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Miss Weatherhill with Ch. Velhurst Vindicator
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Ch. Abraxas Audacity
The only Bull Terrier to win Crufts Supreme
Champion
(1972)
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A Brief History |
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The “New Bull Terrier” first appeared in its present form at
a Birmingham show in May 1862. It was shown by James Hinks,
a dog dealer, who is generally accepted as the original
breeder of the Bull Terrier, whose family has being
associated with Bull Terriers until the present day.
Hinks would no doubt have used many breeds and types of dog
in his quest to breed his "Gentleman’s Companion", but it
seems likely that the Bulldog, the (now extinct) English
White Terrier, and the Dalmatian. were the main
contributors. His preference was for a white animal and it
seems that the dog fancy of that time were in agreement, as
his "White Cavalier" quickly gained popularity, and was
successful at the early dog shows which were rapidly
becoming popular at that time.
The “New Bull Terrier” gained in popularity and in 1887,
after several attempts, The Bull Terrier Club was formed. At
this time the breed consisted mainly of white specimens, the
coloured generally being of a different type. Shortly after
the 20th Century commenced, determined and successful
efforts were made to breed coloured Bull Terriers, today the
coloured and white are one breed.
The children of white parents are always white, although
these can and often do, have head markings; the offspring of
a white+coloured parent can be white and/or coloured. The
prime colours consist of brindle, red and tri-colour (black,
white & tan and black, tan & white) with various shades
between these.
By Selective breeding the Bull Terrier has today developed
into a companion animal and much loved family pet. He is
extremely affectionate with people, and is particularly
noted for a fondness towards young children.
Nevertheless he is a strong and powerful animal, and it
should always be remembered that he is a first and foremost
a Terrier with a competitive spirit and may not always be
tolerant of other animals, though many live together in a
household quite happily with other pets.
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