Bull Terrier

Terrier Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

Today's Bull Terrier is the direct descendant of the original bull-and-terrier crosses made in England, specifically to bait bulls and, later to fight in pits. The breed was standardized in England in the early 1850's by James Hinks. The first accepted color was white, but colored dogs were later allowed.

The Bull Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1948.

General Appearance

The Bull Terrier is strongly built and muscular, presenting a symmetrical appearance, with a determined and intelligent expression. The breed is active, with a sweet disposition and is responsive to discipline. Dogs should look masculine; females should look feminine.

Characteristics

Although their appearance is one of strength and agility, the breed is peaceful and tractable, with a jaunty air. The breed is categorized in two color varieties, white and colored, but is shown as one breed in UKC conformation events. The egg-shaped head, complete with naturally erect ears and small triangular eyes, give the breed a distinctive appearance.

Head

The head is long, strong and deep right to the end of the muzzle. The face is full and oval in outline and filled in completely, giving the impression of fullness, with no hollows or indentations (i.e., egg-shaped), without excessive muscle in the cheeks. In profile, it curves gently downward from the top of the skull to the tip of the nose. The distance from the tip of the nose to the eyes is noticeably greater than the distance from the eyes to the top of the skull.

SKULL

The forehead is flat across, from ear to ear.

MUZZLE

The underjaw is deep and well defined. The lips are clean and tight.

Fault: Coarse head.

TEETH

A full complement of strong, even, white teeth meet in a scissors bite.

EYES

The eyes are well sunken and small, with a piercing glint. They should be as dark as possible. They are small, triangular in shape, and obliquely placed, set near together and high up on the head.

Fault: Blue or partially blue eyes.

NOSE

The nose is black and bent downward at the tip. Nostrils are well developed.

EARS

The ears are small and thin. They are placed close together, and should be capable of being held stiffly erect, and should point upward.

Neck

The long, muscular neck is arched and clean, tapering from the shoulders to the head. It is free from loose skin.

Forequarters

The shoulders are strong and muscular, but not heavy. The shoulder blades are wide and flat. There is a very pronounced backward slope from the bottom edge of the blade to the top edge, forming a nearly 90-degree angle with the upper arm.

FORELEGS

The forelegs have strong, round bone and are perfectly straight and parallel, providing a strong base of support. Length of forelegs in mature dogs is approximately equal to the depth at the brisket. The elbows turn neither in nor out. The pasterns are strong and upright.

Body

When viewed from the front, the chest is broad. There is great depth from the withers to the brisket, the brisket being nearer to the ground than the belly. The underline forms a graceful upward curve. Ribs are well sprung and the back is short and level behind the withers. Slight arch over the broad, muscular loin.

Hindquarters

Muscular, with well-developed second thighs and good angulation at the stifle and hock.

HIND LEGS

Parallel when viewed from behind, with short, strong rear pasterns.

Feet

The feet are round and compact. The toes are well arched.

Tail

The tail is short, set on low, and carried horizontally. It is thick at the root, tapering to a fine point.

Coat

The coat is short, flat, glossy and harsh to the touch. The skin fits tightly.

Color

The breed is categorized in two color varieties: White and Colored.
White: The dog is white, though markings on the head are permissible. Skin pigmentation on the body is permissible.

Colored

Any color other than white. The preferred color is brindle, but they may also be red, fawn, and tricolor. May have white markings, but color predominates.

Faults: Ticking in white coat. Blue or liver color.

Height and Weight

There are no height or weight limits, but there is an impression of maximum substance in relation to the size of the individual dog.

Gait

The Bull Terrier moves smoothly, exhibiting a free, easy, ground-covering stride. When viewed from front or rear, front and hind legs move parallel to each other. The forelegs reach out well. The head is carried high, and the back remains level. The hind legs move smoothly at the hip, flexing well at the stifle and hock. The dog exhibits a jaunty air, suggesting agility and power.

Faults

Departures from the above standard are judged as faults; their severity determined by the degree of deviation from the ideal.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Albinism.