English Bull Terriers

[Gitano 17]

Cheers Neil. Some nice condition on those dogs

[jawn 449]

Those dogs look right Mister! I don't know much about the breed standard but it would seem to me that it shouldn't include an extra ten pounds. My hat's off to you. Nice looking kennels too.

[WorkingBullandTerrier 132]

Great looking BT's no doubt

[neilsherlock 226]

Cheers peps, I claim no credit for these dogs in the latest photos. They belong along with the kennels to the breeder at thunder rock kennels. Ive only put them up because I like them so much myself.

[neilsherlock 226]

Cheers peps, I claim no credit for these dogs in the latest photos. They belong along with the kennels to the breeder at thunder rock kennels. Ive only put them up because I like them so much myself.

[MainAttraction! 83]

I don't know much about bull terriers but had a few questions?

Weren't they originally used as a fighting dog, but eventually were discontinued for fighting in favor of the pitbull?

If they were a member of the fighting dog class then why wouldn't you try to make a hunting dog from the best member ie the game bred pitbull?

Game bred pitbulls usually get along fine with other non threatening dogs IF properly socialized while growing up.

They are also bred to be athletes and intelligent. Seems like a big task to try to make working dog from dogs bred to be pets and nothing more and will more than likely will not have the wind, athletism, intellect to perform at a high level that you will find in other working breeds, but if your up for it all the best to you.

[j1985 1,983]

Bull terriers were bred to be show dogs originally weren't they ?

[Stabs 2]

http://www.bullterrier.dk/thebullterrier/neverfight/kevin-kane-gb.htm

[neilsherlock 226]

Mainattraction, im sorry to hear such limiting views. Up to you as you say, cheers

[neilsherlock 226]

Sorry I read that wrong, but still I see this a post that doesnt now the breed. They can be all the things you say a worker should be.

[neilsherlock 226]

Eugene glass wrote a book called 'the sporting bull terrier'. It will show you evidence to the contrary.

[Gitano 17]

Let's not forget that lots of different people created different lines of EBT for different things. Very limiting to say "Hinks wanted a refined B and T to flog to the ladies and gentlemen of Birmingham or London or wherever" when there were loads more breeders creating very functional lines of BTs for different tasks around the Empire.

 

Good to see folk drawing on good blood to create some solid workers

[Carlovian 583]

Eugene glass wrote a book called 'the sporting bull terrier'. It will show you evidence to the contrary.

 

The book is about AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIERS... NOT ENGLISH BULL TERRIERS

[jawn 449]

I don't know much about bull terriers but had a few questions?

Weren't they originally used as a fighting dog, but eventually were discontinued for fighting in favor of the pitbull?

If they were a member of the fighting dog class then why wouldn't you try to make a hunting dog from the best member ie the game bred pitbull?

Game bred pitbulls usually get along fine with other non threatening dogs IF properly socialized while growing up.

They are also bred to be athletes and intelligent. Seems like a big task to try to make working dog from dogs bred to be pets and nothing more and will more than likely will not have the wind, athletism, intellect to perform at a high level that you will find in other working breeds, but if your up for it all the best to you.

 

I don't know for certain but I believe the guy at Thunder rock is breeding away from the pet type. I've never seen one, but I've seen a working EBT. It was as good as any other bulldog type at anchoring game. Seemed to have enough wind for the task. I doubt the difference is as great between breeds as it is between individuals once a cross has been made. If I were choosing one dog of either breed though I would choose the apbt for many of the reasons you mention. Your program is unique Main. I bet there aren't many using the same recipe. And of those that are... how many are using it as a base?

[WorkingBullandTerrier 132]

Others have been supplying helpful info, but I have to add.....

 

too many people are firm believers that a "game bred pit bull" can be "fine" with other dogs "if properly socialized." I don't care if ol' "Smokey" was knocked into submission, or taken to doggy parks to have play dates when he was a pup......a bulldog can discover it's genetics at any given moment in time. A bulldog can go 8 years being "tolerant" of other dogs, but one day, bam, you have yourself a yard accident. I just like people to realize this, and not get overly comfortable with the whole 'Oh he's fine. He's never shown DA before' notion. Never ever ever completely trust a bulldog not to fight, no matter how 'socialized' you think the dog is. You can't "train" the genetics out of a dog.

 

And yes, I speak from experience. I've owned bulldogs for years, and still keep a few on the yard to this day....some good old blood.

 

We do work our APBT's. They are our primary lead-in catch dogs. We also use the BT's to catch as well. Both breeds are powerful, capable, and need strong handlers, but I will say that in my experience, the BT's are generally far more hard headed in day to day situations than the bulldogs are.