When people decide to keep a dog, they often struggle to choose among the many breeds suitable as pets. But if you want a truly distinctive companion that breaks common expectations, the Bull Terrier, sometimes called the white knight, is one of the most unusual choices.
The Bull Terrier has a very special appearance. At a glance, some people think it looks almost like a small bull, yet of course it is a dog. The breed was developed through crossing Bulldogs with terrier type dogs, which created an animal with features that seem both bull like and dog like at the same time. This unusual look has attracted many admirers, including well known public figures. People who do not know the breed may initially avoid it, but once they spend time with a Bull Terrier, they often discover a dog that is deeply loyal to its owner and friendly toward others, especially children. For that reason, many people now keep Bull Terriers as family guard dogs, a job the breed can handle quite well.
When selecting a Bull Terrier, method matters. If you want a healthy dog, begin by looking at the whole body. Is the build balanced? Are the proportions harmonious? The head is relatively long and gives the dog its famous bull like profile. The muzzle is broad and the face is oval in shape.
When viewed from the side, the top of the skull slopes gently down toward the nose. The area around the ears and forehead is relatively flat, and the distance from the nose to the eyes is longer than the distance from the eyes to the top of the head. The ears should be capable of standing fully upright. The eyes are set deeply, and darker eye color is usually preferred. The nose is black, and the bridge of the nose curves naturally.
The neck is muscular, strong, long, and slightly arched, giving the breed a sharp and efficient look. The chest is broad, and beneath that strong structure is often a surprisingly approachable and mild temperament. The coat is short and straight. To the touch it feels hard and rough, almost as if one were touching a small animal with a tougher hide.
When buying a Bull Terrier, it also helps to understand the breeds growth stages. Some people want to raise the dog from a very young age in order to build a deeper bond, in which case around six weeks of age may be a reasonable starting point. Others worry about handling a very young puppy and may prefer to choose a dog around six months old, because by then the basic body type is already largely established. In that case, the main remaining tasks are learning how to feed and train the dog properly.
The Bull Terrier is not known as an especially high intelligence breed, and because of its unusual appearance some people jokingly wonder whether they are raising a dog or a little bull. Even so, the breed has very sensitive emotional awareness. It can notice changes in its owners mood and respond accordingly, which makes it a surprisingly comforting companion.