Anyone who is less familiar with different breeds is interested in rat-faced dogs. What features does such an animal have? What kind of breeds are there? You will get answers to all these questions in our article.
The Bull Terrier is the only dog breed that resembles a rat. Many people have the opinion that this is a very angry, aggressive, stupid and ugly animal. But few people say that even a Spitz, Dalmatian or Chow Chow can be many times more dangerous than the breed in question.
History of the breed
The founder of the rat-faced fighting dog was a native of England, James Hinks. The first Bull and Terriers were not particularly attractive. They had a small body on barrel-shaped legs, a short massive head with a blunt muzzle.
As a result of crossing white English terriers with bulldogs and Dalmatians, a new breed appeared in the 50s of the 19th century, a dog with narrow eyes, a long muzzle, and similar in appearance to a pig. She became known as a bull terrier.
A new breed of dog with an elongated muzzle and a shark-like bite was not much reminiscent of bulldogs, the shape of the head changed, and the drooping lips disappeared. The dog with a large, hooked nose became more energetic, while remaining muscular, brave and with good intelligence.
James Hinks achieved his goal; the dog with an elongated muzzle and a crooked pig nose turned out to be graceful, pure white in color.
For reference! The first white bull terrier appeared at a dog show in 1862, and was warmly received by the public.
Thanks to him, the first English bull terrier club was registered in 1887. With the advent of the 20th century, dogs of other colors began to appear. This happened when existing white dogs were crossed with Staffordshire Terriers.
James Hinks with his pet
Body type
When examining a dog with a pig's muzzle, what immediately catches your eye is that it has a powerful and muscular body and a rounded chest.
The limbs are muscular and strong. With a massive body, the pit bull pig is very agile and agile. The peculiarity is that the dog has strong jumping ability. The fighting pet constantly runs around due to the large amount of energy.
Bull Terrier Body Type
Description of the breed
Pit bulls with a sharp muzzle are small, but very strong, muscular, fighting dogs. They have an unusual appearance, their muzzle resembles a dog with the face of a rat. And although the breed standard does not provide for restrictions on weight and height, it is believed that bull terriers should reach 45 centimeters in height and weigh 30 kilograms.
The body of a purebred dog is distinguished by strict proportions; it is stocky, dense, and harmoniously developed. The dog should not have a lean or heavy build.
Note! The force with which the dog clenches its jaws is equal to 25 atmospheres; it is impossible to open them with your hands. You can unclench it with a stick or by holding an ammonia solution to the dog’s nose.
Menacing dog with a humped muzzle
Advantages and disadvantages
Bull terriers have long gone from being formidable killers to being companion dogs. The disadvantage of this breed is its excessive stubbornness and desire for leadership. Therefore, not every owner can cope with her upbringing and training.
Only a tough and patient person can deal with this problem. Without proper training, a pupil can become an uncontrollable dog with a lot of problems for others. This is especially true for pets.
In the Bull Terrier, aggression towards animals is inherent at the genetic level. And without proper socialization, a dog can pose a threat to cats and dogs of any breed. In addition, the dog is very jealous of his owner, not wanting to share him with anyone.
Despite these shortcomings, Bull Terriers make excellent companions. Their speed of reaction, physical strength and low pain threshold make them excellent guards. Their devotion knows no bounds.
In addition, you don’t need to have any specific skills in caring for dogs. It is enough to wash and comb them from time to time, get vaccinations and preventive veterinary examinations on time.
Attention! Many people look at such a dog with a rat's face with wariness. For many years, people have been cultivating the idea of their uncontrollable aggression.
Healthy Dog Games
Kinds
There are 2 standard types of the Prague Ratdog breed: medium-haired and short-haired. Each of them has very smooth fur. It's a pleasure to take the dog in your arms and pet it. It is worth noting that there are more of the latter in most European countries. Also, representatives of this breed are usually divided depending on color. Valid options:
- Yellow-red.
- Black and tan.
- Bluish or gray-white.
- Light brown with tan marks.
The single-colored Czech Ratlik is considered low-breed. He cannot be registered for any animal event.
Breed standard
Bull Terriers are self-confident and flexible, their step is light and free, their physique is strong and muscular. Bitches are somewhat more refined than males. The breed standard provides for the following characteristics:
- the head is oval, shaped like an egg, low-set, with a rounded skull and a flat muzzle without changes;
- scissor-shaped jaws with a straight bite, which occurs in sharks, with strong white teeth;
- nose with a large black nose, inclined downward;
- the eyes are small, triangular in shape, oblique, dark brown or black in color;
- ears are small in size, located closer to the back of the head, close to each other, standing vertically;
- the neck is elongated with good muscles, without folds in the skin;
- body with a well-developed, muscular, strong, straight back, compact size;
- the chest is round, wide, the ribs are elastic, rounded;
- limbs are straight, standing parallel to each other;
- medium-sized tail, thickened at the base, narrowed towards the tip;
- the coat fits tightly to the body, the hair is short and hard, and in winter a sparse undercoat appears;
- color from pure white to colored, red, black, brindle, red, tricolor.
In multi-colored dogs, white should not predominate over the rest.
Three friends of different colors
Disqualifying faults
Individuals with blue eyes, born deaf, with overshot or undershot jaws, with nose pigmentation of any color other than black are subject to a ban on participation in the competition and disqualification.
The standard defects include dogs with a convex back, underdeveloped muscles, pronounced cheekbones, and both testicles not descending into the scrotum.
Group of fighting terriers
This is not a pure breed group. The word “terrier” itself is translated as “earthen” or “burrow”. The dogs were bred exclusively for hunting; they are small in size and cute in appearance.
As for fighting species, their ancestors are not only Terriers, but also world-famous Bulldogs. The breeds were actually bred for fighting, most often dog fighting. But in the mid-19th century, this entertainment became forbidden. Therefore, all such fighters were subject to selection work, during which the characters of the dogs were radically changed.
Now most of the former bloodthirsty dogs have become cute pets. However, fighting terriers are often used for service.
Bull Terrier
The shortest of the group, it reaches 30-40 cm at the withers and weighs 8-13 kg. These are small, stocky dogs with pronounced, well-developed muscles. A distinctive feature is an elongated convex skull and a round bridge of the nose, which gives the animal a terrifying appearance. A fighting feature is large teeth in a full set (42: 20 in the upper jaw and 22 in the lower jaw). Acceptable colors: white or colored (brindle, brown, red), spots are allowed.
The character of the Bull Terrier depends on heredity. Those who have never kept the breed often talk about the disadvantages. If the litter is of high quality and without deviations, then the puppy will develop normally, without outbursts of aggression or anger towards humans. Basically, Bullies are affectionate to their owners, love children, they are active and playful. Good physical shape makes them unsurpassed defenders; they treat strangers with caution, and with proper training they will never be the first to attack.
Among the minuses, it is worth considering jealousy, intolerance of loneliness, and cockiness. These pets will never miss an opportunity to show their leadership among other pets. To avoid this, you need to properly socialize the animal from the first days of training: introduce it to people, to tanks, and walk it in noisy places.
Animals are rarely kept outside; they are intended for apartment and home keeping. Due to their short fur, Bullies are susceptible to sudden climate changes and cannot tolerate severe frosts or abnormal heat. They are easy to care for, but require long walks and constant training.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
A fighting breed bred from Molossian dogs, bulldogs and terriers for fighting. Breeders were in dire need of a compact, but strong and scary animal, as a result of which the Bull Terrier appeared. At the withers he is 35-40 cm and weighs 11-17 kg . Due to their small size, dogs were the best figures in dog fights held in closed pubs and restaurants.
Externally, Stafford is short, short-legged, but strong and muscular. The owners note that the animal can smile and be sad, this is due to the accumulation of wrinkles on the face and head. Dogs' ears are semi-erect, long, but not large. These Bulls look more like Bulldogs than Molossers.
Dogs have not been used as fighting dogs for a long time; their character has been completely changed to suit the desires of dog lovers. Therefore, Staffbulls are considered one of the most loyal and best family fighting dogs. They are companions rather than working service pets.
Dogs are loyal to their owner, love and protect children, and are non-aggressive towards people, even strangers . Genetically, Bulls may not like their brothers, but they are not aimed at eliminating the enemy. Representatives of the breed strive to demonstrate their leadership and establish themselves in the team through physical superiority.
Despite the fact that the breed is completely human-oriented, Staffbulls are often stubborn and try to take a dominant position in the house. They need serious education and physical activity, otherwise the animals are unpretentious.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Daughter breed of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. It was developed in America after fight clubs for animals were banned in England. Bull Terriers were brought to the continent to improve their skills. As a result of selection, the Pit Bull Terrier, or Pit Bull for short, appeared.
The breed is characterized by extreme instability in appearance and growth. At the withers, individuals reach from 43 to 53 cm , resembling either bulldogs or terriers. A characteristic feature is a fit body and long muscular legs . The muzzle can be either short, wide or elongated. The color can be solid or brindle (except merle).
Despite its high popularity in America and the world, active use in the 19th and 20th centuries, the breed is still not recognized by the world canine organization. Dogs do not have a clear standard; breeding, to a large extent, is carried out randomly. This is why Petes can differ greatly in appearance and character.
Pit bulls are the most aggressive and uncontrollable of the fighting terrier group, all because the development of character is difficult to keep track of. Not every nursery has family books, so it is difficult to analyze the shortcomings of a particular puppy’s ancestors. Dogs are prohibited in many EU countries and America. Other states have introduced strict rules for keeping and walking the breed, because it is classified as potentially dangerous.
In fact, healthy adequate Pit Bull Terriers do not have aggression towards humans. Their anger is directed at animals, in particular dogs. Well-mannered Pete will be affectionate and friendly even to strangers.
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Staff or Amstaff is a breed branch originating from the Pit Bull. Unlike their brothers, Amstafs are registered and recognized by the world. They have a softer character, although they are still not as kind as Staffbulls. Their direct goal is to protect themselves and their owner, and eliminate the threat.
They are similar in appearance to Pita: long-legged, tall (43-48 cm), strong and muscular. However, their type is terrier. The muzzle is not wide and elongated with a deep stop and a minimum of wrinkles. Unlike Staffbulls, Staffies' ears are cropped. In addition, this breed cannot have white, liver or tan colors.
By character, Amstaf is a true leader, a winner . Animals are hardy, strong, with a high pain threshold and a strong nervous system. They show good results in training and are better suited than others for service in military structures. Dogs are friendly to people, although strangers should stay away from them.
Character
A dog with a rat's face seems evil only at first glance. In fact, in relation to people, he is the kindest, sociable, devoted, reliable friend, without any hint of aggression. Aggression can be developed in any dog through intentional or poor training.
Bull Terriers are endowed with a sharp mind and high intelligence, with a sound assessment of the situation, with the makings of a wise and fair leader. They are balanced and thinking animals, cheerful, restless, ready to play from morning to evening. Treating their owner with respect and devotion, they demand the same attitude towards themselves.
Good soul dog
Representatives of this breed should not be owned by people who are rarely at home. Bull Terriers need communication, they do not like loneliness. You should not buy a dog as a guard, but they make an excellent nanny for children.
Important! It is worth making sure that a pet that is playing too much does not accidentally harm the baby.
Mountain herding dogs
A group of dogs bred to work alongside humans and protect livestock and property; as a rule, animals cannot be classified as gladiators and fighters. However, due to their enormous size and functions as protectors from predatory animals, dogs are called dangerous.
Alabai
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog or Alabaya is an aboriginal breed that has not been improved by selective breeding . Belongs to the Molosser group, but is functionally a mountain shepherd breed. It has long been used for driving livestock. Although there is information that in ancient times she participated in gladiatorial fights.
This is a massive dog that resembles a bear. A characteristic feature is soft wool of medium length. They can be any color except liver, chocolate and blue. According to the standard, height should not be less than 65 cm.
It is difficult to raise and raise a breed; many experienced dog breeders cannot cope with this. The fact is that animals are among those that mature late. Complete development occurs in the 3rd-4th year of life . Although in general pets are friendly and easy-going, they do not like strangers.
Gampr
Gamprovs are called Armenian wolfhounds. Large size animals: 67-77 cm . The first name translates as “strong” or “powerful”. The breed is indigenous and has not changed its appearance and character since its taming.
The dog is considered multifunctional. It serves both for the protection of livestock, and for the hard work of a draft dog, and for hunting. Often performs the tasks of a shepherd, nanny for children, and property guard. Outwardly intimidating, but only because of its size.
Gampr's character is flexible and soft. The animal cannot be called the most obedient. Like Alabai, the Wolfhound takes a long time to develop, and therefore requires special training and proper upbringing.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
A large ancient breed originally from the Caucasus. Widely used to protect private and government facilities throughout Russia. The dogs are large, strong and resilient. There are three types of shepherd dogs:
- Long-haired (characterized by long feathering on the neck, tail and paws);
- Short-haired;
- Intermediate (guard hair is long, but there is no decorative hair).
Despite the differences in appearance, all animals are balanced, discreet, with a strong protective instinct. They are devoted to their family and owners, and cope well with the tasks of a guard. They require a lot of free space and quality training.
Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”
Education and training
Bull Terriers, having high intelligence and a desire for leadership, can be difficult to train. This is not a dog for novice dog owners. He needs a strong-willed owner, strict but fair.
The breed requires early socialization and competent training. The pet and its owner must complement each other, then the dog will turn out to be a devoted and reliable friend. An improperly trained dog can manifest its ancient instincts and cause great distress. From a good-natured dog, she can turn into a terrible killer.
Ready for training
Maintenance and care, hygiene
Bull Terriers are not fussy to care for. They molt twice a year. At this time, they are often combed out with a brush or a mitten specially designed for this. Wash pets with animal shampoos as they become dirty, and wipe off dust every day with a damp cloth or sponge moistened with water.
The claws usually wear down on their own during walks. If this does not happen, they are trimmed as they grow. Soured eyes are washed with weak tea or chamomile decoction, and dirt is removed from the ears with a sponge dipped in warm water.
Features of feeding and diet
It is better to feed bull terriers natural products. Their diet should include raw varieties of lean meat every day, twice a week boiled sea fish without bones, porridge boiled with whole grains, vegetables, fermented milk products, a boiled or raw chicken egg once a week, and vitamin supplements.
In addition, the dog should always have access to clean drinking water, which is changed to fresh water every day.
Attention! Under no circumstances should you feed your dog food from the table.
When choosing industrial feed, be sure to give preference to super premium or holistic brands.
Nutrition
A powerful and muscular dog requires a lot of energy. Therefore, due attention should be paid to creating a daily diet. Recommendations for nutrition are as follows:
- Dry food with a balanced composition is best suited. They contain the proper amount of carbohydrates, microelements and vitamins.
- A strange superstition concerns that a dog should be fed exclusively meat. Experts recommend including 20% cereals and 20% vegetables in your diet.
- Most often, beef and chicken are chosen as the main food. In some cases, it is possible to add sea fish fillets. You can add cottage cheese and sour cream.
The puppy is given his own daily diet. In most cases, it is represented by special food that is rich in useful microelements.
Health and illness
Strange-looking dogs with a pig's face in puppyhood have good health and good stamina. But they are also susceptible to inflammation of the eyes and ears. If they eat the wrong diet, they quickly gain weight and become obese.
They are also susceptible to aortic stenosis, epileptic seizures, joint dysplasia, allergic reactions, and dermatological skin rashes. To maintain their health, timely vaccinations, scheduled visits to veterinarians, as well as active walks and games in the fresh air are necessary.
Additional Information . The Bull Terrier breed does not often have problems with ear infections. But hearing problems regularly arise. Animals with white coat color are especially susceptible to this. Among them there are many puppies born deaf.
White doesn't mean deaf
How to choose a puppy
It's no secret that a purebred bull terrier puppy should be purchased only from trusted breeders or kennels specializing in fighting dogs.
Before choosing a puppy, you need to decide on its gender. Bitches and males are each individual in their own way. If there are more than seven puppies in a litter, they may not have enough mother's milk.
Puppies can be taken from their mother at the age of one and a half months. By this time they should be vaccinated according to age. Puppies should be cheerful, with clean, shiny fur and no signs of skin rashes. The mucous membranes have a pink color, the tail is without creases.
The legs should be the same length, standing parallel to each other. There should be no discharge from the eyes and ears, the ears should be clean, the eyes should be clear, the nose should be shiny and wet.
Note! The appearance of baby bull terriers is very comical, reminiscent of a newborn piglet.
Newborn babies
How much does a bull terrier cost?
Puppies of this breed are very cute. If you have decided to get one, then you need to contact a good nursery. It is not recommended to purchase through an ad or on the market. Improper breeding causes the development of various genetic diseases.
The baby can be picked up at the age of two and a half months. At this age, all necessary vaccinations are given. At the time of choosing a puppy, the condition of the teeth is checked; there should be six of them on the bottom and top.
Your hearing status must be checked. This is due to the fact that bull terriers are often born deaf. To check, just clap your hands, to which the baby must respond. It is advisable to pay attention to the parents or familiarize yourself with the pedigree. This information is provided by all good nurseries.
The price of a puppy depends on a variety of factors. Title and pedigree drive up the value. Therefore, the cost of a bull terrier can vary from 15,000 to 70,000 rubles. If we consider a puppy without a pedigree, then the price drops from 10,000 to 15,000 rubles. Many people associate the name of the breed with fighting matches, but this is not entirely true. Most puppies become just loyal friends.
Interesting Facts
The breed at one time became so popular that teachers and students of the British Oxford University, one of the oldest in the world, considered it an honor to have a white bull terrier.
Of course, all dogs, even of the same breed, are different. But when purchasing a bull terrier, do not forget that this pet needs the firm hand of a self-confident person. A teenager can't handle it. This is a serious dog that requires a lot of time and effort to train, and not just a pet that you can just play with.
Price
Those wishing to purchase a valuable canine companion should be prepared to pay a decent amount of money for it. Czech warriors are loved for their extraordinary devotion, good nature and ability to “neutralize” rats that are unpleasant for many people and cause trouble.
So, the price of a Prague rat rat in modern Russia with a pedigree is from 1000 dollars. There is a nursery in Moscow where such puppies are raised. It's called Ratlik blues. When you see these dogs, you will probably be confused; their charm will amaze anyone. But the staff of the capital's nursery will definitely help you make the right choice of dog.
