Bull Terriers tend to be extroverted and from the moment you pick up your puppy it's crucial to prepare yourself. To understand the breed's creative persistence, exuberance, freethinking nature and sometimes naughty antics, you will need to be patient and have a sense of humor. You will also need to invest time and effort into training, especially during their younger years.

They are notorious for getting into mischief while unattended. This can include destructive behavior and ingesting things resulting in a bowel obstruction. Consider the validity of the old adage “they are three-year old kids in dog suits”. Treating them as such will be a benefit to the breeder, the owner and the dog!

The naivety of owners in being prepared for their Bull Terrier’s behavior is often what leads to ownership failure. It’s a fact that many Bull Terriers who end up in rescue situations are there due to buyers being unaware of the breed's challenges and unique needs. Uninformed decisions can lead to the mismatching of a Bull Terrier with an ill-prepared owner, resulting in the dog facing an uncertain future. (Please refer to the “Questions to Ask Yourself”) This places an unnecessary burden on our volunteer rescue organizations and impacts the health and mental well-being of innocent dogs.

It is also important to note that the breed’s distinctive appearance can make them the target for theft. Leaving a Bull Terrier unattended outside is discouraged. Not only can they be stolen but they may also dig or seek other avenues to escape as they are inherently inquisitive. Therefore, it is recommended to either tattoo or microchip your Bull Terrier to aid in recovery if the dog is lost or stolen.

In conclusion, bringing a Bull Terrier into your life is a challenging yet rewarding journey. Potential homes are encouraged to embrace the fun-loving and free-thinking nature of the breed, especially during their energetic puppyhood. Don’t forget there is always the option for those new to the breed to consider an older Bull Terrier who has already transitioned past the puppy stage. Older Bull Terriers still embody the many unique traits of the breed without the trials of puppyhood and can be a great beginning to your Bull Terrier experience.

Before beginning the process of finding a puppy, please take some time and visit our 'Breeding Your Bull Terrier' section. The information there will help you understand a breeder's commitment to producing sound and healthy puppies. Once the decision to get a puppy has been made the next step is to find a breeder. Information on how to do so can be found under the menu item “Finding a Breeder”. Finding a responsible breeder is paramount in your process and success. Remember that your breeder should be the starting point when dealing with any problems with your Bull Terrier!