Pitbull Vs Bull Terrier Difference: What You Should Know

Every dog breed is different, and some will suit your lifestyle, your family, and your temperament much better than others. Likewise, you could be a perfect match for one breed and a complete nightmare for another. The bull terrier and the pitbull belong to the terrier family. Some people also believe they are the same breed or take one for another. Although they certainly aren’t the same breed, what are the similarities and differences between these two? Which one would be the right breed for you, in your specific circumstance? Let’s find out about it. In this article you will find out the pitbull vs bull terrier difference.

 

Pit Bull Traits

 

Pitbull Dog

 

Pit Bulls are misunderstood, despised, and crowded shelters all over the world. The sad truth is that all the negative aspects of Pit Bulls are common knowledge, although few may have an appreciation of their unique and special qualities that will certainly make them lovable and adoptable. 

Media outlets prefer to depict the negative, claim that Pit Bull’s attacks are on the rise, and have made the debate about the existence of Pit Bulls especially heated. Pit Bull breed bans have spread the ugly myth that all Pit Bulls are innately violent, jaw-locking, and unsocial. They’re all absolute pit bull myths. While the American Pit Bull Terrier was originally bred with selective fighting characteristics, the breed has many impressive, optimistic characteristics.

1. Pit Bulls Are In Love With People.

They make excellent companions for their human beings, with their caring and trustworthy personalities, an ideal pit bull trait. Like all dogs, their attitude and actions can depend heavily on their upbringing. If raised to display dominance and rewarded for being protected from pitbull aggression, this is the type of dog that will develop. Dogs who are taught respectful boundaries and constructive orders will be willing to please and satisfy their human beings with affection, snuggle, and that wet Pitty kisses.

2. Pit Bulls Are Very Receptive To Teaching.

Since their main aim is to make their master happy, they try to obey their orders and get their owner’s approval. A lot of positive reinforcement and affection tells the Pit Bull they’re doing a good job and making them even more determined to please themselves. An outstanding pitbull trait is that they can be taught to execute all manner of commands and tricks. Understanding the actions of a dog early and being involved in socialization is crucial to decreasing the risk of violence against other dogs or humans.

3. Pit Bulls Are An Outstanding Role Model.

Though dogs are our best friends and family members, not only do they have a special place in our hearts, but they have perfect features to emulate in our human lives. Owning Pit Bulls encourages us to be curious and engaged, to remain involved and playful, to remain loyal. Pit Bull owners can face a lot of criticism and judgment from those who fear and believe in various Pit Bull myths. Remaining conscious and present, like the stoic Pit Bull, is a quality that will favor all of us.

 

Bull Terrier Characteristics

 

bull terrier

 

Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terriers are fun-loving, playful dogs with appealing characters that are very loyal to their owners. The distinction between the two varieties is their size. The Bull Terrier was originally bred as a combat dog, but it doesn’t look for trouble, and despite this, the new breed has a sweet disposition. They have a solid, muscular appearance and are powerful dogs with a distinctive ‘egg-shaped’ skull. They’ve got a short, flat, lying coat, which is thick and needs little attention.

The Bull Terrier is a friendly breed, but it can have a stubborn and mischievous streak. This means that consistent teaching and socialization from a young age is of great importance. Given their independence of mind, they are fairly intelligent and easy to learn when it suits them. They usually have a nice time with other dogs and pets and enjoy playing with children. The breed may have some health issues, so it is important to choose a safe family line.

1. Its Presence

Both the Bull Terrier and the Miniature Bull Terrier have a solid, muscular look. The disparity between the two is based solely on their height. There are no maximum height or weight limits for the Bull Terrier, but they should give the impression of having substance for their size. The depth of the chest should be approximately the same as the length of the front legs. The Miniature Bull Terrier should not measure more than 35,5 cm at the cone, and, as with the Bull Terrier, there is no weight cap, while dogs should also tend to have a large substance in proportion to their height.

Both forms of Bull Terrier should have a muscular, arched neck, which is long enough to lead to equally strong, broad, sloping shoulders. The elbows should be strong and kept straight above the forelegs, which are firm with a decent amount of bone. The Bull Terrier was meant to have a round body and a short topline, with a slight arch over the loins. The chest should be broad and the curve should be straight from the ribs to the abdomen. The back legs should be straight and parallel with a lot of muscle and solid legs. The tail should be set low and borne horizontally.

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The Bull Terrier and the Miniature Bull Terrier have a distinctive head shape with a long, deep muzzle, described as ‘egg-shaped’ when viewed from the front. This means that there should be no pause or indentation as the skull bends steadily from the base to the tip of the nose. The jaw should be deep and solid, with a mouth full of strong, straight teeth and a scissor bite. The eyes are relatively small and narrow, diagonally located. They are meant to be dark in color. The ears are kept straight and tiny and thin.

Bull Terriers can run freely, thus covering the ground effortlessly, giving the appearance of ‘jaunty’ weather. The head should be raised high and the top line should remain straight, while the back legs should provide the gait with strength and push.

2. Character And Temperament

Bull Terriers are courageous and fun loving but mostly friendly, and considering their heritage, they’re usually charming and don’t usually look for trouble. They also exhibit some more traditional terrier traits and are loyal and can be independent minded and stubborn, so they need strong and consistent handling. This indicates that for the first time, the owners of dogs are not perfect.

Despite their often stubborn nature, they are very sweet and good-natured and trustworthy with children and people in general. They usually get along well with other dogs and pets, particularly if they are socialized from a young age and do not usually have anxiety about separation. Their gentle nature means that they are not always used as guardian dogs, however, their physical presence can be intimidating.

3. Trainability

The Bull Terrier is intelligent, but their independent and often stubborn and mischievous disposition can mean that they are not the easiest to train. A structured training regime with a lot of patience from a young age, along with socialization from a puppy, is important to ensure good behavior.

Despite their propensity for obstinate streaking, house-training is not generally a matter of concern and is typically quick to train good recall, particularly when positive reinforcement is used for good behaviour. Bull Terriers are typically sociable dogs, but as with all puppies, early socialization is necessary to prevent behavioral issues later on.

 

Pitbull vs Bull Terrier Difference

 

bull terrier vs pitbull difference

 

A little bit more about the pitbulls.

Pitbull is the short name of the American Pitbull Terrier. American Pitbull Terrier is a breed that has no specific standard (unlike bull terrier). This means that Pitbulls don’t have a particular “template” on what they should look like. Little variances are all right. 

This is because Pitbulls, unlike bull terriers and some of the pit bull terrier varieties like American Staffordshire Terriers, are raised primarily as a working dog, i.e., combat dog. Only the combat qualities were respected and bred, such as control, stamina, the strength of the jaws, intellect in the pit, the sharpness of mind, determination, etc. It didn’t matter how much the dog looked like.

1. Pitbull vs Bull Terrier Difference: A Start

Due to laws, you might not even be allowed to own a pitbull, depending on where you live in the country. Due to its unfortunate (and untrue) image as a violent, aggressive breed, pitbull ownership is restricted in many countries around the world: from some limitations to full bans that occur in 12 countries around the world, including Canada, Brazil, the United States, Belgium, and a few others.

This is one of the biggest distinctions between Pitbulls and bull terriers. Due to laws, you might not even be allowed to own a pitbull, depending on where you live in the country. Bull terriers do not have the same reputation as Pitbulls and are freely bred and sold in most countries of the world.

2. Pitbull vs Bull Terrier Difference: The Story

Both bull terriers and Pitbulls have a, so to speak, tough background. Both, at various points of their existence, were used for dogfighting (and often for bullfighting). Pitbulls were developed by cross-breeding bulldogs to terriers, with the explicit intention of producing a strong, muscular dog capable of dominating the other dogs in the battle pit.

They inherited their stubbornness and confidence from the bulldogs and the extremely rapid reaction of the terriers. This combination, coupled with their strong size, well-formed musculature, and intellect, makes them an incomparable enemy in the pit.

Bull terriers also have bulldogs and terriers in their heritage, but dalmatians have also been used to make this breed. Bull terriers have also been used widely for fighting, but also for chasing rats and killing rats in the pit as a form of entertainment for the crowd. Their historical struggle determines the physical and temperamental features of both of these races.

3. Pitbull vs Bull Terrier Difference: Which One Is The Right Dog For You

If you pick a breed to adopt, it’s a good idea how large your dog is going to be, so you know that you have enough room for them in your house/apartment, etc. Pitbulls are a fairly large breed: an adult Pitbull can weight from 15 to 35 kg (30 to 70 lbs), but weight is also not specifically specified for Pitbulls as there is no norm.

Bull terriers range from 18 kg to 30 kg (36 to 60 lbs). On average, the dog is a little smaller and more compact than the pitbull. The Miniature Bull Terrier will be even smaller, but if you’re looking for a more lightweight dog with the same attitude, go to the Mini Bull Terrier!

Both breeds are specially built, distinct from any other breed in their form and stature. They are both highly muscular, robust, and powerful dogs. They’re both pretty heavy and need a good owner. (Not exactly the best breeds if you’re going to walk with your little child).

Both Pitbulls and bull terriers will not always be the right breeds if you’re planning to live your dog in a small apartment. They’d both be better suited to living in a home. These are two highly active dogs, and they need space to travel, run, and explore. And at times, both can be couch potatoes. Typically after a long stroll.

One major way bull terriers differ from pitbulls is that bull terriers have clearly established breed criteria, while Pitbulls do not.

 

pitbull dog

 

4. Pitbull vs Bull Terrier Difference: Temperament

Temperament-wise, as you may know, pitbulls don’t have the best reputation out there, even though that’s slowly beginning to improve as more and more breed lovers say the truth about their pets. The mainstream view, backed by governments in 12 countries where pitbulls are prohibited, is that pitbulls are vicious, blood-thirsty animals that can attack someone at any time for no reason whatsoever.

Over the years, there have been enough events, highlighted by the press, that have depicted the pitbulls in this way and helped to build their unfortunate image. The fact about these animals is that they are also incredibly powerful and capable of severely injuring another dog or a human being.

They were also bred to be especially stubborn and brave: each of these qualities used to be highly prized in war pits. However, this doesn’t mean that pitbulls are necessarily violent or harmful, only that they require very strong, devoted owners to hold them in check.

Any dog may become violent, unmanageable, or harmful – including small dogs. The difference is that a small dog can only do so much harm, while a dog like a pitbull (or, for that matter, a bull terrier) can be very dangerous if it is not regulated by the owner.

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Pitbull’s jaws (just like bull terrier’s jaws) are incredibly strong and it can be very hard to get a dog to let go if it tries to bite into another dog (or human). The sheer strength of the dog, coupled with natural stubbornness, can make a poorly handled pitbull (or an angry bull terrier) a real danger for the public.

Because of this, all bull terriers and pitbulls require a very good owner who can make enough time to learn about their dog and how to handle it properly.

Of course, all dogs are quite different, and so are pitbulls (and bull terriers). While pitbulls were originally raised as dog warriors, the degree of violence towards other dogs in today’s pitbulls can vary from negligible to very large. Bull terrier temperament can also differ from dog to dog, but they are usually cool, confident dogs with a stable personality.

It depends on the dog’s natural predisposition, its history, the way it was raised and the environment at home, whether or not it was properly socialized, and other factors.

Having said that, many bull terrier owners know that bull terriers are often the absolute couch potatoes in the home. They enjoy long cuddling sessions and watching Netflix on your favorite sofa.

5. Pitbull vs Bull Terrier Difference: Family And Children

Despite their stigma, both bull terriers and pitbulls are doing well in families with children. If your dog is basically a happy dog, well socialized, well raised, and mentally stable, it’s going to be nice to have your kids around. These two breeds can boast of high patience and a high threshold of pain. This ensures that playing and yelling children around them would not cause any aggressive action on the part of a dog. A bull terrier or a pitbull would let the children pull their ears or tail and not flinch. One danger is that both the Pitbulls and the bull terriers are very big dogs and can knock a little kid off their feet in the heat of the game.

All of this, of course, is only true if the dog is happy and mentally stable and well behaved. An uncontrolled, angry, or aggressive pitbull, as well as a bull terrier, can pose a significant threat to both children and adults.

6. Pitbull vs Bull Terrier Difference: Maintenance And Washing

While being a reasonably large breed, Pitbulls are not very much needed when it comes to maintenance. Really, grooming-wise, they’re easy to take care of. Owners should pay particular attention to their pitties’ ears, which must be kept clean and dry. It’s a good idea to clean them up once a week. You should even wash and groom your pitbull coat while you’re at it. There’s no clear bathing schedule, but your pup should be bathed on a “as needed” basis, for example, if it’s muddy outside, and it’s clearly dirty.

If your pittie’s nails look long, they need to be trimmed to avoid pain while walking.

It is also necessary to watch the condition of your dog’s mouth: frequent check-ups can help avoid tooth decay. You can also benefit by giving your dog bones to chew, which helps to clean their teeth. The eyes of a pittie must also be washed from time to time.

Otherwise, the most important thing to note is that any dog, and particularly your pitbull (and bull terrier), needs a lot of physical activity on a regular basis. This includes biking, hiking, dog parks, or getting to a gated backyard. Both of these will help you make sure that your dog will exercise enough to preserve its physical and mental health.

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Bull terriers are not so distinct from Pitbulls in terms of maintenance. Their short coats make it easy to brush them (even though you have a white bull terrier). As with a pitbull, you’ll need to take care of the eyes and ears of your bull terrier, as well as their teeth. Here you can learn more about grooming your bull terrier.

 

Final Words

 

Overall, bull terriers and Pitbulls have a number of things in common. Both are dominant races with a history rooted in dogfighting. Both love their owners and are extremely loyal, given the owner has the desire and the ability to raise and manage the dog well, being the true leader of the pack. Also, both dogs are notoriously stubborn and willing, but not necessarily violent or risky. Both dogs require about the same amount of exercise and flourish in active households. Both dogs would make a great friend and companion to any family.

 

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