6 common Bull Terrier health issues - Digitail App (2024)

FAQs

What illnesses are Bull Terriers prone to? ›

The breed is generally healthy, though common ailments include patellar luxation (dislocated kneecap) and mild heart issues. Kidney failure is also a concern. In addition, Bull Terriers are susceptible to hearing problems, and the white-coated variety is especially prone to deafness.

Bull Terriers typically have a lifespan of 12–13 years and, according to the Bull Terrier Club of America, there are a few health issues that pet parents should note.

Results: The prevalence of heart disease in English Bull Terriers was 65% (66/101), with mitral valve abnormalities (47%, 47/101) and aortic stenosis (29%, 29/101) being most common.

LAD is an inherited disease in dogs that causes painful, infected wounds on the paws, as well as poor growth, immune problems and death, usually before two years of age. What is this? The disease tends to run in families of bull terriers and miniature bull terriers but is poorly understood and has no known cure.

Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored – which they usually express by destructive chewing. Bored Bull Terriers are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters.

Sometimes they're looking for a signal that you might be about to take them for a walk or feed them a meal. If you've trained your dog to respond to hand or voice signals, they might be waiting for a signal to tell them what to do next. Other times, they're just observing you so that they can know more about you.

General Temperament. The loving Mini Bull Terrier is playful and cuddly with family, but can be stubborn at times. They are spunky and energetic with an easygoing nature, and are always happy to make new friends. They may become possessive of family members and can become jealous if attention is taken away from them.

Separation anxiety – Fear of being separated from their owner. This often manifests itself by your bull terrier pacing, drooling, biting, or being destructive while you're away. Sound anxiety – Fear of loud noises like thunder, fireworks, or a vacuum cleaner.

The best diet for a Bull Terrier is balanced and appropriate for their life stage and energy needs. This typically includes a combination of high-quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre from vegetables and berries.

Do Bull Terriers sleep a lot? ›

So just how much do Bull Terriers sleep? ... and what kind of bed do they need? Older Bullys and Bull terrier puppies will sleep more often than younger mature dogs. It is common for them to spend 50% of the day sleeping and another 25% resting.

They are known for their large egg-shaped head and their tendency to grumble and groan when vocalizing. Bull Terriers are a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 11-13 years. They can suffer from some common conditions such as allergies and kidney disease.

There are some health issues this breed is prone to, so it's better to inform yourself. The Bull Terrier is fairly healthy, but genetic health problems that have been seen in the breed include heart disease, deafness, luxating patella, and eye disorders, such as ectropion and keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye.

Down's syndrome has not yet been recognized in dogs, but there are a variety of other congenital conditions that may appear similar. These are usually first noted in young or growing animals.

Kidney diseases are another major problem – Bull Terriers suffer from several types of kidney disease. Neurological diseases are the third serious concern. These include: Epilepsy (seizures)

Common health problems of Bull Terriers are cataracts, hereditary nephritis, renal dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, deafness, heart disease, or obesity. Specimens suffering from hereditary diseases should not be bred.

Lymphoma. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma is a type of cancer that afflicts White Bull Terriers more than other breeds. This disease makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell.

Risk Factors for Autism in Dogs

Firstly, most autistic dogs are male. Certain breeds are also more at risk, with bull terriers being the most vulnerable. A veterinary behaviorist at Tufts University, Nicholas Dodman found that as many as 85% of any bull terrier litter have compulsive tail-chasing behavior.