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Proportionately, there are not as many Bull Terriers born as the more familiar Poodles or German Shepherds
Bull Terrier owners take their dogs out only on leash or exercise them in their own yards.

Where can I find a Bull Terrier for a pet?

The Bull Terrier Club of Puget Sound can direct you to the persons with puppies available. Occasionally an adult dog will be available. These have the advantage of already being trained and ore often less expensive, providing they go to a good home.

I thought that the Bull Terrier was just another name for Pit Bulls. Aren't they the same thing?

Absolutely not! The Bull Terrier has been a recognized breed since the 1860's and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in the late 1800's. It's distinctive "egg-shaped" head can't be confused with any other breed, although it is similar to the American Staffordshire Terrier in body qualities. The American Staffordshire Terrier was developed in the United States, and the first of its breed registered was the famous dog of the OUR GANG comedies, in the 1930's. The Staffordshire head has powerful, prominent cheeks, round eyes, and definite nose stop, blunt square muzzle and cropped ears. The American Pit Bull Terrier is registered by the United Kennel Club (U.K.C.) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The American Pit Bull Terrier is not recognized by the AKC. Although closely related to the American Staffordshire, Staffs may be dually registered with the U.K.C. as American Pit Bull Terriers and bred to them. The Pit Bull is still basically for gaminess and some are still privately fought. There is a great difference in appearance in the various strains of Pit Bull Terriers.

These seem like such energetic dogs! How do they react to children?

The Bull Terrier, like other members of the Bull family, is an unsurpassed lover of people. If the child is taught to respect the feelings of your Bull Terrier, and the Bull Terrier is properly controlled, a better companion could not be found for a child. A Bull Terrier should never be left alone or unsupervised with a young child, especially if the dog is young itself, and a young child should not take a powerful dog out alone for walks unless s/he is sure that they can handle the animal if it becomes excited.

Say, didn't I see one of those dogs on TV?

Yes! A Bull Terrier named Bodger appeared in Walt Disney's The Incredible Journey: Meatball was a member of The Black Sheep Squadron: Patton shared the limelight with his William the Conqueror: and everyone knows Spuds McKenzie from the Budweiser beer commercials.

How do Bull Terriers get along with other dogs?

If brought up together, a Bull Terrier and another pet can coexist. However, supervision is needed and the two should not be fed together. It is not recommended that you leave a Bull Terrier alone with another pet when you are not home to supervise.

I am interested in obedience training and have heard the Bull Terriers are a real challenge. Can they be obedience trained?

Most Bull Terriers are very bright and can be taught their basic manners easily when they are still puppies. Yes, you must make your training interesting to keep the Bull Terrier's attention. It is generally worth it though, since a Bull Terrier that has learned its obedience lessons is a happy and better dog to live with. They thrive on praise and positive reinforcement.

May I join the club and attend meetings without owning a Bull Terrier?

Absolutely! We welcome all interested persons to our meetings, whether they own a Bully or not. We are happy to share our knowledge and experiences.

Are there any breeding problems I should be aware of?

There are a few genetic problems. One should check for deafness, and this occasionally happens. Many have skin allergies and we have been seeing some kidney problems. You should discuss this with the Breeder before buying a puppy.