Читать книгу Bull Terrier - Bethany Gibson - Страница 14

The Bull Terrier is most certainly devoted to his owner and family, but his loyalty can be deceiving. Although extremely affectionate and capable of making you think that you are the only one who really matters, he will go off with anyone who has a treat and a friendly voice and not even bother to look back. The Bull Terrier’s personality can often be compared to that of a cat. For instance, they will sit on your lap and beg to be petted and scratched one minute, then later they want nothing to do with you and are off by themselves to do their own thing. Bull Terriers live to please themselves. They will strive to please their owners when it benefits them. They have minds of their own and feel that it is their place to run the household. Do not underestimate the intelligence of the Bull Terrier—he knows how to get what he wants and will go to great lengths to do so.

Spoiled Bull Terriers being chauffeured by their doting driver (and owner). While these two white Bullies take a handsome photograph, this is not a safe method of travel!

Bull Terriers can be very spiteful and, when prevented from doing something that they wish to do, will immediately run off to find one of your most valuable possessions and do their misdeeds. They do not miss a thing and are always in the middle of what is going on. Do not trust a sleeping Bull Terrier; he is always listening, and every so often a tiny little eye slits open—just to see what’s going on.

Being left alone for long periods of time is totally unacceptable and your Bull Terrier will let you know it. Don’t be surprised when your Bull Terrier decides to chew the cushions of the chair into tiny little pieces and spit them out all over the floor. Give him about an hour and he may destroy the entire contents of your house. This is your punishment for leaving him alone.

Be forewarned: physical correction accomplishes nothing, as the Bull Terrier knows no pain. However, you may find success using a stern, scornful voice when your Bull Terrier has been bad. Watch his ears go back and his tail wag frantically as he crouches down in a submissive position, body wiggling, begging to be forgiven. It is difficult to remain angry with a Bull Terrier for very long. He will not let you! Your Bull Terrier will pester you and follow you around with those pathetic little eyes until you finally put a smile on your face and give him a loving pat. But be prepared: ten minutes later he will be right back doing whatever it was that got him in trouble in the first place.

Your Bull Terrier is often stubborn but seldom stupid and never dull. Livening things up and making everyone laugh are his specialties. Somehow, he will seem to understand what you are feeling and will do his best to cheer you up and brighten your day when you are blue.

In general, a Bull Terrier can make a good guard or watchdog because he is powerful, loyal and and determined. When a Bully barks, take notice! However, these same traits can make him jealous and overly possessive, undesirable traits that must never be encouraged. Although some Bull Terriers are so sweet that there is a better chance that an intruder will be licked to death than attacked, this scenario is not so with every dog. If a Bull Terrier senses that his master or home is being attacked, he will instantly transform into a valiant gladiator, well befitting his heritage. Due to his smaller size, he is not comparable to the larger protection dogs (such as the German Shepherd Dog or the Rottweiler), but he has the determination to match any of these dogs and most of his bull-and-terrier cousins. Like the American Pit Bull Terrier, whose fortitude, strength and gameness are second to none, it takes great measure to stop a Bull Terrier who is fighting for his master’s life or property. As duty calls, your Bull Terrier makes a grand watchdog, blessed with a booming voice that translates as fiery and serious. These traits make the Bull Terrier an ideal companion dog, since there are few canine clowns that can drop the big red nose and fright wig instantly and turn into “superdog” to protect the family he loves.

Bull Terriers live to have their own way! Stealing food and other mischievous activities can be a way of life for the Bull Terrier.