced temperament (sanguine, phlegmatic) were selected. Nervous, hysterical, unbalanced individuals were culled so that these traits would not become fixed at the genetic level.

Photo: FAM. HORNECKER The modern bull terrier is distinguished by a stable psyche; it is characterized by the following features:

• courage
• determination
• energy
• developed intelligence
• nobility
• perseverance
• endurance
• observation
• determination
• playfulness
• loyalty
• agility
• possessiveness
• tendency to dominate
• affectionateness
• sociality

Everyone knows the film about two dogs (a Labrador and an American bulldog) and a cat who follow their owner (“The Road Home”). However, in the original version, Sheila Barnford’s story “An Extraordinary Journey,” it was not a young bulldog, but an elderly bull terrier who took part and looked more appropriate and believable

When handled correctly, the Bull Terrier is very intelligent and charming; its reliability and strength attract fans of the breed all over the world.

Bull Terrier and children

When creating the breed, breeders worked to suppress aggression towards people. Because of this, the bull may have problems with security - he does not see an enemy in a person. Looking at the athletic figure of the bull terrier, it is difficult to believe that this is not a toothy killer, but a smiling dog, a licking dog. This is an affectionate and gentle nanny in the family. With proper upbringing, the bubble will wipe the nose, protect from falling, comfort and warm the child.

Photo: FAM. HORNECKER This is a very noble beast - it will not offend anyone who is weaker. Reviews from people who already have one make it clear that there are no evil bull terriers - this is a false stereotype. There are owners who were unable to choose the right breed according to their capabilities and did not want to make any effort in raising the animal.

It is better to take a puppy when there are already children in the family. The Bull may become jealous if the baby arrives later. There are known cases when bull terriers, out of jealousy, picked up and sucked a child's pacifier, trying to attract attention to themselves

Behavior with other animals

Now the bull terrier is more of a working dog than a fighting dog. However, one should remember why the breed was created - to fight, to hunt rodents, to win. The bull has a very strong spirit of competition - he will not let anyone challenge him. Therefore, from puppyhood, you should focus on your attitude towards other animals - restraining impulses to rush without a command, teaching them to ignore cats, etc.

Video: a bull terrier is working with a trainer, ignoring many cats. It is important to remember that the bull terrier is possessive and jealous, and take this into account when training. With proper training and upbringing, and careful attention to your pet, problems will not arise.

Raising a puppy

You need to start training a bull terrier puppy as soon as you bring him home. Bull Terrier babies are easy to train, but they need a responsible, patient and attentive owner. You need to be persistent in your demands, to ensure that the command is compulsory, if it is given. Fairness towards the puppy will be rewarded with his trust.

Photo: J Bull Terriers should not be trained with physical punishment. Puppies grow up very quickly, and relationships based on physical strength can change exactly the opposite.

The unspoken rule of raising a bull terrier is: for every 10 praises there are no more than 2 condemnations (reprimands)

From early childhood, bull terriers must be well socialized. Then in adulthood there will be no problems with inappropriate aggression of a powerful dog. A socially adapted dog will not mindlessly rush at every living thing, scaring those around him.

Features of training a bull terrier

Bull Terriers are trained very successfully - this is not a breed whose upbringing and training can be left to chance. However, there are a number of features that you need to be aware of.

When starting to train a Bull Terrier, you should remember that this is a very stubborn dog. The trainer must have experience and certain skills. At first, classes are carried out at home, gradually introducing new distractions so that the dog gets used to obeying in any conditions.

Video about what you can teach a bull terrier in just 2 weeks of training You can often hear statements about a low pain threshold in bull terriers. In fact, these dogs are not sensitive to pain during a fight. However, like other dogs. In any case, beatings will not do any good.

The bull terrier has a death grip. In the heat of the moment, he himself will not be able to unclench his teeth immediately, even if he wants to. The owner must know how to loosen the dog’s teeth without loss (use a stick-lever or crush an ampoule of ammonia under the nose), and how to separate mating dogs.

An important difference from other breeds is their tendency to compete and dominate. Tug games are not always beneficial for the Bull Terrier. He should not see a rival in a person. I believe that the owner is always stronger and rights cannot always be violated.

The most resilient dogs

The hardiest dog breeds are sled dogs (Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Laika). They are genetically predisposed to prolonged physical activity, because people have used them for centuries to transport goods over long distances. At the same time, huskies are capable of running longer distances compared to other sledding relatives due to the specifics of their body structure. There are other breeds that are distinguished by high levels of endurance:

Weimaraner

• Weimaraner. They have developed muscles and average body dimensions (see photo). They need physical and mental exercise. They can be used as running partners.
• German Pointer. A hunting breed, representatives of which are capable of developing great speed and covering long distances.

Hungarian Vizsla

• Hungarian Vizsla. Capable of covering vast distances, running on “autopilot”. At the same time, it easily covers short distances at maximum speed even in hot weather.
• Rhodesian Ridgeback. A medium-sized dog that can easily cover both short and long distances. Thanks to its short coat, it can easily withstand heat.
• German Shepherd. These animals are used in law enforcement agencies precisely because of their endurance, combined with high intelligence. You can run with them, go hiking, and even put some of your camping equipment on the animals’ backs in a special pouch.

Bull Terrier Jaws

Experts say that the force of compression of a bull terrier's jaws is 21-25 atmospheres.

The widespread belief that representatives of this breed have a so-called “death grip” is a myth.

The results of numerous studies have proven that these dogs do not have any special features in the structure of muscles or bones, and the ability to bite small objects and small animals without unclenching their teeth is explained by natural strength.

CAREFULLY!

You can only open the dog's jaw when it has grabbed the victim with a stick, using it as a lever, or a broken ampoule of ammonia - bull terriers cannot stand this smell.

How much does a puppy cost?

The cost of a small bull is influenced by the presence of kinship with titled representatives of the breed and the external characteristics of the puppy itself.

In Moscow, the price of a bull terrier is 30-70 thousand rubles.

If you wish, you can purchase a puppy from your own hands. True, the savings often turn out to be dubious, since the risk of buying a mixture of a bull terrier and a husky or a mixture of a dachshund and a bull terrier instead of a purebred dog is too great.

Such mestizos have an interesting appearance, but can be aggressive.

Anatomy of a bite

Structurally, a dog’s body consists of bones, muscles and ligaments. This anatomical apparatus is most effective when there is a certain proportion between the parts of the body. The main thing is the relationship between the head and neck. Guard dogs have a large head supported by a short massive neck.

A dog's weapon is its jaws. When the skull is equal in size to them, the animal’s grip is deep and strong. In individuals with short jaws it is “dead”. Clenching his teeth, such a dog captures a small area, but with enormous force. At the same time, she loses her evasiveness, becomes vulnerable - she is not able to quickly let go of the victim and jump away. The breed of dog with a “death grip” is well known - the bulldog.

Important! Dogs with long muzzles (Russian greyhounds), with equal strength of chewing muscles, are inferior in bite to their counterparts with short muzzles.

The greatest bite force is found in dogs with a large skull and a wide opening of the mouth. But not every animal with such data is suitable for the role of a guard and protector - many of them are simply good-natured by nature.

Conditions of detention

Bull Terriers feel great in a city apartment. They are not intended for life on the street and feel comfortable in close proximity to humans.

The owner should take into account that bull terriers are very active. Therefore, they need to be given the opportunity to throw out pent-up energy during long walks. In this case, preference should be given not to walking routes, but to places where the dog can run freely - parks, special stadiums, large dog parks.

Advantages and disadvantages

In addition to their original, extravagant appearance, bull terriers have the following advantages::

• affectionate, friendly disposition;
• lack of aggression and anger towards people;
• lack of effort;
• strength and endurance;
• intelligence and intelligence;
• ability to learn;
• cleanliness;
• easy care;
• devotion.

Cons of the breed:

• the need for competent education and socialization;
• stubbornness;
• aggressive attitude towards other animals;
• tendency to overheating and sunburn;
• intolerance of loneliness.

In addition, representatives of this breed are not suitable as watchmen and security guards.

Rating of dogs with the strongest grip

To understand which breed of dog has the strongest jaw, you need to understand the units of grip measurement. This parameter is measured in newtons (N), which are converted to kilogram-force. One newton is equal to 10 kgf.

Cynologists consider the measurement of bite force in atmospheres (it is found in the literature) to be incorrect. Atmosphere is a unit of measurement of pressure. It represents force divided by area. One atmosphere is equal to kg/1 cm2.

For your information! In international practice, the bite force of dogs of different breeds is measured in PSI - pressure “pounds per inch”.

The list of dogs with the strongest bite in the world is quite long.

German Shepherd

An obedient, disciplined animal. The shepherd dog does not offend people unnecessarily, since it is not aggressive by nature. The border guard dog clenches its jaws with a force of 1310 N. This is the best service breed in the army.

American Staffordshire Terrier

The animal is cruel and aggressive - breeders have long sought such qualities by crossing strong and vicious individuals. The breed was bred for dog fighting.

Staffordshire Terrier puppies are trained from birth, otherwise they pose a threat even to the owner, grabbing him with a force of 1250 N.

Dutch Shepherd

An experienced shepherdess ranks high in the ranking of dogs with a strong bite. The friendly animal rarely uses its 1150 N. Of greater concern to the owners is the tendency to wander - the pet constantly needs a leash.

American Bulldog

This beautiful, muscular breed was created by crossing a pit bull and a mastiff. The fighting dog can bite with a force of up to 1460 N. In the hands of a good trainer, it turns into a cute pet.

Siberian Husky

In appearance and character, dogs are close to their wild relatives - wolves. Smart dogs are very willful, with a predatory instinct, and are difficult to train. In an aggressive state, huskies tear their prey to pieces with a force of 2180 N.

Huskies are hardy and love long journeys. They rarely bark; more often you can hear their almost wolf-like howl. Health is good at the genetic level.

German dog

A large dog is the pride of German breeders. Excellent watchdog qualities and a good disposition make it easy to keep an animal at home. But in the army and police, dogs of this breed are used more often than others. It can bite with a force of 1060 N.

Boxer

Strong and balanced in character, boxers are the best fighting dogs. But in the house they understand that the man is the master, and the dog is a friend and guard. The lower jaw is incredibly developed - it compresses the mouth with a force of 1250 N.

Dogo Argentino

An animal of this breed is a carrier of genes of ten different colors. An intimidating appearance has nothing to do with a good-natured character. The main occupation is protecting the territory and hunting. The mouth will slam shut at 400 psi. This is less than the clenching force of a bull terrier's jaw.

Bull Terrier

A breed with an extravagant appearance is considered dangerous. A bull terrier's bite can be fatal - it always targets a person's carotid artery. A pit bull terrier is capable of not releasing its grip for three hours. In this case, a stick is used, using it as a lever to unclench the dog's teeth.

Important! Dogs are taught to control their behavior from a young age. They attack a stranger without warning.

How many atmospheres an angry bull terrier has in its jaw is of interest to people who want to purchase an animal. In 2022, 569 cases of dog attacks on people were recorded. 217 people were seriously injured by pit bull terriers. Sensors in special armbands of trainers accurately show how many atmospheres a pit bull has in its jaw - 25 atm.

Doberman

The breed was not bred for fighting, so there is no cruelty in its character. Dobermans are smart, hardy, and good runners. They serve in the police, trained to detect drugs. There is no point in angering the dog - it is capable of chewing the bone of the offender. Bite - 1430 N - an indicator for service in the security and army.

Rottweiler

Fantastic strength and endurance are combined with intelligence and peacefulness. But if his opponent drives him crazy, he will tear his flesh into pieces. The attacks are swift, the bite power is 77 atm., the grip is reliable.

Rottweilers are easy to train and obey their owners. An excellent bodyguard is not afraid of pain and does not run away from danger. A well-organized nervous system and the ability to make decisions allow Rottweilers to be used in border service.

Cane Corso

This type of home guard is distinguished by huge fangs. The world for them is divided into “us” and “strangers”. Corso are devoted to their family - they will protect the child to the death. Iron muscles, 47.6 atm grip.

Boerboel

In Denmark, as in many European countries, breeding this breed is prohibited. Uncontrollable anger and aggression is transferred to a person. In South Africa, the breed was bred to escort slaves. The plantations were also heavily guarded. No dog can catch a Boerboel in a field. In a throw, he knocks a person down. In a bite, the trap of teeth compresses with a force of 55.5 atm.

English Mastiff

The giant guard is frightening with its appearance. But he will not tear the enemy apart - he will drive him into a corner and guard him with a menacing roar until the owner appears.

When a fight cannot be avoided, the stranger will have to feel the 131 atmosphere of the bite. In the top list of the most “biting” dogs it comes right after the Turkish Kangal.

Central asian shepherd dog

She is better known as Alabai. Before purchasing a puppy, you should weigh the pros and cons of owning such a dog. It is difficult to keep it in an apartment - a large dog needs a lot of space and quality food. It is impossible to train an animal in 2-4 months; it spends its entire life figuring out who is the eldest in the pack.

How is jaw strength measured in dogs, why know this parameter

Bite force is measured in newtons (N), which can be converted to kilogram-force (1 kgf = 10 N). For fighting dogs, it is important to know this parameter, as it indicates the animal’s strong jaw, which meets the breed standards. Grip strength is also learned when training service dogs, which are then used to neutralize criminals.

Sometimes there are materials in which the bite force is measured in atmospheres. This is incorrect, since the atmosphere is a unit of pressure, i.e. force divided by area. A pressure of one atmosphere corresponds to one kgf applied to an area of ​​one square centimeter. You don’t measure the distance between cities in km/h, do you? Likewise, when studying the jaw strength of dogs, you should not rely on atmospheres.

V. Revenko. Kennel "Strong Style"

https://otvet.mail.ru/question/28936427

Jaw clenching force is measured in several ways. The simplest, but not very accurate - the dog is forced to grab onto a wooden pine block when attacking, and then the depth of the bites is measured. Now dog handlers are abandoning this method and using special sleeves with built-in sensors.

You cannot measure the force of a dog’s bite yourself at home, as this can only be done by specially trained people using special armbands with built-in sensors.

It is important to understand that when indicating grip strength, an average number is used, since the pressure on the bitten object will differ in different parts of the jaw. The deepest puncture is made, of course, by the fangs, but the victim is squeezed most forcefully by the dog’s molars; The incisors have less strength, since they are farthest from the muscles responsible for closing the jaw. Example: the molars of an adult Rottweiler compress with a force of 1600 N, the incisors - 1400 N. It turns out that the average bite rate for this breed is 1500 N. For comparison: the force of compression of the jaws of a leopard is 1070 N, a shark - 4500 N, a wolf - 1410 N , bear - 2000 N.

The danger of dog bites is measured not only by the force of clenching the teeth. It also plays a role how long the dog can hold its jaw in maximum tension, what attack tactics the dog uses, how much control it remains under its owner at the moment of aggression (whether it will let go of the object at the first command). For example, Staffords and pit bulls are inferior in bite force to many breeds, but their “killer” instincts are too developed - when they bite, dogs do not just defend themselves or scare, they seek to kill.

Video: how to measure a dog’s bite force using a special sleeve

Types and their description

There are 3 types of bull terriers allocated by the FCI:

• English - fast and energetic dogs with a white coat, bred as a result of mating of a bulldog, terrier and Dalmatian;
• Staffordshire - energetic but slow animals that have significant exterior differences from English bulls; the coat can be brindle, black, red and white, brown, red and other colors;
• dwarf - a miniature copy of the English bull terrier with a coat of tri-color, white or yellow-brown color.

All these breeds are independent and only partly related to each other.

What to name a bull terrier puppy

Choosing a nickname for bull terriers is a very exciting experience. The dog's name should be easy to pronounce and memorable. Before naming your bull terrier, you can observe the puppy’s character for several days. Sometimes a dog's habits serve as an excellent clue for owners.

The boy can be called:

• Rocky;
• Tucker;
• White;
• Scythian.

For a girl bull terrier, you can choose a soft and melodious nickname. The most suitable names for females:

• Bassey;
• Tina;
• Abby;
• Kerry;
• Chloe.

The English Bull Terrier is a smart, brave and physically strong dog with a unique appearance.

He has a stubborn character and the makings of a born leader. Therefore, a person raising a bull terrier must have limitless patience.

Color variations

In accordance with the breed standard, the skin pigmentation of bull terriers does not matter, and their coat can be:

• white - the most common color in which the coat is solid white, but markings of any color on the head are also acceptable;
• red - a coat of solid red color of any shade without spots or marks;
• black - as a rule, such dogs have small patches of white on their bodies, therefore, despite the predominance of black, the color is classified as bicolor;
• two-color - the wool is painted white and some other color;
• tricolor - coat of white, black and red (brown) colors;
• brindle - red fur with dark stripes, or vice versa, if there are white markings on the face, the color is called brindle-white.

Gray, fawn, blue bull terriers, as well as individuals with a white coat, whose colored spots are not located on the head, are not allowed for breeding.

Mating

Puberty occurs when the dog is 7-16 months old, but mating is recommended only at the age of one and a half years. The bitch comes into heat twice a year, mating is allowed on the 13-15th day, when obvious signs of readiness are visible: swelling of the loop, secretion of light secretions, “invitation” of the male to movements of the tail and hips.

• Before mating, it is necessary to remove worms from dogs and examine them for diseases and pathologies. In addition, it is important to choose pets that will complement each other’s good qualities and correct the negative ones. For the first time, you can invite a specialist.
• Animals are bred in the male territory. Since the weight of the female and male differs, it is difficult for the girl to stand under the male, she is supported by the stomach. The boy is sent to the noose. "Castle" may or may not happen. Sexual intercourse does not last more than 3-5 minutes; the “lock” can last up to 30 minutes. It is necessary to support the pets so that no one tries to lie down or wriggle out, this can injure the genitals.
• After mating, dogs may experience nausea, trembling, or increased appetite. This is not scary, but if the symptoms last more than 1 day, you need to contact a veterinarian.
• Mating is repeated after 2-3 days.

Is he good with children and does he get along with other pets?

Bull Terriers at home get along well with children, becoming excellent nannies for them. These dogs are patient and loyal to children's pranks.

Being cheerful and carefree animals, they quickly find a common language with kids and play with them with pleasure..

At the same time, it is better to get a puppy when there is already a baby in the family - this will help to avoid jealousy on the part of the dog and its attempts to regain the undivided attention of its owners.

IMPORTANT!

At first, communication between the dog and the child must be controlled - the child’s unceremonious behavior can provoke an inadequate reaction from the bull terrier.

Bull Terriers are fighting dogs, the desire to win and be leaders is genetically embedded in them.

Therefore, they cannot stand the competition that other pets create, and the natural instincts of these dogs sooner or later take over. When they see cats, bull terriers lose control and become uncontrollable; dogs see them only as objects of hunting.

Upbringing

From the first minutes of a bull terrier puppy’s stay in the family, rules of behavior for the baby are established:

• teach sharing toys;
• if during play the puppy begins to show aggression, all actions immediately stop;
• During walks, friendly behavior and games with other dogs are encouraged.

When training a Bull Terrier, it is important to be persistent and patient; only daily training with the dog will give good results.

You cannot hit your pet for disobedience! The Bull Terrier is insensitive to pain, but it will remember insult and humiliation for a long time.

The owner of a bull terrier needs to remember that it is not always possible to defeat the animal's fighting instincts directed at other brothers. Therefore, during walks, the owner needs to be especially careful, monitoring the behavior of his pet. A mentally healthy and adequately trained dog will bring a lot of joy to the owner and will not be dangerous to others.

How to properly care

Bull terriers can live in an apartment without any problems, the main thing is the presence of the owner nearby and regular active walks . Moreover, these dogs are very heat-loving, and their short coat makes them unsuitable for outdoor living.

Wool and bathing

Bull Terriers should be brushed no more than 3 times a week using a stiff brush made of natural bristles - this improves blood circulation and gets rid of dust and minor dirt..

During seasonal shedding, you need to comb your pet daily with a special grooming glove.

Representatives of this breed must be bathed as they become dirty, maximum once a quarter, using a special mild shampoo for dogs.

Teeth

To avoid the appearance of plaque and tartar, you need to brush your pet’s teeth once a week with a special brush and toothpaste for dogs.

Eyes

Every morning, wipe with a cotton pad soaked in a special lotion or boiled water.

Claws

As a rule, the nails of adult dogs wear down on their own during walks . If this does not happen, they need to be trimmed every 3-4 weeks with a guillotine nail clipper so as not to touch the blood vessels.

Ears

Clean the inside of your ear weekly with a damp cotton pad. Do not use cotton swabs - any careless movement can lead to hearing loss for your pet.

Care

Bull Terriers do not require special care. They have short hair that can be easily collected not even with a brush, but with a special mitten. These dogs shed twice a year. During these periods, the owner may be more attentive to the fur. The rest of the time this is not required.

The only point that requires attention is timely trimming of the nails. But even this is not critical, since they quickly shorten themselves to the required length.

Bull terriers are indifferent to water procedures. Bathing does not cause them either euphoria or fear, which is also important.

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Nine Dogs with the Most Powerful Grips

A bite from even a small, non-fighting dog can cause a lot of trouble. But there are breeds that have maximum jaw clenching force - an attack by such animals poses a real threat to life.

Rottweiler

The strength of the jaws of Rottweilers has already been mentioned above - the average compression of their jaw is 1500 N (or 150 kgf). The bite of representatives of this breed is dangerous not only for its strength, but also for the specificity of its teeth: when attacking, the dog inflicts deep lacerations and tears out pieces of flesh.

Rottweilers have a scissor bite (the upper jaw covers the lower jaw), which allows dogs to easily tear out pieces of meat when biting.

American Staffordshire Terrier

Amstaffords began to be bred specifically to participate in brutal dog fights. The breed turned out to be aggressive and hardy. Without careful training, the Staffordshire Terrier will pose a threat to everyone, including its owners. The force of jaw compression in adult dogs of this breed is 1250 N.

The main effort when biting Staffords is aimed at jerking, that is, “tearing off” a piece from the bitten object (that is, their goal during an attack is to tear apart their victim)

Pit bull terrier

Pit bulls are so dangerous that keeping them is illegal in many countries. The reason is that dogs are difficult to control, and their outbursts of aggression occur instantly. The clenching force of the jaws is 1350 N. This is less than that of a Rottweiler, but there are more cases of fatal danger from pit bull terrier bites, since these dogs, sensing blood, stop hearing the owner’s commands and tear their victim like a shark.

According to Russian health statistics for 2022, pit bulls were involved in 217 out of 569 cases of attacks by domestic dogs on people. Moreover, in half of the episodes the victims are children.

News Agency "Russian Seven"

What diseases are bull terriers susceptible to?

The average life expectancy of bull terriers is 10-12 years. They have a strong constitution and with good care, such a dog visits a veterinarian only for preventive vaccinations. However, there are points that you need to pay attention to.

Polycystic kidney disease

There is a dominant gene circulating in the breed that causes an incurable congenital kidney disease. With polycystic disease, multiple blisters filled with fluid form in the kidneys, and less and less working tissue remains. Because of this, the young bull terrier dies from acute renal failure. The average life expectancy of a dog with polycystic kidney disease is 3-6 years. There is no treatment, although a special diet and medications can help prolong the pet's life.

Cysts can be detected on ultrasound when the puppy is six months old and later. There is reliable genetic testing that should be performed on all Bull Terriers being bred. You can also have the puppy tested before purchasing if its parents have not had this test done.

Bull Terrier puppy

Lethal acrodermatitis of bull terriers

This disease only appears if the puppy receives the defective gene from both parents. Therefore, the disease cannot be eradicated: most dogs are hidden carriers of acrodermatitis, and only a few puppies die from it.

Lethal acrodermatitis is named so for a reason. The disease cannot be treated; affected dogs do not live beyond 2 years of age; most die before the age of one year. A sick puppy does not gain weight, its paws become deformed, and various lesions develop on the skin. Acrodermatitis is accompanied by immunodeficiency, so the dog may die from pneumonia or an intestinal infection.

There is a genetic test that can be used to determine whether a dog is a carrier of this disease.

Deafness

Bull Terriers are one of the dog breeds with a high risk of congenital deafness. In those days when only pure white bulls were bred, every tenth dog was deaf. Now the risk of having a deaf puppy is much lower, but unfortunately no one is immune from this. Even two perfectly hearing parents can give birth to a deaf puppy. This is due to the action of the dominant white color gene W.

It is a big mistake to think that only a snow-white bull terrier can be deaf. Unfortunately, patches of color or even full color does not guarantee protection against hearing loss.

You can check your puppy's hearing using the Bayer test. The only problem is that such research is not performed in all veterinary clinics; special equipment is needed. The Bayer test detects deafness in one or both ears. A good breeder will definitely test the litter at the age of 40-45 days, receiving a certified certificate.

Newborn bull terrier

A completely deaf bull terrier is a tragedy. Keeping such a dog is really not easy. You may not notice deafness in one ear without special tests. But this is a reason to exclude your pet from breeding!

Allergy

Like their Bulldog ancestors, Bull Terriers are extremely prone to skin problems. They often have food allergies. And a much more dangerous problem is atopic dermatitis, in which the skin reacts to environmental allergens.

Bullies are sensitive to insect bites - not only fleas, but also regular mosquitoes. An encounter with a wasp or a bee is also dangerous for them. It would be helpful for a bull terrier owner to read the article “What to do if your dog is bitten by a snake” (opens in a new tab) if there is even the slightest chance that your bull terrier will encounter a viper.

The owners wanted to euthanize this bull terrier due to severe atopic dermatitis.

Health and major diseases, life expectancy

On average, bull terriers live 10-15 years.

Representatives of this breed have good immunity and good health, but there are a number of diseases, the predisposition to which is due to genetics:

• deafness;
• acrodermatitis;
• copper toxicosis;
• blepharophimosis;
• hypoplasia of the larynx;
• cleft palate and upper lip;
• dislocation of the elbow and kneecaps;
• hip dysplasia;
• polycystic kidney disease;
• inversion and inversion of the eyelid;
• hypothyroidism;
• bicuspid heart valve dysplasia;
• epilepsy;
• obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• astigmatism;
• aortic stenosis.

As Bull Terriers age, the risk of developing mammary sarcoma and mastocytoma increases..

In addition, these dogs have very delicate skin, which is why in the summer they are at risk of sunburn, and are prone to developing allergic skin reactions - even a mosquito bite can cause itching, rashes and hives.

Whose bite is the most powerful and whose grip is the strongest?

Kangal

Which breed has the strongest bite? In terms of jaw pressure power, the Kangal is the leader among all breeds - the compression of its teeth is 176 atmospheres. (at) This is a guard breed native to Türkiye. For a long time, Kangals were used to protect sheep flocks from wolves, bears and other predators. The following dog breeds have outstanding jaw strength:

English Mastiff

• English Mastiff. The clenching force of his teeth is 131 at. Representatives of this breed rarely use their natural potential, because they lack aggression. They are affectionate towards children, obedient, gentle and devoted to their owners.
• Rottweiler. Representatives of this breed are not in vain used by the police - the bite force of its teeth is 77 atmospheres.

French Bulldog

• French Bulldog. A dog of medium height with pronounced watchdog qualities and a jaw grip of 72 at. The French Bulldog's teeth are positioned so that the upper incisors are positioned behind the lower incisors when the mouth is closed.
• Doberman. The power of his teeth when grabbing is 58 at. Dobermans grow up to 72 cm at the withers. With proper upbringing, these dogs respond adequately to external stimuli, get along with small children and do not show aggression unless necessary.

German Shepherd

• German Shepherd. The pressure of her teeth during capture is 56 atmospheres. This is enough to break a bone in the body of a person or animal.
• American pit bull. The bite force of an American pit bull is 55.5 at. This is a breed with impressive muscle mass, which was used in dog fighting without rules.
• Dutch Shepherd. The pressure when biting this dog is 52 at. The Dutch Shepherd is used in law enforcement agencies, because these animals are distinguished by their quick reaction, sharp mind and endurance.

Tosa Inu

Breeds with a certain body and skull structure also have a strong grip. Dogs of medium height with a wide, short neck and powerful paws also have strong jaws. The death grip of the teeth of the Staffordshire Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Bandog, and Bull Terrier is due to the structure of the head, in which the size of the cranial region is approximately equal to the jaw. This ensures a deep and strong grip.

Nutritional Features

The Bull Terrier's diet can be based on industrial feed or natural products.

Each owner independently determines what the dog’s nutrition will be; the main thing is not to mix both types of feeding and ensure that the diet is balanced, nutritious and includes all the necessary vitamins, macro- and microelements.

Natural nutrition allows the owner to independently control the quality of food consumed by the pet and diversify the diet as much as possible.

With this type of feeding, the menu must include:

• lean meat;
• chicken or beef by-products;
• boiled sea fish;
• seasonal vegetables and fruits, herbs;
• raw eggs;
• vegetable oils;
• dairy products;
• cereals

You can give your pet hard cheese as a treat.

It is necessary to additionally give the bull terrier a vitamin complex, and up to 18 months - calcium.

Representatives of this breed are prohibited:

• fat meat;
• smoked meats, pickles, marinades;
• sweets, chocolate;
• seasonings;
• River fish;
• spicy and fried foods;
• bakery and pasta products;
• legumes

If the diet is based on ready-made food, it must correspond to the age, physiological state and health of the pet.

You should not skimp on feeding your bull terrier and purchase economy class food - these dogs are suitable for products of at least premium class.

The most suitable brands of food for representatives of this breed are Orijen, AATU, Applaws, Acana, Bozita, Solid, Genesis, GO!, Grandorf.

How to choose? Boy or girl?

To have confidence in the purebred and health of the puppy, you should purchase it from a specialized nursery or from trusted breeders . The most suitable age for purchasing a puppy is 2-2.5 months.

The future pet must be carefully examined for pathologies and compliance with the standard.

He must have:

• 12 teeth – 6 at the top and bottom;
• large ovoid head;
• dense bone structure;
• scissor bite;
• small triangular eyes;
• smooth and shiny coat without dandruff;
• clean skin without rashes or irritation.

The puppy should be developed in accordance with its age; lethargy or excessive activity and intrusiveness may indicate developmental abnormalities.

The special structure of the head and ears of Bull Terriers often leads to deafness, so it is important to test the puppy's hearing by clapping your hands and looking at his reaction..

It should be remembered that males of this breed are more assertive, independent and stubborn, while females are much more docile and affectionate. In addition, it is recommended to choose a pet of this breed based on gender: males get along better with women, and females get along better with men.