# Are Bull Terriers Smart? A Dog Lover‘s Perspective on this Distinctive Breed - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/are-bull-terriers-smart-a-dog-lovers-perspective-on-this-distinctive-breed/ - Published: 2024-03-19 - Author: Savanna Read - Categories: [Dog](https://33rdsquare.com/category/dog/) --- Bull terriers are undeniably one of the most eye-catching and memorable dog breeds, with their muscular bodies, unique egg-shaped heads, and vivacious personalities. As a veterinarian and lifelong dog lover, I‘m often asked by prospective owners if bull terriers are intelligent. The answer is not as simple as a yes or no – bull terriers possess a unique type of smart that manifests in some ways but not others. In this article, we‘ll take a comprehensive look at the history, temperament and trainability of bull terriers to unpack what exactly makes this special breed tick. ## The Intriguing History of Bull Terriers To understand the bull terrier brain, it helps to know a bit about their past. Bull terriers were originally developed in England in the early 1800s by crossing the old English terrier with the bulldog. The aim was to create a tenacious, agile dog for the gruesome "sports" of rat-baiting and dog fighting that were popular at the time. When these blood sports were outlawed in 1835, fans of the breed set about refining bull terriers into the fashionable companion dogs we know today. They were crossed with Spanish pointers to add size and a more elegant profile. Later, Staffordshire bull terriers contributed to develop the modern bull terrier. The first breed club was formed in 1887. So from the beginning, bull terriers were prized for their courage, gameness and prey drive – all traits relating to their instinctive intelligence. But the process of evolving them from ferocious fighters to family pets also required emphasizing more cooperative, people-pleasing traits. This duality of hard-wired instincts and adaptability to domesticity is key to the bull terrier personality. ## Rating Bull Terrier Intelligence So where exactly do bull terriers fall on the canine IQ scale? The most well-known attempt to rank dog intelligence is Stanley Coren‘s book "The Intelligence of Dogs." Coren surveyed 199 obedience trial judges, asking them to rank breeds based on working and obedience intelligence. This refers to how quickly a breed can learn commands, and how consistently they obey them. Out of 138 breeds included, bull terriers ranked #124 – in the "fair working/obedience intelligence" category. For reference, here is how they compared to some other popular breeds: | Breed | Obedience Rank | | --- | --- | | Border Collie | 1 | | German Shepherd | 3 | | Golden Retriever | 4 | | Labrador Retriever | 7 | | Boxer | 90 | | Bull Terrier | 124 | | Chihuahua | 125 | | Shih Tzu | 128 | | Afghan Hound | 138 | _Data from "The Intelligence of Dogs" by Stanley Coren_ Based on this criteria, bull terriers are considered less "book smart" than many other breeds. They take awhile to learn new commands – around 40-80 repetitions, compared to just 5 reps or less for the brightest breeds. They also obey a known command on the first attempt only about 30% of the time. However, I believe obedience intelligence only tells part of the story. As bully breed aficionado Trisha Yearwood puts it: "the great thing about bull terriers is they‘re not smart enough to be obedience-champion smart, but they‘re smart enough to have a good sense of humor." Let‘s look at the other ways bull terriers demonstrate their unique intelligence. ## Independent Thinkers Where bull terriers really shine is in their independent problem-solving skills, or adaptive intelligence. They are keenly observant and good at learning from experiences and using that info to get what they want. Many owners report their dogs figuring out how to open gates, drawers, or break into treat bins. One owner described their bull terrier learning to bring his empty food bowl to the carpet whenever he was hungry so it would make noise and get attention. This shows that bull terriers are smart in a self-directed way. They put their intelligence toward satisfying their own desires more than trying to please owners. You could say they think for themselves! As Pets Adviser puts it, "The Bull Terrier is nobody‘s fool and won‘t be easily led or pushed into doing something he doesn‘t want to do." Coupled with their sense of humor, the bull terrier‘s free-thinking nature means they often use their smarts to be canine comedians. Many owners describe their dogs getting a kick out of performing silly antics to make people laugh. One bull terrier learned to "hide" objects by sitting on them. Another would pretend he couldn‘t jump into the car until his owner counted to three. Yet another was an escape artist who would break out of his crate at night and sneak into bed with his humans. ## Stubborn but Sensitive With this independent streak comes a definite stubborn side. Bull terriers bore easily and can choose to simply tune you out if something else is more exciting. They are constantly weighing whether it‘s worth it to comply, as trainer Alexa Hagood describes. Many get a kick out of holding out until the last second to obey a command. Yet bull terriers are also very sensitive and intuitive to the moods of their people. They sense what you‘re feeling and if you‘re not confident, they lose motivation to listen. They definitely don‘t respond well to harsh corrections or an angry tone. Positive reinforcement using their favorite treats or toys works much better. It‘s all about knowing what motivates them. As bully breed rescuer Amy Sinatra puts it, "They can be a bit hardheaded and difficult to train, but I see that as them being super smart and needing a ‘reason‘ to do something, not just because they are told to do it. They aren‘t blindly obedient. You have to work with their brain." ## Importance of Early Training All of this means bull terriers are not push-button dogs that are easy for just anyone to handle. They are a challenging breed, especially for first-time owners. It‘s vital to start socialization and training from a very young age before bad habits take root. A well-bred bull terrier puppy is naturally inquisitive, rambunctious and mouthy. They need to learn bite inhibition, impulse control, and how to redirect their boundless energy to appropriate outlets. Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Julia Albright stresses that without early intervention and consistent training, bull terriers are at high risk for behavior problems like resource guarding, leash aggression, destructive chewing and separation anxiety. Untrained adult bull terriers in full-blown "hooligan mode" are a serious hazard due to their muscular strength and determination. Many end up in shelters because of this. The good news is, bull terriers typically love to interact with their people and are treat motivated. They enjoy the mental stimulation of positive training sessions and thrive when given a job to do. Many excel at sports like agility, carting, and nosework that challenge both their bodies and minds. Socializing bull terriers with many new people, dogs, sights and sounds is also key. A well-socialized bull terrier is usually affectionate with everyone. But those that miss this key developmental window are more likely to be aloof, anxious or defensive in new situations. Breeders and rescue groups emphasize the importance of finding a puppy socialization class and continuing that education through adolescence. ## Living with a Bull Terrier Living with a bull terrier is never dull! They are exuberant, silly and can definitely be a handful. But for experienced owners who invest the time to train and channel their energy, all that personality is a big part of their charm. Bull terriers are also intensely loyal, affectionate and tuned-in to their families. They love to be the center of attention and ham it up with their antics. As athlete and bull terrier fan Jon Calipari sums it up, "Bull terriers have an unbelievable sense of humor. They‘re like watching a clown. They‘re mischievous but in a fun way, and they‘re very entertaining. They‘re also very loving and always want to be around you." It‘s important for prospective owners to understand that bull terriers are strong, active dogs that need ample daily exercise in a fenced yard or on long walks. Mental stimulation is just as crucial – a bored bull terrier will make their own fun by digging, chewing and getting into mischief. Interactive puzzle toys, food-stuffed Kongs, training games, and opportunities to run and play are a must to keep these clever dogs happy. Many also enjoy the company of another dog, as long as they are properly introduced. Although rambunctious with each other, bull terriers are usually good with other animals when socialized early. ## Closing Thoughts In conclusion, bull terriers are intelligent – just in their own unique way. They aren‘t among the most obedient breeds, but they show high adaptive intelligence in the ways they observe the world and solve problems. Early, positive training and socialization are key to bring out the best in these independent freethinkers. As a dog lover, I appreciate the bull terrier for being true to himself. He won‘t obey just to please you, but he will be a loyal, affectionate and endlessly amusing companion. There‘s a saying about bull terriers, "Be careful – a bull terrier is like a potato chip. It‘s hard to have just one!" Those who open their hearts to this amazing breed rarely go back. If you‘re considering a bull terrier, be honest about the time and effort you can commit to training and exercise. Be prepared for some stubborn antics and think carefully if you have the experience to handle this powerful breed. But if you have the patience and good humor to work with the bull terrier brain, not against it, you‘ll be rewarded with a smart, vibrant dog like no other. As author Jacqueline O‘Neil says, "life with a bull terrier is a great cure for the common personality!" --- Source: [Are Bull Terriers Smart? A Dog Lover‘s Perspective on this Distinctive Breed](https://33rdsquare.com/are-bull-terriers-smart-a-dog-lovers-perspective-on-this-distinctive-breed/)