Can You Afford It?

A puppy… The Trust does not get young puppies, you would need to obtain one from a breeder— but consider… for a healthy well-reared Bull Terrier puppy you should be prepared to pay anything between £650 and £750. There will also be the cost of vaccination.

Food for a puppy will cost you at least £2.00 per day (although less when your dog is fully grown), and you should allow for veterinary expenses, including annual vaccination boosters. The cost of veterinary fees is very high and medical insurance is advised—but either way it can be expensive. Young adventurous Bull Terriers may cause damage in the home, especially during teething— it can all be expensive and frustrating.

If you can still afford it, there will also be the occasional holiday without beloved Bully. Boarding in reliable kennels cannot be cheap, allow at least £9.00 per day.

An adult… A Welfare Bull Terrier costs a donation to the Trust of £100-200. We try to vaccinate; we try to neuter, but we cannot guarantee that either will have been done. We have as much remedial veterinary attention completed as we can, and you would certainly be advised of any known conditions, but there may be some veterinary attention still needed and sadly veterinary costs are an essential part of dog ownership.

Have You The Patience?
This breed can be so trying, especially after a busy day at work, or when the dog rushes in putting mud all over the new carpet. Or jumps and grabs great aunt's wig and, shaking it to the death, then runs with fiendish glee into the compost heap! Or when it knocks your four-year-old child into the mud just as she is ready for that first big party. A puppy is worse, and in addition you also have the puppy traits to go through.

Have You The Temperament?
The Bull Terrier is very strong-willed and sensitive but requires firm but quiet handling. Not averse to fighting with other dogs, they must be kept under control at all times. It is a breed that thrives in an environment that is loving, well disciplined, and placid.

Does All The Family Want A Dog?
Too often Mum gets pushed into having the dog in order to please the rest of the family - and then when the novelty has worn off she is the only member of the family who is prepared to provide all the care! You must ALL want a Bull Terrier, puppy or adult, and be prepared to convince the Trust or the breeder that this is the truth.

Will You Be A Responsible Owner?
An adult Bull Terrier is strong and vigorous and can be intimidating to strangers. They should never be allowed to run wild, terrorizing other dogs and their owners. As with any breed of dog, they must not be allowed to annoy or inconvenience others. It is not given to all to be dog owners and to even less to enjoy the love and ownership of a Bull Terrier.

Summary
Only get a Bull Terrier after considering all the facts. Getting any dog is an important decision that should not be taken on impulse. Deciding to get a Bull Terrier can be the high point of your life. If you want a quieter and less eventful life you should consider a breed other than a Bull Terrier.

IF YOU DECIDE ON A PUPPY

Select your breeder as best you are able, the Kennel Club can give you a list of breeders who have recently registered puppies, or it is obtainable on their website. They do make the point- frequently missed by keen buyers- that this is merely a list of persons who have registered puppies, and not that they are specifically recommending them.

You should be seeing healthy, happy, well-adjusted puppies and deciding that the breeder's response to your questions gives you a feeling of confidence and trust. No purchase should be made without trust.

The breeder should be able to assess whether you really can manage this strong breed. Don't be surprised if he seems to try and dissuade you and stresses the disadvantages rather than the advantages. Above all the breeder will want to feel that he can trust you with a puppy on which they have spent much loving care and probably years devoted to dedicated breeding and learning.

Don't decide during this first visit. Go home and discuss it. Only when you are really sure, telephone and tell the breeder what you would like to do. Be prepared for the breeder to have an alternative view and not want to sell you a puppy. Think very carefully before going to another breeder if this should be the case. Do be prepared to wait. Puppies don't come to order and it is always worth waiting for a healthy well adjusted puppy from a reputable breeder.

If you decide on a Welfare Bull Terrier

When you have read through this information and considered the implications carefully, if you still want to pursue offering a Bull Terrier a home please download the Application Form and send it to Joan Kenway. When you think she will have received the form, please phone her to discuss the matter further. You will be asked a number of questions and please answer honestly. Do not consider a dog unless your circumstances are unlikely to change. For instance it is not a good idea to take a dog because you are unemployed and have plenty of time- circumstances change. If you pass this stage and we have a dog that seems suitable we may direct you to our kennels, or perhaps to another rescue kennel such as Battersea or the RSPCA, or even to a private home. You will always have the option of waiting until we have a suitable dog in our own kennels. It is important to be aware that dogs obtained from any source other than our own kennels will not be assessed by us. It will be no good asking us to later adjudicate in any dispute. Be sure before you take the dog and do not pay the owner money.

If you get your Bull Terrier realize that your life will never be the same again and that no other breed of dog can compare. This is a special breed for very special people.