I am thinking about buying a bull terrier and i am a bit worried about its behaviour,ive heard stories about them biting there owners and turning,is this rubbish or do the dogs have a problem which needs a lot of attention.

If you are serious that this is the dog you want make sure you do alot of research and find a good breeder - make sure the parents have had all the relevant health checks .
I have a staffy and both breeds need lots of discipline and attention . Any breed has the ability to bite its owners and only being a responsible owner can ensure this doeasnt happen .
Can i ask something - if you have heard all the stories of biting owners etc why do you want one ?
lel

Lel has answered most of your queries and put forward most of mine.

If you do enough research you will know the answers to your questions.

I have had Bull Terriers of one type or another for years (inc the APBT). It is not true that these dogs are more likely to bite you, just that if they do it will do more damage. In fact I think these dogs are less likely to bite anyone if properly trained and socialised.

All the best Mick

Hi there, My friend has an English Bull Terrier she is about 2 1/2 now ,she also has five children ages 3-15and she has never had any problems with her ,she is a wonderfull family dog
Liz :)

Mick,

Coming from the US of A I have to say that you are incorrect about the APBT, unfortunately. The problem is that the breed has been used for many years as as a fighting dog and protection (read attack) dog by criminals, druggies and wannabe criminals and "macho" types with more brawn than brains. These people are not going to reputable breeders who have selected breeding animals for physical and mental soundness. You can argue that this is not representative of the breed, which may well be true, but the fact of the matter is that many of these dogs are highly unpredictable, attack unprovoked, and as you say they do a hell of a lot of damage when they bite.

By the way, I am not saying that this problem is limited to the APBT. And I expect if someone wanted to in a couple of generations they could take any breed and end up with the same type of result.

Stacey

Hello Stacey

What breeds of dogs do you have?. Have you ever owned an APBT?. I have known a lot of APBTs from both good and bad owners. I rescued my own APBT from drug dealers. She was pick of the litter from fighting dogs that were imported to the UK from the USA in the 80s. I had her for eleven years and she showed no aggression. However as I always say I think the APBT is a great dog. To me and other people on this board the best in the world. I would not recomend one to anybody. If you need to be told that the APBT is a great dog then its not for you. If the APBT is for you you will know and wont need any reassurance. Even the the worst ones I ever met were great with the right handling. Im not arguing that these dogs can be dangerous in the wrong hands. So are fast bikes and I drive one of those as well. Must be something in my make up. Lastly I have had bull terriers since 1967 and I think you are wrong.

Regards Mick

Hi Folks, now you have both had your say about APBT can we keep this on the subject of 'english' bull terriers please. Thank you :-)

Thanks for all the advice.Answer to your question about why i want one..I have had dogs all my life,and was always told that these dogs are dangerous,i love the way the dog is and all about it.As anyone is when they go for a different breed is that you tend to listern to the people who dont really know and who have never owned one,thanks again you have put my mind to rest,at least i know now who to contact for advice instead of listerning to the crowds....thanks warren

Warren
if you are doing proper research into a breed you should only speak to those people with the relevent experience of the breed or reading books about the breed . It is no good researching a breed from people who have never had that breed of dog and relying on hearsay.
Please do a h**l of alot of research before you get your dog to ensure it is the breed for you . You dont want your dog to end up in a rescue centre because you werent right for each other . You must be dedicated to your dog with regards to love, discipline and training .
Bull breeds have a lot of bad publicity - please dont make another statistic from your dog
Lel

Warren,

The most important part of selecting *any* breed is picking the right breeder. You want someone who only breeds animals for their physical and mental soundness. Particular breeds will have more or less of some attributes - like guarding instinct, or herding, or fighting, or retrieving, or whatever -- but through poor breeding any of those attributes can be thrown out of balance and you end up with an animals that are not mentally sound. It does not matter whether it is a bull breed or terrier or toy.

In my view, the reputation of the breeder is much more important than the reputation of the breed itself. The problem is some breeds tend to attract the wrong kind of owners and the wrong kind of breeders. Sometime it is because a breed is suddenly popular. Sometimes it is because of the unique qualities of the breed itself. It just means that you need to be more educated and more selective about finding a reputable breeder. Many times that means you have to be patient and wait longer than you would like for a puppy to become available. My advice is usually to try the breed club as a starting point. Attend some shows if you can. Talk to the breeders. Meet the dogs. And eventually you will connect with the right people and the perfect puppy for you..

Stacey

I have 2 rescued English Bull Terriers,and 3 children.Both of my dogs have been treated badly in the past,and been cured of behaviour problems brought on by previous owners.English Bull Terriers are not like other dogs.In my opinion,they are a lot smarter,they have distinct personalities,and are very misunderstood.English Bull Terriers require a HUGE amount of work.THEY DO NOT TURN EASILY!They were bred from the original fighting breeds to ensure a dog that was very fit,YET WOULD NOT TURN!!!THEY HAVE A WONDERFUL SENSE OF HUMOUR,AND ARE VERY GOOD AT COMMUNICATING. You have to be firm with them,firm,not violent.You have to LOVE them,my two love a proper big cuddle,with my young children as much as anyone else.They guard those they love,but it should be their choice.If you train them to guard,you are being irresponsible.READ a lot about them first,visit all the sites you can,TALK TO OTHER OWNERS,bull terrier uk,try that one as well.Don't take 1 on until you are 100% sure.My 2 were someone elses' !They are happy and funny and a lot of fun,they don't like other dogs all the time,good luck.Claire