Like most of the thirty-three terrier breeds (which were first used for hunting vermin and for baiting) that have an innately spirited and aggressive character and a tendency to chase moving creatures and objects, the American Bull Terrier is tenacious, courageous, and ready to please by performing on command. But the American Bull Terrier is also playful, puckish, and misunderstood.
Once used as a nation»s icon representing bravery and pride, the American Bull Terrier was first bred to fight. The American Bull is of the English Bull Terrier--terrier breed dubbed «The White Cavalier» for its bull-baiting abilities--which was a cross between the first Bulldog breed and the last (now-extinct) White English Terrier, made to bait bulls. But with the popularity of blood sports events, the English Bull Terrier was bred again, a bull baiter and terrier cross, this time used to fight to the death badgers, vermin, and other dogs. Hence the most muscular and athletic of all terriers is the American Bull Terrier.
Fortunately, blood sports were outlawed (in 1835), but not until after conditioning a dog that is especially strong, especially adaptable, and a survivor. Today, however, the American Bull Terrier has slowly evolved into a breed that continues to lose its viciousness and grit, though it has retained some of its instinct to fight (if necessary) and protect with great agility.
That is, they are more people- and other animal-friendly than they are mean-spirited. More in need of affection than fight, the American Bull Terrier today needs what most terrier breeds require: occasional exercising and frequent human and other animal companionship.
As well, this 18- to 22- inch and usually very healthy 35- to 55-pound (sometimes to 110-pound) breed with the short but harsh colored or all one colored coat needs minor grooming: a once-a-week bristle brushing or rubber brushing is all it needs.
Again, with the innate penchant for the feisty activity of conflict, pit fighting, and bull-baiting, this muscular and tough-looking but fun loving and dynamic American Bull Terrier needs company and companionship. It does not like being alone at all, and will grow destructive and disagreeable when trapped in a house for eight hours. In addition, without specific socialization and training, its natural energy can run rampant, thereby being too much for some people or mindsets.
In other words, while it no longer runs with the bulls, and while it no longer fights like the champion that it is, it does not favor the stagnation of staying inside the ranch house all day long with no guidance and no attention.
