Caring for the physical and mental health of all puppies born at Hepsterix is an important element in the upbringing of a puppy, not only about its colour and exterior features. Our task is to raise healthy puppies that have quality genetics, all characteristics in appearance and behaviour as close as possible to the prescribed breed Standard. Each mating of individuals is planned with these goals in mind, with possible future exhibition and breeding qualities of the puppy. We expect the same care and attention from future owners, the continuation of all this so that the puppy grows into a true representative of its breed.

You can often hear/read that it is not a puppy for inexperienced owners, which is only partially true. Experience with other dogs is often a trap because it is subject to methods that are inadequate for the bull terrier. Inexperienced owners certainly “have a chance”, but only those who are well informed and ready for “bull terror”.

Respect the dog’s character, shape it, but don’t try to change it or expect the impossible. An expert can be of great help, but you should choose only the one who has extensive experience with bull terriers (the plural is intentionally stated). A must have book WHEN PIGS FLY: TRAINING SUCCESS WITH IMPOSSIBLE DOGS by Jane Killion, read it carefully and you will have easier time dealing with your bull terrier!

After bull terrier puppy, almost every other puppy will be a “piece of cake” for you, but you will never even think about another breed because you will be hooked for life on these bulltastic creatures!

Bull terriers require a lot of patience, determination, and nerves of steel to have their obedience brought up to the level of acceptability. Training is not a favourite occupation for them, quite the opposite. They are like mischievous children and enjoy traumatizing their owners. Already from the puppy stage they are far more powerful and persistent than any other breed.

They will constantly test your patience which doesn’t stop after a puppy stage or after puberty, but it decreases because you learn to deal with it. One of the specifics of the breed often present throughout their lifetime is destruction of everything available to their jaws and swallowing pieces, which can lead to a life-threatening situation. With this in mind, take the security of the area where his reach is limited, very seriously and mandatory, especially while bull terrier is not under supervision.

“Bully Run” Or “Zoomies”. Zoomies are best described as episodes of frenetic random activity. Such behaviour comes spontaneously, it is short-lived, and includes spinning, running in circles, jumping on the couch and many other energetic movements. It is a way to release stress, spend energy and express enthusiasm.

If you notice that Zoomies are a daily routine for your bull terrier, then you should investigate what causes such behaviour because it can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder, and  bull terrier is among the breeds with a predisposition to OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Give your bull terrier enough exercise, eliminate stress factors, and you can be sure that Zoomies are pure enthusiasm and there is nothing to worry about.

“Trancing” or “Moon Walking” slow-motion movements like sleepwalking or a slow-motion movie, often around a plant, under a curtain or under a table, during which it will be difficult or impossible to “wake” the dog out of trance. This behaviour is very poorly known among dog lovers, kynologists and even veterinarians, since the bull terrier is one of the rare breeds in which it occurs. When they are sleeping or resting you will notice their nose is always tucked in which is called. Another well-known specific is “Itchy Neck”. While walking dog is trying with his hind leg to scratch his neck but very rare he will actually sit down and do it. It is quite common and normal behaviour for this breed and mostly doesn’t have anything to do with skin irritation. It’s their strong will to do anything in their power to carry out their goal till the end. Yes, they are great actors and often use acting to the extent of even faking the injury!

Their hair falls out all year round. They do not tolerate heat or cold very well. After a walk in the wind, don’t be surprised if your bull terrier gets an ear or eye irritation. Teach your puppy about regular ear hygiene. Contact allergies are common and fungus on the skin (especially visible between the fingers, on the belly and chest area). They are prone to blisters no matter how hard you try to get them to sleep on soft surfaces. It is better not to even bother to buy special fancy expensive cots/mattresses/blankets because they will destroy everything, plus it is dangerous if they swallow pieces.

Our puppies are sleeping on a Vetbed in a crate or a car tire and in a fenced area. Toys are also a big challenge and many available on the market are inadequate. Even some known as indestructible and made of the hardest materials, fall apart under the pressure of bull terrier jaws. Never leave a bull terrier alone with toy! Speaking of jaws, we will mention the very important care of bull terrier’s mouth. They tend to form plaque which can result in inflammation of the gums which can develop bigger problems.

Paws are a special story for these dogs. Pads prone to hyperkeratosis. The nails are extremely strong and thick, they grow rounded towards the pads and there is no way to wear them down naturally (after all, the puppy should not move too much on asphalted hard surfaces during development phase). Special nail attention is needed otherwise there will be problems that impact the quality of life for your beloved pet. It can influence badly on posture/movement/anatomy/growth and development/.

Scissors alone will not be enough to maintain your bull terrier nails because they leave sharp edges that need to be grinded. The best choice is a nail grinder of course a stronger and better quality one. Use it every 10 days or so and do it consistently. Don’t be fooled by their displeasure, teach your dog from the early days to endure few minutes of discomfort during grinding to avoid painful and difficult movement and irregular development.

They love to eat, so be careful with feeding in terms of amount and quality of food.  For the best results, the most adequate choice is raw food as natural as possible with as few artificial supplements as possible. In this way, you will reduce health problems to a minimum and raise the quality of life to the maximum. Along with nutrition, activity is also important. How important it is not to overdo it with some exercises, movements, surfaces while the dog is developing, it is so important that it has physical activity that is regular and sufficient. We choose swimming as the safest activity for bull terriers from the earliest to the oldest age.

Read here about health issues https://www.electricbulls.com/en/learn-the-basics/

Because of their explosive character and high pain tolerance they are prone to injuries because their movements are sudden and often thoughtless. Everything in the bull terrier brain and body is tense and can’t wait to explode in all directions. They do everything with full capacity and giving up is not an option. If you are not ready for mischief in huge quantities, spiteful and extremely strong wiled dog, choose another breed.

They will not “blindly” listen to you or think with your brain. They will do every task in their own way or not at all, especially if they don’t benefit from it. Their focus is on a hundred different things at once, and they want to do them all at the same time.

Think carefully about whether this is the dog for you. They are foolish extroverts open to everything that surrounds them. A distinctive personality in every way, are you ready for such a dog? Do you have time to devote your time, money, energy to bull terrier? Can you afford it? Bull terrier from controlled breeding, quality genetics, from tested parents, costs. It also costs to provide him with a quality and happy life after buying a puppy.

Do you have enough patience? They like to play with your nerves. Have you been well informed about the breed? Do you know how to get a bull terrier responsibly? How to contact the breeder? Are you ready to sign the Agreement with the breeder? Are you ready to be a responsible owner? In Croatia bull terriers are required to take a socialization test and you will be the target of prejudice all his life. You also bear the burden of responsibility for the image of the breed in public.

If you have several dogs, it will not be easy for you when you bring bull terrier, or when you bring new dog to your bull terrier. They are not dogs that enjoy being in a pack, so be prepared for separations, especially during feeding and when you are not at home. Getting along with other animal species is possible, but it is more likely that it will not work because they have high prey drive. Reason for the “fuss” they will find in harmless little things, never forget they are TERRIERS! Although tolerant to the point of stupidity, when the line of their tolerance is crossed there will be an explosion! Most dogs will avoid them because they are energetic and play rough. Dog parks are by no means the place for a bull terrier puppy, and socialization experiences with other dogs must be positive, with dogs of a stable character.

Of course, your bull terrier doesn’t have to be any of the things mentioned in this text because each individual is a story for itself, but these are breed specifics, something that most bull terriers have in common, and you have to prepare. Prepared for the worst, you will be the best owner! Expect the unexpected, always think a few steps ahead of your bull terrier (he is constantly thinking how to outsmart you) and you will keep every situation under control. GOOD LUCK!