Bull and terrier
Bull and Terrier
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| Other names | Half-and-half Bull & terrier Fighting bull terrier "Pit" bull terrier |
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| Origin | Britain |
| Breed status | Not recognized as a standardized breed by any major kennel club. |
| Notes | Progenitor to the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, English Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier |
| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |
The Bull and Terrier is a breed of dog that was the progenitor of the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, English Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The Bull and Terrier is a cross between the Old English Bulldog and a variety of Terriers. The anatomy of the Bull and Terrier is the result of selective breeding for the purpose of hunting,dog fighting and baiting.
Most terriers, of the past and present, carried or carry a quarter to an eighth Old English Bulldog blood in them in order, allegedly, to give courage to bear the bites of the prey they are meant to attack. Terriers who were not developed from crosses between the Old English Bulldog and earth-working dogs were of inferior quality and were valued far less.
There are earth-working dogs who by default and definition are called terriers because they have the ability to go to ground; however, the best earth-working and hunting terriers are the progeny of bulldogs bred to earth-working dogs (terriers), also known as the 'Bull-Terrier' or 'half-bred' dog.
John Henry Walsh wrote in 'The dog, in health and disease, by Stonehenge' (1859):
The terrier as used for hunting is a strong useful little dog, with great endurance and courage, and with nearly as good a nose as the Beagle or Harrier. From his superior courage when crossed with the Bulldog, as most vermin-terriers are, he has generally been kept for killing vermin whose bite would deter the Spaniel or the Beagle, but would only render the terrier more determined in his pursuit of them.
Walsh also wrote of the Fox Terrier:
The field fox-terrier, used for bolting the fox when gone to ground, was of this breed (bull and terrier).
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