The story of how the Bull Terrier came into existence begins in the Middle Ages, with the sport of baiting. Baiting was a blood sport in which a game dog was pitted against a confined animal to attack, subdue, or even kill it. This sport was popular in England, and people from all social classes, from the rich to the poor, would frequent gaming pits for entertainment and gambling. Large amounts of money were often wagered on the outcome of these contests. Almost every town and village in England had a gaming pit where dogs would face off against trained bulls, bears, and other large, fierce animals in battles that often ended in death or incapacitation for one of the animals.
In bull-baiting contests, the goal was for the dog to stay low and strike at the bull’s nose, rendering the larger animal helpless. These dogs were highly trained and extremely determined. The dogs would often hold on to the bull’s nose, even when violently tossed into the air, not letting go until the bull’s teeth broke, its limbs were damaged, or sometimes until the dog itself was killed. These fighting breeds of dogs became fierce, brave, and resolute throughout their long careers in the gaming arena.
The first bull runs in England were believed to have been held in Stamford in 1209, during the reign of King John. However, it is thought that baiting began much earlier in butchers’ shops, where dogs were used to bait bulls to tenderize meat. As the sport gained popularity, it became a form of diversion and entertainment. Over time, a demand arose for dogs that were highly skilled at the sport, leading to selective breeding based on valor, viciousness, and power. Bull-baiting was considered a national sport in England from the 13th to the 18th centuries.
During these centuries, breeders and owners began attempting to improve their current fighting stock to enhance the next generation of dogs. They experimented with size, structure, and temperament to produce dogs that were better suited for the gaming ring. Breeding focused on functionality rather than pedigree or bloodline. Over the years, dogs were crossbred to produce the best fighters, and bull-baiting continued until it was banned by the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835. However, the demand for aggressive dogs persisted, and breeders shifted their focus to dog fighting, which required less space and was easier to conceal. Smaller, more agile fighting dogs were developed, and these dogs needed endurance and a determined attitude to succeed in long-lasting dog fights.
To meet these new requirements, breeders began crossing the old English Bulldog with various terrier breeds. These Bull and Terrier crosses combined the alertness and agility of the terrier with the power, tenacity, and pain tolerance of the Bulldog. This new type quickly gained a reputation as a “canine gladiator” due to its fierce nature.
In 1850, James Hinks of Birmingham, England, standardized this new breed by selectively breeding these Bull and Terrier mixes with other breeds, such as the now-extinct White English Terrier. Hinks’ breeding efforts produced an all-white Bull Terrier with a longer head, more symmetrical body, and straighter legs than the older breeds. He exclusively bred white dogs, calling them “Bull Terriers” to distinguish them from the original Bull and Terrier type. This new breed was referred to as the “Hinks’ breed” or “The White Cavalier” because the dog was bred to defend itself and its family, but never to initiate hostility.
In 1862, Hinks entered one of his dogs into the Cremorne Gardens dog show in Chelsea, where it was an instant success. Hinks continued breeding, incorporating blood from other breeds like the Dalmatian, Greyhound, Spanish Pointer, Foxhound, and Whippet to increase elegance and agility. He also added Borzoi and Collie blood to reduce the “stop” (the indent between the forehead and muzzle). Hinks’ primary goal, however, was to increase the sturdiness of the breed.
The Bull Terrier was officially recognized as a member of the Terrier Group by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885, and in 1897, the Bull Terrier Club of America (BTCA) was established. The first modern Bull Terrier, “Lord Gladiator,” from 1917, was the first dog with no stop at all. Due to health problems associated with Hinks’ desire for all-white dogs, other fanciers, particularly Ted Lyon, began introducing color into the breed by incorporating Staffordshire Bull Terrier blood. These colored Bull Terriers were initially recognized as a separate variety by the AKC in 1936.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the Bull Terrier had become a firmly established breed, and its popularity continues to grow. It is currently ranked 53rd out of 167 dog breeds on the AKC’s 2010 most popular dog breeds list, up from 78th place in 2000.
