Owning dogs, especially taking care of the bull terrier, is nothing new for humans. Historians say dogs were originally domesticated sometime between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that canines evolved from wolves. Since then, we have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, which vary in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature has earned them the title of the tallest canine. However, the most popular dogs are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The bull terrier is also a popular pick with canine owners. Many owners are misinformed, however, of some crucial bull terrier care tips.
General health care cost for your bull terrier
The yearly cost of raising your bull terrier—to include everything from meals, to vet bills, toys and license—can vary between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even accounting for capital costs for sterilization procedures, dog collar and leash, dog carrier and crate. Note: Make sure you have all of your supplies before you get your bull terrier home for the 1st time.
General bull terrier Care
How To Feed your bull terrier
- bull terrier pups between 8 and 12 weeks old need 4 meals daily.
- Feed bull terrier puppies 3 to 6 months old three meals daily.
- Feed pups six months to one year two times in a 24 hour period.
- When the bull terrier makes his or her first birthday, 1 meal in a twenty-four hour period is typically all that’s necessary.
- Sometimes bull terriers, however, eat 2 smaller bowls. It’s your job to learn your bull terrier’s eating tendencies.
Premium-quality dry dog food provides a well-rounded diet to full-grown bull terriers and may be mixed with broth, canned food, or water. Your bull terrier may like cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these shouldn’t result in more than 10 pct of her daily food allowance. bull terrier puppies must be given top-quality, name brand puppy food. Please limit “people food”, though, since it can result in mineral and vitamin imbalances, tooth and bone problems, and may cause very picky food choices and obesity. Clean, potable water should be available exclusively, and be certain to wash food and water bowls daily.
bull terrier Care Tips: Make sure to give your bull terrier some daily exercise
bull terriers must have physical activity in order to stay healthy, stimulate their brains, and maintain their health. Physical activity also really helps bull terriers fight boredom, which has the potential to lead to difficult behavior. Supervised fun and games would cure most of your bull terrier’s desires to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Activity needs depend on your bull terrier’s age and her level of health—but 10 minutes in back of the house and just a walk down the street every day probably will not be sufficient. If your bull terrier is a six to eighteen month adolescent, his requirements will probably be greater.
bull terrier Grooming Tips
You can help reduce shedding and keep your bull terrier clean with frequent brushing. Inspect for ticks and fleas every day during warm weather. Many bull terriers don’t need a bath more than a few times a year. Before bathing, cut out or comb any mats from the bull terrier’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your bull terrier
Puppies are clearly the easiest to manage. When carrying the bull terrier pup, put 1 of your hands under the dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting the back legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your pup by his forelegs, back of the neck or tail. If you have to lift a bigger, full-grown bull terrier, lift from underneath, bracing his chest with 1 arm and rear end with your other arm.
bull terrier housing
Your bull terrier needs a comfy peaceful place in order to relax away from all the drafts and away from the ground. You might want to buy a dog bed, or feel like making one out of a wooden box. Place a clean comforter or pillow inside the bed. Wash your bull terrier’s bedding often. If the bull terrier will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be certain he has access to plenty of cool water and shade in the summer, and a covered, dry, warm shelter during the winter.
bull terrier Licensing
Be certain to heed your city’s licensing rules. Be certain you attach the license to your bull terrier’s collar. This, along with an ID tattoo, can possibly help secure your bull terrier’s return should he go missing.
bull terrier Temperament Info
Thoughts on Training the bull terrier
Well-mannered, companion bull terriers are a joy to raise. However, when left untrained, your dog can easily be a headache. Training your bull terrier on the minimums—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—bolsters your relationship with both the bull terrier as well as your neighbors. If you’re the owner of a pup, begin training her on the right behavior quickly! Use a treat as incentive and recognition. Pups should join obedience courses when they have been adequately immunized. Call your community SPCA or humane society for details on training schools. It is wise to keep your bull terrier on a leash in public, even as a pup. Just be positive your bull terrier will come to you every time you say. A disobedient or aggressive bull terrier shouldn’t play with people.
bull terrier Health
Your bull terrier should visit the vet for a thorough exam, shots and a heartworm examination every year, and promptly when she is hurt or ill.
About your bull terrier’s Dental Health
While many of us may simply dislike our bull terrier’s bad breath, we must pay attention to what it might represent. Foul breath is usually a sign that your bull terrier is in need of a dental check up. Plaque , which is caused by bacteria brings a foul smell that can only be freshened with the help of a professional. Once your bull terrier has had a cleaning done by a professional, her teeth and gums may be be preserved in a healthy state by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can provide you other advice for reducing periodontal ailments as well as stinky breath. You can easily clean the bull terrier’s teeth using a doggie paste or a homemade paste made of baking soda and water twice weekly. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Some bull terriers are afflicted by periodontal disease, which is an infection between the gums and teeth. This dreadful condition can possibly cause tooth loss and also spread disease to the rest of his body. The vet can sometimes clean your dog’s teeth as a regular part of your bull terrier’s health physical.
bull terrier Bad Breath
Although bad breath due to dental disease may not be that serious if found early, some halitosis may be indicative of serious, long-term problems. Liver or intestinal diseases also cause smelly breath, and a pleasant, even sweet smell can often be a sign of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possibility if your bull terrier’s breath smells like urine or ammonia. If ever you notice your bull terrier has halitosis in conjunction with other indications of disease, such as diminished appetite, nausea, loss of weight, bad mood, too much urination and drinking, plan a trip to his veterinarian.
Tick and Fleas in bull terriers
In the summer, it’s crucial for you to perform regular, daily inspections of your bull terrier for fleas and ticks. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are many new methods of flea control. Talk with your bull terrier’s doctor about her recommendations.
Heartworms in bull terriers
Your bull terrier is at risk of developing heartworms if she is exposed to mosquitoes often. Mosquitoes transport the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infestations are fatal. It’s extremely critical you ensure your bull terrier has a blood screening for heartworms each spring. It’s also wise to give your bull terrier a once-a-month tablet throughout mosquito season in order to protect him from heartworms. If ever you vacation south with your bull terrier during the winter, she should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the warmer areas, vets recommend preventive parasite medication throughout the year.
Poisions and Medicines
Don’t ever give your bull terrier medication that hasn’t been prescribed by her vet. Did you know that 1 ibuprofen caplet could cause stomach ulcers in bull terriers? Make sure your bull terrier is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. If you have reason to believe your dog has ingested a toxic substance, contact the vet or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 24 hrs. per day for instructions.
Neutering and Spaying bull terriers
It is recommended that male bull terriers should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by six months old. You will usually significantly diminish your female bull terrier’s risk of breast cancer by spaying before adulthood. The possibility of a sick uterus, which is also a serious condition that affects more mature females, will also be removed by spaying prior to six months. Neutering male bull terriers helps prevent testicular and prostate diseases, some hernias and certain aggressive behavior.
bull terrier Innoculations
- The combo vaccine (also called a “five-in-1 shot”) must be given to your bull terrier at two, 3, and 4 months of age and then once yearly. This innoculation protects your puppy from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Your bull terrier puppy’s innoculation regimen cannot be completed before four months of age.
- If your bull terrier has not been innoculated and is older than four months, she will need to be given two innoculations immediately, two or 3 weeks apart. Then you must vaccinate yearly.
- bull terrier pup socialization and vaccination should go hand in hand. You may take your bull terrier pup to socialization courses by 8 to 9 weeks of age, as recommended by many vets. At this point, they should have already received at least their first vaccinations.
Statutes vary so much between different areas, the best thing is to call your neighborhood doctor for rabies innoculation details. In New York City, for instance, the law states that any pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the original shot, he must have a second immunization the next year, and then every three years. There are several innoculations that could be right for your bull terrier. Ask your bull terrier’s vet for her recommendation. Please be aware, if your bull terrier happens to get sick because he is not vaccinated, the innoculation ought to be administered after your companion animal recovers.
Tapeworms in bull terriers
bull terriers are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—especially in rural areas. Eggs that carry roundworms are transmitted through a dog’s feces. Most pups, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry intestinal worms. The key to effective treatment is early detection. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medication will be effective against your bull terrier’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best define the culprit—and prescribe the most effective treatment.
bull terrier Care Tips: Additional Info
bull terrier Supply Checklist
- Excellent-quality dog food and snacks specifically for bull terriers and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Box or dog bed with warm comforter or towel
- Doggie toothbrush
The no-no list
Do not feed your bull terrier the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Grapes and raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, chives & garlic
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit and stems
- Dough
The scoop on poop
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in place, keep your bull terrier on a leash at all times. When your bull terrier goes #2 on a neighbor’s yard, his sidewalk or any other public space, please take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about bull terriers
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