The average life expectancy of an English Bull Terrier is between 10 and 14 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.
Thanks to good breeding practices by reputable Bull Terrier breeders the breed is generally strong and healthy but like other breeds with white coats the English Bull Terrier is prone to deafness. The good news is that more breeders than ever are now screening their dogs before using them in a breeding programme which means the number of Bull Terriers with hearing issues is dropping. Other conditions that seem to affect the breed the most include the following:
- Deafness - test available
- Heart disease - test available
- Kidney disease - test available although not conclusive
- Patellar luxation
- Umbilical Hernia
- Acne - skin and coat conditions
More about deafness
Deafness has been a real concern in the breed right from the outset when they were first developed and research has established that up to 18% of white dogs may have impaired hearing. For a long time it was thought to be a disorder that only affected "white" dogs but studies have shown that some coloured Bull Terrier can be affected too. The bad news is that even when deaf dogs are not used in a breeding programme puppies can still be born deaf and it is thought that this is because it is so difficult to establish if parent dogs are partially deaf which is an easy mistake to make.
A Bull Terrier that is born deaf in one ear is known as being "unilaterally deaf" and dogs are very able to adapt and lead normal lives. All too often a dog that is deaf in one ear will run in the wrong direction when called or they scan their environment before reacting which can help determine if they have a hearing problem although it is not that reliable. Unilaterally deaf Bull Terriers should not be used for breeding purposes.
Bull Terriers that are born completely deaf have a much harder time coping and adapting. They are very much harder to train as a result too. All too often when they are woken up too suddenly they react defensively because they are startled. With this said there are stories of totally deaf English Bull Terriers making wonderful companions and that they go on to lead full and happy lives although this is quite exceptional.
The good news is that all reputable Bull Terrier breeds now have stud dogs BAER tested to ensure their hearing is good. The tests can be carried out on puppies when they are around 5 weeks old and again reputable breeders would always have the puppies tested before selling them. It is worth noting that not many veterinary surgeries have the equipment to carry out this type of test but there are many animal centres all over the UK where tests can be carried out one of which is the Animal Health Trust and there's even a mobile testing unit that covers some parts of the country too.
More about heart disease
Studies have shown that Bull Terriers are predisposed to suffering from certain types of heart disease which negatively impacts their heart valves. The result of valves not functioning as they should is that dogs suffer heart attacks with milder symptoms including a shortness of breath and an unwillingness to exercise.
Dogs can be tested and would be graded on the severity of their condition with some dogs having a heart murmur throughout their lives without the disorder getting any worse or them showing any other symptoms of there being an issue with their hearts. Reputable breeders would never use a dog known to have a heart issue in a breeding programme as it is the only way of reducing the risk of their offspring being born with the condition. All breeding dogs should be tested when they are 12 months old before being used for breeding purposes.
More about kidney disease
For many years kidney disease has been a real health issue for English Bull Terriers. The condition may flare up at any time in a dog's life with some affected dogs dying very young. Sadly once a Bull Terrier is diagnosed as suffering kidney failure there is very little that can be done for them. However if a problem is diagnosed early enough the prognosis is slightly better more especially if a dog is put on a special diet which has been seen to help when it comes to a dog's quality of life.
Over recent years another condition has been identified in the breed which is known as "Polycistic Kidneys" and the condition can be diagnosed using an ultrasound. The bad news is that the prognosis is never good and most dogs succumb to their symptoms early on.
How kidney disease is inherited remains unknown but there is a screening test which although not conclusive is available and which all responsible breeders use on their stud dogs before breeding from them. Most vets can carry out the test in their surgeries because it involves taking a simple urine sample which can then be sent for analysis before issuing a health certificate to a dog.
More about Patellar Luxation
It is thought that patellar luxation could be an inherited disorder and therefore any Bull Terrier suffering from the condition should not be used for breeding purposes as this is the only way of reducing the risk of offspring being passed the condition from their parents. However it is worth noting that the condition can also be acquired through injury or trauma.
More about skin and coat conditions
English Bull Terriers are prone to allergies skin and coat issues which sadly are very commonly seen in the breed. The triggers can be seasonal or other and the problem can be slight or very severe which includes dogs developing mange leaving a Bull Terrier's skin looking more like that of a Rhino. Skin issues although not life threatening are very painful and uncomfortable for dogs to have to live with and the sooner a Bull Terrier is seen by a vet the faster they can be made to feel more at ease although finding the root cause of the problem can often take a long time.
More about tail docking in the UK
It is illegal to dock an English Bull Terrier's tail in the UK which is a law that came into effect in England on the 6th April 2007 in Wales on 28th March 2007 although certain breeds are exempted for working dogs and others may have their tails docked for medical reasons. In Scotland there is a total ban which came into effect on 30th April 2007
What about vaccinations?
English Bull Terrier puppies would have been given their first vaccinations before they are sold but it is then up to their owners to ensure they are given their follow-up shots in a timely fashion. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:
- 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination
There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.
What about spaying and neutering?
A lot of vets prefer to wait until an English Bull Terrier is around 9 months old before spaying or neutering them because dogs are that much more mature before undergoing the procedures. With this said other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old but never earlier unless for medical reasons.
What about obesity problems?
Older Bull Terriers are more prone to putting on weight which is why a close eye should be kept on their calorie intake and the amount of daily physical exercise a dog is given. Some dogs when they are spayed or neutered may also put on weight after the procedures and again it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline and to adjust their diet and daily exercise accordingly. Obesity can negatively impact a dog's overall health and wellbeing shortening their lives by several years thanks to the extra pressure that's put on their hearts and other vital internal organs.
What about allergies?
As previously mentioned English Bull Terriers are predisposed to skin and coat issues and finding the triggers can prove challenging. The most common triggers are as follows:
- Environment
- A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
- Seasonal allergies which includes pollen and grasses
- Food which includes certain meats and cereals often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
- Tick and flea bites
- Dust mites
- Mould
Participating in health schemes
The good news is that all reputable Bull Terrier breeds now have stud dogs BAER tested to ensure their hearing is good. The tests can be carried out on puppies when they are 5 weeks old. The Kennel Club strongly advises that all breeders use the following schemes:
- BAER testing (deafness)
- Breed Club - Heart testing
- Breed Club - Kidney testing
What about breed specific breeding restrictions?
As well as the standard breeding restrictions for Kennel Club registered breeds English Bull Terriers can be mated to Miniature Bull Terriers but prior approval must be sought from the Kennel Club.
As of the 1st March 2011 any merle Bull Terriers puppies born on or afterwards cannot be registered with the Kennel Club because of the health risks associated with the merle gene namely impaired sight and hearing.
As of 1st January 2013 the Kennel Club no longer accepts registration of puppies born from two merle parent dogs on this date or afterwards because of the health risks associated with the merle gene namely impaired sight and hearing.
What about Assured Breeder Requirements?
The Kennel Club strongly advises that all breeders whether Assured Breeders or other use the schemes below any dogs they intend to breed from:
- BAER testing (deafness)
- Breed Club - Heart testing
- Breed Club - Kidney testing
