Truths and myths about bull terriers - the most demonized dogs in the world (7 photos)

If you ask a random person what they associate with a bull terrier, the answer will be quite predictable. A bloodthirsty monster, a shark, a rat—basically, you won't hear anything particularly flattering. But are these dogs really as terrible as they're said to be? Perhaps they've simply been slandered because of their distinctive appearance? Let's figure it out and maybe we can restore this breed's good name.





Many dog ​​breeds boast centuries-old histories. Dachshunds, Great Danes, and Italian Greyhounds can be seen in paintings by late medieval masters, and hounds can be seen in engravings and tapestries from the 10th to 12th centuries. The Bull Terrier, however, is a relatively new breed, appearing only in the 19th century.



These dogs were created by crossing Bulldogs and Terriers. However, their origin is not England, as many believe, but Ireland. The Bull Terrier is the embodiment of the dream of Irish breeder James Hinks. He set out to create the perfect fighting breed that would be renowned throughout the world. And he succeeded!





The emergence of the new breed coincided with the creation of the first horror stories about it. That's right – bull terriers were disliked almost immediately after their introduction into the world. This is easy to explain. From Ireland, the dogs first came to Great Britain. It's no secret that the English and Irish don't like each other very much. So the people of Foggy Albion began making up all sorts of nasty things about the dogs from the Emerald Isle.



Myths and Truths about the "Killer Dog"

The strangest myth is that Bull Terriers have two rows of teeth. This isn't true—they have 42 teeth like all dogs, just like Chihuahuas, Mastiffs, and any dog, regardless of breed or size. But these dogs' legendary bite is far more famous. Some seriously claim that this breed has the strongest bite. This is a myth—it's long been established that Bull Terriers and Labradors have roughly the same bite strength.



But the "death grip" of these dogs is not a myth. Bull Terriers have incredible patience and can hold on to their prey for hours. They are responsible, determined, and courageous dogs, and with proper training, they make excellent guard dogs. But that's only one side of this breed.



Surprisingly, Bull Terriers are wonderful family dogs. If trained from an early age, they will grow into wonderful companions who adore children. Most owners of these dogs consider them ideal companions and very convenient apartment neighbors. Bull Terriers don't like to bark unnecessarily and rarely cause problems for their owners in everyday life. However, training such a dog requires a lot of patience, firmness, and love.



Unfortunately, like any other breed bred by humane breeders, Bull Terriers have their own problems. The specific body structure of these dogs makes them prone to kidney and heart disease. They also often have hearing and bite problems.