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The Bull Terrier originally got its start in the beginning of the nineteenth century when experiments in breeding were being conducted with the Bulldog and the agility and speed of the terrier. The first Bull Terriers were the blocky headed, indifferent dog that the Staffordshire, Pit Bull, and Bull Terriers spring from. But there the resemblance ends, since they are only related through the remotest origins in the past of all three.

The Bull Terrier was recognized as a distinct breed since the late 1800's. It is generally believed that James Hinks, of Birmingham, England, was responsible for the start and refinement of the dog we see before us today. Introducing his pure white strain at a show in 1862, Hinks was able to impress a great many people with the elegant "White Cavaliers" derived from crosses with the English White Terrier (now extinct). Today, Bullies are strictly considered companion dogs and/or show dogs. Many are real couch potatoes.

In the United States, The Bull Terrier Club of America made application for active membership in the American Kennel Club on July 9, 1895. It was the 47th club to be admitted to active membership.

There are two varieties of Bull Terriers: White (which may have marking on the head); and Colored (which may be any color in which white does not predominate). There is also a Miniature Bull Terrier that is recognized by the AKC. It looks much the same as the Standard Bull Terrier, but is much smaller.

Although the colored were first exhibited in 1936 at the Westminster Kennel Club, it was 1942 before the AKC very sensibly settled the dispute between the fanciers of colored and white bull terriers by making the colored a separate variety. The colored and white variety now compete with each other in the terrier group, except in national specialty Best of Breed Competition.