This preface is from the brilliantly talented David O Harris, BSc, PhD, as was reflected in his book, Made In Birmingham – A History Of The Bull Terrier. Prior to his passing in 2013, Dr. Harris kindly gave permission to utilize this book for education purposes.
— Frederic Maitland (1850-1906)
Bull Terrier chronicles, with but the rarest of exceptions, display a remarkable unity of theme and intent. Authors write the same book, repeating the origins – including the usual myths – and confirming the party line.
If I were a conformist, I could apply the cookie cutters with the best of them. I could dash off the quickest of histories: from Hinks’ having bred a better fighting dog, to the upright ear, the egg-shaped head, the battles over the Coloreds and on to modern times; touch on the most celebrated Bull Terriers; from Puss and Madman to Young Victor and Old Dutch; from Charlwood Bictor Wild and the Bloomsburys onto Lord Gladiator and Crookes Great Boy; from the Gardenias, Brigadier, Vindicator, McGuffin and Rhinestone on to the post-war greats like Reliance and The Knave; from The Sphinx, Snow Vision, Brinhead and Princeling to Bar Sinister, Rheingold, River Pirate and Athenia; from Jackadandy and the Brobars to Silver Convention, the Aricons and the Ghabars; we are almost there.
Raymond Oppenheimer once told me that his interest in breed history began with Great Boy (born in 1921); this is as good a date as any to separate the early days, primarily of allure to antiquarians, from the modern era. So should I begin circa 1920? No, I am an antiquarian at heart. Also, there are no monographs covering those elusive earlier days, so from the birth of the breed it is.
To differentiate, I propose for this comprehensive history of the breed, one axiom and three propositions:
The Bull Terrier is a manufactured breed of unique and remarkable characteristics that has changed considerably over the years and will continue to do so.
The Bull Terrier is not and never was a better fighting dog, nor was it ever bred as such. It is not in the best interests of the breed to perpetuate this myth.
The Bull Terrier was developed to satisfy the burgeoning demand, during the mid-Victorian era, for what were described variously as fancy, prize or pet dogs – dogs that offered their owners companionship, while conveying social status.
James Hinks and his cohorts – dealers who made their living from supplying the public with dogs and other animals – developed a new product, the Bull Terrier, a dog of exceptional spirit and appearance. Key to the success of this new dog was its trademark pure white coat.
As stated, histories of the Bull Terrier expound from the 1800’s to present day. All of them leading to the conclusion of a manufactured breed resulting from the crossing of the ancient bull dog and various terrier breeds. True to its origins, the breed seeks to walk the difficult line between two very diverse dog families.
