What Were Bull Terriers Bred For? Tracing This Unique Breed‘s Fierce History

As a lifelong dog lover and bull terrier aficionado, I‘ve always been fascinated by this unique breed‘s history. With their muscular build, egg-shaped head, and lively personality, bull terriers are hard to mistake for anything else. But the story of how they came to be is even more attention-grabbing than their looks. Bull terriers were originally bred for a bloody, violent purpose – to be gladiators in the dog fighting pits of 19th century England.

The Brutal "Sports" of Bull Baiting and Dog Fighting

To understand the bull terrier‘s origins, we have to go back to a cruel practice called bull baiting. This involved setting a pack of dogs upon a tethered bull, with spectators betting on the gory outcome. The dogs were trained to latch onto the bull‘s nose and not let go, even if they were gored or trampled. It was a brutal test of the dog‘s strength, ferocity and "gameness."

Bull baiting had been popular in England since the 1500s, believe it or not. At its peak in the early 1800s, there were an estimated 2,000 bull baiting pits in London alone. A single event could draw over 1,000 spectators and involve up to 20 dogs. Huge sums were wagered on the outcomes.

The dogs used for bull baiting, called bulldogs, were bred for compact strength, a large head, and a stubborn refusal to release their bite. When bull baiting was finally banned in England in 1835, these pit bulldogs no longer served a legal purpose. But the appetite for animal bloodsports was still there.

Enterprising breeders simply moved the fighting from bulls to other dogs. They took their pit bulldogs and crossed them with plucky, swift terriers to create the ultimate canine warrior. The bull and terrier, as they were known, had the strength and tenacity of a bulldog with the agility and prey drive of a terrier. Thus, the modern bull terrier was born.

Inside the World of 19th Century Dog Fighting

To call dog fighting a "sport" is to severely mischaracterize what it really was – a vicious spectacle of animal cruelty, carried out for money and sick entertainment. But in the 1800s, it was immensely popular on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dog fighting was conducted in pits, often in underground locations away from the eyes of the law. The dogs, usually bull terriers or other bully breeds, would be set against each other to fight, sometimes to the death. Typical dog fights lasted 30-60 minutes but could go on for two hours or more if neither dog backed down.

In America, dog fighting flourished in the pre-Civil War South, where it was associated with ideals of masculinity and honor. It later spread across the country as a common pastime of the underclass. A Chicago Tribune article from 1881 estimated that the city had 1,000 fighting dogs and over 100 fighting pits, despite the practice being illegal.

The training methods for fighting dogs were grueling and abusive. They were subjected to forced treadmill running, weighted collar conditioning, and starvation to trigger extreme aggression. Up-and-coming dogs were tested by being set upon by older, more experienced fighters. The weak were culled; only the strongest survived.

Bull terriers were selectively bred to excel in the pit. An 1894 New York Times article describes them as "canine gladiators" with the ideal fighting physique:

The well-trained fighting bull terrier is a marvel of strength, activity, and gameness. He will fight until torn almost to pieces, and as long as life remains in him he will continue to bite. The ideal fighting dog weighs about forty-five pounds. He must have the courage of a lion, the strength of an ox, the tenacity of a bull dog, and the activity of a terrier.

Despite crackdowns by law enforcement and animal welfare organizations, dog fighting continued well into the 20th century. Even today, it persists as an underground activity in some places. The bull terrier‘s reputation as a born fighter still lingers in the public consciousness.

Remaking the Bull Terrier as a Companion

As blood sports fell out of favor in the late 1800s, some bull terrier breeders saw an opportunity to remake the breed as a companion rather than a gladiator. They selected for friendlier, more trainable temperaments and crossed their dogs with other breeds to add new colors and reduce aggression.

The ideal pet bull terrier crystallized in the breed standard drawn up by England‘s Kennel Club in 1935. It describes the proper bull terrier as a dog of "indomitable courage, high intelligence and tenacity. Brimming over with fire and life, full of fun." At the same time, "of sweet disposition, amenable to discipline, not showing vice or suspiciousness."

This new bull terrier became popular among fashionable owners on both sides of the Atlantic. General George Patton was famously devoted to his white bull terrier Willie, who accompanied him through WWII:

My bull terrier Willie is sunning himself in the Luxembourg Gardens where, you will remember, all the children played that afternoon just before the war…He has a beautiful stall in the stable of a French officer near here, and he gets a pint of milk every day.

President Woodrow Wilson also owned a bull terrier named Bruce. Teddy Roosevelt had one named Pete who ripped the pants off a French ambassador at a White House function! Despite these high-profile celebrity owners, bull terriers were still quite rare until around the 1980s.

The Bull Terrier Today: By the Numbers

According to the American Kennel Club, bull terriers ranked #61 out of 195 breeds in popularity in 2019. There are an estimated 5,000-10,000 bull terriers in the United States today. Across its native Britain, bull terrier numbers declined 17% between 2008-2018. Some 300-400 new Kennel Club bull terrier registrations are recorded each year, down from around 1000 at the breed‘s peak in the mid-1990s.

While far from the most common dog breed, bull terriers still have a devoted following globally. The Bull Terrier Club of America, founded in 1897, is the oldest breed club in the United States after the American Kennel Club itself. They work to promote responsible bull terrier ownership and provide education and rescue for the breed.

Bull terriers have an average lifespan of 10-14 years. According to a health survey by the Kennel Club, the most common health problems reported by owners were:

• Skin problems (34.9%)
• Ear infections (12.6%)
• Eye problems (10.5%)
• Digestive issues (8.4%)
• Arthritis (7.7%)
• Allergies (7.7%)

Because of their stocky build, bull terriers are also prone to orthopedic issues like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Responsible breeders work to minimize these health risks through genetic testing and selective breeding. Still, vet bills can stack up with this breed. Pet insurance is recommended.

In terms of temperament, bull terriers are known for being clownish, mischievous, and full of enthusiasm. They form strong bonds with their owners and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone too long. Early and ongoing socialization is a must, as bull terriers can be aggressive towards other dogs and suspicious of strangers if not properly trained.

As Pam Rowell, President of the Bull Terrier Club of Dallas puts it:

Bull Terriers are not a breed for everyone. They can be challenging and obstinate, and require committed and consistent training. But for those that are up to the task, you won‘t find a more loyal, affectionate, and entertaining companion. They will make you laugh every single day.

Should You Bring Home a Bull Terrier?

As a bull terrier owner myself, I may be a bit biased. But hear me out. If you‘re looking for a fiercely loyal, entertainingly quirky, and boldly athletic canine companion, there‘s no dog quite like a bully. Their sense of humor and zest for life is unmatched. At the same time, this is not a breed for the faint of heart or first-time dog owners.

Bull terriers need ample exercise, lots of training, and plenty of "tough love." They can be destructive if bored or not properly stimulated. A bull terrier is happiest when he has a job to do, whether it‘s competing in weight pull or learning new tricks and commands. Puzzle toys are a must to keep their active minds engaged.

You also need to be mindful of your bully‘s strong prey drive. They are not to be trusted off-leash unless in a secure area, as they will bolt after small animals. Many end up in rescue because of their potential for dog aggression, so care must be taken in introducing them to new canine friends. A sturdy crate and a professional trainer‘s guidance are highly recommended.

Still, for the experienced owner willing to put in the work, a bull terrier is an endlessly rewarding companion. I‘m convinced there‘s no dog with a bigger heart or more vibrant personality. Watching the bullies in my life – from childhood pets to current rescue fosters – wiggle with joy when I come home never fails to bring a smile to my face.

So if you think you have what it takes, consider opening your home and heart to a bull terrier in need. Contact your local bull terrier rescue group or search for a responsible preservation breeder committed to the health and temperament of the breed. With your love and guidance, you can help redeem the gladiator dog of old and discover the sweet, silly "bullie" that‘s been there all along.

Sources & Further Reading

• Boorer, Simon. "The History of The Bull Terrier." The Bull Terrier Club UK.
• Jenkins, Nathan B., et al. "Demographic and Genetic Assessment of the Registered English Bull Terrier Population in the UK."
  Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, vol. 8, no. 1, 2021, p. 5.
• "Dogs in the Pit." New York Times, 22 Apr. 1894.
• English, James. "The Truth about Bull Terriers." K9 Magazine, 10 July 2020.
• Miller, Norm. "Patton and Willie: A Unique Relationship." America in WWII, Feb. 2007.
• "Problems and Solutions." The Bull Terrier Club of America.
• "Bull Terrier." American Kennel Club.
• Semencic, Carl. The World of Fighting Dogs. TFH Publications, 1984.