General Appearance
The Bull Terrier is a powerfully built, muscular dog that is balanced and active. Its most distinctive feature is its long, oval-shaped head, which curves smoothly down to the nose with no stop. Compact and robust, the Bull Terrier should give the impression of strength, agility, and a good-natured character.
Size, Proportion, Substance
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Height: No set standard height; balance and proportion are more important than size.
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Weight: There is no weight limit, but weight should be in proportion to height and body structure.
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Proportion: The dog should appear square when viewed from the side, with the distance from withers to tail approximately equal to height at withers.
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Substance: Heavy bone and strong muscle mass; the dog should be well-rounded with a firm body.
Head
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Shape: The head is long, strong, and deep all the way to the end of the muzzle. It has an oval, egg-shaped profile with a gentle downward curve from the top of the skull to the nose.
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Face: Clean and free from wrinkle.
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Eyes: Small, triangular, well sunken, dark and close together. They give a keen, intelligent expression.
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Ears: Small, thin, and close together. Erect when alert and pointing straight upward.
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Muzzle: The lower jaw is strong and deep. The muzzle should curve evenly downward.
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Bite: Scissor bite preferred. The teeth are sound, clean, and strong.
Neck, Topline, Body
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Neck: Very muscular, long, and arched. Tapers from the shoulders to the head.
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Topline: Level from withers to loin, with a slight arch over the loin.
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Chest: Broad and deep with well-sprung ribs.
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Back: Short, strong, and muscular.
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Tail: Set on low, short, and carried horizontally. Thick at the base, tapering to a point.
Forequarters
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Shoulders: Strong and muscular with flat shoulder blades, well laid back.
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Legs: Forelegs are straight and heavily boned.
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Elbows: Held close to the body.
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Feet: Round, compact, with well-arched toes.
Hindquarters
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Thighs: Muscular and powerful.
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Stifles: Well bent.
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Hocks: Well let down and parallel when viewed from behind.
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Feet: Compact and cat-like, similar to forefeet.
Coat
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Texture: Short, flat, harsh to the touch with a fine gloss. In winter, a soft undercoat may develop.
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Color:
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White Variety: Pure white, though skin pigmentation and markings on the head are acceptable.
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Colored Variety: Any color other than white or any color with white markings is considered colored. Brindle is preferred.
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Gait / Movement
The Bull Terrier moves with a smooth, powerful stride. The gait should be free, ground-covering, and agile, with a parallel motion when viewed from the front and rear. The dog should not paddle or roll.
Temperament
Bull Terriers are courageous, full of spirit, and fun-loving. Known for their comical nature, they are highly intelligent and can be both strong-willed and affectionate. They are extremely loyal to their families and do well with consistent, positive training. Proper socialization is essential.
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Disposition: Bold, friendly, and even-tempered
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Interaction with Others: Generally good with people and children. Supervision is recommended with other pets due to their strong prey drive and dominance tendencies.
Faults
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Lack of proper head profile (flatness or stop present)
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Poor bite (overshot or undershot)
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Upright shoulders
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Unsound movement
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Timidity or aggression
Disqualifications
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Blue eyes or wall eyes (eyes of different color)
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Deafness
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Nose other than black
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Any sign of aggression or instability in temperament
Ideal Owner
The Bull Terrier is ideal for confident dog owners who can provide structure, activity, and affection. This breed thrives in active households with plenty of mental stimulation and attention. They can excel in sports like agility or obedience and make wonderful companions when properly trained and socialized.